Architecture Topics

In this episode we head to the heart of London to uncover the story behind 30 St Mary Axe, the skyscraper better known as The Gherkin.

From the tragedy of a bombed historic building to the rise of a glass tower that redefined London’s skyline, this is the story of a building that challenged not just height restrictions, but architectural expectations. We’ll explore how a once-skeptical city came together to rethink what a skyscraper could be.

We’ll dive into Norman Foster’s career at the time, the building’s radical energy-saving systems, and the subtle genius of its construction.

This is the story of how something strange, something un-London, became one of the city’s most beloved icons.

Discover how Florence’s most iconic cathedral became the birthplace of Renaissance architecture, and how Filippo Brunelleschi solved a 45-meter-wide engineering mystery no one else could.

This episode explores the political ambition, civic pride, and human genius behind the construction of the world’s largest masonry dome, completed in 1434.

From medieval beginnings to Renaissance triumph, it's the story of how one structure reshaped architecture forever.

Discover the secrets behind one of the most iconic buildings in history. This episode explores the Parthenon in Athens.

Not just as a temple to the goddess Athena, but as a masterclass in political power, architectural illusion, and cultural identity.

Learn how 5th-century BCE architects used subtle curves, tilted columns, and optical tricks to create the illusion of perfection,and why those techniques wouldn’t be studied again for nearly two thousand years.

We’ll unpack the building’s dimensions, interior layout, sculpture program, and the myths encoded in its marble. From its origins on the Acropolis to its destruction, transformation, and legacy, the Parthenon tells a story of empire, ambition, and beauty that still shapes architecture today.

The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is more than an architectural icon and a turning point in the history of cities.

In this episode, we explore how a daring political decision, a collapsing industrial economy, and a radical design by Frank Gehry came together to create what is now known as “The Bilbao Effect.”

Learn how Bilbao, once a declining port city in northern Spain, took a chance on contemporary architecture and rebranded itself for the world.

From the museum’s titanium curves to its economic ripple effects, this is the story of how one building reshaped urban regeneration, cultural identity, and the global role of architecture.

Step into 1930s New York and discover the incredible story behind the Empire State Building, a skyscraper born from rivalry, built during the Great Depression, and crowned the tallest in the world for nearly 40 years.

From secret spires and airship dreams to record-breaking construction and pop culture fame, this episode unpacks how the Empire State Building went from empty offices to an enduring symbol of American ambition, resilience, and innovation.

Perfect for fans of architecture, design, engineering, urban history, and New York lovers.

Step into 1960s Berlin with me as we uncover the story of the Neue Nationalgalerie, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s final masterpiece.

Designed during the Cold War tensions and under the Berlin Wall’s shadow, this modernist icon redefined museum architecture with its minimalist steel-and-glass pavilion.

Explore how Mies, returning to Germany after decades, crafted a cultural symbol of openness and freedom for West Berlin’s Kulturforum. From its weightless design to its role as a beacon of democracy, the Neue Nationalgalerie blends art, space, and history like no other.

Join me to learn why this architectural gem remains a timeless masterpiece.

Perfect for lovers of modernist architecture, Mies van der Rohe’s legacy, or simply those who enjoy a good story filled with culture and history.

Discover the story behind one of the most iconic buildings in the world: the Taj Mahal. More than a monument, this 17th-century masterpiece is a symbol of love, loss, power, and architectural brilliance.In this episode, we explore the history of the Taj Mahal, the relationship between Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, and the cultural and political context of the Mughal Empire. From the construction of the white marble mausoleum to the legends of a Black Taj Mahal across the rive. Learn how twenty thousand workers built one of the greatest examples of Mughal architecture, how its perfect symmetry hides a single asymmetry, and why it continues to captivate millions to this day.

Discover how Seattle built one of the most radical libraries of the 21st century. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA, the Seattle Central Library redefined what a public building could be. A twelve-story machine for learning, wrapped in glass and steel. From its book spiral to its bold design logic, this episode unpacks the architecture, ambition, and controversy behind a true civic icon.

In this episode of Architecture Topics we'll explore the full story behind the Golden Gate Bridge. From the geographic and economic factors that made it make sense, to the ambitious engineer who dared to imagine the impossible but didn't actually know how to build it, to the team behind the scenes that did...

Discover how Joseph Strauss rallied public support, how Charles Ellis quietly designed one of the world’s most daring suspension bridges, and how politics, weather, and war shaped its creation. We’ll walk through the challenges of construction, the innovations that saved lives, and the moment it opened to the world.

Whether you’re into architecture, history, or just love a good story about bold ideas, this episode will change the way you see one of America’s most photographed landmarks.

Explore the story behind the Centre Pompidou in Paris, one of the most radical and controversial buildings in modern architecture.

Designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers in the 1970s, this iconic "inside-out" museum challenged everything Paris thought it knew about culture, design, and public space.

In this episode we will talk about the political vision behind its creation, the backlash it faced, and the lasting impact it had on architecture around the world.

Perfect for architecture lovers, design students, and anyone curious about how one building can transform a city.