Best Keefer Dunn Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 58 - Marianela D'Aprile and Doug Spencer 59:10

3y ago59:10

59:10

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 ide…

1
Episode 47 - Zoning w/ Ramsin Canon 56:07

3y ago56:07

56:07

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 Fam…

1
Episode 46 - Stan Kaderbek 47:47

3y ago47:47

47:47

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 regulato…

1
Episode 45 - Mailbag Special 56:15

3+ y ago56:15

56:15

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!…

1
Episode 44 - Here There be Dragons w/ Jess Myers 1:01:50

3+ y ago1:01:50

1:01:50

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. S…

1
Episode 43 - Unpaid Internships w/ Jesse McCormick 51:34

3+ y ago51:34

51:34

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 c…

1
Episode 42 - Douglas Spencer 1:00:14

3+ y ago1:00:14

1:00:14

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 abou…

1
Episode 41 - October 22nd, 2020 52:43

3+ y ago52:43

52:43

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 pus…

1
Episode 40 - October 3rd, 2020 42:49

4y ago42:49

42:49

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.By Lumpen Radio / Keefer Dunn

1
Episode 39 - August 15th, 2020 59:32

4y ago59:32

59:32

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 wen…

1
Episode 38 - A Show Update 11:06

4y ago11:06

11:06

Get in touch at buildingsonair@gmail.com or keefer@keeferdunn.com.By Keefer Dunn / WLPN-LP Lumpen Radio

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Episode 37 - April 4th, 2020 49:44

4+ y ago49:44

49:44

This episode of Buildings on Air we we chat with Sean Estelle and Sveta Stoytcheva of Democratic Socialists of America about the campaign to municipalize Chicago’s electric grid. We are still under stay-at-home orders in Illinois which means the Lumpen Radio studios are closed so we are departing from our usual format to bring you prerecorded inter…

1
Episode 36 - March 24, 2020 54:44

4+ y ago54:44

54:44

This episode of Buildings on Air comes straight from the home recording studio of Keefer. In the midst of the state wide stay-at-home order in Illinois due to COVID-19 the offices and studios of WLPN-LP Chicago are shut down, so this episode comes courtesy of Zoom teleconferencing. Our guest this month is BoA favorite Billy Fleming (@joobilly on tw…

1
Bonus - Failed Architecture Episode #11: Architects Unionise! 1:14:54

4+ y ago1:14:54

1:14:54

This episode of Buildings on Air is not an episode of Buildings on Air at all! Rather it is an episode of the Failed Architecture podcast. Subscribe to their feed here and check out some of their amazing writing at https://failedarchitecture.com. Big thank you to Charlie Clemoes and the rest of the Failed Architecture team for letting us share this…

1
Episode 35 - January 4th, 2020 1:24:16

4+ y ago1:24:16

1:24:16

This episode we take a look at Edward Bellamy’s socialist utopian novel Looking Backward with Garrett Dash Nelson. Check out Garrett’s excellent article on the subject in Places Journal here: https://placesjournal.org/article/edward-bellamy-urban-planning/. Then in a special edition of our regular mailbag segment we have guests from way out of town…

1
Episode 34 - December 7th, 2019 1:49:21

4+ y ago1:49:21

1:49:21

This episode of Buildings on Air we sit down with members of Extinction Rebellion for a discussion about the strategies and tactics that will win us climate justice. Then we open up the mailbag with Ann Lui and Craig Reschke and answer your listener questions about buildings. Lastly, in our regular segment about the architecture discourse, Fun and …

1
Episode 33 - November 16, 2019 1:22:52

4+ y ago1:22:52

1:22:52

This episode its classic Buildings on Air as we visit our two regular segments. First up! In our segment on the architectural discourse, Fun and Angry, Keefer and Anjulie Rao talk about hostile architecture! Then we visit the mailbag with Craig Reschke and Ann Lui of Future Firm and answer your listener questions about building! Articles discussed …

1
Episode 32 - The Bridgehouse Special 1:33:04

5y ago1:33:04

1:33:04

In this special episode of Buildings on Air we turn to the Chicago River, asking our guests about the past, present, and future of our cities waterways. This episode was recorded from the Michigan Avenue Bridgehouse in the heart of downtown, and produced in collaboration with the Tender House Project. It originally aired on WLPN-LP Lumpen Radio on …

1
Episode 31 - September 7, 2019 1:51:27

5y ago1:51:27

1:51:27

This episode of Buildings on Air marks our triumphant return to the Lumpen Radio airwaves after a summer break. First up! We will chat with Tom Jacobs of Architects Advocate about getting architects involved in the September 20th Climate Strike. Find out more at http://www.architects-advocate.com. Then in our regular segment “Fun and Angry” we will…

1
Episode 30 - July 6, 2019 1:51:08

5y ago1:51:08

1:51:08

This episode of Buildings on Air! First, we invite writer and activist Keith Rosenthal on the show to discuss capitalism, disability, and the ADA. Check out Keith’s website here: https://joanofmark.blogspot.com/. Second, Anjulie and Keefer offer up some cool takes on the discourse in our regular segment “Fun and Angry.” First, we will do our best t…

1
Episode 29 - June 1, 2019 1:55:49

5y ago1:55:49

1:55:49

This episode! First we chat with Billy Fleming about his absolutely must read article in Place Journal entitled “Design and the Green New Deal.” After, we check in with Architecture Lobby member Caitlin Watson to talk about the Lobby’s efforts to organize around the GND. Next! In our regular review segment Fun and Angry, Keefer and Anjulie Rao take…

1
Episode 28 - May 25, 2019 1:53:26

5y ago1:53:26

1:53:26

On this episode of Buildings on Air we talk about buildings codes & public access, why the libertarian solution to the housing crisis is not the right one, and then answer your listener questions about buildings in our mailbag segment! Full line-up below: First up! We chat with Scott Reynolds of @upcodes about why public access to the law is import…

1
Episode 27 - April 20, 2019 1:55:48

5+ y ago1:55:48

1:55:48

First up! Writer Katherine Allen takes over the host chair and talk with Adam Nathaniel Furman (@Furmadamadam) and @KeeferDunn about the recent (and welcome) wave of scrutiny aimed at exploitative labor practices in architecture, and where we go from here. Next! We chat with Melinda Bunnage and Peter Hughes, @ChicagoCityDSA activists who are workin…

1
Episode 26 - March 16, 2019 1:51:32

5+ y ago1:51:32

1:51:32

On this episode we introduce a new segment featuring the inimitable Anjulie Rao. Anjulie and Keefer discuss the piece “Refusal After Refusal” by Adjustments Agency, which appeared in Harvard Design Magazine as well as the article “The “B” Word: How a More Universal Concept of Beauty Can Reshape Architecture” by Mark Alan Hewitt in Common Edge. Next…

1
Episode 25 - February 2nd, 2019 1:46:27

5+ y ago1:46:27

1:46:27

First up we talk with Alexander Eisenschmidt about his essay entitled "The Story of an Intersection, or how Early Chicago Became an Urban Laboratory" which was originally published in the Architecture Theory Review. Check out the image we are discussing here! Then we answer your listener questions about buildings in our regular mailbag segment with…

1
Episode 24 - December 1st, 2018 1:34:45

5+ y ago1:34:45

1:34:45

In this last episode of 2018 we present an interview with the thoughtful Dean of USC Architecture, Milton SF Curry. Then we answer listener questions in our Mailbag segment with Craig Reschke! There will be no January episode of Buildings on Air but keep an eye on the podscast feed for something special to keep you sated!…

1
Episode 23 - November 4th, 2018 1:48:28

5+ y ago1:48:28

1:48:28

This episode of Buildings on Air we get into Brick Mindset™ with Will Quay from Brick of Chicago (www.brickofchicago.com). Then we chat with frequent Buildings on Air guest Marianela D'Aprile about her recetn article in Common Edge about what Productivist artist Boris Arvatov can tell us about the relevacny of architects today (http://commonedge.or…

1
Episode 22 - October 6th, 2018

6y ago

—

This episode of Buildings on Air we talk the ins and outs of contemporary architecture education with studio professors Sarah Dunn, Ellen Grimes, and Leslie Johnson. Then we hear from researcher David Merriman about his recent study on the effectiveness of TIFS (https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/policy-focus-reports/improving-tax-increment-f…

1
Podcast Special: Audio from The Dynamic American City (1956)

6y ago

—

Hi Buildings on Air listeners! We didn’t have a live September episode (we’ll be back in October!) so we’ve uploaded something special to keep you going. This is audio from a very curious piece of propaganda called “The Dynamic American City.” To many of us, the urban ideas it advocates are entirely abhorrent - but as a historical document it is ve…

1
Episode 21 - August 4th, 2018 2:00:22

6y ago2:00:22

2:00:22

This episode of Buildings on Air! We chat with economist Michael Roberts about the causes and effects of the 2008 Housing Bubble and ensuing Great Recession and have an extra nerdy, long, and edifying mailbag with regulars Ann Lui and Craig Reschke. We also have a clip from fellow Lumpen Radio show Radio Free Bridgeport about some urbgan planning p…

1
Episode 20 - July 7th, 2018 1:41:51

6y ago1:41:51

1:41:51

This episode of Buildings on Air we chat with Neil Loehlein and Andrea Hektor, members of the International Socialist Organization in town for the Socialism 2018 conference, about left-perspectives on infrastructure. Then we answer your listener questions about buildings with guest mailbag correspondent Tom Lee. And last but not least we chat with …

1
Podcast Special: The Architecture Lobby at the Venice Biennale

6y ago

—

There was no live episode of Buildings on Air this month since the regular BoA crowd was away at the Venice Architecture Biennale. Luckily, we have your back and brought a piece of Venice home in the form of an audio recording! The panel, hosted by the U.S. Pavilion curators at the Biennale was organized by The Architecture Lobby, a labor advocacy …

1
Episode 19 - May 5, 2018

6y ago

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This episode of Buildings on Air! First, we chat with friend of the show Kate Wagner about their recent article in Common Edge called "Architecture, Aesthetic Moralism, and the Crisis of Urban Housing" http://commonedge.org/architecture-aesthetic-moralism-and-the-crisis-of-urban-housing/) Then we answer your listener questions about building with o…

1
Episode 18 - Apr 7th, 2018

6+ y ago

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This episode of Buildings on Air! We talk to the inimitable Eva Hagberg Fisher (@evahagberg) about Architecture’s PR problem! Then we answer your listener questions about buildings with Craig Reschke, 1/2 of the regular mailbag duo. Lastly, we talk to David Work (@WDavidWork) about alt-right twitters obsession w/ “traditional” architecture!…

1
Clip: Talkin Socialism "Housing"

6+ y ago

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In our March episode, we played a clip of Andre Callot from the CDSA Talkin Socialism podcast interviewing Buildings on Air host Keefer Dunn for an episode on housing. That episode has been released and it contains tons of audio goodness. Here is a clip from the show of Andre interviewing folks from the Autonomous Tenants Union discussing how they …

1
Episode 17 - Mar 3, 2018 1:49:42

6+ y ago1:49:42

1:49:42

This episode of Buildings on Air! Architectural Workers on Strike, The Mailbag, and Housing from Talkin Socialism First we hear a statement from the UK based anonymous collective Architectural Workers about the ongoing strikes. We also hear from a participant in the picket line about how architecture students are organizing in support of the strike…

1
Episode 16 - Feb 3, 2018 1:49:51

6+ y ago1:49:51

1:49:51

This episode of Buildings on Air! First, we talk about the challenges and opportunities of preserving Chicago's most spaceship-like buildings with School of the Art Insitute of Chicago AIADO department director Jonathan Solomon and preservationist Elizabeth Blasius. Then we revisit the Architecture Lobby's campaign against Trump's border wall and i…

1
Episode 15 - Jan 6, 2018 1:55:57

6+ y ago1:55:57

1:55:57

First we talk to architect, author, professor and technologist Phil Bernstein about the challenges and opportunities automation and our digital tools have in store for architects. Check out his column at Architect’s Newspaper https://archpaper.com/2018/01/mass-timber-architects-rethink-basic-services/ Then, our regular mailbag correspondents are ou…

1
Episode 14 - Dec 2nd, 2017 1:40:15

6+ y ago1:40:15

1:40:15

First up, Marianela D'Aprile will discuss her article (and light up the haters) published in Common Edge titled "The Politics of Architecture Are Not a Matter of Taste." Then Steve Vance of Streetsblog Chicago and Chicago Cityscape will join the show to discuss how information can help us grapple with the forces of politics and economy in Chicago. …

1
Featuring: Site Visit Episode 1 32:24

6+ y ago32:24

32:24

Buildings on Air is taking a break this month (don't worry we will be back in December!) but in lieu of our regularly scheduled program we have a special treat. You might remember Ashley Bigham and Erik Herrmann of Outpost Office from Episode 9 when they talked about their project "Another Campo Marzio." Since that episode Ashley and Erik, along wi…

1
Episode 13 - Oct 7th, 2017 1:46:35

7y ago1:46:35

1:46:35

This episode Alex Billet of Red Wedge Magazine drops by to talk about art and socialist movements, revolutionary pessimism, and other things. Then we are joined by two of Chicago's best architecture writers Zach Mortice and Anjulie Rao who discuss some of their recent writing before we do a Chicago Architecture Biennial review. Lastly it's a very v…

1
Episode 12 / CAB Special Pt 2 - Sept 16th, 2017 1:45:46

7y ago1:45:46

1:45:46

This Episode! The Architecture Lobby Leaders, thinkers, and activists from the Architecture Lobby talk about organizing architects, how we can change the profession for the better, and what to expect from the Lobby in the coming year. Adjustments Agency Nick Korody and Joanna Kloppenburg discuss their recent project www.compi.city that covers the C…

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Episode 11 / CAB Special Pt 1 - Sept 14, 2017 1:47:13

7y ago1:47:13

1:47:13

This episode! Karen Narefsky Author and organizer Karen Narefsky joins us to talk about her recent article in Jacobin “What’s in my backyard” about YIMBYs and why the market can’t solve the housing crisis. Kate Wagner We talk with Kate Wagner, of McMansion Hell fame about large gaudy homes, the uses and abuses of classical architecture, and what th…

1
Announcement and Studs Terkel Recess 56:48

7y ago56:48

56:48

Buildings on Air will temporarily depart from its usual schedule to have two shows in mid September. In lieu of our regularly scheduled podcast, the announcement is followed by a wonderful Studs Terkel interview with Carl Condit, Richard Nickel, and Ben Weese. Background track for the intro is Montana by Gilmore Mom.…

1
Episode 10 - August 5th, 2017

7y ago

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This episode of Buildings on Air host Keefer Dunn chats with Byron Sigcho of the Pilsen Alliance on the fight against gentrification, and Sarah Rafson of Point Line Projects about CARYATIDS, a feminist architecture group working in the 90's in Chicago. Lastly, Skylar Moran subs in for our regular mailbag correspondents Ann Lui and Craig Reschke to …

1
Episode 9 - July 1st, 2017

7y ago

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This episode of Buildings on Air! First, William Emmick of Studio Gang talks to us about the firm and Bridgeport's shiny new Eleanor Street Boathouse along with Owen Lloyd, neighborhood fixture and a member of the park's advisory council. Then Piranesi meets ASCII as we are joined by Erik Herrmann and Ashley Bigham of Outpost Office who chat about …

1
Episode 8 - June 3rd, 2017 1:46:06

7y ago1:46:06

1:46:06

First up on this episode of Buildings on Air is Doug Spencer chatting with Keefer about his book “The Architecture of Neoliberalism: How Contemporary Architecture Became an Instrument of Control and Compliance.” Next we chat with journalist and two-time Buildings on Air guest Zach Mortice about his recent writings on the landscape architecture of t…

1
Episode 7 - May 6th, 2017 1:42:21

7y ago1:42:21

1:42:21

This month's edition of Buildings on Air! First we speak with Jeffrey Roberts of New World Design to talk about his project to float flying pigs in front of the Trump tower. Next up Hamza Hasan and Shota Vashkamadze talk technology and its uses and abuses. Then it's Will Martin and Khoudia Sylla recapping this years American Institute of Architects…

1
Episode 6 - April 1st, 2017

7+ y ago

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This episode Keefer talks to Lynn Muller, Felipe Tendick-Matesanz and Billy Burdett about food policy and urban agriculture in the city of Chicago. Marianela D'Aprile spoke on agency and architecture, and how the profession might organize into a modern labor movement. Lastly, we open up the mailbag with Ann Lui and Craig Reschke of Future Firm and …

1
Episode 5 - March 4th, 2017

7+ y ago

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This episode of Buildings on Air we talk about public housing, Trump's Wall and architectural activism, and then we open up the mailbag to answer listener questions. First up we are joined by writer Maya Duskmaova and Chicago Public Housing Initiative's executive director Leah Levinger for an in-depth discussion about housing policy in Chicago. The…

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