ABSTRACT: There are certain universal conditions of a city and of housing that, if codified, can help architects and planners achieve a successful outcome. 'Urbanity', by contrast, as Richard Sennett argues is the making use of differences in a city to help people achieve a balanced sense of identification as well as a view on risk taking. In mæ's work we consider how codes, patterns and computational methodologies or parametric modeling assist or hinder design opportunity and what are the implications for the people that we design for?

BIOGRAPHY: Alex Ely is an Architect and founding partner at mæ LLP Architects. He is a CABE Enabler, Building for Life Assessor and former Senior Policy adviser at CABE. Alex leads the mæ's work on sustainable urbanism and housing, working with a wide range of local authorities, public agencies and Housing Associations on housing regeneration, masterplanning, and new build housing design. He has written a number of best practice publications including The London Mayor's Housing Design Guide, CABE's Building for Life Standard and accompanying publication 'Delivering Great Places to Live' and 'The Home Buyer"s Guide'. Alex lectures internationally on design and policy.