Mission statement
New Architecture Writers is a free programme for emerging writers of colour. Its mission is to develop the journalistic skill, editorial connections and critical voice of its members. Its nascent aim was to diversify dominant narratives. It now moves beyond representation, using writing to influence the wider culture of architecture.
What is N.A.W.?
New Architecture Writers (N.A.W.) is a mentoring programme that focuses on the critical thinking, writing, narrating, and collective understanding of architecture and cities. Since 2017, it has run as an alternative pedagogical experiment, challenging accepted paradigms around how architecture and its criticism is taught. Every year, it selects up to nine emerging writers through an open call to form a cohort. The programme is free and runs predominantly as a night school. It relies on a network-led approach, introducing its members to figures from architectural media, academia and practise through direct encounter and exchange. It features a public programme that exposes its members and their writing to critical reactions in real time. It does this through self-structured events and live editing sessions with industry leaders. N.A.W. has always supported emerging writers and critics of colour. It was formed to give space to new voices, addressing persistent imbalances in architectural discourse.
Objective
N.A.W. began with an aim to disrupt and re-form architecture’s current monologue – to tell stories through difference, and question who has the power to hold the dominant narrative in any given space. It has now evolved beyond the objective of representation in architecture writing. Its aim is to extend the definition and practice of writing and critical discourse to impact the wider culture of architecture. In practical terms, N.A.W. develops the journalistic skill, editorial connections and critical voice of its writers. Its core pedagogy relies on group discussion, joint experimentation, and practical execution of real written commissions and public events. All have dedicated deadlines and budgets. Through this development, it positions the role of writing as a collective, public practice.
Foundation
N.A.W. began in 2017, set up by its founders together with the Architecture Foundation and Architectural Review to reshape the homogenous landscape of architectural journalism. In mainstream media that year, only 5% of UK journalists were from ethnic minority groups. This contrasted the 13% that made up the population. N.A.W. has since become a leading platform for new writing on architecture and cities. Its writers have written for Dezeen, Wallpaper*, The Architects’ Journal and several other UK and international titles. Many have gone on to self-publish, interrupting accepted editorial agendas through organisation and initiation. Some now have a hand in policy making, public speaking, curating, and practice forming. All exist within an ecosystem of diverse writers and thinkers that have proliferated in the UK and overseas since the programme began.
Team
N.A.W. is co-directed by Thomas Aquilina, an alumnus from its first cohort, and Tom Wilkinson, who co-founded the programme with Phineas Harper. Thomas and Tom craft N.A.W.’s annual curriculum, steering its pedagogical trajectory through direct tutorship, open mentorship and editorial review. They also manage all operational aspects of the programme, with support from Rosie Gibbs-Stevenson and Ann Dingli. Shumi Bose provides ongoing curriculum support. N.A.W. receives regular contribution from several figures across journalism and design.
Affiliation
N.A.W. forms part of the Architecture Foundation (AF), which is a registered charity, and which formed part of the programme’s foundation in 2017. N.A.W.’s team works with AF’s Ellis Woodman, Matea Vlaskalic, Matthew Blunderfield, and Amy Young, as well as past members Phineas Harper, Chloe Spiby Loh, and Rosie Gibbs-Stevenson. The Architectural Review is also an N.A.W. founder, providing critical and editorial support, as well as an annual paid writing commission to all cohort members.
Advisory Board
N.A.W. strives to be both agile and intentionally radical in its direction and impact. It has therefore always benefited from the counsel of leading architects, writers, editors and academicians who have formed the N.A.W. Advisory Board. N.A.W.’s current board includes David Ogunmuyiwa, Priya Khanchandani, Adrian Lahoud, Lesley Lokko and Farshid Moussavi. Each has been instrumental to the evolution of the programme, acting as critical allies and inputting on major intentions and objectives as they develop.
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