Published in 2025, Dual Cities provides an exploration of social housing design and delivery through the parallel experiences of London and New York. Building upon 6-7 years of studio research and opening up a new global dialogue, the new book offers a practical guide to the past, present and future of housing.
Featuring commentary pieces from experts on both sides of the Atlantic, the book explores urban cultures to demystify policy, delivery mechanisms and ways of working in the two cities. 41 illustrated historic and contemporary case studies, showcase best practice in parallel, demonstrating the cities have inspired and learnt from each other and providing valuable lessons in creating urban resilience through improved housing.
With contributions from; Abigail Batchelor, Vicki Been, John Boughton, Patrice Derrington, Alex Ely, Helen Garett, Moses Gates, Will Gomberg, Lois Innes, Karen Kubey, Matthew Lasner, Brian Loughlin, David Madden, James Rodriguez and Kath Scanlon.
Projects by: Karakusevic Carson Architects, Adam Khan Architects, Alexander Gorlin Architects, Al-Jawad Pike, Archio, Bernheimer Architects, COOKFOX Architects, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, Dattner Architects, ESKW/Architects, FXCollaborative, Mæ, Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP), Mary Duggan Architects, Peterson Rich Office (PRO), Redtop Architects, Stephen Taylor Architects, Witherford Watson Mann Architects and WXY.
“For many years now, we have shared observations and frustrations about the current state of social housing with friends and collaborators in London and New York and felt the need for a greater trans-Atlantic dialogue to push things forward. This book offers a platform for that; to observe, analyse and understand two urban cultures in tandem through projects, testimony and research that have been brought together for the first time. It’s a critical time for social housing and we hope it will be of vital use to architects, planners, advocates and campaigners in both London and New York.” – Paul Karakusevic, Karakusevic Carson Architects,
“The century-old American tradition of looking to European cities for social housing exemplars dates back to Catherine Bauer’s seminal text ‘Modern Housing’. Too often, differences rather than similarities are emphasized and ‘We could never do that here’ is frequently the takeaway. What makes ‘Dual Cities’ a unique addition to this discourse is the broad lens through which a relative context is established, recognizing not only the different shapes that housing takes, but the various populations it serves, and the many disciplines required to produce it with quality. This depth of comparison is meant to make the lessons to be learned from each city’s approaches to social housing easier to identify, affecting a far richer set of takeaways.” – Brian Loughlin, Co-chair, AIA New York Housing Committee
Published by RIBA Publishing and supported by the AIA New York Chapter