About Buildings + Cities

Dive into the intriguing cultural clash between European modernism and the unique vibrancy of Manhattan. Explore the whimsical and ironic visions in the speculative appendix of a famous book, alongside a critique of urban ideals shaped by Le Corbusier and Dali. Discover the complexities of architectural representation, highlighting avant-garde designs within a structured urban framework. Delve into captivating tales, like a fantastical journey involving a floating pool, blending modernism with poignant societal themes. This episode showcases the humor and gravity in urban architectural discourse.

Discussion of Rem Koolhaas's vision of skyscrapers as portals to unconventional activities, his unique approach to expressing thoughts through writing style, significance of three skyscrapers from Interwar period, reduction of images in the book and unbuilt project for a church with a massive parking garage. Also, exploration of laughing gas, hydraulic jacks, and Diego Rivera's murals, and the commissioning of a major artist for unique perspectives in architecture.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss Rem Koolhaas's book 'Delirious New York' and its exploration of the city's urban condition. They explore the architect's trajectory, the history and fantasy of New York City, and Koolhaas's descriptions of Coney Island. The podcast also touches on the rise and fall of Dreamland, skyscrapers and architectural frauds, the unconventional designs of the Woolworth Building, and the urban environment and skyscrapers. They even discuss an annual ball where architects dress up as skyscrapers.

This is an unlocked Patreon bonus episode from last year. To get access to all our bonus content and support the show, please subscribe for just £3 a month: https://www.patreon.com/about_buildings In this bonus episode we discussed Neom, the sci-fi project of the Saudi Arabian government to totally reshape the north-west of the country, including a 170km linear city in the desert. We talked a little bit about the history of linear cities from Leonidov to Superstudio, and reflected on what the point of these fantastical publicity projects might be. Edited by Matthew Lloyd Roberts. Support the show on Patreon to receive bonus content for every show. Please rate and review the show on your podcast store to help other people find us! Follow us on twitter // instagram // facebook We’re on the web at aboutbuildingsandcities.org

Stewart Brand, author of 'How Buildings Learn', discusses the lifespan of buildings, criticizing architects for not considering growth and adaptability. They talk about post occupancy studies, maintenance, and designing for loose fit. The Duchess of Devonshire's wisdom and the sins of architects are highlighted. They explore the adaptability of buildings, modifications, and the evolution of communities. The problematic aspects of architecture, preservation, and maintenance challenges are also discussed.

In the final episode of our Antoni Gaudí series, we discussed his magnum opus, one of the most famous buildings in the world: La Sagrada Familia. However, as is always the case, not everything is as it seems. We discuss the complex origins of this remarkable building, Gaudí's work on it over decades, the tragic circumstances of his death, and the life of the building after his death. In the next couple of days we will be releasing a reflective episode on our Gaudí series, looking back at Gaudí, his legacy, and what it all means. Watch this episode on YouTube to follow along with the images, Edited by Matthew Lloyd Roberts. Support the show on Patreon to receive bonus content for every show. Please rate and review the show on your podcast store to help other people find us! Follow us on twitter // instagram // facebook We’re on the web at aboutbuildingsandcities.org

In this episode of our ongoing series on Antoni Gaudí we discussed the unsolved mystery of the Colonia Güell Church. Perhaps the most enigmatic of Gaudí's projects, and the apotheosis of his method and principles, wholly unrestrained. Only the crypt of this vast proposed church was actually built, in a language of burnt bricks, reclaimed stones and baffling geometries. All that survives to us of his plans are photographs of vast models of string, canvas and lead weights used to model the catenary arch structure of the building, along with a few blurry photographs of the drawings. Everything else was lost when Gaudí's studio was burnt. The final episode in this series, on the Sagrada Familia, will be out soon. Make sure you subscribe to the channel so you don't miss it! Images for this episode are available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_gIFS6d3uCo Edited by Matthew Lloyd Roberts. Support the show on Patreon to receive bonus content for every show. Please rate and review the show on your podcast store to help other people find us! Follow us on twitter // instagram // facebook We’re on the web at aboutbuildingsandcities.org

In this penultimate episode of our series on Antoni Gaudí, we dicussed projects he developed in his later career for Eusebi Güell. We talked about the Bodegas Güell, a complex of wineries and agricultural buildings in the countryside to the south of Barcelona. This project takes cyclopean masonry, a vast A-frame, gravity-defying stone pillars to create a building that calls back and forwards in time. Then we discussed the Park Güell, a consciously anglophile proposal for a garden city on the edge of Barcelona, where the housing never got built, and out of which Gaudí created a vast piece of land art, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city. Lastly we discussed the recently renovated Chalet of Catllaràs, another curious masonry A-frame, like something out of a fairy tale with expressive dormers and spiral staircase, built as a shelter for coal miners. Images for this episode can be found on the YouTube video version of the show: https://youtu.be/vWtYFwhvmW0 Edited by Matthew Lloyd Roberts. Support the show on Patreon to receive bonus content for every show. Please rate and review the show on your podcast store to help other people find us! Follow us on twitter // instagram // facebook We’re on the web at aboutbuildingsandcities.org

In the fourth episode of our series on Antoni Gaudí, we discussed two of his large projects in Barcelona. Casa Calvet was built 1898–1900, in many ways a conventional Spanish townhouse with references to the family's textile business into the scheme, and the rear facade with its bay windows and balconies has much of the horizontal boldness of early 20th-century proto-modernism. Casa Battló was built in 1904 on one of Barcelona's most iconic thoroughfares, with some of Gaudí's most radical use of biomorphic stone forms and a fantastical roofscape. Lastly, Casa Milà was built 1906–1912, an iconic apartment building on one of Barcelona's busiest thoroughfares. Its undulating stone facade, billowing wrought iron balconies and unconventional, organic plan made it a cause célèbre; we discussed some of the caricatures it inspired in the contemporary press at the end of this episode. All of the images for this episode are available for the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZIrTub-2f6w Or you can view them on our pinned Instagram Story 'Gaudí 4' Edited by Matthew Lloyd Roberts. Support the show on Patreon to receive bonus content for every show. Please rate and review the show on your podcast store to help other people find us! Follow us on twitter // instagram // facebook We’re on the web at aboutbuildingsandcities.org

In our third episode on Antoni Gaudí we discussed some of his work that draws on traditions of Gothic, catholic and medieval architecture. Specifically we discussed his Teresian College of Barcelona, a female residential educational institution built in the rural Sant Gervasi de Cassoles, absorbed into Barcelona in the 20th century. We also discussed the bizarre Episcopal Palace at Astorga, one of Gaudí's strangest works, which we find fairly unsuccessful. We also discussed an unbuilt and sci-fi proposal for a monastery in Tangier and the Bellesguard House. All of the images for this episode are available in the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iPCrxmud9RI Edited by Matthew Lloyd Roberts. Support the show on Patreon to receive bonus content for every show. Please rate and review the show on your podcast store to help other people find us! Follow us on twitter // instagram // facebook We’re on the web at aboutbuildingsandcities.org