Architects For Change

Welcome to "Architects for Change," a podcast bridging the gap

Welcome to "Architects for Change," a podcast bridging the gap between architecture, the built environment, and politics. Hosted by Jay Morton, an architect and political geek, this series explores critical questions about our future cities, sustainability, and the pivotal role of politics in progress.

In this inaugural episode, Jay speaks with fellow podcaster Paul Afshar, a passionate housing campaigner and spokesperson for the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign. Paul shares his personal journey, beginning with the shocking discovery that his flat was unsellable due to dangerous cladding, a revelation that came three years after the tragic Grenfell Tower fire. This personal crisis led Paul to

The conversation delves into the broader context of the cladding crisis, highlighting regulatory failures and the severe mental health impacts on affected residents. Paul discusses the campaign’s evolution, from grassroots

A significant achievement of the campaign is securing over £10 billion in funding to address cladding issues. However, challenges remain in effectively distributing these funds and holding small to medium-sized developers accountable.

Paul and Jay explore the declining trust in new builds due to safety and quality concerns, contrasting them with the enduring appeal of historical buildings.

Looking ahead, Paul emphasises the need for future governments to pursue broader accountability, including cladding manufacturers, and to ensure adequate resources for fire safety inspections.

The episode concludes with a call for collaboration among architects, developers, and campaigners to create

for more information on the campaign see: https://endourcladdingscandal.org/posts/end-our-cladding-scandal-manifesto/

For Paul's podcast "My Mum Made Me" see: https://open.spotify.com/show/3u4428JCW0ffMluxXfQyqf