The Social Logic of Space

by Bill Hillier, Julienne Hanson

Based on a new way of describing and analyzing the kinds of spatial patterns produced by buildings and towns, this study presents a new theory of space: how and why it is a vital component of how societies work. The authors examine what it is about different types of societies that leads them to adopt different spatial forms and from this general theory they outline a "pathology of modern urbanism" in today's social context.

Genres: Architecture, Urbanism, Nonfiction, Art, Academic

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Bill Hillier is Professor of Architectural and Urban Morphology in the University of London, Chairman of the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies and Director of the Space Syntax Laboratory in University College London. He holds a DSc (higher doctorate) in the University of London.

As the original pioneer of the methods for the analysis of spatial patterns known as ‘space syntax’, he is the author of a large number of articles concerned with different aspects of space and how it works. He has also written extensively on other aspects of the theory of architecture.

Reviews

[Zirvita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hillier and Hanson gave us a new way of looking at space. It has been specially useful for archaeologists working in ancient settlements and wanting to bypass the traditional culture-historical approach that sees settlements as pure forms, by socializing space and spatializing society. Its conclusions and approaches have been broadened later on by the authors, and it is considered a great basic tool to work with when studying space, either built or natural space.
It has been also considered a bit dry to go through, but I think the concepts are genuinely well expressed. Regardless if one agrees with the system they employ or not, is a fantastic tool.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

While aspects of this book I found interesting and helpful, the overall format that the authors tried to present the material as, using mathematical formulas, became highly confusing. To non-mathematicians, keeping track of what the authors meant by x and y was difficult. I often found I had to re-read sections several times, not because the material was particularly difficult, but because their explanation of it was so heavily reliant on quasi-mathematical formulas, equations or symbols. But the concepts they do impart about space are interesting and useful.