Light: Cities and Architecture

Welcome back to Light Cities and Architecture, where we explore the ideas behind the buildings and people and that shape our built environment.In a change of approach this time, we invite you on a personal journey as Justine Costigan shares her firsthand account of a recent visit to Shanghai — and the city's remarkable Art Deco legacy.In this episode, Antony steps into the role of interviewer, exploring Justine's passion for Art Deco architecture, fashion, and furniture. Her love for travel, Shanghai, and this distinctive design movement shines through — and may inspire your next trip.In a fascinating footnote to architectural history, Shanghai is home to one of the world's best-preserved collections of early 20th-century Art Deco architecture — a fusion of East and West, shaped by the legacies of the former International Settlement and the French Concession.It's a story of design, culture, and unexpected connections across time.

Le Corbusier's Unité d'habitation in Marseille remains one of the most polarising architectural landmarks of the 20th century. A bold experiment in modernist housing, it envisioned a radical new way of urban living, one that was both efficient and communal. While celebrated by many architects for its innovation, it has also faced criticism for disregarding the social and cultural complexities of real cities.In this episode of Light Cities Architecture, writer and editor Justine Costigan and practising architect Antony DiMase delve into the legacy, mythology, and reality of this Brutalist icon. Was it a revolutionary step forward, or an idealistic vision that fell short? And, given the choice, would either of them choose to live there? Tune in to find out.Links:Fondation Le Corbusier https://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr/en/Unité d'Habitation tours https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/culture-heritage/discover-the-sites-and-monuments-in-marseille/cite-radieuse-of-le-corbusier/Instagram: @lightscitiesarchitectureLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-costigan/https://www.linkedin.com/in/antony-dimase/Credits:Editor: Suzanne McLeodThis episode was recorded at Image online, Abbotsford, Australia.

Ayn Rand's philosophical novel The Fountainhead is one of the most-read and most  and quoted books of the 20th century. Dismissed and loved in equal measure, it polarised critics and readers.  The Fountainhead expressed Rand's strong beliefs about the role of the creator, the need for freedom, and the moral imperative of self-interest. One of the few novels dedicated to the profession of architecture, The Fountainhead's ideas about architects and architecture continue to influence how we think about the profession today. In this episode, Antony and Justine discuss the novel, its pros and cons, and why it is still a treasured reference for right-wing thinkers today. Quote: “In reviewing my career to date, I came to the conclusion that I have worked on a true principle: the principle that constant change is a necessity of life.   Since buildings are an indispensable part of life, it follows that architecture must change constantly.  I have never developed architectural prejudices for myself, but insisted on keeping my mind open to all the voices of the times.   The fanatics who went around preaching that all structures must be modern were just as narrow minded as the hidebound conservatives who demanded that we employ nothing but historical styles.   I do not apologise for those of my buildings which were designed in the Classical tradition.   They were an answer to the needs of their era.  Neither do I apologise for the buildings which I designed in the modern style.   They represent the coming better world.  It is my opinion that in the humble realisation of this principle lies the reward and the joy of being an architect.” The character of architect Peter Keating, The Fountainhead Links: John Crace on Ayn Rand, The Guardian, 2009 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/mar/11/ayn-rand Social: Instagram: @lightscitiesarchitecture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-costigan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/antony-dimase/ Credits: Editor: Justine Costigan This episode was recorded at Image online, Abbotsford, Australia. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/always-for-youLicense code: FKADBZMC5CF0HIR8

Join architect Antony DiMase and writer and editor Justine Costigan as they discuss the rise of NIMBYs and YIMBYs and how these groups reflect the growing dissatisfaction with the way our cities are planned.  We welcome your feedback, questions and topic suggestions. To get in touch email lightcitiesarchitecture@gmail.com Referenced in this episode: Tom Cowie's story about the Thornbury church https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/empty-church-ignites-tension-between-heritage-and-housing-20240424-p5fm7b.html Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/always-for-you License code: FKADBZMC5CF0HIR8

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 Justine Costigan who is a local writer with a strong interest in sustainability. Together they explore the recent announcement by the State Government to demolish the Housing Commission Towers in Melbourne. This announcement has implications for the people living in these towers and sustainability outcomes that is a focus of these episodes. Justine and Antony discuss how this announcement goes against the trend of retrofitting projects here and around the globe.

"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.

After a hiatus of 8 months Jackson and Antony are back talking Light, Cities and Architecture. In this episode they talk about The Light and Space movement emanating from California in the 1960's. Together they discuss the work of Robert Irwin, Helen Pashgian and James Turrell. With obvious links to architecture these artists redefined art in the 20th century to be a sensory experience that broke free of the boundaries of the canvas and became installation pieces in different locations around the world. The impact is still being felt today with artists like Olafur Eliasson and even Kayne West being both influenced and supporters of the work.

In this bonus episode Jackson and Antony depart from Aalto that was discussed in last episode and discuss the role of daylight design in contemporary buildings. We venture into the meaning of architecture, the art of daylighting and the rise of electric lighting to satisfy people’s needs for light and control in spaces. The future of daylight might be less obvious as lighting design and lighting controls give greater certainty to lighting outcomes. But can electric lighting ever give us what daylight gives us in architecture? Find out what Jackson and Antony think will be the future of lighting design and architecture in the 21st century.

In this episode Jackson and Antony look at the work of Alvar Aalto. Specifically, we look at his library buildings and the relationship to lighting design and daylight. Aalto’s work spans over 5 decades and each of his library buildings we see an evolution of the way he uses daylight to create spaces. We explore the influences of luminaire design on his architecture and how he created a model of nature and the environment that inspired his interior architecture.

In Episode 5 Antony and Jackson delve into the delights and mysteries of the night time sky and the impact that light pollution is having on our connection to the stars and colours of the sky at night. Since the advent of electric lighting and urbanisation of our cities we have slowly filled our cities with more and more outdoor electric lights. Increasingly we rely on lighting, advertising, technology for entertainment, human connection and storytelling. However, our evolution has for millennia relied on the simple day night rhythm that is deeply embedded in our DNA. By removing darkness from our lives, we lose connection to our spiritual lives, we affect our physical and mental health and we impact flora and fauna to a frightening extent. In this our (difficult) fifth episode Jackson and Antony once again attempt to navigate the impact of abundant electric lighting in our cities. We delve into the consequences of losing the night from our lives and what it might mean for we humans.

In episode 4, we explore the daylight in the urban context of big cities and the backlash that happens when we build tall buildings in close proximity. The urban realm at ground level is compromised and the effects are felt for generations. New York has progressively tried to provide planning regulations to limit the effect of daylight at ground level and the story of New York involves those who wish to see development thrive and those who want to see the public realm retained as a livable healthy place for people to thrive.

Podcast 3 explores the origins of Christmas lighting. There are many interpretations of how the Christmas tradition evolved, and what most of these versions have in common is that Christmas came about as a way of bringing people together during the coldest & darkest days of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. In this episode Antony and Jackson discuss how the traditions have been adopted by different communities all over the world, the rivalries between neighbours that play out during this time, and how the advent of electricity transformed the celebration into a cacophony of glowing light.

Podcast 2 ventures into the birthplace of lighting design. Antony and Jackson discuss three important figures in the history of Lighting Design. Mies Van de Rohe, Philip Johnson and Richard Kelly. With the arrival of glass boxes in the mid 20th Century – lighting faced some new difficulties and challenges. How exactly does one light a glass box reveals the importance of lighting design to solve problems that architects had previously never encountered before. While the work of Mies and Johnson is revered – it is Kelly who is relatively unknown outside of lighting circles – who resolved the detail resolution of lighting space and architecture to create a wholly new discipline of design.

Hi and welcome to first LC&A podcast presented by Antony DiMase and Jackson Stigwood. In this episode we start at the very beginning and explore the historical relationship between light and architecture. The journey then continues through the introduction of electricity to cities and the commercialization of the incandescent bulb. Moving into the 20th century we discuss various forms of lamp technology and the social impact it has had on cities around the world. We conclude by taking a brief look at what our cities look like today and what they may be like in the future.