James S. Russell

Architecture Critic, Journalist and Consultant

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  • Blog
  • About
  • Consulting
  • Journalism
  • Contact

Speaking

I have spoken about Frank Lloyd Wright in Berlin and flood-proofing cities in Calgary. I’ve moderated panels with politicians, advocates, engineers, and corporate executives. I’ve also interviewed architects for Bloomberg television and comment on NPR/WNYC public radio. I speak about:

  • Architecture
  • Urban growth trends
  • Architectural responses to climate change.

If you’re interested in hiring or having me speak at your next event, send me an email at james@jamessrussell.net

Highlights 

“What is Good Design?” panel, Historic Districts Council conference, New York City, March 8, 2014

“Transportation and the Second Avenue Subway, National Academy, New York City, Jan. 8, 2014

“Designing Disaster Recovery: Lessons from Hurricane Sandy,” at ARC-US conference, Hollywood, Fl., Nov. 9, 2013

“New Needle Towers Coming to Manhattan,” interview WNYC/NPR Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Nov. 7, 2013

“After the Flood: Making Resilient Communities,” University of Calgary conference, Calgary, Alberta, October 18, 2013

“Impact of Climate Change on the Built Environment” (moderate all-day conference), Business Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, Kansas City, Mo., Sept 27, 2013

Interview WNYC/NPR Morning Edition, All Things Considered, on new home of Whitney Museum of Art, June 26, 2013

“Densify,” (on micro-apartments, transportation and density) at the Center for Architecture, New York City, June 26, 2013

“Brutalism and Preservation,” at Parsons School of Design, New York City, May 15, 2013

“A Critics Tour of New Waterfront Parks,” WNYC/NPR Morning Edition, All Things Considered, March 19, 2013

Facilitator, community outreach, for NYC Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency, Staten Island, NY, March 6, 2013

“Eco Cities: From Value Analysis to Projects,” AGRION Energy & Sustainability Conference, New York City, February February 20, 2013

“Adapting Cities to Climate Change in a Post-Sandy World,” National Academy of Sciences, New York City, January 24, 2013

“Addressing the Hard Questions,” (after Storm Sandy), Municipal Art Society Road to Resilience conference, New York City, January 12, 2013

“Four Architecture Critics in Conversation,” (with Michael Sorkin, Christopher Hawthorne, Cathleen McGuigan and Justin McGuirk) Designers and Books Fair, October 27, 2012

“The Future of Preservation: How does it Enhance Livability?” Municipal Art Society Summit for the City, New York City, October 19, 2012

“The Urban Polder: What New York’s Waterfront Can Learn from the Dutch,” Van Alen Institute, New York City, October 10, 2012

“Another Language of Diplomacy,” on new standards for embassy design, Architectural League, New York City, September 19, 2012

Keynote, American Institute of Landscape Architects, New York City Awards program, April 3, 2012

“Are Bay Area Cities Ready for Climate Change?” San Francisco Planning + Urban Research Association (SPUR) March 19 (San Jose), March 20th, 2012 (San Francisco)

“Architecture Criticism Today,” at the Center for Architecture, New York, February 27, 2012

“Soundings: Agile City Panel Discussion,” with Patti Southard, King County; Jarrett Walker, Human Transit; Town Hall Seattle, Nov. 3, 2011

Keynote speech, American Institute of Architects New England Region, Northampton, Mass., October 15, 2011

“Renaissance or Long Emergency? A Debate on the City’s Future,” with Diane Brady, Businessweek, James Howard Kunstler, Guggenheim BMW Lab, New York City Oct. 6, 2011

Oculus Book Talk (AIA New York): James S. Russell, The Agile City, Sept. 15 2011

Podcast: http://cfa.aiany.org/index.php?section=podcast

“The Agile City,” Summer Solstice Round Table, American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment, Washington D.C., June 22, 2011

“Firms in an Age of Mergers and Acquisitions,” The AIA New York City Center for Architecture, May 23, 2011, New York City

Juror, Awards Program, American Institute of Architects, Texas; Austin May 20, 2011

“Next Generation Green: Sustainable Communities and Infrastructure” American Institute of Architects National Convention, May 12, 2011, New Orleans. (With Hillary Brown)

“Perspectives on the Built Environment: Practicing the Craft,” Lincoln Insitute of Land Policy, April 15, 2011 with Paul Goldberger, The New Yorker and John King, San Francisco Chronicle

“The New Normal,” University of Utah School of Architecture, Salt Lake City Utah, October 27, 2010

Video Links

  • Interview with Steven Holl on Bloomberg TV
  • Interview with Ben van Berkel of UN Studio on Bloomberg TV
  • Interview with Robert A. M. Stern on Bloomberg TV
  • Interview with David Adjaye on Bloomberg TV
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About James Russell

James S. Russell is an architecture critic, journalist, teacher and consultant. He's the author of the book, The Agile City, and has written for publications like Architectural Record, Bloomberg News, NY Times and more. Continue reading

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Hire me to speak

I frequently speak to groups on architecture, urban growth trends, and architectural responses to climate change. If you are interested in having me participate in your event, check out some previous events I’ve spoken at

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