A is for Architecture Podcast

• Justin O’Connor: Community, culture and the city.

  In this – the 150th! - episode of the A is for Architecture Podcast, I was joined by cultural theorist Justin O'Connor, Professor of Cultural Economy at the University of South Australia to discuss his 2024 book, Culture is not an Industry: Reclaiming Art and Culture for the Common Good, published by Manchester University Press.Unpacking and critiquing the concept of creative industries, Justin describes the historical transformation of urban space through local cultural initiatives and grassroots movements of makers, doers and thinkers, and contrasts this with the current dominance of large development companies and platform capitalism, re-packaged by governmental sleight of hand. The effects of this is another form of gentrification through which makers of actual culture are sidelined (again). Justin goes beyond this critique, however, advocating for an alternative economy based on an holistic approach to culture viewed as a social good, which might allow us to foster flourishing societies beyond the death-grip of economic metrics.It's a good, sharp episode, and Justin’s argument is well worth your time. Have a sticky, find out.Justin can be found on his personal website, on LinkedIn and at his place of work. The book is linked above.#CulturalIndistries #CreativeIndustries #JustinOConnor #CulturalPolicy #UrbanDevelopment #UrbanPolicy #CreativeCommons #ReclaimCulture #PublicGood #CreativityEconomy +Music credits: ⁠Bruno Gillick 

  --------  

  54:29
• Alistair Fair: New Towns, New Scotland.

  In this episode of the A is for Architecture Podcast, architectural historian at the Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh, Dr Alistair Fair discusses his latest book, Building Modern Scotland: A Social and Architectural History of the New Towns, 1947–1997, which he co-authored with Lynn Abrams, Kat Breen, Miles Glendinning, Diane Watters and Valerie Wright, and published with Bloomsbury in February this year.Scotland’s new towns—Glenrothes, Cumbernauld, Livingston, Irvine, and East Kilbride—were bold experiments in urban planning, designed to provide modern, thriving communities in the wake of the Second World War. We discuss the why and how of New Townism, and beyond the concrete and masterplans, reflect on what these places meant and how they shaped the daily life of the people who lived in them. In the end, as always, did they work? And what do they suggest about the contemporary and future of urban growth?Alistair & Co’s extensive research and storytelling uncovers the vision, politics, and lived experiences behind these remarkable developments. Have a good listen – Alistair is a wonderful communicator – and find out.Alistair is on Instagram, and above at work. The book is linked above. #ArchitecturePodcast #BuildingModernScotland #newtowns #ScottishNewTowns #UrbanPlanning #ArchitectureHistory #ModernistArchitecture #ScottishHistory #PostWarDesign #AlistairFair+Music credits: ⁠Bruno Gillick

  --------  

  55:56
• John Boughton: Social histories of council housing.

  In this episode of the A is for Architecture Podcast, I spoke with John Boughton, social historian, writer and blogger. John has written the hugely insightful and important blog, Municipal Dreams since 2013, on which he explores the history, impact, and legacy of social and council housing in Britain, highlighting its architectural, political, and social significance. In 2018, his first major book, Municipal Dreams: The Rise and Fall of Council Housing, was published by Verso, followed in 2022 by A History of Council Housing in 100 Estates, published with RIBA Publishing.John’s work traces the history of council housing and council estate architecture in Britain, from its origins in the c19 and early 20th century as a response to poor living conditions, to its peak in the post-war era, when UK social housing policy provided millions with high-quality, state-funded homes. We discuss this and how shifting political and economic priorities, concretized in the Right to Buy policy UK under Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, led to the widespread privatization of council housing, reducing public housing stock and contributing to today’s housing crisis. Well-planned social housing remains crucial in addressing the global housing permacrisis. John’s work is a perfect resource for showing us how it has been, and could be done again. So, listen to John then read his blog and books, Start here. John can be found on his blogs, linked above, as are his books.# ArchitecturePodcast #MunicipalDreams #JohnBoughton #CouncilHousing #SocialHousing #AisforArchitecture+Music credits: ⁠Bruno Gillick

  --------  

  53:48
• Dinah Bornat: Play home city children.

  In this episode of the A is for Architecture Podcast, architect, urban designer and founder-director of ZCD Architects, Dinah Bornat, discusses her new book, All to Play For: How to Design Child-Friendly Housing (RIBA Books 2025). Drawing on research and real-world case studies, we discuss the crucial role of design in shaping inclusive, playful cities, and sustainable communities.Dinah describes why child-friendly housing that makes spaces for imaginative, creative play – essentially urban design for children - benefits everyone, the impact of car-free communities, and how policymakers, architects, and residents can work together to prioritize children’s – and therefore everyone’s - needs in housing and public spaces. How can we create cities where children can truly thrive? By making family-friendly architecture, of course. What other option is there?🎧 Listen to Dinah, find out. Dinah/ ZCD can be found on Instagram, LinkedIn and on her ZCD Architect’s website, above. The book is linked above too.# ArchitecturePodcast #ChildFriendlyCities #UrbanDesign #Placemaking #CityPlanning #SustainableLiving #PlayfulArchitecture #AisforArchitecture+Music credits: ⁠Bruno Gillick

  --------  

  54:15
• Shayan Adham: Critical practice and the cosmopolitan imagination.

  In this episode of the A is for Architecture Podcast, Shayan Adham - architect, scholar and founder of Layers Studio, a design practice based in Iran, discusses his work and thinking. This is a detour from the podcast’s normal mode, but a happy one. Shayan presents work which I read as both deeply cultural and cosmopolitan, rooted in a critical engagement with the space he operates from, and the global context of architectural knowledge and practice. From the shores of the Caspian Sea, Shayan's reflections on architectural theory and education, perspectives on the evolution of architectural forms and thoughts on the intersection of memory and space, seems to me to be a distinct thing, an alternative reading of what it means to be a contemporary architect.It’s kinda rare and lovely, and a bit different. Shayan can be found on Instagram.🎧 Listen now. Get inspired. ArchitecturePodcast #ShayanAdham #iranianarchitecture #ArchitecturalTheory #serlio #renaissancetreatise #FutureOfArchitecture #AisforArchitecture+ Music credits: ⁠Bruno Gillick

  --------  

  49:30

More Arts podcasts

Trending Arts podcasts

About A is for Architecture Podcast