Had a horrid semester that was based on the current fascination with mapping. Talked with a professor that said all the projects, across the board, were some of the worst they'd ever seen, and I'd agree.

Seems like a map that's based on one's personal experiences as they traveled through a site would be less inhuman and would have a definite sense of authorship. Of course, a map like that is nearly impossible to discern without a serious key or legend.

I am fascinated with the idea of using mapping in the 'process of making,' but I regret that I have not necessarily found many good examples in architectural projects. Trying to identify a process to find out how & why people might connect with, relate to, or even ignore, a space or place is absolutely a noble quest, but far too often those studies inform designs that are either far too literal & specific or way too bland & general.

There are however some very successful (at least I think so) 'interventions' done by non-architects and even some places that have 'just came to be' that are far more interesting than they could be if an architect got in the way.

Here's some off the top of my head:

Graffiti artists - specifically train car bombs... the network created by these moving galleries.

An artist/activist in Detroit (name escapes me) painted these colored dots all over abandoned houses which brought about different ideas from various classes of people in the area.

Banksy's work all over the place

Skateboarding... I've spent many years connecting with certain spaces including parking garages, loading docks, public plazas, etc... taking 'temporary' ownership of the built environment.

The IIT student center (OMA)