Architects on tape
Jonathan Smales: ‘I love the tangibility of building. I like the fact it’s got a beginning, a middle and an end’
From running Greenpeace to creating the UK’s largest timber neighbourhood, Jonathan Smales is a developer who doesn’t follow the herd, writes Ben Flatman
Alex Ely: ‘Architecture is so central to our culture - it’s a pity it doesn’t seem to gain the traction it deserves’
The founder of the Stirling Prize-winning Mae Architects shares his influences and inspirations with Ben Flatman and concludes that his profession still has much to offer
Let’s talk about a brighter future for our towns and cities
How can we create thriving communities and places that people enjoy and want to live in? Ben Flatman spoke to four key industry figures to find out
Henley Halebrown: ‘We are genuinely interested in how people use buildings’
Simon Henley and Gavin Hale-Brown met at the University of Liverpool in 1986 and have been friends ever since, forming their award-winning practice together in 1995. Here Ben Flatman discusses their early influences, design philosophy, and commitment to improving access to the profession
‘Nobody believes them anymore’… HOK’s Daniel Hajjar on what is wrong with UK politics and the planning system
After 20 years in the Middle East, Daniel Hajjar moved to the UK, where, eight years on, he finds the political ‘flakiness’ of the country has made it an infuriating place to build. Thomas Lowe reports
Interview | Eleanor Jolliffe talks to Nick Temple
In this interview Eleanor Jolliffe discovers how the opportunity to study in Rome changed the course of a renowned academic’s life
Building Talks Creating Communities podcast: In conversation with David Rudlin at BDP
Episode 3: David Rudlin talks about the importance of urban design and why planning needs to rediscover its capacity to create good quality places
Building Talks Creating Communities podcast: In conversation with Selina Mason at Lendlease
Episode 2: Selina Mason talks about people-focused urbanism and the work she is doing on Birmingham’s Smithfield scheme
Building Talks Creating Communities podcast: In conversation with Jo Wright at Perkins & Will
Episode 1: Jo Wright talks about the impact on her career of working in Berlin before the wall came down and designing for the long term
Interview | Eleanor Jolliffe talks to Selina Mason
Eleanor Jolliffe talks to the influential masterplanner about her time in Rome and its lasting influence on her life and career
Interview | Eleanor Jolliffe talks to Robert Adam
Eleanor Jolliffe discusses the influence that Rome had on the career of the leading contemporary classicist
‘Who are we designing for?’ Thomas Heatherwick wonders why buildings have become so boring
In this exclusive interview, the Heatherwick Studio founder outlines the philosophy behind his new campaign to put the soul back into building design. Photography by Tom Campbell
‘Communicating the value of architecture’: why Muyiwa Oki wants to shift the debate on reuse
Muyiwa Oki wants to refocus the profession and architectural education on a broad reuse agenda. In the second instalment of a two-part interview with Building Design, he talks to Ben Flatman about the event he is hosting with The Prince’s Foundation and why urgent change is necessary
Simon Sturgis on the M&S decision: ‘In some ways it’s not even about retrofit’
One of the key witnesses to speak against the M&S scheme talks to Ben Flatman about what Michael Gove’s decision means and where the net zero agenda needs to go next
World Cup Qatar 2022: Education City Stadium by Fenwick Iribarren with BDP Pattern
The final stadium in our World Cup series is a striking design by Fenwick Iribarren, adapted and implemented by BDP Pattern
World Cup Qatar 2022: Stadium 974 by Fenwick Iribarren Architects
The penultimate project in our World Cup stadiums series is a remarkable temporary structure, inspired by the aesthetics of international freight and logistics
World Cup Qatar 2022: Khalifa International Stadium by Dar Al-Handasah with Fenwick Iribarren Architects
The sixth in our World Cup stadiums series originally opened in 1976 but has undergone a major upgrade for this year’s football competition
World Cup Qatar 2022: Al Thumama Stadium by Ibrahim M. Jaidah with Heerim
The fifth in our world cup stadium series is inspired by the “gahfiya”, a simple white cap worn by men throughout the Middle East
World Cup Qatar 2022: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium by BDP Pattern
The fourth in our world cup stadium series is by one of the UK’s leading stadium specialists and takes its inspiration from Arabic “naqsh” screens
World Cup Qatar 2022: Al Bayt Stadium by Dar Al-Handasah
The third in our world cup stadiums series takes its inspiration from a traditional nomadic tent