RIBA’s Post

I firmly believe that diversity isn't just a buzzword, it's the cornerstone of innovation, growth, and success in any business. Our team is a tapestry of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, which enables us to approach challenges creatively and serve our clients with unparalleled excellence. In today's competitive landscape, embracing diversity means more than just checking a box. It’s about fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique insights. This is especially important when we think about inclusivity in all forms, including neurodiversity, which often gets overlooked in discussions about workplace diversity. This article from the Royal Institute of British Architects highlights how crucial it is to support neurodivergent individuals, not just in education but in every aspect of life, including the workplace. By ensuring our practices are inclusive and supportive, we open the door to untapped potential and creativity that can drive our businesses forward. At CFA, we are committed to creating a culture where diversity is celebrated and where every team member can thrive. I’ve seen firsthand how this approach leads to richer ideas, more effective problem-solving, and ultimately, a more successful business. Let's continue to champion diversity in all its forms and recognise the immense value it brings to our teams and our work. Together, we can build businesses that are not only successful but also make a positive impact on society! #DiversityAndInclusion #Neurodiversity #EDI #Leadership #Innovation

Expanding Minds: The Impact of College Education on Faith and Knowledge Sending your children to college can broaden their minds and lead to new questions and discoveries. Join us as we explore the transformative effects of higher education on faith, philosophy, and evolution, as experienced by a student studying architecture. #CollegeEducation #ExpandingMinds #HigherEducation #FaithandKnowledge #PhilosophyStudying #TransformativeExperience #ArchitectureStudent #QuestioningFaith #CollegeLife #EvolutionDebate

I am very excited and honoured to be invited by Dr Yashaen Lucken from Lincoln University, UK to speak at the ‘Unsettling Paradigms - the Decolonial Turn in the Humanities Curriculum in South Africa’ conference next Tuesday at 9am SAST. Rather than speak on design studio pedagogy, I have opted to discuss colonisation's (possible) residual impact on architecture education and argue its ubiquitous impact had already been subsumed as a comforting dominant paradigm. I reckon that such design approaches and biases of our ex-western colonial masters’ descendants are inert contributors to how we view and embark on our design process. Much looking forward to having a discussion with researchers, educators and design practitioners from South Africa! With Mark Olweny. Edit: here's the abstract - Architecture education/pedagogy’s fascination with spectacle has arguably resulted in a generation focused on formal qualities, often at the expense of critical content. This trend is evident in the widespread emulation of 'Western starchitects', whose successful design approaches and signature styles are often replicated as identifiable brands through precedents and case studies in the design studios as 'knowledge consumption'. Such practices have fostered perceptions of supremacy and competence that may not have always been contextualised appropriately. To decolonise architecture (pedagogy), we must design with relevance and appropriateness in mind. The contemporary tendency to 'jazz up' design schemes with dynamic forms and 'Archi-poetry' detracts from critical design thinking essential in our increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. Therefore, our obsession with stylistic forms must be challenged. These arguments will be supported through a case study of an award-winning project. Romanticising the vernacular as stylistic formal appropriation has often overshadowed important aspects like content and function, leading to detrimental outcomes. #TwoConferencesInOneDay #Tropics #TropicalDream #Vernacular #ArchitectureEducation

The Bartlett Doctoral Informality Network has released a new book titled 'Urban Informality and the Built Environment,' with Prof. Colin Marx from The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, UCL (DPU) as a co-editor. Joined by co-editors Dr Nikhilesh Sinha (DPU) and Dr Nerea Amorós Elorduy (Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London), the book presents different case studies from multiple geographies, drawing attention to the need for studying urban informality in the Global North and Global South. Read more and get the book: https://lnkd.in/dJ6EMSMK #globalsouth #globalnorth #builtenvironment #urbandevelopment

Stop trying to: 1. Memorize facts 2. Rush through history 3. Ignore the past Instead, just focus on exploring the oldest and grandest architecture at the University of Georgia. Discover its significance in American public higher education. The rest will take care of itself. Visit our website: erasunriserealty.com 📚🏛️ #EducationJourney #HistoricArchitecture #UGA #HigherEducation #erasunriserealty

+ A new article is out about metaphors and analogies in architecture+ We're delighted to announce the publication of our new article in the Ain Shams Engineering Journal by Elsevier! This research was a collaborative effort driven by our passion for innovative design strategies. We discuss how metaphors and analogies can transform architectural design, providing fresh perspectives and inspiring groundbreaking solutions. Key Highlights: The role of metaphors in enhancing architectural creativity. Innovative design strategies using analogies and metaphors. Real-world applications and case studies showcasing the impact of these tools. Our findings will be a valuable resource for architects, designers, and anyone interested in the intersection of creativity and functionality in architecture. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this research and supported us. We hope you find our work insightful and inspiring! 👉 Link to the Article: https://lnkd.in/d5MD7QXx #Architecture #DesignInnovation #MetaphorsInDesign #AnalogiesInArchitecture #Research #OpenAccess

Recently, I worked with a brilliant client in the field of cognitive architecture who faced a common research dilemma. Have you ever found yourself circling back to the same ideas, struggling to bring fresh perspectives to your work? Here's how we tackled this challenge: The Situation: 👉 First paper: A groundbreaking exploration of cognitive architecture 👉 Second paper: Similar topic, less original ideas The Solution: We decided to take a bold interdisciplinary leap! Here's the innovative approach we developed: 1️⃣ Merge Cognitive Perception with Urban Studies We combined the study of cognitive perception of habitat with a cross-sectional study of the city. 2️⃣ Introduce a Temporal Dimension We decided to depict the evolution of the city over a decade. 3️⃣ Create a Multi-layered Analysis This approach allowed us to examine how changes in the urban landscape influenced cognitive perceptions of space over time. The Result: A truly original research paper that not only built upon the client's expertise but also opened up new avenues for exploration in both cognitive architecture and urban studies! Key Takeaways for Enhancing Research Originality: ✅ Don't be afraid to cross disciplinary boundaries ✅ Introduce new dimensions (like time) to your existing research focus ✅ Look for unexpected connections between different areas of study 💡 Remember: Original research often lies at the intersection of different fields or methodologies! Have you ever made an unexpected combination in your research that led to exciting results? Share your experiences in the comments! #ResearchInnovation #CognitiveArchitecture #UrbanStudies #InterdisciplinaryResearch #AcademicWriting

The diagrammatic morphology is a cutting-edge method for analyzing the synergistic interactions within school mapping. In our most recent article in Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, we have utilized this method to present a model based on a case study analysis of Iranian schools. I encourage you to read it.

Following my earlier post on the dynamic nature of memory, I am reflecting on the profound implications this has for architectural practice. Spaces are not mere physical constructs but play an active role in shaping human experiences and development. According to recent studies, the brain's ability to form and consolidate memories involves complex neural processes that are influenced by our surroundings (University at Buffalo, 2024). These findings highlight the critical role that well-designed spaces play in supporting cognitive functions and emotional well-being. As architects, we have the power to design environments that enhance human potential. By incorporating elements that promote comfort, engagement, and inspiration, we can create spaces that positively influence memory formation and overall mental health. We have a mission and is to create environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to the holistic development of individuals, fostering a sense of well-being and positive experiences. #Architecture #Memory #HumanDevelopment #DesignImpact #BuiltEnvironment University at Buffalo. (2024). "Research into the nature of memory reveals how cells that store information are stabilized over time." ScienceDaily. Retrieved from ScienceDaily.

I'm excited to share the publication of my latest research paper in "Remittances Review", a HEC recognized X category journal! Titled "A View of Spatial Preferences in Educational Environments: Insights into Seating Choices and Influences," this paper delves into how individual perspectives, shaped by factors such as cultural background, age, gender, and location, influence seating preferences in educational spaces. Through a constructivist lens, we explore how conscious and subconscious factors, including environmental psychology and identity in architecture, impact spatial decisions. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dgKsuhsh #Research #Architecture #EnvironmentalPsychology #SpatialDesign #AcademicPublishing