In the first episode of Building Better Season Three, we discuss fire and the role it plays in architecture and design. Throughout history, fire has shaped the cities we live in, and the risks of urban fire in a warming climate are ever-increasing.

Host Christoph Lindner, Dean of The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, speaks to three guests from within and outside the UCL community to discuss their work with fire:

• Professor Jose Torero Cullen, Head of the Department of Civil, Environmental, Geomatic and Environmental Engineering and specialist in fire safety engineering
• Dr Eva Branscome, Associate Professor, Architectural History and Theory, The Bartlett School of Architecture and Mentor at SPID Theatre
• Naomi Israel, Youth Ambassador for SPID Theatre and co-director of The Burning Tower which explored the impact and response to the Grenfell Tower Fire

TW: This episode discusses the Grenfell tower fire as well as other fires from across the world and throughout history and has reference to death and injury; however, these will not be discussed in great, explicit detail.

Date of episode recording: 2022-07-28 Duration: 36:18 Language of episode: English Presenter: Christoph Lindner Guests: Professor Jose Torero Cullen; Dr Eva Branscome; Naomi Israel Producer: Cerys Bradley