Chen’s work is driven by a recurring question: how can architecture respond to ways of living that are changing faster than the cities around them? Rather than approaching buildings primarily as objects, he describes ODA’s work through experience, density, and the spaces that architecture leaves open. “Instead of looking at the built, we're looking at the voids between the built,” he says.

Listen as Chen reflects on ODA’s experiments with New York zoning, the relationship between density and public space, and projects including POST Rotterdam, Denizen, 420 Kent, and Ola Palermo. Across them, he returns to an idea he calls “porosity”: shaping the voids within increasingly dense cities as spaces for interaction, belonging, and collective life.

Murphy’s work examines how buildings shape human life at both intimate and systemic scales, exploring architecture not only as the design of objects, but as a social, cultural, and economic force capable of influencing health, equity, identity, and collective experience.

Listen as Murphy reflects on the founding of MASS Design Group during the global financial crisis, his early work in Rwanda with Partners in Health, the ideas behind his new book Our World in Ten Buildings, and projects including the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, offering insight into an approach to architecture grounded in public responsibility, systems thinking, and the transformative power of the built environment.

Yansong’s work explores how architecture can move beyond efficiency and object-making to create spaces that invite feeling, imagination, and public encounter, while remaining attentive to narrative, community, and the cultural meaning of place.

Listen as Yansong reflects on the opening of Rotterdam’s Fenix Museum, his approach to sketching and imperfection, the spatial ambitions behind projects such as Harbin Opera House, and the lasting influence of Beijing’s hutongs, offering insight into an architecture grounded in human experience, openness, and change.

Selldorf’s work is guided by questions of judgment, proportion, and longevity, examining how architecture can operate with restraint while remaining responsive to context, use, and public life.

Listen as Selldorf reflects on her early years in New York, the formation of her practice, and projects including the Frick Collection and the National Gallery in London, offering insight into an approach to architecture grounded in clarity, responsibility, and long-term thinking.

Duplantier’s work explores questions of place, responsibility, and resilience, examining how architecture can respond to uncertainty in times of war while connecting global challenges with everyday urban life. 

Listen as Duplantier discusses his early career, the founding of his practice, his work in Ukraine, and projects that exemplify a deep commitment to context, sustainability, and cultural meaning.

From her studio in Barcelona, Tagliabue reflects on a career that bridges countries, disciplines, and decades—from formative years studying in Venice and working alongside Enric Miralles, to projects that merge memory, materiality, and a distinctly organic formal language.

Listen as she discusses her early influences, evolving practice, and three major projects that exemplify her studio's blend of innovation, tradition, and emotional resonance.

Listen as Carrillo touches on her design philosophy, material strategies, teaching, and her most meaningful projects shaping public architecture in Mexico.

For over 65 years, this practice has been at the forefront of architectural conservation in the UK, known for preserving historic buildings while thoughtfully integrating modern updates. The firm’s portfolio includes iconic projects like the restoration of Windsor Castle after the 1992 fire and the rejuvenation of historic estates across the country.

Listen as the two describe their personal journeys, discuss some of the firm's standout conservation projects, as well as speak about the ways historic buildings can be rethought considering sustainability and material innovations.

IDOM has played a key role in Bilbao's recent evolution, from working as the local architect on the transformative Guggenheim Bilbao, to completing other iconic projects like the San Mamés Stadium. 

Listen as Garai discusses his IDOM’s deep connection to Bilbao, and his thoughts on contextual design both in the Basque Country and globally.

From revitalizing King's Cross Station in London to reimagining urban transit centers like the Belfast Transport Hub, the practice’s work emphasizes the balance between historical context and modern innovation. McAslan, originally from Scotland, honed his architectural vision under the mentorship of Richard Rogers before founding his own practice in London. And Bennie brings expertise in complex infrastructure projects.

Listen as the two describe their personal journeys, and discuss how the firm’s transport hub projects respond to the cultural and social contexts of the cities they serve.

Since joining the firm in 1986, Lobitz has led transformative projects across the country, including the tallest residential tower in Lower Manhattan at 30 Park Place, One Bennett Park in Chicago, and the reimagined Lovejoy Wharf in Boston. His work spans from large-scale urban developments to award-winning product design, with a focus on creating spaces that enhance the public realm.

Listen as Lobitz discusses the evolution of multifamily residential design and the enduring importance of context in architecture.

Notable projects include l’Arbre Blanc in collaboration with Sou Fujimoto and the recently completed Athletes Village for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, both of which embody DREAM’s commitment to ecological design and fostering community connections.

Listen as Roussel discusses his founding of DREAM, the office's pioneering use of timber in architecture, and some of the exciting projects taking shape in Paris and elsewhere in France today.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) is known for creating human-centered, innovative designs that balance cultural heritage with contemporary needs. The office’s projects pay a particular attention to sustainabilty and yielding a reduced embodied carbon content.

Listen as Hardie reflects on his path to China from Scotland, the founding of the China studio, and leading projects like the Beijing Performing Arts Centre and Shanghai Library East, one of the world’s largest libraries and a vibrant community hub.

Olson Kundig is renowned for its commitment to materiality, sustainability, and storytelling in design, making Maskin a fascinating guest to explore these ideas with.

Listen as Maskin reflects on his unconventional path to architecture, his passion for drawing and hands-on design, and his transformative projects. 

Gandhi and his studio have garnered significant recognition for his projects both in Canada and abroad. The studio earned among other honors, the Governor General's Medal in Architecture, one of Canada's most important achievements for built projects. 

Listen as Gandhi speaks about background, and a number of his projects which are known for being site specific and for their clever use of natural materials.

Decq is a prominent French architect renowned for her bold, avant-garde designs. Her notable projects include the extension of the Macro Museum in Rome and the Phantom Opera Garnier restaurant in Paris. In addition to her architectural practice, she founded the Confluence Institute for Innovation and Creative Strategies in Architecture, which emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches in architectural education.

Listen as Decq speaks about her background, her integration of striking forms with practical design, and her motivation for introducing a new model of architectural education in France.

Over forty years, Perrault has become a key representative of contemporary French architecture, both in France and internationally. He first gained widespread recognition for designing the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris in 1989. Other notable projects include the Velodrome and Olympic Swimming Pool in Berlin, the EWHA Women's University in Seoul, and the DC Tower in Vienna. Perrault received the Praemium Imperiale award in 2015, among other recognitions.

Listen as Perrault speaks about his experience with design competitions, his explorations with natural topography, his new book, and his work for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Listen as Sordo Madaleno and Rojas discuss Sordo Madaleno’s history, its projects in Mexico and Europe, the experience of opening a UK office, and the foundation it established after discovering a lost treasure trove archives containing both built and unbuilt projects.

With over 20 years of experience, MCA excels in architecture that emphasizes sustainability and environmental impact. Its portfolio includes acclaimed projects in product design, buildings, and urban master plans. In 2015, Mario founded the School of Sustainability (SOS) in Bologna, a post-master's program for training professionals in sustainable design. His contributions to the field have earned him the Honorary Fellowship from the American Institute of Architects and the International Fellowship from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Listen as Cucinella speaks about background in Italy, his writing, some of his recent and upcoming projects, and how he approaches design by considering the environment and technological innovations from today as well as historically.

The works produced by Alison’s practice are experimental and sophisticated. The projects exhibit forms and materials that are sensitive to their neighborhoods yet unique enough to make one pause and appreciate a building that is unexpected, well designed and invigorating. The practice’s work has garnered awards that range from the RIBA house of the year to the Stirling Prize. 

Listen as Alison speaks about her newly-published monograph, her constant process of experimentation, and the evolution of the practice of architecture.

There is clear a commitment both to craftsmanship and community engagement in the projects, which range from housing to offices but all which share a special focus on social spaces. Henley Halebrown’s projects are well recognized and have been honored with the Neave Brown Award for Housing and twice been shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize.

Listen as Simon speaks about starting his practice in the 1990s, his work on adaptive reuse projects, and the importance of community in architecture.