Cities are attracting more and more people, but finding an affordable home can become a struggle – especially for students making the move. In Copenhagen the demand for student housing has led to new ways of building and living. The goal is to create space for more people by living smaller and sharing more. CPH Village is a leading actor in constructing – and experimenting with – temporary and affordable housing. But this is no easy task changing the housing industry – and the law. In this episo...
Aug 28, 2023•35 min
What are the secrets behind producing great architects? This question becomes increasingly difficult to answer simply as the world becomes ever more complex and undergoes constant change. Therefore, creating a learning environment for students that empowers the next generation to tackle societal challenges was of utmost importance when Architecture School in Aarhus needed a new home. In this episode of Let's Talk Architecture, the host, Michael Booth, visits the Architecture School in Aarhus to ...
Aug 02, 2023•35 min
Can 'inclusivity' as a design principle bring about new forms to our learning environments? In this episode of 'Let's talk architecture' our guest expert, architect Eva Ravnborg from the architecture company Henning Larsen , shares insights on how inclusive design principles can create equitable learning spaces. She takes the host, Michael Booth on a tour to Frederiksbjerg School , which the studio designed to activate children in various kinds of ways that allow them ' to get through the day in...
Jun 08, 2023•31 min
These days artificial intelligence (AI) is in the spotlight – from fearsome warnings about societal impacts presented by leading figures in the tech industries and on to hopeful imaginations of a better future. But can AI also help create better, more sustainable, and even more democratic architecture? At the architectural company Henning Larsen they seem to think so, and their use of AI in their architectural practices help running big operations more smoothly. In this episode of Let's talk arc...
Jun 01, 2023•31 min
The UN General Secretary proclaims the climate change consequences will be of 'biblical proportions'. But what will that feel like in the cities we know and love today – and what can we expect from the solutions? That is what the team behind the Danish contribution to the Venice Architecture Biennale has set out to explore. The exhibition " Coastal Imaginaries " explores how we can secure the livability in coastal cities by staging the future scenarios theatrically to create emotional experience...
May 25, 2023•27 min
In 2023 Copenhagen is named the World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO due to the city's livability and architecture which is renowned and praised by internationals as well as locals. But not all architectural realities deserve an award, and in this episode, we take a hard look at some of the Copenhagen buildings we condemn rather than praise. Your host Michael Booth takes a tour around the city with Holger Dahl, architectural critic from the Danish national newspaper Berlingske , and together ...
May 04, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 27
No one knows what the future brings, so how can architects make sure their design is resilient tomorrow as well as today? Resilience is a hot topic in architecture circles, and it's increasingly on the agenda from the earlier stages of design and planning. But what does 'resilience' even mean? And how do you design for livable cities and resilient communities in an unknown future? We went to Berlin to discover how the German capital can be considered resilient. Martin Henn, the third generation ...
Mar 20, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 26
How does the design of your office impact the way you work? In many ways our working and learning environments can be improved if you ask research and development architect Klaudio Muca from the architectural firm CEBRA Architecture . They have collected research and conducted interviews with leading scientists about the way space influences our emotions and state of mind – which then shapes our creativity and productivity. Some call it neuroarchitecture – a discipline where the neuroscience mee...
Dec 20, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 25
By the hour we grow more aware that our planet's resources are scarce, and that we urgently must shift from an exploitative to a regenerative architecture. But how? What resources do we have at hand, how are new materials engineered and experienced, and what new materials and design solutions will we have to get used to? In this episode of Let's talk architecture we went to France to explore the sensuous French-ness and talk about how we must rethink our resources in the way we build. We invited...
Dec 08, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 26
How can our cities handle the extreme weather the future brings? Architecture plays an important role in making our cities livable even in extreme weather conditions. As the future will bring turbulent weather of differing characters, the solutions too are diverse. In this episode of Let's talk architecture, you can hear about some of the manifold approaches to adapting the city to the dramatically changing climate and weather: Greening of buildings and flood protection of the city. Paolo Russo ...
Nov 23, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 24
How many organizations are involved in the construction of our cities? It takes a village, and no man is an island. So, how do we build partnerships of change, and what needs to be done to establish strong collaborations in time to make a difference? In this special edition of Let's Talk Architecture Michael Booth has travelled to New York to ask: What makes a good partnership? Join in on this episode, where he talks to Brooklynite Ifeoma Ebo, founder of the urban design studio Creative Urban Al...
Oct 06, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Can urban life be planned and programmed, or will it pop up by itself? At BRIQ Group, a Copenhagen-based design agency, they use careful retail planning to help foster better communities and bring life to public spaces. In this episode of Let's Talk Architecture Peter Bur Andersen, BRIQ's creative director, takes us on a tour of two projects in Copenhagen, and explains how their place-specific approach supports the place-identity of an area through strategic planning. Hosted by Michael Booth. Le...
Jul 04, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Aarhus, the second city of Denmark, is growing. Developing new areas rapidly, opening the harbor front, investing in infrastructure projects and cultural sites, the city is booming. The stakes are high for the new city architect, Anne Mette Boye, who took over the baton in 2021. Tune in to this episode of Let's Talk Architecture, where she explains her vision of Aarhus as a mosaic of distinct urban neighborhoods with strong connections to the rural landscape. And how to keep the expanding city a...
Jun 23, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Does the surrounding architecture make your food choices for you? In a way, if you ask CEO and founding partner at Gehl Architects , Helle Søholt and CIO Jeff Risom. Their team of architects, designers, anthropologist etc. map ' foodscapes ' that reveal what food choices surrounds us, and how that can be improved by design. Design for healthy choices is about exposing people to healthy food, but also considering how eating is a part of social interactions, and that is influenced by the urban des...
Jun 07, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The Arne Jacobsen Radisson SAS Royal Hotel was shockingly new for the Copenhageners when it was finished in 1960. It kickstarted a discussion about whether Danish architecture should express local building traditions or move to a more international and modernistic style. Tune in to this podcast, and learn more about the tensions that lie in bricks and steel, and how this discussion continues to influence the Danish architecture. And how Danish architecture became world famous. Featuring architec...
May 25, 2022•46 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Copenhagen was broke. In the 1990's families moved out of the city when they got the chance. This is not the case today, as the city has managed to flip the demographic by creating bigger and better apartments, improving public transport, and prioritizing urban spaces – suitable even for children. Tune in to this podcast, where we explore how Copenhagen grew to be a more livable city by making the city child friendly. Featuring Copenhagen city architect, Camilla Van Deurs, and hosted by Michael ...
May 18, 2022•47 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Architecture can sweep us away, but communication about architecture is a different story. And a problem if you ask Josefine Lykke Jensen, architect, and CEO at JAJA Architects . She is engaged with how architects can use strategic communication to make people understand the role of architecture better – and make better architecture. Tune into this podcast, where Josefine Lykke Jensen talks about communication as a crucial tool – especially in the building industry's shift to more sustainable mo...
May 18, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Vandkunsten Architects is a studio that was born in opposition to the existing paradigms in architecture back in 1971. They wanted to build for people with respect for the environment. Their approach has not changed since - yet it might be more relevant than ever? Learn more about why the future needs democratic architecture and why we should build less. Featuring architect, head of research and development and partner at Vandkunsten Architects, Søren Nielsen and host Michael Booth.
Jan 07, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Jan Gehl is one of the most important Danish architects of the past half century. He has had a great impact on the way we design our cities today – with focus on creating the best possible conditions for urban life. In this episode of Let's Talk Architecture, Jan Gehl is taking us on a tour of his Copenhagen, from Dragør to Ørestaden and Kartoffelrækkerne, on a journey through some of the best and worst areas of the city. A journey that shows us how form influences life.
Oct 18, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter is one of Denmark's most celebrated and forward-thinking architect studios. On the occation of the well-acclaimed Danish pavilion, Con-nect-ed-ness, at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Michael Booth sat down with Lene Tranberg, co-founder and partner, and Erik Frandsen, architect and partner, to talk about the installation and how it changed the conversation at the studio. Let's Talk Architecture is a Danish Architecture Center podcast produced by Muck Studios. You c...
Sep 16, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Lendager Group is leading the conversation in Denmark around architectural upcycling – the practice of creating a product of higher value than the original. The firm takes a circular rather than linear view and uses creative solutions to connect the dots between building waste headed for landfills and new construction. Lendager sat down with DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss the firm's latest work and the problems yet to be solved. Support for this podcast comes from Realdania. Let's Talk Architect...
Oct 29, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Danish architect Kasper Guldager Jensen, co-owner of 3XN and founder of GXN – a research practice within the larger firm – chats with DAC's Jen Masengarb. In a thought-provoking conversation, they discuss GXN's unique team of sociologists, anthropologists and psychologists researching how architecture shapes our behavior. He also explains the firm's design for the new Children's Hospital in Copenhagen, featured in DAC's 2020 exhibition, Kids' City. Let's Talk Architecture is a Danish Architectur...
Aug 04, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Canadian artist and author Douglas Coupland's slogans for the 21st century take on a new relevance in the era of COVID-19. Just before the virus paused large gatherings, DAC invited Coupland and Danish architect Bjarke Ingels to Copenhagen for an evening public conversation. The two observe daily life and bring into focus those things that may be just outside our peripheral vision. Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation which also support BLOX Talks, DAC's l...
Jun 23, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 12
"I think we are stuck with permanent acceleration fatigue." Canadian author and artist Douglas Coupland joined DAC's CEO Kent Martinussen for a thoughtful conversation about life in this age of the selfie, the rapid pace of change, and living in a permanent present-future. Coupland also speaks about Extreme Self - his newest book and related exhibition. Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation which also support BLOX Talks, DAC's lecture series which featured ...
Jun 23, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 11
What will our world look like in 2075? How will we solve our planet's biggest energy, waste, climate change, water, demographic, urbanization, or poverty challenges? In a lively conversation about the future and our understanding of world citizenship, Chris Luebkeman, Global Foresight Leader at the engineering, architecture, and planning firm of Arup, shared his thoughts with DAC's Jen Masengarb.
May 11, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Indian architect Anupamu Kundoo's buildings often use very traditional and sustainable materials but used in surprising and experimental ways. Kundoo sat down with DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss the planet's rapid urbanization and how as a contemporary designer she is working to help build a more equitable and sustainable economy for skilled local craftsmen.
Mar 03, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 5
How do you finish one of the world's most famous unfinished buildings? Without a set of original plans, a group of engineers and craftsmen are using new technologies and adapting historic techniques to finish Sagrada Familia by 2026. Arup engineer Tristram Carfrae sat down with DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss the project and what he'd like to ask Antoni Gaudi if the architect were alive today.
Mar 03, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 8
"Everything we are doing right now, we don't know how to do. That's the magical thing about design." Designer Bruce Mau joined DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss Massive Change Network's current projects and his ground-breaking collaborations with leading architects, museums, and companies. Mau speaks about caring for our planet and argues this is the best time in human history to be alive.
Mar 03, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 7
For OMA partner architect Ellen van Loon, a building's spatial form and the relationship between interior and exterior has always been of great fascination. She joined DAC's Jen Masengarb to discuss the design process for the BLOX building in Copenhagen – the mixed-building that is also home to DAC – and what happens when she returns to 'spy' on the users of spaces she has designed.
Mar 03, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Bjarke Ingels Group has been working with the Dubai Future Foundation to imagine a 2117 city on Mars. BIG Partner Jakob Lange and popular science author Tor Nørretranders sat down with DAC's Jen Masengarb. What is the role of architects in creating a sustainable Martian environment? And what could this exploration teach us about Earth? Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation which also support BLOX Talks, DAC's evening lecture series with Lange and Nørretrand...
Mar 03, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 9
