Quite how we can restore - or indeed radically transform - the traditional dialogue between intellectual enquiry in the humanities and design creativity is at the core of this timely and important book. The chapters here consider how the growing monopoly of technological development in our culture is shaping architectural discourse and how emerging technologies can usefully contribute to a deeper understanding of our design culture. The traditional inter-relationships between word and image, narrative and space have been altered by the growing dominance of digital media on design and the associated influences of globalization and mass consumption.

Written by leading academics in the fields of history, theory and philosophy of design, the essays draw profound meanings from cultural practices and beliefs (religious, mythic, poetic, political and philosophical). Offering considerations of the impact which the humanities have had on the processes of architecture and design and subsequently defending their continued import, this book explores the issues from both historical and contemporary perspectives.