Deconstructed: Almanaar Mosque & Cultural Centre - Faith, Space, and Community
In this episode of Deconstructed, host Matthew Lloyd Roberts is joined by Shukri Sultan, a lecturer at Westminster University, to explore the story of Almanaar Mosque in West London. Together, they unpack how this unassuming building became a vital hub for faith, community, and resilience — especially in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.From its architectural form to its social function, Almanaar offers a powerful lens into how buildings serve more than just physical needs — they shape and shelter the emotional and cultural lives of their communities.Join us as we examine the mosque’s design, its role in public life, and what it reveals about the broader relationship between built space and belonging.To help support excellent and accessible, independent journalism about the buildings and the urban environment, please become an Open City friend by clicking here.Deconstructed is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Norman Foster to design Queen Elizabeth II memorial, the rise of AI in architecture and saving Britain's buildings
In this episode, host and Open City architectural director Merlin Fulcher will be joined by guest Sarah Carrington, the new Director of The Line, a public art trail that connects Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2. They will be discussing:Norman Foster picked to design Queen Elizabeth’s memorial // The majority of architects are now using AI according to a new study // A major low-carbon heating project gets the green light in Oxford // And SAVE Britain’s Heritage reveals its latest Buildings At Risk registerTo help support excellent and accessible, independent journalism about the buildings and the urban environment, please become an Open City friend by clicking here.The Brief is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate.The Brief is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.Subscribe to the Open City Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud or iTunesThe Open City Podcast is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app and produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, London Society, C20 Society and Save Britain's Heritage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Davidson Prize, Working hours and Oxford Street's pedestrianisation
In this episode, host Sahiba Chadha is joined by Sharon Giffen, Head of Design at The Earls Court Development Company and an architect with more than 20 years experience leading large scale masterplans and infrastructure projects. They will be discussing:Plymouth high street regeneration wins the 2025 Davidson Prize // From ‘living wage’ to ‘living hours, how an architecture firm is changing working life // Oxford Street’s pedestrianisation set to finally go ahead // And Open City’s Accelerate team is making waves at the AJ100 Awards To help support excellent and accessible, independent journalism about the buildings and the urban environment, please become an Open City friend by clicking here.The Brief is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.The Brief is produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, and the C20 Society.Subscribe to the Open City Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud or iTunesThe Open City Podcast is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app and produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, London Society, C20 Society and Save Britain's Heritage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Deconstructed: Crystal Palace Park – Sculpture, Sport and the London County Council
In this episode of Deconstructed - the first of a trilogy to mark 60 years since the end of the London County Council - Matthew Lloyd Roberts is joined by Dr Dawn Pereira, historian of architectural sculpture and author of a forthcoming monograph on the artist William Mitchell. They discuss Crystal Palace Park, from its origins as the home of Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace, which was moved from the Great Exhibition at Hyde Park to form a permanent new collection on the hilltops of South London. After the destruction of the palace in a fire in 1936, the London County Council transformed the park, creating the National Sports Centre and a range of public art.Dawn is the organiser of a conference to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the LCC, you can keep up with the initiative through their Instagram: @lcc_legacy https://www.instagram.com/lcc_legacy?igsh=MTVqZm9lbzYxNXZ2cw==To help support excellent and accessible, independent journalism about the buildings and the urban environment, please become an Open City friend by clicking here.Deconstructed is recorded and produced at the Open City offices located in Bureau. Bureau is a co-working space for creatives offering a new approach to membership workspace. Bureau prioritises not just room to think and do, but also shared resources and space to collaborate. To book a free day pass follow this link.Subscribe to the Open City Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud or iTunesThe Open City Podcast is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app and produced in association with the Architects’ Journal, London Society, C20 Society and Save Britain's Heritage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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