Light | Cities + Architecture Light | Cities + Architecture

Join architect Antony DiMase and writer and editor Justine Costigan as they explore the impact of war on cities and the people who live in them. From current battlegrounds in Gaza and Ukraine to historical conflicts, they discuss what happens to cities when buildings and infrastructure is destroyed, the different approaches to rebuilding, and why we need to be talking about this right now.We welcome your feedback, questions and topic suggestions for discussion.



To get in touch email lightcitiesarchitecture@gmail.com





Referenced in this episode:What does it take to rebuild a city destroyed by war

Modern War Institute at West Point, 31/02/2023

To Rebuild Cities After War, Look to the PastBy Sameh Wahba and Joanna MasicWired Magazine 22/12/2022

The numbers that reveal the extent of the destruction in GazaBy Archie BlandThe Guardian, 08/01/2024

Music credit:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/always-for-you

In a new format for Season 3 - Antony is joined by writer Justine Costigan. Together they explore the recent announcement by the State Government to demolish the Housing Commission Towers in Melbourne. Justine and Antony discuss how this announcement goes against the trend of retrofitting projects here and around the globe, the implications for the people living in the towers, and the project's place in the wider housing discussion.

We welcome your feedback, questions and topic suggestions for discussion. To get in touch email lightcitiesarchitecture@gmail.com



Referenced in this episode:Grand Parc public towers, Bordeaux, France

Renovation architects: Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal


Pritzker Architecture Prize 2021
European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award: winner 2019
Living places Simon Architecture Prize: winner 2016

“Never demolish. Always transform, with and for the inhabitant."Jean Philippe Vassal

"For people with a passion for sustainability there's never been a better time to be alive." - Andre Egan.



This podcast our guest is Andrew Egan, who, fascinatingly, operates a commercial asset management company that focuses on circularity. Have you ever thought about the lifespan of office furniture? How many chairs, desks, cubicles and kitchens exist in offices worldwide? And, crucially, how many materials were mined, forged and sewn together to make a single chair, only for modern corporate culture to reduce its lifespan to seven years.



This enormous and often unseen issue is what Egans Asset Management brings to the forefront, and offers a neat solution for.



Listen into the episode to hear about the history and growing need to manage the production and output of corporate spaces.

Author, Professor and recently, Poet Brendan Gleeson joins LCA to discuss the gravitational power and development of cities, with a focus on Melbourne.

With a background in geography and urban planning, Brendan is interested in the human relationships developed through planning and architecture. He is a member of the Melbourne Centre for Cities within the University of Melbourne and is the author of 14 books, most recently Records of The Loss Property Department of Gardiner Reserve. I am excited to dive in and hear his perspective on the past, present, and future of Melbourne and urban economics.



Ideally, this episode will provide some insight into the history and complexity of cities and urban planning, and provide hope on the key future issues cities will face in a warming climate.

This episode I invite esteemed author and Professor of Architecture Mirjana Lozanovska, a good friend of mine on to the podcast to talk about post-war southern European migrant housing in the 50's and 60's. Mirjana's extensive expertise sheds light on the architectural landscape of Melbourne, particularly the houses in our local neighbourhoods.

Migrant housing holds a personal connection for me, as my parents moved to Mildura from Italy after World War II, and Mirjana's research resonates with the memories of homes from my childhood.

Mirjana, Professor at Deakin University, focuses her research on architecture, diversity, and culture. Her book, "Migrant Housing," delves into the significant role of migrant architecture in shaping Australian cities, considering the substantial number of Australians with overseas-born parents.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we explore the stories behind the buildings that contribute to the diverse fabric of our communities. Tune in now to gain insights into the fascinating relationship between culture and architecture.

From this episode onwards, we are introducing a new discussion point on which we will invite speakers to contribute - Design More to Consume Less. This topic will introduce and interrogate the concept that design can aid us in reducing how much we consume. Whether that be through well produced items that last a lifetime to scrutinising the supply chain of everything we buy, can design and designers be the authorities on consumption? Can we truly consume less and design more?

In this episode we invite Damien Wright - designer, furniture maker, and activist, to discuss with us the ways in which design thinking and craft come together to inform his view on consumption.