Podcast: Transforming London golf courses into housing
This week on The Brief, Merlin spoke to Matthew Lloyd Roberts - the architectural historian, writer, and editor of the About Buildings podcast.
As well as discussing RCKa architect’s bold vision to transform council owned golf courses into housing, they also talked about the controversial new chairman of the Venice Biennale, Herzog & de Meuron’s contentious Liverpool Street Station redesigns, and large-scale peaceful protests being dubbed ‘hate marches’ by the government .
Summary of topics discussed:
Redeveloping golf courses for mid-density housing. 3:50
Matt agrees that golf courses within urban areas could be repurposed as a solution to the housing shortage in London
Matt highlights the need for accessibility and community legacy to be considered during the design process of such schemes
Merlin and Matt discusses the controversy surrounding the redevelopment of a golf course in Wimbledon, with 2000 objections received, including from local politicians.
Matt raises concerns about the lack of accessibility and thoughtfulness in large-scale development projects like the Olympics, with negative impacts on existing communities.
Italian government's appointment of right-wing figure to lead Venice Biennale. 9:34
Culture Minister nominates right-wing journalist Pietrangelo Buttafuoco to lead Venice Biennale, sparking concerns of political interference in cultural institutions.
Discussion on the appointment of Buttafuoco, his far-right associations, and the political implications in Italy.
Matt expresses his uncertainty about the Biennale's future and the historical complexity of Italian right-wing governments' relationship with architecture
UK protests against Gaza war and anti-Semitism. 13:49
Matt condemns Home Secretary Suella Braverman labelling of peaceful Pro-Palestinian protests in London as "hate marches,"
He makes the point that protest marches of this scale can only take place when there is a failure of mainstream politics to represent the view held by a very large proportion of the public
Matt accuses the governments response to call a Cobra meeting following just 5 arrests is scaremongering
Government repression of political protest and architects' role in resistance. 21:11
Matt argues that the suppression of the right to protest feeds into Islamophobic and antisemitic conspiracism
The politicization of architectural labor and the role of architects in voicing their opinions on political issues. The example of architects against apartheid in the 20th century.
Controversial redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station in London. 25:32
Herzog de Meuron's updated visuals for Liverpool Street Station redevelopment face opposition from conservation groups.
Matt highlights the significance of Liverpool Street station in the history of British conservation movement.
Matt expresses skepticism about the proposed design for Liverpool Street Station, citing ongoing access problems and the need for more gates to serve the platform.
Further reading on the stories discussed:
Second time lucky? Herzog & de Meuron tries again with new Liverpool St proposals. Why is redevelopment of this transport hub so contested even for the 'world's best architects'?
AJ ‘Herzog & de Meuron images of controversial Liverpool St station scheme revealed
Ian Visists ‘Controversial plans push on for massive office block above Liverpool Street station’
Wimbledon tennis wins planning for a major expansion amid pushback from local residents and politicians. Are London's Golf courses providing a new front line in the NIMBY~YIMBY battleground?
The Standard ‘London architects unveil plans to convert Enfield golf course into modern housing’
the AJ ‘Allies and Morrison’s Wimbledon show court approved despite 2,000 objections’
Italy's right wing government parachutes in Pietrangelo Buttafuoco to run the Venice Biennale. Can Venice Biennale survive the culture wars and how does this appointment relate to the growing influence of the online traditional architecture movement? (Plus how architecture is being weaponised at London's centre-right 'ARC' rally -- if NBS makes a speech!)
Matt’s article in Failed Architecture ‘Trads Forget the Past at Their Peril’
The Art Newspaper ‘Italy appoints right-wing journalist as Venice Biennale president’
Mega protests return to London... what do the recent weekends' protests over Gaza -- the largest since 2003 and labelled 'hate marches' by Home Secretary Suella Braverman -- tell us about the contested role of civic action in contemporary Britain?
AlJazeera ‘‘Solidarity with Palestine’: British protesters defy threats to hit streets’