This episode we take a look at Edward Bellamy’s socialist utopian novel Looking Backward with Garrett Dash Nelson. Check out Garrett’s excellent article on the subject in Places Journal here: https://placesjournal.org/article/edward-bellamy-urban-planning/.Then in a special edition of our regular mailbag segment we have guests from way out of town! Architecture students from the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam come into the studio to ask us questions about Chicago. 

Episode 35 - January 4th, 2020

Buildings on Air is a show that demystifies architecture through wild speculation, good conversation, a healthy dose of lefty political perspective, and lots of skepticism about the 'power of design.' Each show features guests from the many different facets of the architecture world in Chicago and beyond. Buildings on Air is from WLPN Lumpen Radio and hosted by Keefer Dunn. New episodes broadcast LIVE on WLPN first Saturdays of the month from 2-4pm. Visit www.buildingsonair.live and www.lumpenradio.com

News & Politics

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

This month we are joined by two Buildings on Air favorites: architecture writer/critic Marianela D’Aprile and architecture historian/educator Douglas Spencer! We answer a listener question about giving notice at an architecture job, gloss the ideas of architecture theorist Manfredo Tafuri (Mamma Mia… here we go again!), and discuss some central ideas of the emergent architectural left.

Episode 58 - Marianela D'Aprile and Doug Spencer

This episode of Buildings on Air we chat with organizer, writer, and attorney Ramsin Canon to talk about zoning and land use. We cover the basics of zoning, hear the legal perspective on land use, and discuss why it matters to activists. If you found our conversation interesting check out Ramsin’s presentation on zoning to the 33rd Ward Working Families organization here.

Episode 47 - Zoning w/ Ramsin Canon

This month on Buildings on Air we chat with structural engineer, former Chicago Building Commissioner, and all around good guy, Stan Kaderbek. Stan shares some stories from his time as commissioner that should not be missed! We also chat about public service and safety, and the ins and outs of what it’s like to be the cities chief building regulator.

Episode 46 - Stan Kaderbek

We are still off our regular format, but in this episode we revisit the classic Buildings on Air “Mailbag”  with Nicholas Cecchi and Emily Handley. We talk air changes, bidets, and more!Look out this summer/fall for the show to return to its usual two hour format, with interviews and hopefully a return to our regular, regular segments!

Episode 45 - Mailbag Special

This episode of Buildings on Air we are joined by Jess Myers, an Assistant Professor at Rhode Island School of Design and co-steward of the NYC Architecture Lobby to talk about "Here There be Dragons,” a podcast that delves deep into how feelings of safety and belonging in cities are experienced by people and conditioned by the built environment. Stay tuned for a preview episode of HTBD and be sure to find it and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Episode 35 - January 4th, 2020

Download our free app to listen on your phone