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A new series from John Wiley & Sons, the publisher of Architectural Design, the AD Primers invite some of the leading international figures of the architectural world to impart their knowledge, experience and understanding of a particular aspect of their work. Though many threads, in terms of both thought and inspiration, run through any single architect’s work – evolving and shifting in emphasis over time – it is generally a central preoccupation that marks them out from their contemporaries and future generations of architects.

AD Primers was launched in with Peter Cook, Drawing: the Motive Force of Architecture, other titles are currently planned with Juhani Pallasmaa and Nigel Coates.

Spatial Intelligence: New Futures for Architecture draws on a wide range of knowledge and discipline in its discussion of an essential human capability. This includes everything from the latest neurological research to urban design. Leon van Schaik also refers to and illustrates a wide number of buildings and architectural projects across time these notably include:

• Alvar Aalto, House of Culture, Helsinki
• Charles Barry, Cliveden, Berkshire
• Gordon Bunshaft, Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, Yale University
• Sean Godsell, Peninsula House, Victoria
• Zaha Hadid, Maggie’s Centre, Fife, Scotland
• Herzog & de Meuron, Laban Contemporary Dance Centre, London
• Toyo Ito, Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, London
• Tom Kovac, Virtual Australian Pavilion, Venice Biennale, Italy
• WR Lethaby, Melsetter House, Orkney
• Frank Lloyd Wright, Frederick C Robie House, Chicago
• Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona Pavilion
• Reed & Stern and Warren & Wetmore, Grand Central Station, New York
• Ushida Findlay, Soft and Hairy’ House, Baraki, Japan
• Peter Zumthor, Kunsthaus, Bregenz, Austria
• Gunther Domenig, Stein Haus, Steindorf, Germany
• Le Corbusier, Mill Owners’ Association, Ahmadabad, India

The result of millions of years of human evolution, enabling us to navigate our way through our daily lives, spatial intelligence remains one of mans most underrated attributes. Written by one of the leaders in architectural thought, Spatial Intelligence explores the role of spatial intelligence in the creation of architecture. It looks at spatial intelligence as a human capability; examines how acknowledging this capability would demystify the practice of design, forming a more democratic interface between society and practice; and explores new design possibilities when linking real and virtual worlds.

The book is organised into three distinct sections that in turn highlight the significance of spatial intelligence for architecture: the first section provides an overview of spatial intelligence as a human capability; the second section argues how the acknowledgement of this capability in architectural education and the profession should enable the demystification of the practice of design, forming the basis of a more democratic interface between society and practice; the final section explores exciting new opportunities for practice in the linking of real and virtual environments in the information age.

Spatial intelligence is one of man’s most underrated human capabilities. The result of millions of years of evolution, it enables us to navigate our way through our daily lives. It is less consciously applied than linguistic, mathematical, kinetic, natural, musical or personal intelligence. Despite architecture’s dependence on spatial knowledge and experience, the discipline remains bereft of a theoretical underpinning. Understanding and knowledge of space is only pursued through precedent and challenged with experience, but the role of every individual’s history in space, the unfolding and developing of their spatial intelligence is largely unaccounted for. This book argues for a greater continuum between our spatial intelligence and the built environment, and thus a greater connection between architecture and everyday life.

Leon van Schaik is Professor of Architecture (Innovation Chair) at RMIT, Melbourne, Australia. From his base in Melbourne, he has promoted local and international architectural culture through practice-based research. In 2006 he was awarded an Order of Australia, Officer (AO) in the General Division, for service to architecture as an academic, practitioner and educator, and to the community through involvement with a wide range of boards and organisations related to architecture, culture and the arts. He is the author of Mastering Architecture: Becoming a Creative Innovator in Practice (John Wiley & Sons, 2005), and Design City Melbourne, (John Wiley & Sons, 2006).

Introduction 008

Chapter One: The mechanics of spatial intelligence 022

Chapter Two: How spatial intelligence builds our mental space 036

Chapter Three: The disruption of the unity of time, place and architecture, and some precursors of reunification 057

Chapter Four: Intuitives: confronting spatial intelligence – tracing the use of spatial intelligence 082

Chapter Five: Pioneers of mental space – tracing the use of spatial intelligence 140

Chapter Six: New futures for architects: new roles for practitioners 164

Chapter Seven: New professionalism – new practice manifesto 182

Index 201