The Kingston School of Art (KSA) is an esteemed art school located in Kingston upon Thames, forming a part of Kingston University London. Its origins date back to 1899 when it was established as the Kingston School of Science and Art. In 1930, it became a separate entity and has had its own art school campus since 1939. Although it was absorbed into Kingston Polytechnic in 1970, it regained its distinct identity through a re-branding effort in 2017. As the oldest component of Kingston University, which was founded in 1992, the School of Art holds a significant role in the cultural and social development of Kingston. It offers instruction in a range of art-related subjects, including architecture, fashion, and visual arts. Starting from the 2018/2019 academic year, the school has also expanded its curriculum to include humanities and social sciences, previously taught by other schools within Kingston University.
Established in 2016, REGISTER serves as a vital connection between students at Kingston School of Art and the professional and public realms of architectural practice, not only in London but also across Europe and beyond. Over the past three years, KSA has invited distinguished guests and collaborators to deliver public lectures at the school, fostering new dialogues about urbanism, landscape, and the built environment. These lectures broaden the students' understanding of the discipline and its societal significance. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, KSA has also embarked on a podcast program in which practitioners and academics participating in the REGISTER lectures engage in extended discussions. This initiative not only enriches the depth and breadth of the conversations but also provides support to students who may be unable to attend the evening lectures. The podcast series has gained significant momentum, accumulating over 70,000 listens to date. Through this medium, KSA extends the architectural discourse beyond its student body, establishing Kingston School of Art as a prominent venue for engaging discussions and debates on the form and content of architecture.
The primary challenge in designing this publication was to create a dynamic layout that would captivate the reader. The absence of images accentuated the typographic elements, adding value to the publication. A key feature of this book is the deliberate length of each sentence. By implementing a set of rules, each conversation acquires its distinct character. The podcast format is visually translated into a dynamic text where each participant is assigned their unique indentation. The few available images serve as dividers between each conversation, facilitating a visually engaging discourse among the featured architectural offices. The strong yet visually playful typography contrasts with the full-bleed, cropped images, resulting in a visually stimulating publication.
