Architecture and science have always been entwined, as successful developments in architecture depend on the discovery of new materials and many other factors dependent on experimentation and scientific discovery. In order for architecture to truly work for the future it must be designed with a deep understanding of the environment, the way people live, and what is exactly needed to meet the needs of residents. Designers need to make better use of the sciences to make projects more long lasting. Knowledge of everything from economics to the environment and even psychology are needed. Implementing scientific knowledge into architectural designs will require a revolution in methodology, technology and even the concept of design and what it means to be modern. Continue reading →

There has been increasing concern over the last few years about the role of books in the digital age. Many have expressed worry that the written word is under threat due to the fact that we are a world run on digital appliances. The first libraries consisted of archives of clay tablets, and during the Classical period the Library of Alexandria was the most significant library of the ancient world and served as a major centre of scholarship until the Roman conquest. Continue reading →

Each year, the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) celebrates great achievements in the industry and is a well-known event across the world. This year, in 2015, the festival will focus on buildings that are ‘Works in Progress’ and will highlight the important roles architecture plays in every aspect of urban, social and cultural development. Running from the 1st to the 30th of June and consisting of a number of events in the capital, the LFA will be delivered by RIBA’s London branch, New London architecture and the British Council. In 2014 – the festival’s 10th anniversary – we witnessed over 200 different events from cycle rides and walking tours to debates, talks, exhibitions, and films based around the theme ‘Capital’. Continue reading →