Archello Podcast

In this episode, Archello speaks with Eran Chen, founder and executive director of ODA Architecture, the New York-based architecture practice known for challenging conventional models of housing, density, and urban development. Founded in 2007, ODA has grown to around 120 people, with its main office in Tribeca and projects extending from New York to cities around the world.

 Chen’s work is driven by a recurring question: how can architecture respond to ways of living that are changing faster than the cities around them? Rather than approaching buildings primarily as objects, he describes ODA’s work through experience, density, and the spaces that architecture leaves open. “Instead of looking at the built, we're looking at the voids between the built,” he says.

Listen as Chen reflects on ODA’s experiments with New York zoning, the relationship between density and public space, and projects including POST Rotterdam, Denizen, 420 Kent, and Ola Palermo. Across them, he returns to an idea he calls “porosity”: shaping the voids within increasingly dense cities as spaces for interaction, belonging, and collective life.

In this episode, Archello speaks with Michael Murphy, architect, author, and founding principal of AMMA, formerly of MASS Design Group, whose work has helped redefine the relationship between architecture, health, public memory, and community-driven design.

Murphy’s work examines how buildings shape human life at both intimate and systemic scales, exploring architecture not only as the design of objects, but as a social, cultural, and economic force capable of influencing health, equity, identity, and collective experience.

Listen as Murphy reflects on the founding of MASS Design Group during the global financial crisis, his early work in Rwanda with Partners in Health, the ideas behind his new book Our World in Ten Buildings, and projects including the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, offering insight into an approach to architecture grounded in public responsibility, systems thinking, and the transformative power of the built environment.

In this episode, Archello's Editor-at-large Michiel van Raaij speaks with Ma Yansong, founder and principal partner of Beijing-based MAD Architects, whose practice spans cultural, civic, and residential projects shaped by fluid forms, emotional resonance, and an ongoing dialogue between architecture, nature, and the city.

Yansong’s work explores how architecture can move beyond efficiency and object-making to create spaces that invite feeling, imagination, and public encounter, while remaining attentive to narrative, community, and the cultural meaning of place.

Listen as Yansong reflects on the opening of Rotterdam’s Fenix Museum, his approach to sketching and imperfection, the spatial ambitions behind projects such as Harbin Opera House, and the lasting influence of Beijing’s hutongs, offering insight into an architecture grounded in human experience, openness, and change.

Archello speaks with Annabelle Selldorf, founding principal of Selldorf Architects, whose practice is based in New York and is known for its work on museums, cultural institutions, and carefully considered residential projects.

Selldorf’s work is guided by questions of judgment, proportion, and longevity, examining how architecture can operate with restraint while remaining responsive to context, use, and public life.

Listen as Selldorf reflects on her early years in New York, the formation of her practice, and projects including the Frick Collection and the National Gallery in London, offering insight into an approach to architecture grounded in clarity, responsibility, and long-term thinking.

Archello speaks with Martin Duplantier, an architect whose practice, Martin Duplantier Architectes, spans offices in Paris, Bordeaux, and Ukraine, shaping projects that range from infrastructure for the Paris Olympics to initiatives in post-conflict reconstruction.

Duplantier’s work explores questions of place, responsibility, and resilience, examining how architecture can respond to uncertainty in times of war while connecting global challenges with everyday urban life. 

Listen as Duplantier discusses his early career, the founding of his practice, his work in Ukraine, and projects that exemplify a deep commitment to context, sustainability, and cultural meaning.

In this episode Archello speaks with architect Benedetta Tagliabue, founder of Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT Architects.

From her studio in Barcelona, Tagliabue reflects on a career that bridges countries, disciplines, and decades—from formative years studying in Venice and working alongside Enric Miralles, to projects that merge memory, materiality, and a distinctly organic formal language.

Listen as she discusses her early influences, evolving practice, and three major projects that exemplify her studio's blend of innovation, tradition, and emotional resonance.

In this episode, Archello connects with Mexican architect Gabriela Carrillo, founder of Taller Gabriela Carrillo as well as Colectivo C733. Known for her deeply collaborative and socially engaged architecture, Carrillo has created impactful public projects across Mexico. She recently won the 2024 OBEL Award for the ambitious "36 Projects in 36 Months" initiative, which redefines how architecture can serve communities quickly and effectively.

Listen as Carrillo touches on her design philosophy, material strategies, teaching, and her most meaningful projects shaping public architecture in Mexico.

In this episode, Archello is in London with Helen Ensor, Director, and Robin Dhar, former Chairman, at Donald Insall Associates.

For over 65 years, this practice has been at the forefront of architectural conservation in the UK, known for preserving historic buildings while thoughtfully integrating modern updates. The firm’s portfolio includes iconic projects like the restoration of Windsor Castle after the 1992 fire and the rejuvenation of historic estates across the country.

Listen as the two describe their personal journeys, discuss some of the firm's standout conservation projects, as well as speak about the ways historic buildings can be rethought considering sustainability and material innovations.

In this episode, Archello is in Bilbao with Iñaki Garai, Director of Architecture at IDOM, one of Spain’s most influential firms.

IDOM has played a key role in Bilbao's recent evolution, from working as the local architect on the transformative Guggenheim Bilbao, to completing other iconic projects like the San Mamés Stadium. 

Listen as Garai discusses his IDOM’s deep connection to Bilbao, and his thoughts on contextual design both in the Basque Country and globally.

Archello connects with John McAslan, Founder, and Colin Bennie, Director, at John McAslan + Partners. For over 30 years, this practice has been shaping the built environment on a global scale, with a reputation for blending heritage preservation with contemporary design.

From revitalizing King's Cross Station in London to reimagining urban transit centers like the Belfast Transport Hub, the practice’s work emphasizes the balance between historical context and modern innovation. McAslan, originally from Scotland, honed his architectural vision under the mentorship of Richard Rogers before founding his own practice in London. And Bennie brings expertise in complex infrastructure projects.

Listen as the two describe their personal journeys, and discuss how the firm’s transport hub projects respond to the cultural and social contexts of the cities they serve.