Category: Architecture
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Spatial Justice in Urban India
Notes from a talk by Leo Saldanha and Bharghavi Rao on “Contested Terrains: Environmental and Spatial Justice in Urban India” at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, organised by HUPO, the Harvard Urban Planning Organisation.
Themes
A right to life includes a right to livelihood.This challenged by:
– privatisation
– gating
– surveillance
– separation and marginalisation
– cleansing of the urban poor
– harassment of sexual minorities
– encroachment of the car.This creates a fragmentation of communities. The problems are well understood by elected representatives – the problem is in municipal bureaucracies.
The future needs to be the “cheap city”. The small/medium-sized city is the future. (more…)
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Serendipity
Serendipity happens all the time. It’s a question of how we react to it that matters.
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J-term course proposal
Instructor Name
Tim StonorProgram/Affiliation
Loeb FellowEmail
tstonor@gsd.harvard.eduPrevious teaching experience
1996-1998 Course Director, Master of Science in Architecture, the Bartlett, University College London.
Current Honorary Senior Lecturer, the Bartlett, University College London.Course title
Introduction to Space Syntax theory, technology and practiceCourse description
Space Syntax is an architectural theory that investigates relationships between spatial layout and a range of social and economic phenomena including patterns of movement, public space use, land use and crime distribution. Built on quantitative analysis and computer technology, Space Syntax provides a set of evidence-based techniques for the analysis of spatial configurations of all kinds, especially where spatial configuration seems to be a significant aspect of human affairs, as it is in buildings and urban areas. Applied in both academic research and practice, Space Syntax treats cities and buildings ‘space first’, that is as the network of spaces that people use and move through. (more…) -
Bill Doebele’s wise words
Bill Doebele talk to the 40th Reunion of the Loeb Fellowship
Piper Auditorium, Harvard Graduate School of Design
8th October 2010
This is the script used by Bill to guide his talk. His actual delivery may differ in some minor respects.
Greetings!
Thank you all for making this the most memorable weekend of my life.
Also my thanks to Jim and Sally for making this one of the richest and best organized reunions ever.
I promise that I will be as brief as it is possible for a former professor to be.
I will begin with a note of appreciation, then mention one concern that I have about the future of the Fellowship.
I must begin by sincerely thanking each of you here who have astonished me by contributing to the William A. Doebele Fellowship. I salute both your generosity and your good judgment.
When I was a callow youth in the high school of a small town in the hills of central Pennsylvania, I dreamed the romantic dreams of the young. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, I said to myself, if I could do something in my life that would improve the world in a way that would endure beyond my own brief existence on this troubled planet. A modest but lasting memorial to my having been here.
Today it is hard for me to express the degree of my gratification in finding that the consummation of that youthful dream is being achieved, not by my own efforts, but through the incredible generosity of your gift. (more…)
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Don’t fight fire…
World Bank data suggest an urban population in 2050 of approximately 7 billion, of which close to half will be living in unplanned settlements: favelas, barrios, slums. Delegates at this weekend’s Loeb Fellowship 40th Anniversary Reunion are necessarily concerned.
When the Fellowship was established in 1970, America was in turmoil with civic unrest across the country, major urban centres on fire, tanks on the streets of Detroit, the National Guard deployed against the population.
Faced with this extreme reality, John and Frances Loeb didn’t say “Let’s train a new generation of firefighters”; they decided instead to invest in a strategy of prevention.
There’s a lesson to be learned here. (more…)
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Designing for transaction
Today I gave a presentation to architecture students at the Graduate School of Design titled: “Designing for transaction: the importance of spatial layout, emergence & multi-scale movement”. Here’s the introduction…
“Sites – such as the one you have been asked to look at in Queens – raise important questions about connections: how many, where, for what purpose? At what scale? For what kinds of movement? Land use? Questions that require analysis, foresight and forecasting.
Who is best skilled to judge? Transport planners, planners, architects, sociologists?
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Augmented reality with Nicco Mele
I had an interesting discussion this morning with Nicco Mele, Visiting Edward R Murrow Lecturer at the Kennedy School of Government, comparing thoughts about the network of the city and the network of cyberspace – each a network of things. I introduced him to Space Syntax and shared a few thoughts I have had since reading “The Cathedral and the Bazaar”, one of the readings on his course: DPI-659 Media, Politics & Power in the Digital Age.
Nicco had earlier sent me a link to a post on Dan Hill’s blog: “The City of Sound“, which added further food for thought about relationships between different kinds networks: digital and spatial. (more…)
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Harvard Urban Planning Organisation
Today I gave a short presentation to urban planning students at the Graduate School of Design titled: “Urban sustainability: the social, economic & environmental influence of spatial layout”. Here’s the introduction…
“In this presentation I will focus on one particular aspect of sustainability: the patterns of human activity – movement, co-presence and interaction – that occur in buildings and cities.
These patterns emerge as the result of design decisions.
I want to show how spatial layout is a critical aspect of design; how spatial layout influences human behaviour and how this has a fundamental bearing on the sustainability of urban places.”
You can find my full presentation here on slideboom.
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Put the client into the brief
Perhaps the greatest difference between architecture school and design practice is the reality in practice of the client, the client’s other advisors, the opponents to the project, the commentators in the press – in other words the human factor. (more…)
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Expect conflict
We are told to avoid conflict. Mostly good advice but conflict is ever near and not always avoidable. (more…)
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Architecture: beyond art & science
Is architecture and art or a science? As Bill Hillier has argued, this is the wrong question. In fact it’s a silly question. Architecture is both art and science. He argues that architecture is total art and total science. In fact it’s more, because architecture engages with the everyday and the everyday is social, environmental and economic too. (more…)
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Space Syntax Limited’s 20th Birthday Party
On 2nd July 2009, Space Syntax Limited held a party to celebrate its 20th birthday. The party took place around the Main Quad at University College London.The evening began in the Slade School of Art with a special viewing of the Bartlett Summer Show before continuing on the Portico with a welcome from guest of honour, Sir Stuart Lipton.
For Tim Stonor’s words of welcome, click here.
For Sir Stuart Lipton’s speech, click here.
Guest list
Alexander, James
Event CommunicationsAltunisi, Ziad
Al Faisaliah Medical SystemsAsaf, Iris
UCLAnderson, Nick
Faber MaunsellAntonakaki, Dora
Azhar, Azhar
AZHAR ArchitectsBahaj, AbuBakr
University of SouthamptonBakker, Ron
Kohn Pedersen Fox AssociatesBakr, Al-Mashhadani
Al Faisaliah Medical SystemsBaillieu, Amanda
Building Design MagazineBeck, Helen
CABEBell, Chris
The FD CentreBenedetti, Renato
Bennett, Neil
FARRELLSBerhamovic, Aida
BAABidgood, Mark
ARUPBlackwell, Richard
Blackwell ArchitectsBlake, Nick
YRM ArchitectsBobisse, Riccardo
JMPBogle, Ian
HamiltonsBriggs, Guy
EDAWBrown, Patricia
Central London PartnershipBrown, Robin
Hayes Community DevelopmentBuchanan, Peter
Peter BuchananBudgen, Andrew
SpacelabCaldwell, Ian
Kings College LondonCanadine, Steve
GiffordCaust, Margaret
London Development AgencyChan, Melisa
PORTLANDChapman, Tim
ARUPCharlton, Giles
CAPITA LOVEJOYChen Helen
Planning Office HackneyChiu, Lai Fong
Leeds UniversityCobb, David
UCLCole, Allison
The American International University in LondonConner, Richard
Piercy Conner ArchitectsCook, Charlotte
City of LondonCowan, Rob
Urban Design GroupCrappsley, Richard
Colin BuchananCromme, Susanne
Croxford, Ben
University College LondonDamati, Ali
AL Systems Medical FaisaliahDaridsan, Alan
Mayes DaridsanDavis, Michael
The Company Promenade Thamesde Jongh, Phil
ARUPDeda, Luan
‘Scott BrownriggDeffenbaugh, John
Diamond, Ros
Diamond ArchitectsDuffy, Jim
HKR ArchitectsDye, Anne
CABEDyke, John
SavillsEast, John
SavillsEdwards, Michael
UCLFatah gen. Schieck, Ava
UCLFenne, Richard
Magyar Marsoni ArchitectsForeman, Lucy
SmootheFreeman, Edward
CAPITA LOVEJOYFursdon, Andrew
Scott Tallon Walker ArchitectsGaskin, Alastair
Reagh Consulting CompanyGilbert, Daniel
UCLGlaessl, Daniel
Gumuchdjian ArchitectsGledstone, Linda
Academy of UrbanismGrant, Ian
NewzeyeGreene, Margarita
University ChileGunn, Ken
FSP Retail Business ConsultantsHagiladi, Na’amah
ARUPHaklay, Muki
UCLHardy, Matthew
INTBAUHarris, Richard
Living PlanITHart, Julian
HCAHawkes, Victoria
Steer Davies GleaveHayward, Richard
Greenwich UniversityHeath Peter
AtkinsHerzenshtein, Irit
Longboat Tax AdvisorsHoneysett, Nathalie
AONHoneysett, Sophie
Hastings CouncilInglis, Peter
Edward Cullinan ArchitectsIvattt, Martin
JMPJefferies, William
Square & PartnersJenkins, Andrew
ARUPJohn, Philip
JMPKalkhowen, Paul
Foster + PartnersKarski, Andy
TibbaldsKeltie, Leanne
David Lock AssociatesKendall, Jonathan
Fletcher Priest ArchitectsKhazaka, Lita
The Prince’s FoundationKochan Ben
Krikler, Felicie
Assael ArchitectureLee, William
Lesser, Benjamin
StanhopeLewis, Michael
Child Graddon LewisLi, Annie
Design for LondonLoew, Sebastian
Urban Design GroupLopez de Vallejo, Irene
UCLLorch, Richard
Building Research & InformationLow, Fergus
More LondonLowe, Robert
Lucas, Joanna
Inspace Homes LimitedMarmot, Alexi
UCLMattes, Holger
David Chipperfield ArchitectsMattin, Alberta
CatalystMaughan, Ally
BluefinMaynard, Julian
Duo ConsultantsMcAdam, Steve
FLUIDMcCart, Mike
South Bank CentreMcGeough, Kevin
Homes & Communities AgencyMcGowan, John
Turner & TownsendMcGrogan, Pat
Department of EnvironmentMcKeogh, Nick
PipersMcNally, Joy
Great Ormond Street HospitalMcNally, Andrew
Daimler BenzMeeda, Bally
Urban GraphicsMellon, Alastair
‘Providence DevelopmentsMichael, Edwards
UCLMiranda, Pablo
Aedas ArchitectsMonaghan, Niall
HamiltonsMorgan, Dominic
FDMorrison, Robert
Morrison Brink StonorMorrison, Franceska
Thames Promenade CompanyMowle, Lee
Steer Davies GleaveMoynihan, Dennis
Institute for SustainabilityMurrain, Paul
Musgrave, Lucy
General Public AgencyNanda, Vivek
Alan Baxter & AssociatesNewman, Kate
This Is Not A GatewayNicholson, Robin
Edward Cullinan ArchitectsNorton, Christina
SoundingsOades, Mike
AedasOreszczyn, Tadj
UCLOsborne, James
PPSParham, Susan
Council for European UrbanismPatel, Nilesh
LDA DesignPaul, Ben
NeuPegg, John
craft:peggPhillips, Katy
City of LondonPorter, Niel
Gustafson PorterPolychronakis, Ioannis
Halcrow GroupPrevc, John
makePriest, Keith
Fletcher Priest ArchitectsProtheroe, Guy
Whitelaw TurkingtonPsarra, Sophia
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban PlanningRalph, Ian
Urban InitiativesReed, Martin
ARUPRedway Kathryn
Kathryn Redway AssociatesReitman, Alexandra
Greater London AuthorityRenak, Leigh
YBP ConsultantsReynolds, Paul
AtkinsRice, Colin
Edward Cullinan ArchitectsRoberts, Hugh
Colin BuchananRobinson, Stuart
CB Richard Ellis LtdRose, Alasdair
EPSRCRosenberg, David
VeloroseRowland, Jon
JON ROWLAND URBAN DESIGNRubinson, Mark
ABG GroupRuud, Chris
University of NottinghamRushton, John
Small Back RoomSailer, Kerstin
SpacelabSandler, Sebastian
Xul ArchitectureSchaefer, Markus
Hosoya Schaefer ArchitectsScott, Ian
UCLShort, Ian
London Thames Gateway Development CorporationSheldon, Andrew
Urban InitiativesShrimpton, Hannah
Steer Davies GleaveSmales, Jonathan
Beyond GreenSmiles, Chris
Marks Barfield ArchitectsSmith, Steven
DEGWSmyth, Austin
University of WestminsterStallard, Kinna
Atomik ArchitectureStarrs, Mel
InbuiltSteward, Peter
Peter Steward ConsultancyStonor, Anna
Swale Borough CouncilStonor, Michael
Stonor EuropeStonor, Nicholas
Trinity ChambersStowell, George
George StowellSutton, Vaughan
ARUPThornton, Bron
Walk 21Tollast, Julian
Quintain Estates and DevelopmentToogood, Elaine
Elaine ToogoodTricker, Jonathan
Urban InitiativesTschawow, Kati
AsseaelTurner, Alasdair
UCLTwelftree, Peter
Steer Davies Gleavevan Bruggen, Ben
SavillsVause, Christopher
Maclay, Murray & SpensWalker, Jim
Walk EnglandWarwick, Elanor
CABEWatson, Patrik
Buro FourWedderburn, Martin
BuchananWeen, Camilla
Transport for LondonWernick, Jane
Jane Wernick AssociatesWheeler, Paul
Land Securities TrilliumWhitfied, Debbie
PipersWojciech, Dziubek
Quixotic ArchitectrueWood, Robert
Duo ConsultantsWood, Matthew
Conran and PartnersWorthington, John
DEGWYao, Jerry
Charles Ming & AssociatesZad, Rogers
KOF media -
The crisis of modelling
Dear [colleague]
Are you familiar with the attached. I think there’s a connection with the article on modelling that you sent me. I believe we can present Space Syntax as addressing the “crisis of modelling”, in which:
– traditional modelling makes dire predictions about the impact on vehicles of public realm-/public transport-oriented projects are unfounded
– traditional modelling is cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive
– traditional modelling seems overly focused on narrow issues such as gross vehicle movement and less aware of “real” issues such as community severance and economic performance. (more…)
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Architecture at the edge of knowledge; space syntax at the heart of design
INTRODUCTION
Let me begin at the end with a summary of my presentation. The space syntax approach is more than a computer programme. The beauty – and I think it is a beauty – of the approach is that it combines three key aspects of practice: the first two have been dealt with in depth by Bill Hillier in his presentation and these are architectural theory and computer technology. The third is design experience. In a wide range of design sectors and across all scales, from individual building layouts to entire cities and city regions, over twenty years of practice have demonstrated that space syntax offers architects, like myself, an edge. Whether we see this as an edge over our fellow architects, an edge over the unsustainable processes that have emerged to stifle communications between architects and non-architects or an edge over the unexpected events that shape everyday life, space syntax provides an edge. (more…)
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New settlements & urban extensions
The physical and spatial form of a settlement structures the potentials for two key outcomes: social interaction and economic trade. These outcomes are cornerstones of sustainability.
Movement, on foot and in vehicles, is the fundamental process that underpins these outcomes. Patterns of movement are shaped by the geometry of the street network. Patterns of land use are shaped by patterns of movement. Patterns of crime and of land value are similarly affected. These processes are not mysterious but, instead, are well researched and understood. (more…)
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Spatial modelling for complex masterplans
One of the most significant challenges in modern planning is to deliver new urban development in a resource-effective and energy-efficient way. Considerable efforts have been made to develop energy-saving building materials and technologies, and rightly so. But is this enough?
I believe we can do more by controlling and reducing energy demand not only inside buildings but also between them. This means creating urban environments, as well as urban architecture, that reduce energy consumption. We can see this already happening, for example in forward-thinking governments placing greater emphasis on public transport over private.
There is though a further step that can be taken towards urban sustainability, which is to reduce large-scale, long-distance movement in cities and, in its place, promote local activity and shorter journeys. There are two parts to this. (more…)
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Searching for a sustainable Britain
In searching for a sustainable Britain, we should not only be looking at what is built in Britain but also at what we, the British, export elsewhere. We need a sustainable British as well as a sustainable Britain. (more…)
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The architecture of behaviour
I am delighted to have been invited to this important conference on Italian tourism, to share my experience as an architect, working on the design of tourist destinations in the United Kingdom and overseas. I hope to show how this experience might be relevant in planning and designing the relaunch of Italian tourism. (more…)
Tim Stonor 