Open City

This week Merlin Fulcher is joined by the architect David Ogunmuyiwa to discuss:

A luxury Croydon tower needing ‘extensive’ remediation after only two years // The president of the Royal Institute of…

This week Merlin Fulcher is joined by writer and housing activist Adam Peggs to discuss:

Run for profit affordable homes spark rent rise fears // Questions over the government’s 1.5 million homes ple…

This week Sahiba Chadha is joined by the renowned tree expert and author, Paul Wood, to discuss:

Sycamore Gap one year on // Labour's ‘brownfield passports’ for new housing // the UK's missed tree-pl…

This week Merlin Fulcher is joined by Ewan Harrison, a lecturer in Architectural Studies at the University of Manchester.

Campaigners lose bid to save Birmingham’s brutalist Ringway Centre // Sadiq Kh…

This week Merlin Fulcher is joined by Tomi Balogun, a young architect studying the Bartlett and winner of the Beyond The Box People's Pavilion prize 2023.

The Grenfell inquiry’s damning verdict sees …

This week Fran Williams is joined by Gino Spocchia, senior reporter at the Architects Journal.

‘Retrofit-first’ council approves five demolitions in one scheme // Foster + Partners rumoured to be desi…

This week Merlin Fulcher is joined by Tamsie Thomson, the chief executive of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.

Far-right rioting leaves struggling high streets and communities furthe…

This week Sahiba is joined by journalist India Block, Deputy Editor of Homes and Property at the Evening Standard.

The RIBA Stirling Prize 2024: this year’s finalists revealed // Rachel Reeves scraps …

This week Fran is joined by architect and writer Nana Biamah-Ofosu, the director of YAA Projects: an architecture, design and research practice focused on making, speaking and writing architecture.

Si…

For our 150th episode, Merlin is joined this week by Jas Bhalla, an Architect, Town Planner, Urban Designer and founder of Bermondsey-based Jas Bhalla Works.

Local authorities warn of urgent financia…

This week Merlin Fulcher is joined by Akil Scafe-Smith, urban designer and co-founder of RESOLVE.

Labour bring back housing targets and lifts onshore wind ban // “Levelling up” is stripped from the ho…

This week Fran Williams is joined by Jan Kattein, architect, lecturer, author and founding director of Jan Kattein Architects. 

Labour vows major housing announcements ‘within a fortnight’ of winning …

This week Merlin is joined by Hilary Satchwell, architect, urban designer and director of Tibbalds, a South London-based planning and urban design firm.

Bold new plans to reimagine UK department store…

This week Merlin is joined by Henrietta Billings, the Director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, a charity dedicated to securing the long-term future of Britain’s buildings.

86 historic buildings added to S…

This week Merlin is joined by Jack Cornish, Jack is the author of a new book called The Lost Paths: A history of how we walk from there to here. He also holds the venerable title ‘head of paths’ at T…

This week Sahiba is joined by Hugh Pearman, an architectural writer and editor who is also chair of the 20th Century Society. 

Architects demand a new ministry of housing // C20 files for emergency sp…

This week Merlin's joined by Adam Peggs, a journalist and activist.

The surprise snap election being celebrated by architects // No Grenfell Tower criminal charges before 2026 // London’s Mayor pledge…

This week Merlin's joined by John Elledge, a journalist and author of the new book “A History of the World in 47 Borders: The Stories Behind the Lines on Our Maps”.

Museum of London’s contentious demo…

This week Merlin's joined by Alpa Depani, an architect and the head of strategic planning and design at the London borough of Waltham Forest.

Calls for new public ballots on all tall buildings above 6…

This week Sahiba spoke to Charles Holland; the architect and author of the new book 'How to Enjoy Architecture: A Guide for Everyone'

// Labour vows to build on the ‘grey-belt’ and deliver 1.5 million…