Architecture Masters: Recent Episodes
London Festival of Architecture
Architecture Masters is the podcast from the London Festival of Architecture about the people behind the buildings: a series of conversations with some of architecture’s leading lights.
These are the people quietly shaping our cities – all hugely respected within the architectural profession, yet somehow their modest profile often belies the impact they have on the world around us.
This is a programme for those that are interested in the people who are shaping our world.
For this episode of Architecture Masters we’re joined by Frank Anatole, Principal Architect at Network Rail. Network Rail oversees a vast network of built environment infrastructure across the UK including over 2,500 stations, 30,000 bridges and tunnels, as well as countless maintenance depots, signal boxes and other infrastructure buildings that all too often go unseen. … Continue reading "Frank Anatole, Principal Architect, Network Rail"
On the programme today we’re joined by Dale Sinclair, Director of Innovation for the global infrastructure consultancy Aecom. Over the years much of Dale’s work has focused on the future of the architecture profession, and much of our conversation today involves future gazing. Dale grew up in Edinburgh and went on to study architecture at … Continue reading "Dale Sinclair, Director of Innovation, Aecom"
On the programme this week we’re joined by Sheng-Yuan Huang founder of Fieldoffice Architects. Sheng-Yuan was born in Taipai and initially studied architecture at Tunghai University in Taichung – Taiwan’s second city – where he graduated in 1986. Taiwan – officially the Republic of China – was governed under Martial Law until 1987, which marked the … Continue reading "Sheng-Yuan Huang, Founder Fieldoffice Architects"
On the programme this week we’re joined by Sofie De Caigny, Director of VAi, the Flanders Architecture Institute. The VAi is based in Antwerp – across two buildings – with gallery space and public programmes taking place in the International Arts Campus deSingel. As well as their extensive public programme, every two years the institute … Continue reading "Sofie De Caigny, Director, Flanders Architecture Institute"
For the eleventh episode of Architecture Masters at Home, we’re joined by Giovanna Borasi, Director of the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. Giovanna joined the CCA in 2005 as the Curator for Contemporary Architecture, going on to become Chief Curator in 2014 and then Director of the Centre at the beginning of this year. … Continue reading "Giovanna Borasi, Director, Canadian Centre for Architecture"
On this week’s Architecture Masters at Home we’re joined by Roger Hawkins, co-founder of Hawkins\Brown. Russel Brown and Roger Hawkins founded the firm in 1988 after having worked together at Rock Townsend in the 1980s. The two partners started the firm with an initial determination, as they saw it, not to get trapped working on … Continue reading "Roger Hawkins, Co-Founder, Hawkins\Brown"
For the ninth episode of the LFA’s Architecture Masters at Home, we’re joined by Ellie Stathaki, Architecture Editor at Wallpaper Magazine. Wallpaper Magazine was founded in 1996 and quickly became one of the world’s most influential international lifestyle titles. Wallpaper – with tagline “the stuff that refines you” covers design and architecture, fashion, travel, art, … Continue reading "Ellie Stathaki, Architecture Editor, Wallpaper Magazine"
For the eighth episode of Architecture Masters at Home, we’re joined by Laura King, Director at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates in London. Over the last few weeks many of us have been getting used to the new normal of remote working. But for many global architecture firms like KPF, working on international projects with clients … Continue reading "Laura King, Director, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates"
For our seventh episode of Architecture Masters at Home we’re joined by the artist-designer Yinka Ilori – described by The Financial Times as one of the world’s most in demand designers. Born in London, much of his work references his West African heritage. Yinka established his studio in 2017 with a loan from the Prince’s … Continue reading "Yinka Ilori, Designer"
For the sixth episode of Architecture Masters at Home, we’re joined by Maria Louise Long, Senior Associate at Chris Dyson Architects. Maria Louise grew up in South West Ireland and went on to study architecture at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture in Aberdeen before moving to London some 10 years ago in search of work … Continue reading "Maria Louise Long, Senior Associate, Chris Dyson Architects"
For the fifth episode of Architecture Masters at Home, we’re joined by Peter Murray and Nick McKeogh. Like many organisations trying to adapt to these challenging and quickly changing circumstances, at the LFA we’ve naturally been re-examining our core purpose and thinking about how we can continue to support the profession and the wider city. The LFA was … Continue reading "Peter Murray & Nick McKeogh, Co-Founders, New London Architecture"
In Episode 4 of Architecture Masters at Home we’re joined by the Managing Editor of the Architects’ Journal, Will Hurst. Founded in 1895, the AJ remains the journal of record for the architecture profession in the UK. We talk about the role of a Managing Editor, about producing an entire issue from home, and balancing the resources of … Continue reading "Will Hurst, Managing Editor, Architects’ Journal"
For the third episode of Architecture Masters at Home we’re joined by Steven Harding, founder of Goodfellow Communications. Goodfellow run the press and PR for the LFA, helping the festival and our partners reach new audiences, both during the festival and throughout the year. Tamsie and Owen talk to Steven about the importance of good … Continue reading "Steven Harding, Founder, Goodfellow Communications"
Welcome to the second episode of our new format podcast – Architecture Masters at Home. In this episode LFA Director Tamsie Thomson and LFA Deputy Director Owen Wainhouse discuss this year’s festival theme of ‘power’ and how it relates to architecture – particularly in our new world of working from home. Every year the London … Continue reading "Tamsie Thomson & Owen Wainhouse, London Festival of Architecture"
From our homes to yours – welcome to our new format festival podcast – ‘Architecture Masters at Home’. Whilst we all get accustomed to working from home, we wanted to bring you some insights from the festival and our key partners as we look at how the wider architecture sector adapts to working in different … Continue reading "Architecture Masters at Home"
On the programme this week is the designer Paul Priestman. Paul started his business designing the packaging for Boots’ Number 7 cosmetics. Some 30 years later PriestmanGoode, the firm he started along with Nigel Goode, has become the go-to firm responsible for designing many of the seats, aircraft cabins, carriages, berths, beds, hotel rooms and … Continue reading "Paul Priestman, Co-Founder, PriestmanGoode"
On the programme this week our guest is Patrik Schumacher, Principal of Zaha Hadid Architects. When Patrik joined the practice in 1988, Zaha Hadid had just four other employees, based out of a couple of rooms in a converted Victorian school on Bowling Green Lane in Clerkenwell. And the practice had no built work to … Continue reading "Patrik Schumacher, Principal, Zaha Hadid Architects"
Our guest this week is Deborah Saunt, co-founder of the architecture practice DSDHA. Deborah was born in Australia but moved as a child to the UK via a brief stint in Kenya. It was in Scotland that she first studied architecture at Edinburgh College of Art. She later studied via a scholarship at the University … Continue reading "Deborah Saunt, Co-Founder, DSDHA"
On the programme this week our guest is Hattie Hartman, Sustainability Editor at the Architects’ Journal. The Architects’ Journal was founded in 1895 as The Builder’s Journal and Architectural Record, before being taking its current name in 1919. Some 100 years later the journal still remains one of the profession’s most respected and widely read … Continue reading "Hattie Hartman, Sustainability Editor, Architects’ Journal"
Our guest this week is the architect Piers Gough CBE. Piers was born in Brighton in the south of England and in 1965 began his studies at the Architectural Association in London – studying under Peter Cook (of Archigram frame) and Elia Zenghelis (who when on to co-found the Office of Metropolitan Architecture). It … Continue reading "Piers Gough, Co-Founder, CZWG Architects"
On the programme this week we speak to Peter Clegg and Keith Bradley, Partners at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. In 1978 Peter Clegg and Richard Feilden founded their practice as Feilden Clegg Design in Bath in the west of England. Keith Bradley subsequently joined the practice in 1987. It wasn’t until 1998 – some 20 … Continue reading "Keith Bradley & Peter Clegg, Co-Founders, FCB Studios"
Our guest this week is the managing director of the architectural recruitment firm Adrem. Del Hossain was born and grew up in Manchester before moving to London to study architecture – first at London South Bank University and then at the Bartlett School of Architecture. After working at a number of practices including Orms and … Continue reading "Del Hossain, Managing Director, Adrem"
Our guest this week is the architect Kirsten Lees, Managing Partner at Grimshaw Architects. Kirsten was elected as the London studio’s first female Managing Partner in May 2018. In a somewhat unique arrangement Grimshaw’s Managing Partner is elected by the studio’s nine Partners for a three year term, renewable once, helping to balance renewal and … Continue reading "Kirsten Lees, Managing Partner, Grimshaw Architects"
Our guest this week is the architect Jonathan Darke. Jonathan was born to British Parents in Pennsylvania in the USA. His father’s work as a Civil Engineer led him and the family to move extensively throughout his childhood, living amongst other places in Iran and Pakistan. Later, back in the UK, Jonathan studied architecture at … Continue reading "Jonathan Darke, Principal Director, tp bennett"
Our guest this week is the architect Pooja Agrawal. In 2017 Pooja co-founded the social enterprise Public Practice along with Finn Williams. Public Practice places architects and other built environment experts within local authorities on year-long placements – providing much needed skills and experience for the public sector. In the 1970s almost half of all UK … Continue reading "Pooja Agrawal, Co-Founder, Public Practice"
Our guest this week is the architect Larry Malcic. Larry was born in St Louis in the American mid west. He later went on to study architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, being taught for a time by the hugely influential architect Louis Khan. After University it was in St Louis that Larry started his own … Continue reading "Larry Malcic, Founder HOK’s European Practice"
On the programme this week we speak to the architect Clare Richards. Clare took an unusual route into architecture. Clare started her career as a researcher for BBC television before joining commercial broadcaster TV-am for its launch in 1983. TV-am was hugely influential as the UK’s first nationwide commercial breakfast television programme. It left a huge … Continue reading "Clare Richards, Founder, ft’work"
On the programme this week we speak to Chris Wilkinson and Jim Eyre, directors of WilkinsonEyre. Chris founded Chris Wilkinson Architects in 1983 with Jim joining the practice – now WilkinsonEyre – in 1987. The practice now employs more than 200 people in London, Hong Kong and Sydney. Chris originally studied architecture at the Regent … Continue reading "Chris Wilkinson and Jim Eyre, Co-Founders, WilkinsonEyre"
The London Festival of Architecture is now – by some margin – the world’s largest annual architecture festival – taking place each year throughout the month of June. This year we held over 530 separate events: including talks, architectural installations, exhibitions, film screenings, tours, Open Studios, debates, architectural bake offs and much, much more. All … Continue reading "What’s in a Theme? – Tamsie Thomson"
On the programme this week we speak to Francesco Stassi and Alice Tasca, principals of Active Social Architecture in Kigali. This week’s programme was recorded in Rwanda as part of a series of episodes we’re bringing you from East Africa to explore identity and architecture. Identity is the theme of this year’s London Festival of … Continue reading "ASA Studio – Kigali"
On the programme this week we speak to Professor Tom Anyamba, Dean of the University of Nairobi’s School of the Built and Environment. This week’s episode was recorded in Nairobi as part of a series of episodes we’re bringing you from East Africa to explore identity and architecture. Identity is the theme of this year’s … Continue reading "University of Nairobi – Nairobi"
On the programme this week is Rahel Shawl, Founder and Director of Raas Architects, one of the leading architecture practices in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. Rahel originally studied architecture at the Southern Campus of Addis Ababa University. Soon after graduating, Rahel established ABBA architects in partnership with a friend before going on to form Raas … Continue reading "Raas Architects – Addis Ababa"
On the programme this week we speak to James Mitchell and Carolina Larrazabal from Orkid Studio in Nairobi. This week’s episode was recorded in Nairobi as part of a series of programmes we’re bringing you from East Africa to explore identity and architecture. Identity is the theme of this year’s LFA. Orkid Studio was founded … Continue reading "Orkid Studio – Nairobi"
In this week’s episode we speak to Theophile Uwayezu, architect and associate at MASS Design Group in Kigali, Rwanda. This week’s episode was recorded in Kigali as part of a series of episodes we’re bring you from East Africa, exploring identity and architecture. Identity is the theme of this year’s LFA. MASS Design Group was … Continue reading "MASS Design Group – Kigali"
For this week’s episode we talking to Adrian Jankowiak and Julita Bhagat, Co-Directors of Nairobi Design Week – an organisation with a mission close to our own hearts, promoting design – in all its disciplines – to a wide public audience. This episode was recorded in Nairobi, the first in a series of episodes we’re … Continue reading "Nairobi Design Week – Nairobi"
On the programme this week we speak to Meskerem Tamiru, President of the Association of Ethiopian Architects. This episode was recorded in Addis Ababa as part of a series of episodes we’re bringing you from East Africa to explore identity and architecture. Identity is the theme of this year’s London Festival of Architecture. Meskerem studied … Continue reading "Association of Ethiopian Architects – Addis Ababa"
On the programme this week we speak to the architects Kabage Karanje and Stella Mutegi, two of the three founding directors of Cave Bureau in Nairobi. This episode was recorded in Nairobi as part of a series of episodes we’re bringing you from East Africa to explore identity and architecture. Identity is the theme of … Continue reading "Cave Bureau – Nairobi"
On the programme this week we speak to the architects James Gitoho and Charles Ndungu, directors at the Kenyan architecture firm Triad Architects. This episode was recorded in Nairobi as part of a series of episodes we’re bringing you from East Africa to explore identity and architecture. Identity is the theme of this year’s London … Continue reading "Triad Architects – Nairobi"
The LFA is the world’s largest annual architectural festival – running each year from 1st to 30th June – with a programme this year of more than 450 public events run by over 260 organisations and individuals – engaging in one way or another with an audience of over 400,000 people. At its most basic level, the … Continue reading "Architecture & Identity – East Africa Series"
Our guest this week is the architect Jennifer Dixon, Architecture Leader for the global architecture and engineering firm AECOM in the firm’s EMIA region – Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, where she leads a multi-national team of over 500 architects. AECOM provides design, consulting, construction, and management services to a wide range of clients … Continue reading "Jennifer Dixon, Architecture Leader, AECOM"
Our guest this week is the designer Steven Charlton. In 2008 – in the midst of the global financial crisis – Steven launched the Middle East office of Pringle Brandon, the architecture and corporate interiors firm founded in London by Chris Brandon and former RIBA President Jack Pringle. Pringle Brandon subsequently merged with America’s third-largest … Continue reading "Steven Charlton, Principal Managing Director, Perkins+Will"
Our guest this week is the architect John McAslan. John was born Glasgow and later studied architecture at Edinburgh University before following his father to the United States where he worked for architecture firms in Baltimore, Maryland and Cambridge, Massachusetts. He returned to London in 1980 to take up a job at Richard Rogers’ practice. … Continue reading "John McAslan, Founder, John McAslan & Partners"
Our guest this week is the architect Rashid Ali. Rashid grew up in Hargeisa in Northern Somalia and then in Manchester in Northern England. He went on to study architecture at Greenwich University and Bartlett School of Architecture, as well as City Design at the LSE. He subsequently worked for Karakusevic Carson Architects – and then at … Continue reading "Rashid Ali, Founder, RA Projects"
Our guest this week is the 76th President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Ben Derbyshire was elected by the Institute’s 44,000 strong membership in August 2016 on a platform calling for change – both in the institute and across the profession. After a year serving as president-elect, he succeeded Jane Duncan as President in … Continue reading "Ben Derbyshire, President, RIBA"
Our guest this week made a name for himself working under someone else’s name. For nearly 30 years Ken Shuttleworth worked at Foster & Partners where he led on the design and delivery of such acclaimed buildings as the HSBC Bank in Hong Kong, as well as both 30 St Mary’s Axe – better known as … Continue reading "Ken Shuttleworth, Founder, make architects"
Our guest this week has led something of a peripatetic life. Born to an Austrian father and a German mother, Christina Seilern grew up in Switzerland before moving to the United States with the intention of studying biology at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. But she soon dropped biology and switched direction to study architecture at … Continue reading "Christina Seilern, Founder, Studio Seilern"
On the programme this week is the architect Tatiana von Preussen. Tatiana originally studied architecture at Cambridge University in the UK. After a year out working for the architecture firm Stanton Williams, she moved to New York to attend Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture to complete her Masters. After graduating in 2007 she stayed … Continue reading "Tatiana von Preussen, Co-Founder, vPPR architects"
On the programme this week is the architect Annalie Riches – one half of the multi-award winning architecture firm Mikhail Riches. The practice, founded by Annalie and her partner David Mikhail – are known for their considerable track record of beautifully considered housing developments. Annalie originally studied architecture at Sheffield University before moving to Paris … Continue reading "Annalie Riches, Co-Founder, Mikhail Riches architects"
Our guest this week is the architect Eric Parry. Eric was born in Kuwait in 1952 where his father was the country’s Chief Medical Officer, helping establish its health service. When Eric was ten, the family returned to the UK and settled in Liverpool. Eric later studied architecture at Newcastle University in the early 1970s … Continue reading "Eric Parry, Director, Eric Parry Architects"
On the programme this week is the architect Patty Hopkins. Patty studied architecture at the Architectural Association where she met her future husband Michael Hopkins. After graduating from the AA Patty ran her own practice whilst Michael worked in partnership with Norman Foster. But in 1976 the couple decided to start their own firm together … Continue reading "Patty Hopkins, Co-Founder, Hopkins Architects"
On the programme this week is the architect Alison Brooks. Alison was born in Canada and studied architecture at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. As part of Canada’s co-op system, during her studies she alternated between university and practice, gaining experience with many of Canada’s top architecture firms. After university Alison left Canada and moved to … Continue reading "Alison Brooks, Founder, Alison Brooks Architects"
On the programme this week is Sadie Morgan. In 1995, Alex de Rijke, Philip Marsh and Sadie Morgan founded the architecture practice dRMM. The practice has had an extraordinary few years, having been shortlisted three times for the prestigious RIBA Stirling prize, in 2010 for Clapham Manor Primary School, 2016 for Trafalgar Place, Elephant and … Continue reading "Sadie Morgan, Co-Founder, dRMM"
Many architects start their career dreaming of their perfect commission – perhaps the chance of creating an iconic building that defines a city. Few architects though get the opportunity to totally redefine and reshape whole swathes of a city. Our guest this week is not an architect but a developer, having made his name at … Continue reading "Roger Madelin – Episode Nine"
On the programme this week is Kate Goodwin. Kate studied architecture at the University of Sydney and also as an exchange student at McGill University in Montreal. After finishing University, in 2003 Kate left her native Australia and moved to London. Following a brief stint temping in various roles including at the BBC, she started work as … Continue reading "Kate Goodwin, Head of Architecture, Royal Academy of Arts"
On the programme this week is Hugh Broughton. Hugh is perhaps best known for his practice’s work designing the British Antarctic Survey’s Halley VI Research Station. Its bright red and blue modules set atop large hydraulic stilts loom large over the glistening white Antarctic landscape. The research station’s iconic outline has entered the popular imagination, … Continue reading "Hugh Broughton, Founder, Hugh Broughton Architects"
On the programme this week is Michael Squire. In 1976 Michael founded his eponymous practice from a basement studio in Pimlico. Over the intervening 41 years the practice has grown at a prodigious rate, now being ranked as the 9th largest architecture firm in the UK, according to the AJ100 rankings. The firm now employs … Continue reading "Michael Squire, Founder, Squire & Partners"
On the programme this week is Chris Dyson, principal of Chris Dyson Architects – a multi-award-winning practice, much lauded for their sensitive conservation work on historic buildings in London. In today’s episode we speak about Chris’s passion for drawing and his work for James Stirling. We talk about going to boarding school and walking the … Continue reading "Chris Dyson, Principal, Chris Dyson Architects"
On the podcast this week is architect Mary Duggan. In 2004 Mary and her then partner Joe Morris founded Duggan Morris Architects which quickly went on to become one of the most critically acclaimed young practices of the early 2000s. Over the intervening 12 years the practice grew from a team of two – to … Continue reading "Mary Duggan, Founder, Mary Duggan Architects"
My guest this week is Peter Rees, now Professor of Places and City Planning at The Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London. Before returning to the Bartlett in 2014, Peter was, for nearly 30 years, the Chief Planning Officer in the City of London. Over this time he oversaw the architectural transformation of the … Continue reading "Peter Rees, Professor of Places & City Planning, Bartlett School of Architecture"
On the programme this week is Hazel Rounding, Director at award-winning architectural practice shedkm. In this week’s podcast we ask what it means to have a ‘house style’. We also talk about shedkm’s new style of house. We talk about opportunities in Croydon and regeneration in Liverpool. We ask why colour palettes matter and from … Continue reading "Hazel Rounding, Director, shedkm"
For this week's episode we speak to acclaimed architectural communicator Peter Murray about his career spent writing and talking about architecture.
We discuss the founding of both Blueprint Magazine and the London Festival of Architecture. Peter tells us how architects can be better communicators and how to make sure you get things done.
And finally, we find out which architect dressed up as a pantomime cow for a protest and which engineer went a year without speaking.
For the pilot episode we speak to RIBA Manser Medal-winning architect Carl Turner about what it’s like to build, then sell your dream home. We talk about gentrification in Brixton, the threat from Brexit and why architects are always moving offices. From a brutalist carpark in Peckham to temporary buildings in Tokyo, we talk about how long buildings should last and why architects have to take risks to get ahead.
Architecture Masters is a new podcasts about the people behind the buildings: a series of short conversations with some of architecture’s leading lights.