Mr Austin Williams
- Kingston School of Art
- Department of Architecture and Landscape
- School of Arts
Course Leader
About
Austin Rhys Williams is course leader and senior lecturer for PgDip Professional Practice in Architecture at Kingston School of Art, and Visiting Scholar at XJTLU University in China.
I am the director of the Future Cities Project, and have written for a range of publications; from the Times Literary Supplement to Top Gear; from the London Property Review to The Economist. I am series editor on the "Five Critical Essays" collection.
I host the Professional Practice Podcasts as well as running the Bookshop Barnies (interviews with contemporary non-fiction authors).
My latest books are China's Urban Revolution: Understanding Chinese Eco-cities (Bloomsbury, 2017) and New Chinese Architecture: Twenty Women Building the Future (Thames & Hudson, 2019). My previous books include: Enemies of Progress, The Future of Community and The Lure of the City. I co-founded the mantownhuman manifesto (featured in Penguin Classics 100 Artists' Manifestos).
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons)
- Dip Arch
- RIBA Part III
- Member, Association of Professional Studies Advisers
- Visiting Scholar, XJTLU university, Suzhou, China
- Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy
Domains
Publications
Gallery of work
Professional Practice Podcasts
Professional Practice Podcasts are a series of interviews with leading expert commentators on Architecture and the practice of Architecture, hosted by Austin Williams.
New Chinese Architecture: Twenty Women Building the Future (Thames and Hudson, 2019)
China's Urban Revolution: Understanding Chinese Eco-cities (Bloomsbury, 2017)
The Enemies of Progress: The Dangers of Sustainability (Societas, 2008)
The Lure of the City: From Slums to Suburbs, (Pluto, 2014)
The Future of Community: Reports of a Death Greatly Exaggerated (Pluto, 2008)
mantownhuman: manifesto towards a new humanism
Letters on Liberty: Greens, the new neo-colonialists
Style: In defence of...
Where Shall We All Live? Environmental policy versus EU housing, November 2024
The main focus of the report is to explore the impact of lesser acknowledged factors – sustainability policy and environmental restraint - that are having an impact on housing provision and the output of the construction industry more broadly. On a philosophical and policy level, environmentally restrictive practices and limits to the growth of material ambition are exacerbating the problem across Europe.
Five Critical Essays on Architectural Education
This pamphlet is a critical intervention into architectural education. Specifically referencing the UK, its critique is applicable more broadly. It is the first salvo in what we hope will be an open and challenging conversation.
Five Critical Essays on EDI
More about Five Critical Essays on EDI.
Five Critical Essays on the Crit
More about Five Critical Essays on the Crit.
Five Critical Essays on Beauty
More about Five Critical Essays on Beauty.
Five Critical Essays on Architectural Ethics
More about Five Critical Essays on Architectural Ethics.
Five Critical Essays on Wellbeing
More about Five Critical Essays on Wellbeing.
Videos of my work
Bookshop Barnie with Xing Ruan
This book takes a sideways look at the politics, culture and history of China and explore the similarities and differences between the
The City After Lockdown
Cities are gradually coming back to life after the pandemic, with more people returning to work, commercial premises opening up, and parks and urban spaces becoming lively again. But will it ever be the same as before?
Bookshop Barnie with Joel Kotkin
Joel Kotkin, interviewed from California, argues that a new, more hierarchical society is emerging: one that resembles that of Medieval times.
Bookshop Barnie with Laura Dodsworth
Laura Dodsworth best-selling exploration of the pandemic is primarily a book about fear. Fear of a virus. Fear of death. Fear of losing our jobs, our democracy, our human connections, our health and our minds.
Kingston School of Art Part 3 Professional Practice
Kingston School of Art's Part 3 course welcomes applicants...
Edge Town/Che Feng
Shortlisted for the 'People on the Move Award' this research documentary explores the urban fringe of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, China.
Bookshop Barnie with Professor Richard Susskind on "How To Think About AI"
Bookshop Barnie with Helen Pluckrose on The Counterweight Handbook
Bookshop Barnie with David Spiegelhalter on "The Art of Uncertainty"
Bookshop Barnie with Konstantin Kisin on "An Immigrants Love Letter to the West"
Bookshop Barnie: Rakib Ehsan on "Beyond Grievance: What the Left Gets Wrong About Ethnic Minorities"
