ornament now

Set to be published in early 2027 by the Royal Institute of British Architecture, Ornament Now is a celebration of the fundamental role of pattern, decoration, and craft plays in our world. It highlights how in fascists, racists, and antisemites among the twentieth century architectural elite rejected ornament, erasing deep-rooted cultural, aesthetic and craft traditions in the process. Thankfully, beauty and ornament have endured and persisted, and are critical to understand if we want to tell a more inclusive story of architecture.

The book will have four sections.

• Part 1 will be a curated selection of traditional ornamental designs from around the world, with brilliant photographs.

• Part 2 will outline the history of ornament in modern architecture and design, highlighting the major figures who influenced this movement - as well as the influences of racism, fascism, colonialism, misogyny, classism, and capitalism, which are all too often overlooked.

• Part 3 will feature the contemporary architects, designers, and artists that are breaking ground - and breaking tradition! - by thoughtfully using ornament in their work. 

Throughout history, ornament has served important and various functions: providing a diverse visual language to communicate social, religious and cultural meaning. Often, it has played a structural role, embedded in a building’s elements, whether its in the lattice-like mashrabiya (window screens) of the Middle East or the cornices of Victorian England. Ornament Now both showcases and celebrates these functions, while exploring how and why they came to be eroded. The book builds on this abundant decorative heritage to spotlight contemporary architects, designers and artists who are resisting the orthodoxy of minimalism and actively using ornament, offering inspiration and guidance for others who want to incorporate ornament into their own work.

At once an accessible primer for a curious audience, and a reference book for design students, it draws attention to these often overlooked or derided designs, exploring their history and sharing lessons. From the historic Hausa facades of Nigeria to the Alhambra in Spainto to TOA Architecture’s Taumata o Kupe meeting house in New Zealand, this book joins an important conversation around what it means to build physical spaces that are both beautiful and inclusive.