Dominic Endicott on the Future of Knowledge Towns

As part of our Annual Meeting this year, studioDSK had the pleasure of hosting Dominic Endicott, author of Knowledge Towns and a passionate advocate for rethinking how communities grow around learning, innovation, and place.

Dominic delivered a keynote that was as insightful as it was timely, drawing from his book to explore how smaller cities and towns can become powerful hubs of knowledge. His vision challenges the notion that innovation is confined to dense urban centers. Instead, he proposes a more distributed future, one where communities are shaped around universities, research institutions, and cultural assets, creating sustainable, inclusive ecosystems for learning and exchange.

After the talk, Dominic stayed on for a lively book signing and conversation. The themes resonated deeply with our team, especially as we think about architecture’s role in shaping not just buildings but the broader civic and social fabric of the places we live and work.

At studioDSK, we’re always energized by cross-disciplinary thinkers like Dominic who push the conversation forward. His visit was a reminder that good design isn’t just about form, it’s about fostering the conditions for knowledge, community, and growth.