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.