Charles Knevitt

Charles Knevitt (10 August 1952 in Dayton, Ohio, USA – 14 March 2016) was a British journalist (parents from the UK), author, broadcaster, curator and playwright, and former Architecture Correspondent of the Sunday Telegraph (1980–84) and The Times (1984–91). In 2016 he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for his contribution to architecture.

In 1975 he coined the term 'community architecture' in an article in Building Design, and later wrote the definitive book on the subject for Penguin, with co-author Nick Wates (1987); In 2008 Knevitt was named by Design Week as one of the 'Hot 50' making a difference in design.

Television In the mid-1980s he popularised coverage of contemporary architecture on television with the ‘Our London’ viewers’ poll of modern buildings for Thames Television (1984), to coincide with the 150th anniversary celebrations of the RIBA and its Festival of Architecture. The following year (1985) he was consultant on the six-part Anglia Television series for Channel 4, ‘Space on Earth’ and wrote the accompanying book. In 1987 he was the writer and presenter of an award-winning Granada Television programme in its 'New North' series.

Books He was the author/editor of 12 books. Among them is the top 20 best-seller, One's Life (1988), Perspectives (1986), and Shelter (1994; US edition 1996). The last of these raised more than £100,000 for Shelter – the National Campaign for Homeless People in the UK.

RIBA Trust

Director of the RIBA Trust Between 2004 and 2011 he was Director of the RIBA Trust, managing the cultural assets and delivering the public outreach programme of the Royal Institute of British Architects. The Trust included the British Architectural Library, more than four million items based at the RIBA and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A); the permanent Architecture Gallery at the V&A; the annual RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture, broadcast live on Channel 4 and later BBC Two, with Kevin McCloud; the Royal Gold Medal and Honorary Fellowships; exhibitions; talks; and development.

Le Corbusier Exhibition and season He was UK Director of the Vitra Design Museum travelling exhibition, 'Le Corbusier – The Art of Architecture' and season in Venice (Biennale), Liverpool (European Capital of Culture) and London (V&A, Barbican Art Gallery, RIBA and the Architectural Association), 2008–09.

Palladio Touring Exhibitions There were also two touring Palladio exhibitions, based on original work in the RIBA Drawings Collection, in Europe (with the Royal Academy) and the USA.

Other exhibitions He curated several exhibitions in London, most recently 'Lifelines' at the European Commission's 12 Star Gallery (2012), with Emma Flynn and Cassandra Tsolakis; and in Malta, 'Richard England – Architect and Artist' for the Bank of Valletta (2013). The catalogue introduction was written by Renzo Piano.

One-man show In 2012 he wrote and performed his one-man show, 'Le Corbusier's Women', which premiered at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, and subsequently performed it at Chelsea Arts Club, London, and Bowery Poetry Club, New York (2013).

Honorary positions Honorary Fellowship, Royal Institute of British Architects Ambassador, Chelsea Arts Club Trust Chairman, Swiss Cultural Fund in Britain (now UK), 2007-14 DCMS Working Party on the first UK City of Culture, 2013 (awarded to Derry) Co-Founder, First Wednesdays, Chelsea Arts Club Honorary Secretary, The Times/RIBA Community Enterprise Awards, under the patronage of the Prince of Wales Honorary Treasurer, The Architecture Club; International Building Press (UK)