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Dr. Fiona Smyth is an Assistant Professor in Architectural History and Theory at the University of Cambridge, specializing in the intersection of architectural history and the history of science, particularly acoustics, environmental design for silence, and the concept of building as instrument.
Dr. Fiona Smyth is an Assistant Professor in Architectural History and Theory at the University of Cambridge, a Fellow and College Lecturer in Architecture at Newnham College, and an Acting Co-Director of the MArch Programme (History and Theory). Her unique research niche lies at the compelling intersection of the history of architecture and the history of science, with a particular focus on the cultural studies of sound and the emergence of acoustics as a branch of building science in the 20th century.
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Her groundbreaking work has been globally recognized, including winning the Newman Medal for Architectural Acoustics (Acoustical Society of America), the Stanley Smith Prize (Construction History Society), and the Hawksmoor Medal for Architectural History (SAHGB). She is the author of the book, Pistols in St Paul’s: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century (2024), which investigates the concept of “building as instrument.” Furthermore, she is the recipient of a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant for her five-year project, Spectres & Camouflage: The Sound of Silence.
Biography and Research Focus
Trained as both an architect and a scholar (B.Sc.Arch., B.Arch., Ph.D.), Dr. Smyth utilizes rigorous methods, including extensive archive work, fieldwork, and iconography, to explore the intangible aspects of ideas and interdisciplinary transfers.
Her career has been marked by major international fellowships:
- ERC Starting Grant (2022-2027): Spectres & Camouflage: The Sound of Silence, examining the cross-disciplinary knowledge that shaped environmental design for silence in the 20th century.
- Marie Sklodowska Curie (MSCA) Global Fellowship: At Harvard (History of Science) and Trinity College Dublin (Engineering), focusing on Science as Applied to Building and the emergence of architectural acoustics in Britain.
Her research explores how abstract ideas from music and science became manifest in architectural design. This is highlighted in her book, which uses the historical experiments and acoustical tuning of spaces like St Paul’s Cathedral to demonstrate the deep connection between scientific expertise and architectural form. A dedicated advocate for EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion), she serves as the Chair of both the Faculty and School EDI Committees, championing the inclusion of diverse historical “voices and expert ears” in architectural and acoustic histories.
Core Profile Details
Key Awards and Publications
Dr. Smyth’s work is influential across architectural history, construction history, and acoustic science.
Selected Awards
- Newman Medal for Architectural Acoustics (Acoustical Society of America)
- Hawksmoor Medal for Architectural History (Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain)
- Stanley Smith Prize (Construction History Society)
Key Publications
- Monograph (2024): Pistols in St Paul’s: Science, Music, and Architecture in the Twentieth Century. Manchester University Press.
Journal Articles:
- “‘Faith not Works’: Chance Encounters and the Origins of Britain’s first Consultancy in Architectural Acoustics.” Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 83 (4) (2024).
- “‘Free Fields and Four Foot Walls: The Silent Test Chamber at the Building Research Station’,” Journal of Construction History, 39 (2) (2024).
- “A Matter of Practical Emergency’: Herbert Baker, Hope Bagenal, and the Acoustic Legacy of the Assembly Chamber in Imperial Delhi.” Architectural History, 62 (2019).
ERC Project: Spectres & Camouflage: The Sound of Silence (2022-2027).
