ABSTRACT
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Bertrand Russell, this paper aims to highlight his views on Victorian architecture. Russell was a key figure in 20th-century European culture, and his thought was deeply molded by Victorian ideals, even if he would later reject most of them. There was one conviction, though, that he kept throughout his life – the possibility of creating a better world in which humanity could live happily. After some introductory remarks on space, territory and place, we will describe Victorian cities and provide a synthesis of Utopian urban planning, followed by an analysis of Russell’s essay “Architecture and Social Questions.” This text reflects on the conditions that may permit future social change, creating a nexus between space and time, present spatial conditions, future transformations and a political vision for the years to come. As is the case with many of Russell’s writings, one senses a Utopian appeal reverberating throughout the pages. However, this appeal is not mere daydream, as he lays out the practicality of his vision. Well aware of the several functions of spatiality, Russell entertains both the notions of territorialization and placemaking as a means to bring about the desired reform.
