About Buildings + Cities

Luke & George read and discuss Pliny the Younger’s two luxurious (but still so modest!) villas, as described in his letters. The box hedges have been trimmed, and dinner is swimming around on the back of a wooden duck. We discussed the essay ‘The Villa as Paradigm’ by James Ackerman, from Perspecta, Vol. 22, Paradigms of Architecture (1986) pp10-31 Music: ‘Curiousity’ and ‘Quizitive' from the album ‘Music For Podcasts’ by Lee Rosevere. From the Free Music Archive at freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/Music_For_Podcasts/ Look at some images on our Google+ page: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104384327113725304822

Discover the captivating history of the Barbican Estate, a bold example of brutalist architecture. Dive into the unique planning challenges and visionary concepts that shaped this urban oasis. Explore the textured concrete surfaces and hidden spaces that make the estate feel alive. Hear imagined tales of residents navigating its intricate corridors and lofty views. Reflect on the legacy of brutalism, its reception, and the ongoing debate about urban identity. Join in as the hosts dissect the balance between architectural style and social substance.

Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of three iconic dystopian cities. The hosts dissect the glass transparency of Zamyatin's 'We' and its chilling efficiency. Huxley's 'Brave New World' unveils a consumer-driven society with eerie class divides and engineered pleasures. Orwell's '1984' paints a bleak world steeped in surveillance and despair. They explore themes of control, the symbolism of architecture, and how these visions of the future resonate today. Each narrative offers a chilling reflection on the balance of society, power, and humanity.

Explore Horace Walpole's eccentric Gothic villa at Strawberry Hill with readings from 'The Castle of Otranto', medieval music, and George's singing. Discover the unique architectural design, decorative effects, and downfall of the historical figure. Delve into William Beckford's Font Hill Abbey and the surreal decor of an empty house.

A playful tour of early 20th century English domestic life through Muthesius’s eyes. They probe fireplaces, inglenooks, damp rooms and drafty houses. Conversations roam from Arts & Crafts interiors and the Red House to theatrical country piles and curious domestic gadgets. Social customs, gendered rooms, suburban home‑centered habits, and English cooking eccentricities crop up throughout.