Episode 45 - Mailbag Special

This month we are joined by two Buildings on Air favorites: architecture writer/critic Marianela D’Aprile and architecture historian/educator Douglas Spencer! We answer a listener question about giving notice at an architecture job, gloss the ideas of architecture theorist Manfredo Tafuri (Mamma Mia… here we go again!), and discuss some central ideas of the emergent architectural left.

This episode of Buildings on Air we chat with organizer, writer, and attorney Ramsin Canon to talk about zoning and land use. We cover the basics of zoning, hear the legal perspective on land use, and discuss why it matters to activists. If you found our conversation interesting check out Ramsin’s presentation on zoning to the 33rd Ward Working Families organization here.

This month on Buildings on Air we chat with structural engineer, former Chicago Building Commissioner, and all around good guy, Stan Kaderbek. Stan shares some stories from his time as commissioner that should not be missed! We also chat about public service and safety, and the ins and outs of what it’s like to be the cities chief building regulator.

We are still off our regular format, but in this episode we revisit the classic Buildings on Air “Mailbag” with Nicholas Cecchi and Emily Handley. We talk air changes, bidets, and more!Look out this summer/fall for the show to return to its usual two hour format, with interviews and hopefully a return to our regular, regular segments!

This episode of Buildings on Air we are joined by Jess Myers, an Assistant Professor at Rhode Island School of Design and co-steward of the NYC Architecture Lobby to talk about "Here There be Dragons,” a podcast that delves deep into how feelings of safety and belonging in cities are experienced by people and conditioned by the built environment. Stay tuned for a preview episode of HTBD and be sure to find it and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode of Buildings on Air we chat architectural internships with New York based architectural worker Jesse McCormick, a co-author of a recent report on the subject (link here). We chat about precarious employment conditions and dive deep into the legalities of unpaid internships, as well as the misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

This episode of Buildings on Air we chat with friend of the show and returning guest Douglas Spencer about his new book Critique of Architecture which will be released later this month. We talk about the current state of architectural theory, neo-Tafurianism, what radical critique means, and what insights a critique of architecture can give us about capitalism.

What is the impact of a landmark district on gentrification? In this episode of Buildings on Air we answer that question and more with Chicago Democratic Socialists of America member and community organizer Diego Morales. We talk about the the debate surrounding the proposed Pilsen Landmark District here in Chicago, and why/how the community is pushing back.If you want to get involved with and stay up to date about the push back against the landmark district check out Pilsen Alliance on Facebook and Twitter.

This episode of Buildings on Air we talk with Brian Campbell, a Portland based architectural worker and member of the Architecture Lobby about how the odd framing of urban policy debates can obscure power structures.

This episode of Buildings on Air marks our triumphant return after a hiatus. We talk with Will Orr and Ricardo Ruivo, teachers at the Architectural Association (AA) in London. The AA has recently been embroiled in controversy on the vote of no-confidence and subsequent dismissal of director Eva Franch I Gilabert. Will and Ric tell us about what went down at the AA, discuss how it is symptomatic of the architectural education industry in the age of neoliberalism, and talk through where we go from here. Read their open letter.