Open City

In this episode we investigated the importance of Sustainable Urban Drainage systems in building a greener future, with Sue Illman who guest edited this edition of Landscape which is dedicated to the evolving landscape of water.Sue is a landscape architect and past president of the Landscape Institute. Her career has changed the landscape of water management this year was a recipient of an ‘Outstanding Contribution to SuDS’ award by CIRIA - the Construction Industry Research and Information Association.You can find an online version of Landscape for free here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special episode of award-winning podcast series examining forest restoration.Open City is delighted to present this special episode of Words on Wood, a fantastic podcast created by the American Hardwood Export Council in conjunction with Disegno journal exploring how the world’s forests can be restored.We’ve been fans of Words on Wood for for some time. It’s a very well produced show combining interviews with some of the best brains in the timber industry with leading creative practitioners from carpenters to architects. In this episode, titled A Trillion Trees, the Words on Wood team are joined by multi award-winning science and environmental writer, Fred Pearce whose groundbreaking work covering the natural world spans at least 15 books. The wider Words on Wood series explores a vast set of themes connected to timber and trees featuring interviews with inspiring speakers including educators, architects and craftspeople. Building on the success of previous seasons, the latest series of Words on Wood will introduce a new mini series titled ‘Making Shorts’. These bite-sized episodes zoom into production techniques for timber, providing concise case studies through interviews with designers on the making processes behind specific projects.Other highlights include Anna Maria Øfstedal Eng speaking about creating furniture with a chainsaw, and Tanya Singer and Errol Evans, First Nations woodworkers and artists, explaining how they employed high-tech milling machines to create a series of sculptural furniture that tell stories about the climate crisis. You can find the show here or search Words on Wood wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Merlin spoke to Rowan Moore - the architecture critic of The Observer and author of several books including ‘Property: The myth that built the world’// UK rents up by more than a quarter since 2020 // MPs still deliberating over Parliament’s restoration // Stratford Sphere given one last chance by Michael Gove // And how the richest 1% account for more carbon emissions than poorest 66% //The Brief is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.Click here to get early, ad-free access to The Brief, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.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.The C20 Society are offering The Brief supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Paul spoke to Karen Fitzsimon, Colleen D’Souza and Rajan Dewan. Karen is a chartered landscape architect, historian, and horticulturist. Colleen is Director and Head of Cracknell’s Integrated Horticulture Team. She has been instrumental in expanding the plant typologies used in the Middle East and North Africa regions of the last three decades, challenging local standards and adding ecological and resilience value. And Rajan – Group Design Director at Cracknell– is a specialist in water management and modern irrigation techniques, and has over 40 years’ experience in planning, design, construction detailing, management, construction resourcing and engineering design of hard & soft landscape.Together they talked about the history of publicly accessible parks, and the challenges they face in the future as the climate crisis threatens water security.To read their articles and all the others in this edition, you can find an online version of Landscape for free here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Given the climate and biodiversity crises we currently face, there is an urgent need to make urban environments more sustainable. This walking tour has been produced to raise awareness of key issues, and to highlight ways that cities can be redesigned to prioritise sustainability principles. In line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, there is a particular focus on inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability.Following this route through central London will encourage you to reflect on the significance of the places you are passing through. Learning through walking is a long established practice, and one that fits the University of Westminster’s commitment to active, experimental education. The tour links two of the University’s campuses in central London, and we hope it will encourage staff and students to walk between sites.ROUTE NOTES:Listening Point 1 - Marylebone road monitoring stationListening Point 2 - Paddington Street Gardens public toiletsListening Point 3 - Paddington Street GardensListening Point 4 - Marylebone High StreetListening Point 5 - Manchester SquareListening Point 6 - Hinde StreetListening Point 7 - Marylebone LaneListening Point 8 - Wigmore PlaceListening Point 9 - Cavendish SquareListening point 10 - 309 Regent StreetYou can find out more information about the route along with a handy map on the Open City website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Merlin spoke to Director of the C20 Society, Catherine Croft.// Extreme weather labelled ‘greatest threat’ to UK built heritage // Concrete concerns back in the spotlight as Bristol tower block evacuated // Climate questions over Labour’s 1.5 million homes pledge // And the London Mayor refuses Sphere venue plans for Stratford //The Brief is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.Click here to get early, ad-free access to The Brief, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.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.The C20 Society are offering The Brief supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Phin spoke to Gareth Dennis, the railway engineer, writer, and sustainable transport advocate.// Uncertainty rages over the future of HS2’s Euston terminus // Dramatic cabinet reshuffle brings sixth change of housing minister within a year // UK accused of violating international law over poverty levels // And WeWork’s bankruptcy calls into question the future of urban regeneration //The Brief is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.Click here to get early, ad-free access to The Brief, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.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.The C20 Society are offering The Brief supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Paul spoke to Neil Manthorpe, and Kate Digney. Neil leads the Atkins London Landscape and Urban Design Studio, which has just won planning permission from the City of London Corporation to upgrade and introduce biodiversity gains to the second part of the high walkway which runs around the Barbican Centre and the Barbican Estate. Kate is Head of Landscape at Levitt Bernstein where she leads sustainable design across a range of projects. Recently, she has been masterplanning a park in North London, where she has been working closely with the local community to deliver a space which addresses both climate resilience and the needs of a fast-growing population.Together they talked about the design process for each of their respective public green space projects, and discussed the role of landscape architects in transitioning to a greener future.To read their articles and all the others in this edition, you can find an online version of Landscape for free here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Merlin spoke to Matthew Lloyd Roberts -- the architectural historian, writer, and editor of the About Buildings podcast// New images of Liverpool Street’s contentious redevelopment revealed // The debate over transforming London golf courses into housing heats up // Could the acclaimed Venice Biennale be about to fall victim to the culture wars? // And the large-scale peaceful protests being dubbed ‘hate marches’ by the government //The Brief is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.Click here to get early, ad-free access to The Brief, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.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.The C20 Society are offering The Brief supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Sahiba spoke to Charlie Edmonds - a project-lead at Civic Square and co-founder of campaign group Future Architects Front.// Housing crisis takes centre stage in UK media and politics // 10 billion pounds a year extra needed for UK infrastructure amid the climate crisis // Thomas Heatherwick launches a new national conversation around boring buildings // And the online traditional architecture movement is placed under the microscope // The Brief is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.Click here to get early, ad-free access to The Brief, and support accessible independent journalism from Open City.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.The C20 Society are offering The Brief supporters 20% off membership, just follow this link and use the code C20LONDOWN at the checkout.If you enjoyed the show, we recommend you subscribe to the AJ for all the latest news, building studies, expert opinion, cultural analysis, and business intelligence from the UK architecture industry. Listeners can save 15% on a subscription using this link. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.