Rather than simply evolving the norms of architecture style, our students design spaces that work in a dynamic way with what happens in them. Each of this year’s three Architectural Design Studios (ADS) has also put forward a theme that relates the physical form of the city to prevailing ethical issues. For example with Taglia Unica, ADS1 is asking what kind of architecture stems from the contradictions inherent in globalisation, and proposes a number of global programmes along the Thames; ADS2’s Delirious Hi-rise speculates on the effect that brands might have on specific typologies of high-rise architecture; and in response to the government SOCRA exclusion zone around Parliament, with War ADS4 explores how to accommodate the kind of highly specific communities that may want to live in this area.