“As the time of the 8th International Space Syntax Symposium in Chile is approaching, we are pleased to announce the second issue (Autumn/Winter 2011) of Volume 2 of the Journal of Space Syntax dedicated to space syntax, architecture and design. This theme emerges from an eagerness to stimulate debate on architecture, and the recognition that if the true benefits from the knowledge space syntax generates are to reach the design of buildings and cities widely, this will be primarily through the creative practice of architects.

This issue was planned so as to construct intersections between analytical and design knowledge, including contributions from scholars as well as from practitioners. The six papers published here – three by academics/researchers (Bill Hillier, Michael Ostwald and Sean Hanna) and three by practitioners/architectural educators (Irena Sakellaridou, Iris Lykourioti and Thomas Arnold) – cover diverse subjects: from the generation of design to spatial analysis, from the configurational relations that make up the physical form of façades to aesthetics and meaning, from the relationship between topology and geometry to the study of houses designed by Glenn Murcutt and Mario Botta, and from the logic of composition to a parallel discussion of poetry and architecture. In preparing this issue of JOSS and discussing with those authors that come from architectural practice and education, it became apparent that their papers had to fulfill a different purpose than that based on scholarly work. They had to focus on reflective architectural practice; to demonstrate a concern with the relational logic of architecture; to combine analytical and design knowledge in a rigorous way; and through their design and written work stimulate fresh directions and new knowledge.

Our plans for the next issue are already in hand, but we continue welcoming submissions on a wide range of issues on architectural and urban research whether on practical applications, theoretical and analytical developments, or the integration of space syntax in education and the design studio. The Editor would like to invite you to contact us with your plans for submitting papers and contributions to the Forum of the Journal. We are always pleased to hear from you and advice about your prospective submissions.

With this issue, JOSS continues to provide our readers with papers that unravel challenging new ideas and critical discussions, expanding to include here creative architectural work. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the authors presented here for their enthusiastic and intelligent responses to the theme of space syntax and architecture. I am also grateful to our reviewers for ensuring we publish high quality work, our editorial board, and our readers for their continuous support.”

Alan Penn
Dean of the Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London
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“We all knew this was about to happen, but it is very much a shock to all of us, and it will take some time to recover. Alasdair was so central to the intellectual future of the space group, it’s hard to  see how he can be replaced. He was one of the few people in his generation who covered the whole field, from the philosophy through the maths to computation. In the last few years, I worked particularly closely – though informally – with him, and he was always my sounding board for new ideas. He really is a great intellectual as well as personal loss to us all.”

Bill Hillier
Professor of Architectural and Urban Morphology, University College London

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Strategic consulting company Space Syntax Limited has released the first findings of a study into the 2011 London Riots.

Described by Polly Curtis in The Guardian as “the most concrete evidence I think there is linking the summer’s riots to estates” the research suggests a connection between the design of large, post-war housing estates, the patterns of peer socialisation that occur among young people within them and the anti-social behaviour that took place during the summer.

For further information, please contact Susannah Williams, Studio Manager at Space Syntax Limited:

s.williams@spacesyntax.com
+44 20 7400 1320