Architects For Change

In this episode of Architects for Change, Jay speaks to Gary McLuskey, Global Head of Design at Greystar.Gary has spent over 30 years working across social housing, private development and build-to-rent. From Glasgow housing estates to major international developments, he brings a unique perspective on what is really preventing the delivery of good homes.They discuss why housing policy often conflicts with how people actually want to live, the unintended consequences of planning regulations, and what Greystar has learned from over two million residents worldwide.They also explore the future of architecture in an age of AI, why architects must embrace technology rather than fear it, and how the profession can reclaim a more influential role in shaping places.Topics include:• The evolution of build-to-rent• Why regulation can reduce housing delivery• Density, daylight and the debate around housing standards• Lessons from Madrid, Australia and the United States• Why successful communities are about people, not just buildings• The UK's planning and viability challenges• AI, technology and the future of architectural practice• Why Gary believes this is the most exciting time in decades to be an architectA fascinating conversation about housing, design, development and the future of our profession.

In this episode of Architects for Change, Jay Morton speaks with Peter John, former Leader of Southwark Council and now a member of the House of Lords.Peter led Southwark for a decade during a period of major change across London. Under his leadership the borough delivered significant estate regeneration, new council housing and large scale urban transformation projects.Jay and Peter discuss the realities of delivering housing in London, the politics of regeneration, and what local government can and cannot do to tackle the housing crisis. They explore how councils balance growth with community concerns, why planning has become increasingly politicised, and what needs to change if the UK is going to deliver the homes it desperately needs.The conversation also reflects on Peter’s move into the House of Lords and what role national policy can play in enabling better housing delivery.A thoughtful discussion on housing, politics and the difficult decisions behind city making. #architecture #southwark #elephantandcastle #houseoflords #uklabour #labourparty #politics #podcast #planning #housing #1.5millionhomes

Nick Searl has spent nearly two decades shaping some of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects. Trained as an architect, he played a pivotal role in the transformation of King’s Cross and later led the delivery of Brent Cross Town. In this episode of Architects for Change, Nick reflects on what really made King’s Cross work: building trust before drawings, agreeing shared principles, and investing early in public space, culture and everyday life long before homes and offices were complete. We explore why people move to places, not buildings; why sound, joy and human experience matter in city-making; and why doing “the engaging stuff” first is not a nice-to-have, but fundamental to successful regeneration. With the government’s new towns agenda back on the table, Nick shares hard-won lessons on infrastructure, viability, political will and public-private partnership — and why measuring success purely by housing numbers risks repeating past mistakes. We also look ahead to what Nick is working on now, the role architects need to reclaim in shaping cities, and why — despite everything — he remains optimistic about the future of large-scale urban development. #architecture #podcast #politics #economy #realestate #masterplannedcommunity #masterplanning #urbandesign #1.5millionhomes #labourparty #relatedargent #kingscross

Former Night Czar Amy Lamé joins Jay to explore what cities really look and feel like after dark. We discuss the hidden workforce of more than 1.3 million Londoners who work at night, the rise of the 24 hour economy, and why design must consider life beyond daylight. Amy shares the story behind the Women’s Night Safety Charter and how it grew into a global movement. We talk planning, licensing, nightlife, public space, architecture, and why climate change may shift work, culture and daily life into cooler night hours. Amy leaves us with one powerful question.What does it look like in the dark? #GLA #london #nighttimeeconomy #sadiqkhan #amylame #architecture #politics #labourparty

In the Architects for Change podcast we have often spoken about the economy and economics. So for this episode it seems fitting to talk to an economist, and who better than Paul Johnson. Paul is one of the most trusted economic voices in the country. Until recently he was the Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the UK’s most respected independent economic research body, and he is now Provost of Queens College Oxford and a senior adviser at Frontier EconomicsIn this conversation we look at how economic choices shape everyday life in our cities, towns and neighbourhoods. We talk about the UK’s long term growth challenges, the impact of stop start infrastructure planning, why our planning system struggles, and what this means for housing, placemaking and the 1.5 million homes agenda.Paul gives a clear, grounded view of why economic and political timescales clash, how local and regional governance can help unlock growth, and why building well connected homes in the right places matters just as much as the numbers. A vital listen for anyone working in planning, architecture, housing or public policy. #pauljohnson #Instituteoffiscalstudies #economy #ifs #politics #architecture #builtenvironment #planning

In this episode, Jay Morton steps away from bricks and mortar to delve into politics and culture with writer, broadcaster and cultural commentator Peter York. Co-author of The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook and author of Dead Cat on the Table, Peter unpacks how culture wars are manufactured, funded and weaponised to distract from the issues that really matter. From the power of think tanks and the media to the politics of place and pride, this conversation explores how narratives are shaped in Britain today—and why architects and placemakers should care. #architecture #culturewars #peteryork #culturewars #55tuftonst #thinktanks #instituteofeconomicaffairs #politcs #builtenvironment #architecture

Jonathan Smales has never taken the easy route — from leading Greenpeace UK to creating one of the UK’s most sustainable neighbourhoods. In this episode, we explore his journey into ethical development, the radical thinking behind the Phoenix in Lewes, and what it really takes to transform how we build homes and communities. He shares lessons from a lifetime of activism, the practical challenges of using timber and hempcrete, and why Human Nature is part developer, part movement. It’s a hopeful, grounded vision for the future of place. #podcast #humannature #architectsforchange #architectureandpolitics #architecture #planning #1.5millionshomes #labourgovernment #climatechange #biobasedmaterials #regenerativearchitectureLinks: https://www.humannature-places.com/

In this episode of Architects for Change, host Jay Morton sits down with Tamara Cincik, founder and CEO of Fashion Roundtable, to explore how fashion has successfully built political influence — and what architecture and the built environment can learn from it.

Tamara shares her personal journey from a working-class background into the fashion industry and politics, offering insights on community, aspiration, and the importance of creative industries to the UK economy.

They discuss the decline and regeneration of the high street, why policy needs to better support creative sectors, and how valuing cultural capital can help communities thrive. This conversation unpacks how government could rethink support for industries beyond the usual "jobs for the boys" and why investing in creative industries means investing in place, people, and prosperity.

Links:

Fashion Roundtable:

https://www.fashionroundtable.co.uk/

Fashion Roundtable podcast: https://www.fashionroundtable.co.uk/podcast

Regenerating Great British Wool:

https://www.fashionroundtable.co.uk/what-we-do-change-agency

#ArchitectsForChange
#Podcast
#TamaraCincik
#FashionRoundtable
#CreativeIndustries
#FashionAndPolitics
#PolicyAndPlace
#HighStreetRevival
#CulturalCapital
#UrbanFuture
#PlaceMaking
#CreativeEconomy
#FashionPolicy
#ArchitectureAndPolitics
#FutureOfPlace

What if developers didn’t just build homes — but built communities, hope, and long-term change?In this episode of Architects for Change, Jay Morton is joined by Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric and one of the UK’s most progressive voices in urban regeneration. From flipping his first house in Salford to investing millions each week in socially conscious development, Tim’s journey is anything but typical.He talks about transforming overlooked towns like Farnworth, the power of retrofit, working with metro mayors, and founding initiatives like Regeneration Brainery and Embassy Village. Whether it’s tackling homelessness or rethinking what regeneration can mean, Tim shares an honest, energetic, and often surprising take on what the future of housing could — and should — look like.

#capital&cetnric #architecture #politis #placemaking #housing #1.5million homesLinks: https://www.capitalandcentric.com/

https://www.embassyvillage.co.uk/

What if housing policy and design started with children in mind? In this episode, Jay Morton speaks with Dinah Bornat—co-director of ZCD Architects and author of the upcoming All to Play For: How to Design Child-Friendly Housing—about how play, community, and public space are being squeezed out of our cities. From forgotten post-war estates to the silent epidemic of parental isolation, Dinah shares eye-opening insights backed by years of research. We dive into why the UK’s current housebuilding model is failing families, what the government gets wrong about health and housing, and how small design moves—like moving the car—can radically transform lives. This is a powerful conversation about reclaiming our streets, reimagining suburbia, and building places where everyone can thrive. #housing #architecture #1.5millionhomes #labourparty #labourgovernment #politics #1960estates #gardencities

Useful links:

All to Play for: All to Play For: How to design child-friendly housing | RIBA BooksZCD Architects: ZCD Architects | Experts in people-centred city-making, architecture, and development