The Bottom-Up Revolution The Lost Art of Crafting Great Urban Places
10 snips
Sep 4, 2025 Jack Duncan, a Professor of Architecture and Preservation at the College of Charleston, explores the revival of traditional urbanism and its role in fostering community connections. He emphasizes the importance of human-centered design and craftsmanship in creating meaningful urban spaces. The conversation also delves into the values of younger generations, who prioritize engagement over profit. Additionally, Duncan shares insights about Charleston's hidden gems, inviting listeners to appreciate the beauty of local culture and the resilience of community life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Human-Centered Urbanism
- Great traditional urbanism centers humans through form and material rather than abstract theory.
- Use organic materials and human-scaled forms to create legible, lasting places.
Value Of Incremental, Layered Growth
- Traditional places often emerge incrementally and experimentally over time.
- Layered, evolutionary growth responds to real human needs and yields more resilient urban fabric.
Summer Studio That Cemented His Path
- Jack attended the ICAA summer studio in Manhattan as a turning point for his architectural focus.
- The studio taught sacred geometry, watercolor, and measured drawing and confirmed his commitment to architecture and urbanism.