Exploring how the history of design and the built environment shapes our present and future. Join Justine Costigan and Antony DiMase as they dive into the ideas and issues that matter today. From design and architecture to environmental consciousness and storytelling in the media, we cover it all to help you stay informed. Discover the challenges and opportunities in creating a better-designed world by reflecting on the works that have shaped our present. #DesignPodcast #Sustainability…
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High in the Andes of Peru, 2,400 metres above sea level, Machu Picchu stands as one of the world’s great architectural achievements. But the extraordinary stonework, terraces and temples of Machu Picchu are just part of a much biggerstory. In this special episode of Light, Cities & Architecture , AntonyDiMase and writer and editor Justine Costigan explore the architecture, culture and legacy of…
Australia is entering a new era of climate accountability. As mandatory carbon reporting becomes law, businesses are being forced to rethink how they measure risk, manage emissions, and remain competitive. At the same time, the explosive growth of AI is driving unprecedented demand for data centres—bringing new questions about energy, water, infrastructure, and the environmental cost of our…
In this episode of Lights, Cities and Architecture, we explore the fundamental role of light in shaping how we experience the world around us. From the science of what light is, to its impact on human perception, health, and circadian rhythms, the conversation moves between technical insight and philosophical reflection.We discuss how artificial lighting has transformed modern cities into 24-hour…
In this episode of the Light, Cities + Architecture podcast, architect Antony DiMase sits down with buyer’s advocate Sven Fischer to explore a key question shaping contemporary housing: does sustainability truly add market value, or is it still largely driven by ethics? Drawing on insights from both architecture and real estate, the conversation unpacks the gap between how homes perform and how…
In this episode, Justine Costigan and Antony DiMase explore the legacy of Australian architect and critic Robin Boyd, focusing on his 1960 book The Australian Ugliness and the author's concept of “featurism”—a critique of decorative, status-driven housing that prioritises resale value and novelty over function, sustainability, and liveability. Reflecting on contemporary issues—from oversized homes…
In this episode of Light Cities and Architecture , we explore the legacy of urbanist and writer Jane Jacobs and her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities . Jacobs’ work challenged the planning ideologies of her time—rejecting top-down zoning, soulless high-rises, and sweeping expressways in favour of cities shaped organically by the people who live in them. Her ideas have…
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,…
Le Corbusier’s Unité d’habitation in Marseille remains one of the most polarising architectural landmarks of the 20th century. A bold experiment in modernist housing, it envisioned a radical new way of urban living, one that was both efficient and communal. While celebrated by many architects for its innovation, it has also faced criticism for disregarding the social and cultural complexities of…
Ayn Rand’s philosophical novel The Fountainhead is one of the most-read and most and quoted books of the 20th century. Dismissed and loved in equal measure, it polarised critics and readers. The Fountainhead expressed Rand’s strong beliefs about the role of the creator, the need for freedom, and the moral imperative of self-interest. One of the few novels dedicated to the profession of…
Join architect Antony DiMase and writer and editor Justine Costigan as they discuss the rise of NIMBYs and YIMBYs and how these groups reflect the growing dissatisfaction with the way our cities are planned. We welcome your feedback, questions and topic suggestions. To get in touch email lightcitiesarchitecture@gmail.com Referenced in this episode: Tom Cowie’s story about the Thornbury church…
