The Last Word with Matt Cooper Culture Club: Dermot Bannon
Jan 7, 2026
Dermot Bannon, a prominent Irish architect and host of RTÉ's Room to Improve, shares captivating insights into his life and work. He loves exploring cities without a plan, which fuels his creativity. Dermot reveals the challenges of modern architecture, including budget pressures and the impact of AI on design. He fondly recalls his first concert, U2's Unforgettable Fire, and discusses the music and films that shaped him, especially The Commitments. His passion for architecture and urban life shines through in this engaging conversation.
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Episode notes
How Real TV Drama Is Found
- Dermot Bannon describes filming 100 hours to make a 52-minute Room to Improve episode and the stress of waiting for real conflict to appear.
- He insists the crew never manufactures drama and waits months for genuine friction to create a storyline.
Construction Costs Have Ballooned
- Building and material costs in Ireland have risen dramatically since 2007, far outpacing early Room to Improve budgets.
- Dermot suspects labour, rent, Brexit and supply-chain shocks explain much of the increase.
Design For Social Life, Not Just Two People
- Function matters as much as visual design when downsizing: homes must support family gatherings and baggage, not just the couple.
- Dermot learned to design for social needs, not only the occupants' immediate pairwise lifestyle.
