I have 3 strands of research, resulting in the publication of 2 books, 2 journal articles, many conference papers and 5 public exhibitions. These areas of research are: urban spatial analysis, digital space making and site specific making. The complex construct of the city and the central role it plays in society is the focus of design and research. Speculation on the impacts of digital tools and processes has been ongoing throughout my career, with 10 years of research examining the space of social interaction with digital tools. The collaborative work of Locus concerns the act of making in the physical world, using material construction to explore architectural space as embodied experience. All 3 areas of research explore the wider theme of spatial experience and perception; pursuing this key architectural concept through the examination of individual circumstances with specific techniques. This has led to a developing expertise across a range of scales and specialist applications; with each application targeting particular knowledge transfer opportunities.
The most recent research has been focused on urban spatial analysis in the APS strategic theme. The research uses a diagrammatic analytic technique to examine the spatial structure of streets. This research is contained in the book, The Urban Section: An Analytical Tool for Cities and Streets. I have lectured on the methodology in the book within the MSA, architecture schools in Reykjavik, Beijing, for Glasgow City Council and for architectural offices. Building on this research, I am developing a book on the interaction between ground floor interior spaces and the exterior space of the street. This fundamental urban relationship is currently under examined, and offers an opportunity to expand the knowledge in the field of urbanism. As part of this research I am currently writing an article for publication in a specialist journal.
The digital space making research in the CV theme, developed with my colleague Jo Crotch to explore how digital space making can be used to construct space based on social interaction. Over 9 years we have delivered papers at the key conferences of the subject (ACADIA, ECADE, CAAD Futures) and published an article in the primary academic journal (International Journal of Architectural Computing). Due to illness this area of research is currently on hold.
Locus, with architect Michael Wenrich, addresses the CAC and APS strategic themes, uses concrete making to connect directly with architectural concerns being explored abstractly in the design process. Working directly with materials physically to explore conceptual ideas to examine the thesis that architectural experience is embodied and perceptual, specific to locale, and that space resists discrete definition. This thesis has been researched through the design and construction of 5 site specific projects, all which have been exhibited to the public. This research takes place within the context of contemporary architectural space; characterized by fluctuation, flow and ambiguous spatial definition. The research has been extended through the investigation of the collaborative nature of the practice; resulting in a published journal article and a chapter in an upcoming book.