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 con...

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...

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 in...

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, ni...

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 Pro...

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 th...

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 o...

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...

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...

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 share...

What if the voices most affected by the housing crisis never make it into the planning process? In this episode of Architects for Change , Jay is joined by Wyn Evans and Millie Dodd from Just Build Homes — a campaign amplifying the voices of the silent majority who want more homes built. They explore their new report 6,000 Reasons to Build , based on real planning comments from supporters across t...

This week, Jay is joined by Mark Stevenson — author, advisor, and former comedian — whose work sits at the intersection of science, storytelling and systems change. Mark’s not a fan of the term “futurist,” but his career has been spent helping governments, companies and NGOs navigate what’s coming — and what needs to change. He’s the author of An Optimist’s Tour of the Future and We Do Things Diff...

In this episode of Architects for Change , host Jay Morton sits down with Christopher Young KC—widely regarded as the UK’s leading planning barrister—for a no-holds-barred conversation on the future of housing, planning, and politics. Chris shares his journey into planning law and dives deep into the big questions: How do we actually deliver 1.5 million homes? What’s holding the system back? Why h...

In this episode of Architects for Change , Jay sits down with the brilliant and unconventional Steve Webb of Webb Yates Engineers. From his early days growing up surrounded by builders and mechanics to pioneering the use of stone and timber in modern construction, Steve challenges the status quo of the built environment. We discuss why the industry resists innovation, the true carbon cost of mater...

The real estate industry is at a crossroads. With rising costs, outdated policies, and shifting workplace expectations, how do we build for the future without repeating the mistakes of the past? On this episode of Architects for Change , I sit down with Tyler Goodwin , CEO of Seaforth Land , to explore: 🏗 Retrofit vs. New Build – Why demolition isn’t always the answer 💰 The Profit Crisis – Why re...

Two Architects and political geeks come together in this special joint episode, Architects for Change teams up with Urban Forecast Podcast as Jay Morton and Oliver Lowrie dive into the powerful connection between politics, architecture, and urban regeneration. Oliver, Director and founder of Ackroyd Lowrie Architects and host of Urban Forecast, shares insights on how local government leaders often...

A short voice note from Jay the host of Architects for Change. Here Jay reflects on the past year and what listeners have to look forward to in 2025.

A call to action for architects to take the lead in transforming the profession and the industry: In this episode, Jat sits down with Doug Hodgson, co-founder of New-works, to discuss how his practice is redefining sustainability in architecture. From materiality and workforce well-being to the importance of collaboration and specialism, Doug offers an insightful look into the shifts needed in our...

 In this episode, Jay sits down for an inspiring conversation with Eliot Postma, partner and group leader at Heatherwick Studio. They dive into the studio’s  Humanise  campaign, which challenges the rise of soulless architecture and explores how thoughtful design can transform mental health, sustainability, and urban life. Eliot shares how Heatherwick Studio’s philosophy—focusing on detail, visual...

In this episode of Architects for Change , Jay sits down with Charlie Lemner, a Healthy Homes expert and host of The Healthy Home Show . With a background in property development and building biology, Charlie shares her journey from real estate to advocating for human-centered design that prioritises well-being. Together, they discuss: 🔹 The hidden health risks in our homes and workplaces, from t...

In this episode of the Architects for Change Podcast , Jay sits down with Pierre Bidaud, a master stonemason and creative director of the Stone Masonry Company. With a deep passion for sustainable building practices, Pierre shares his journey from joining a journeyman guild to mastering the art of working with natural stone. Together, they explore why stone should be seen as a commodity rather tha...

In this episode of Architects for Change , Jay sits down with Gil Penalosa, an international urbanist and founder of the nonprofit 8 80 Cities, which advocates for cities that are equitable, sustainable, and accessible to people of all ages. Gil offers his unique perspective as a global urban planner and recent mayoral candidate in Toronto, where he finished second in the 2022 race. Together, they...

In this episode, Jay continues the conversation with Patrik Schumacher, principal of Zaha Hadid Architects, delving into the intersections of politics, architecture, and technology. Patrik shares his insights on the Libertarian experiment in Liberland, the future impact of the Metaverse on urban design, and the evolving role of AI in architecture. Known for his controversial views, Patrik offers a...

In this episode, Jay speaks to Patrik Schumacher, Principal of Zaha Hadid Architects and a controversial figure in the world of architecture. Known for his bold views on parametricism and libertarian politics, Patrik shares his perspective on the future of cities, the housing crisis, and the impact of planning restrictions. He discusses how entrepreneurial freedom could reshape urban environments...

In this episode, Jay talks to Rafe Bertram, an Architect and expert in sustainable design and the built environment. Together they delve into the different scales of sustainability, from individual actions and home retrofits to neighbourhood developments and city-wide initiatives. Rafe emphasises the interconnectedness of these scales and the importance of addressing sustainability at every level...