At a time when AI is replacing many human roles, the human body remains fundamental to what cities are. The body has been a reference and inspiration in the design and construction of buildings and settlements since time immemorial, epitomised, amongst others, by Corbusier and his modular theory. Every city holds the particular body imprint of its inhabitants and their unique cultural and social profile. In my research at UCL, the wider themes of embodiment and abstraction provide a frame for my project as a whole. Usually understood as standing in contrast, in my project these are understood as forming a dialectical pairing. Both are intrinsic aspects of our experience of the world, including cities.
Part of my research is an embodied enquiry into the geometry of 5 Action Spaces proposed by neuroscientist Alain Berthoz, which suggests the brain has different networks for different action spaces. Since 2021 Berthoz, with industrialist, François Pitti, and architect, Davide Ruzzon has run the Brain Culture and Society Program at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Paris. The project seeks to know if the principles of functioning of the brain and more generally of biological organisms can be useful to inspire a renewal of modern approaches and methods of the city. In this paper, I will introduce Berthoz’s geometry and, from the perspective of physical practitioner and researcher, suggest how it might be applied in our approach and methodologies of the city. I will collaborate with movement artist/director Jos Houben, who has contributed to the Berthoz’ Program since its launch.
Cambridge graduate and daughter of an architect professor, Gisele Edwards has long been fascinated by living spaces and the body. She trained at CSSD, National Centre for Circus Arts and L’école Jacques Lecoq, Paris, where she studied under architect Krikor Belekian. She has performed and presented in a range of architectural spaces. Accolades include: commission by London Symphony Orchestra; Trevor Nunn’s The Tempest; shortlisted, European Jeunes Talents competition; winner, Festival of Firsts (Royal Opera House); Lauréat, Centre International des Récollets, Paris; winner, Jerwood Prize for Circus.