Space Syntax

Design consultancy for urban areas and building interiors.

As urban populations grow, poor decisions about streets, buildings and public spaces can limit movement, safety, inclusion and economic activity for decades.

The UN projects that 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. Space Syntax uses spatial analysis and evidence-based design to show how layouts influence human behaviour, helping planners and developers create places that work better for the people who use them.

UCL academic founders: Professor Bill Hillier and Professor Alan Penn, The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL

Space Syntax's journey so far

1989: founded at The Bartlett, UCL.
Over three decades — Applied spatial analytics to major projects including Trafalgar Square, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and City of London pedestrian modelling.
2015: restructured as an employee-owned organisation, with employees holding 75% of the business.
2018: launched OpenMapping with a spatial network model of Great Britain.

Dr. Will Mortimore

Senior Business Manager

Dr Will Mortimore is responsible for fostering UCL’s Physical Sciences IP portfolio into commercial opportunities across a broad range of technologies and sectors, with a key focus on Climate Tech.

Will joined UCL Ventures from the University of Surrey where he managed technology transfer for the faculty of engineering and physical sciences, leading the creation of several spinouts and commercial opportunities. This has been built upon solid international commercial experience as a business development manager for technical products covering a wide range of industries from aviation to medical devices.

Prior to this, Will held a number of materials development roles from a PhD in fuel cells through to product development and scientific consultancy for the power sector.