Best Realdania Podcasts (2024)

1
What comes after concrete? 32:12

2M ago32:12

32:12

Concrete and steel. We know that both of these mainstream building materials come with a massive CO2 cost, and that we need to find alternatives. One way forward is the reintroduction of traditional materials and invention of new bio-based materials. But the implementation of the new materials requires large and challenging changes for the entire b…

1
How to measure the unmeasurable qualities of urban space 32:30

3M ago32:30

32:30

In Herlev, a suburb of Copenhagen, the site of a former asphalt factory is being transformed into a new housing area. At first glance, this is a building site like many others, dominated by cranes, concrete and safety helmets. But in fact, a pilot project out of the ordinary is taking place here. Leaded by innovation agency NXT, the project invites…

1
How to transform buildings with no waste 32:10

4M ago32:10

32:10

Søren Pihlmann, founder of pihlmann architects, is among the hottest up-and-coming names in Danish architecture right now. Known for his ambitious approach to transformations, Søren Pihlmann insists on reusing as much of the existing buildings as possible - from plumbing to concrete beams - and adapting them for the new purpose of the building. In …

1
How to build high-quality housing on the road to reduction 32:40

5M ago32:40

32:40

Living Places is an experimental village in Copenhagen that challenges the way we build and live today. Initiated by VELUX and built in partnership with EFFEKT Architects and Artelia, the temporary village’s low emission homes suggest a whole new way of thinking about a series of urgent matters: From environmental footprint to indoor climate, biodi…

1
Sydney Opera House 50 years: How to make art out of compromises 30:40

6M ago30:40

30:40

What is the price to be paid for being an uncompromising architect? And is the uncompromising approach to architecture a thing of the past? In 2023 the Sydney Opera House can celebrate its 50th anniversary. The building was designed by the then unknown Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, and it has become a milestone in modern architecture. But the Sydne…

1
How architecture can drive social change 33:30

6M ago33:30

33:30

How do you address the issues related to disadvantaged public housing areas, often affected by high unemployment, crime, and other challenges? The question is common to many cities across Europe. In Denmark the government is combining social and architectural interventions in the most troubled areas: With the ‘parallel society law’, up to 60% of ex…

1
Why waste cannot go to waste in the building industry 1:08:44

7M ago1:08:44

1:08:44

One way the built environment can mitigate its massive negative climate impact is by focusing architecture on reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling elements. Essentially building within a circular economy framework. However, many central players in the building industry are reluctant to change their approach to materials usage. So, what i…

1
How experimenting can foster sustainable living 34:31

8M ago34:31

34:31

Cities are attracting more and more people, but finding an affordable home can become a struggle – especially for students making the move. In Copenhagen the demand for student housing has led to new ways of building and living. The goal is to create space for more people by living smaller and sharing more. CPH Village is a leading actor in constru…

1
The secrets behind producing great architects 34:50

9M ago34:50

34:50

What are the secrets behind producing great architects? This question becomes increasingly difficult to answer simply as the world becomes ever more complex and undergoes constant change. Therefore, creating a learning environment for students that empowers the next generation to tackle societal challenges was of utmost importance when Architecture…

1
How inclusive design can increase learning 30:30

10M ago30:30

30:30

Can ‘inclusivity’ as a design principle bring about new forms to our learning environments? In this episode of ‘Let’s talk architecture’ our guest expert, architect Eva Ravnborg from the architecture company Henning Larsen, shares insights on how inclusive design principles can create equitable learning spaces. She takes the host, Michael Booth on …

1
How AI changes architecture as we know it 30:36

11M ago30:36

30:36

These days artificial intelligence (AI) is in the spotlight – from fearsome warnings about societal impacts presented by leading figures in the tech industries and on to hopeful imaginations of a better future. But can AI also help create better, more sustainable, and even more democratic architecture? At the architectural company Henning Larsen th…

1
How the rising sea levels call for new ways to imagine the future cities 26:37

11M ago26:37

26:37

The UN General Secretary proclaims the climate change consequences will be of ‘biblical proportions’. But what will that feel like in the cities we know and love today – and what can we expect from the solutions? That is what the team behind the Danish contribution to the Venice Architecture Biennale has set out to explore. The exhibition “Coastal …

1
Where to find ugly architecture in the World Capital of Architecture? 30:46

12M ago30:46

30:46

In 2023 Copenhagen is named the World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO due to the city’s livability and architecture which is renowned and praised by internationals as well as locals. But not all architectural realities deserve an award, and in this episode, we take a hard look at some of the Copenhagen buildings we condemn rather than praise. You…

1
How to protect a livable city against disasters 34:47

1y ago34:47

34:47

No one knows what the future brings, so how can architects make sure their design is resilient tomorrow as well as today? Resilience is a hot topic in architecture circles, and it’s increasingly on the agenda from the earlier stages of design and planning. But what does ‘resilience’ even mean? And how do you design for livable cities and resilient …

1
How office design impacts the way your brain works 38:23

1+ y ago38:23

38:23

How does the design of your office impact the way you work? In many ways our working and learning environments can be improved if you ask research and development architect Klaudio Muca from the architectural firm CEBRA Architecture. They have collected research and conducted interviews with leading scientists about the way space influences our emo…

1
How scarce resources shape architecture 35:21

1+ y ago35:21

35:21

By the hour we grow more aware that our planet’s resources are scarce, and that we urgently must shift from an exploitative to a regenerative architecture. But how? What resources do we have at hand, how are new materials engineered and experienced, and what new materials and design solutions will we have to get used to? In this episode of Let's ta…

1
How cities adapt to the changing climate 31:15

1+ y ago31:15

31:15

How can our cities handle the extreme weather the future brings? Architecture plays an important role in making our cities livable even in extreme weather conditions. As the future will bring turbulent weather of differing characters, the solutions too are diverse. In this episode of Let's talk architecture, you can hear about some of the manifold …

1
How partnerships became essential in architecture 39:12

1+ y ago39:12

39:12

How many organizations are involved in the construction of our cities? It takes a village, and no man is an island. So, how do we build partnerships of change, and what needs to be done to establish strong collaborations in time to make a difference? In this special edition of Let’s Talk Architecture Michael Booth has travelled to New York to ask: …

1
Why retail is key in catalyzing urban identity 1:02:56

2y ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Can urban life be planned and programmed, or will it pop up by itself? At BRIQ Group, a Copenhagen-based design agency, they use careful retail planning to help foster better communities and bring life to public spaces. In this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture Peter Bur Andersen, BRIQ’s creative director, takes us on a tour of two projects in Cop…

1
How to keep the expanding city at eye level 46:48

2y ago46:48

46:48

Aarhus, the second city of Denmark, is growing. Developing new areas rapidly, opening the harbor front, investing in infrastructure projects and cultural sites, the city is booming. The stakes are high for the new city architect, Anne Mette Boye, who took over the baton in 2021. Tune in to this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, where she explains…

1
How city design shapes your eating habits 44:55

2y ago44:55

44:55

Does the surrounding architecture make your food choices for you? In a way, if you ask CEO and founding partner at Gehl Architects, Helle Søholt and CIO Jeff Risom. Their team of architects, designers, anthropologist etc. map ‘foodscapes’ that reveal what food choices surrounds us, and how that can be improved by design. Design for healthy choices …

1
How Danish architecture became world famous 45:51

2y ago45:51

45:51

The Arne Jacobsen Radisson SAS Royal Hotel was shockingly new for the Copenhageners when it was finished in 1960. It kickstarted a discussion about whether Danish architecture should express local building traditions or move to a more international and modernistic style. Tune in to this podcast, and learn more about the tensions that lie in bricks …

1
Why a good city for kids is a city for everyone 47:16

2y ago47:16

47:16

Copenhagen was broke. In the 1990’s families moved out of the city when they got the chance. This is not the case today, as the city has managed to flip the demographic by creating bigger and better apartments, improving public transport, and prioritizing urban spaces – suitable even for children. Tune in to this podcast, where we explore how Copen…

1
Why architecture cannot speak for itself 35:37

2y ago35:37

35:37

Architecture can sweep us away, but communication about architecture is a different story. And a problem if you ask Josefine Lykke Jensen, architect, and CEO at JAJA Architects. She is engaged with how architects can use strategic communication to make people understand the role of architecture better – and make better architecture. Tune into this …

1
How The Future is Democratic Architecture not Starchitecture 37:10

2+ y ago37:10

37:10

Vandkunsten Architects is a studio that was born in opposition to the existing paradigms in architecture back in 1971. They wanted to build for people with respect for the environment. Their approach has not changed since - yet it might be more relevant than ever? Learn more about why the future needs democratic architecture and why we should build…

1
How architecture is the interplay between form and life 23:33

2+ y ago23:33

23:33

Jan Gehl is one of the most important Danish architects of the past half century. He has had a great impact on the way we design our cities today – with focus on creating the best possible conditions for urban life. In this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, Jan Gehl is taking us on a tour of his Copenhagen, from Dragør to Ørestaden and Kartoffelr…

1
How to change the conversation at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021 25:04

2+ y ago25:04

25:04

Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter is one of Denmark’s most celebrated and forward-thinking architect studios. On the occation of the well-acclaimed Danish pavilion, Con-nect-ed-ness, at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Michael Booth sat down with Lene Tranberg, co-founder and partner, and Erik Frandsen, architect and partner, to talk about the installation …

1
Using waste as an architectural resource 22:38

3+ y ago22:38

22:38

Lendager Group is leading the conversation in Denmark around architectural upcycling – the practice of creating a product of higher value than the original. The firm takes a circular rather than linear view and uses creative solutions to connect the dots between building waste headed for landfills and new construction. Lendager sat down with DAC’s …

1
How architecture shapes behavior 21:13

3+ y ago21:13

21:13

Danish architect Kasper Guldager Jensen, co-owner of 3XN and founder of GXN – a research practice within the larger firm – chats with DAC’s Jen Masengarb. In a thought-provoking conversation, they discuss GXN’s unique team of sociologists, anthropologists and psychologists researching how architecture shapes our behavior. He also explains the firm’…

1
Hoard anything you can’t download: Douglas Coupland with Bjarke Ingels 23:13

4y ago23:13

23:13

Canadian artist and author Douglas Coupland’s slogans for the 21st century take on a new relevance in the era of COVID-19. Just before the virus paused large gatherings, DAC invited Coupland and Danish architect Bjarke Ingels to Copenhagen for an evening public conversation. The two observe daily life and bring into focus those things that may be j…

1
When the present and future melt together: Douglas Coupland 17:29

4y ago17:29

17:29

“I think we are stuck with permanent acceleration fatigue.” Canadian author and artist Douglas Coupland joined DAC’s CEO Kent Martinussen for a thoughtful conversation about life in this age of the selfie, the rapid pace of change, and living in a permanent present-future. Coupland also speaks about Extreme Self - his newest book and related exhibi…

1
Our planet’s future and the drivers of change: Arup’s Chris Luebkeman 18:23

4y ago18:23

18:23

What will our world look like in 2075? How will we solve our planet’s biggest energy, waste, climate change, water, demographic, urbanization, or poverty challenges? In a lively conversation about the future and our understanding of world citizenship, Chris Luebkeman, Global Foresight Leader at the engineering, architecture, and planning firm of Ar…

1
Time as a resource: Anupamu Kundoo 12:07

4y ago12:07

12:07

Indian architect Anupamu Kundoo’s buildings often use very traditional and sustainable materials but used in surprising and experimental ways. Kundoo sat down with DAC’s Jen Masengarb to discuss the planet’s rapid urbanization and how as a contemporary designer she is working to help build a more equitable and sustainable economy for skilled local …

1
Racing to finish Sagrada Familia: Arup’s Tristram Carfrae 17:58

4y ago17:58

17:58

How do you finish one of the world’s most famous unfinished buildings? Without a set of original plans, a group of engineers and craftsmen are using new technologies and adapting historic techniques to finish Sagrada Familia by 2026. Arup engineer Tristram Carfrae sat down with DAC’s Jen Masengarb to discuss the project and what he’d like to ask An…

1
Life on our planet not centered around us: Bruce Mau 19:03

4y ago19:03

19:03

“Everything we are doing right now, we don’t know how to do. That’s the magical thing about design.” Designer Bruce Mau joined DAC’s Jen Masengarb to discuss Massive Change Network’s current projects and his ground-breaking collaborations with leading architects, museums, and companies. Mau speaks about caring for our planet and argues this is the …

1
DAC’s home in a transparent BLOX: OMA’s Ellen van Loon 19:22

4y ago19:22

19:22

For OMA partner architect Ellen van Loon, a building’s spatial form and the relationship between interior and exterior has always been of great fascination. She joined DAC’s Jen Masengarb to discuss the design process for the BLOX building in Copenhagen – the mixed-building that is also home to DAC – and what happens when she returns to ‘spy’ on th…

1
Architecture on Mars?: BIG’s Jakob Lange with Tor Nørretranders 22:32

4y ago22:32

22:32

Bjarke Ingels Group has been working with the Dubai Future Foundation to imagine a 2117 city on Mars. BIG Partner Jakob Lange and popular science author Tor Nørretranders sat down with DAC’s Jen Masengarb. What is the role of architects in creating a sustainable Martian environment? And what could this exploration teach us about Earth? Generous fun…

1
The business of architecture: BIG’s Sheela Søgaard 20:55

4+ y ago20:55

20:55

Sheela Søgaard, Partner and CEO at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) isn’t an architect, but her leadership has been critical to the firm’s rapid global growth. In a candid conversation with DAC’s Jen Masengarb, Søgaard shares her insight on the business of architecture and how the firm works to close gender and pay gaps. Generous funding is provided by Re…

1
Giving form to the future: Bjarke Ingels 19:09

4+ y ago19:09

19:09

Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, the founding partner of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has been disrupting the architecture world for the past 20 years. As part of BIG’s FORMGIVING exhibition at DAC, Ingels sat down with DAC’s Jen Masengarb in a lively chat on a range of topics – from philosophy to technology to the architect from history he’d most like…

1
Restless at heart: Dorte Mandrup 14:50

4+ y ago14:50

14:50

Being restless and pushing boundaries has always been part of Danish architect Dorte Mandrup’s way of life. Her collection of projects on UNESCO World Heritage sites has led to a new focus on the firm’s work. In a conversation with DAC’s Jen Masengarb, Mandrup discusses her design process, career path, new work, and the influential landscapes of he…

1
The Architecture City: BLOX in Copenhagen 23:37

4+ y ago23:37

23:37

The design of radical buildings in historic cities often stirs up debate. Are we afraid of architectural change? Do we eventually come to love these buildings? OMA architect and partner Ellen van Loon chats with DAC’s Director Kent Martinussen and host Frederikke Aagaard about the design of BLOX and the conversation it has sparked among residents a…

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