Theory of Architecture

Geoffrey West is a theoretical physicist whose current interests are in using universal scaling laws to understand quantitatively the structure and dynamics of social organizations, such as cities and corporations, including the relationships between economies of scale, growth, innovation and wealth creation and their implications for long-term survivability and sustainability.

Dr. Chanuki Illushka Seresinhe is a leading figure in the data science community. She currently holds the position of Chief Data and Technology Officer at Boon, an organisation that integrates AI, psychology, and human expertise to address and solve meaningful societal challenges. Additionally, she is the co-founder of Beautifulplaces.ai, an initiative dedicated to generating informative data on the aesthetics of outdoor spaces. In her prior commercial role at Zoopla and Hometrack, Dr. Seresinhe leveraged machine learning and AI technologies to enhance user experiences and property valuations in the UK property market. Chanuki's commercial experience was first established during her tenure as a commercial data scientist at Channel 4, which laid the groundwork for her subsequent role as the Director of Data Science at Culture Trip. This podcast was recorded in June 2023.

Cleo Valentine is a systems designer, neuroarchitectural researcher and doctoral candidate at the University of Cambridge, Department of Architecture. She is also an associate at Cambridge Architectural Research Ltd. where she provides consultancy services on public health and architecture.

Mark Foster Gage is an American architect, writer, and theorist based in New York City where he runs his practice, Mark Foster Gage Architects. He is an associate professor at the Yale School of Architecture where his academic focus is on aesthetic philosophy.

Dr Nikos Salingaros is a mathematician and polymath known for his work on urban theory, architectural theory, complexity theory, biophilic design, and design philosophy.

Dr Timothy Brittain-Catlin is Course Leader for the MSt Architecture Apprenticeship at the University of Cambridge. He has also just published a new book, 'The Edwardians and their Houses', the first radical appraisal of the subject for 40 years.

'The New Sympathy: An Exploration of How Emerging Theories in Scientific, Mathematical and Psychological Understanding of the Natural World are Affecting the State of Ornament in Architecture'.

Dame Laura Lee is CEO of Maggie's, a charity providing drop-in support centres for cancer patients, each designed by a different architect.

This is an article all about beauty entitled 'What do people like about old architectural styles and how can they be incorporated into contemporary designs?'

In this article I talk about why the planning system needs to undergo radical digitisation and suggest some policies that might help in that process. And please vote in the RIBA Elections!: www.architecture.com/elections

Nicholas Ray is co-author of the book 'Philosophy of Architecture' and is an architect in practice in Cambridge where he taught before joining the University of Liverpool. His theoretical pre-occupations over a period of more than 40 years have resulted in publications on Alvar Aalto, Rafael Moneo, Cambridge contemporary architecture and architecture's ethical dilemmas.

My second architectural book recommendation is 'A Pattern Language' by Christopher Alexander et al. Here I talk about how this book is useful to architects and architecture students and why you should read it.