Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

What are the forms and geographies of the relational spaces of innovation in leading global architecture firms? A British Academy funded research project sought to answer this question and had the following objectives: to map and explore the multiple, scale transcending, networks and circuits of social practice informing innovation in global architecture firms; to provide empirical exposition of these social practices; and to examine the processes of embedding ideas in local contexts.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with architects working for global firms in London, Paris, San Francisco, New York and Tokyo. Interviews were also conducted with representatives from architectural professional associations based in the same five cities. Interviews revealed the practices and experiences of individuals involved in innovation and the intricacies of the local embedding of innovations. In particular the interviews offer insights into the complex ecologies of innovation that architects inhabit and the multiple actor-networks that put the designs of global firms in their place.

Main Topics:

A number of themes are covered in the interviews:

• the behaviours and characteristics of the successful, innovative architect
• the social practices (teamwork, collaboration, inter personal networks of communication) involved in innovation and the geographies of these practices
• the importance of professional discourses in informing innovation