The New Centre's History, Design & Worldmaking Program recognizes the historical roots of design and architecture and how various philosophies and theories shape these disciplines. Under pressure to respond to the Anthropocene and Artificial Intelligence—and the fact that our world is itself increasingly artefactual and artificial—those within these disciplines need to attend to how belief systems used in modeling and constructing new worlds are historical in themselves shaped by tradition and happenstance. This awareness enables us to envision, design, and build alternative futures, addressing the planetary-scale impacts and risks humanity faces today through productive collusion between Design, Architecture, and Philosophy.

To be historical is to recognize the significance of history, particularly in understanding how events and circumstances of the past, present and possible futures shape the orientation of what to come next. In simple terms, past, present, and future are interdependent, and thus, changes in our understanding or trajectory of one will impact those of others. History is a realm characterized by contingency, providing us with an opportunity for us to us our own capacities for agency and improvement. In this sense, historical understanding is about orienting ourselves within the world as a precursor to all attempts at "artifaction" specifically through architecture and design.

Attending to these issues allows us to see how the genealogies of our beliefs, realities, and plans influence them. In one guise, this can reveal the inadequacy of our attitudes and policies by illuminating how they depend upon extra-rational factors, such as quirks of class or upbringing, which affect people in the sense that, should they not have shaped their pasts, they wouldn't presently assent to some such attitude or policy.

The History, Design & Worldmaking Program's mandate is to:

• Analyze Historical Influence by examining and addressing distortions caused by historical elements in architecture and design


• Explore the origins of the theories of modeling and building


• Investigate the development of architectural and design theories


• Recognize and thus take advantage of the contingent nature of the fields of architecture and design and use this toward innovation.
  Adopt a multidisciplinary lens to understand how historical influence extends to material legacies and their interaction with various systems


• Address global challenges by tackling existential threats like climate change and Artificial Intelligence by analyzing the role of historical designs and technologies and considering their impacts on both human and nonhuman life.
  Understand contingencies in design, especially in the Anthropocene era, by encouraging exploration and adaptability


• Promote the open-ended study of alternate paths in practices and designs


• Foster adaptability and forward-thinking in Certificate Students and Researchers.

By adopting these mandates, the program trains and educates architects and designers who are critically engaged, innovative, and aware of the historical and material context of their work.

REQUIREMENTS: All certificate students will complete ten credits of seminars with The New Centre, with a minimum of four having to be taught by the Programmer of their Certificate of choice. The two remaining credits will consist of a consultancy with our Organizer, Mohammad Salemy, and the proposal, production, and publication of at least one full-length essay in a reputable online or print periodical venue or a substantial artistic or curatorial project with a reputable institution. The Programmer will supervise this project in two meetings which must be scheduled after completing the Seminar credits requirements. The certificate Programmer will closely assist all Certificate Students in achieving these requirements and liaising with potential publications, project execution, and internship venues.

To apply, complete The New Centre's Application Form.