The Architect

Golden Oldie

The houses that sugar built

by Houston Morris | Sep 7, 2022

Originally published March 2019. The early history of the Caribbean (and especially Barbados) is well told in the book Sugar Barons by Matthew Parker. Even by the cruel...

Golden Oldie

Buildings I love

by Simon Silver | Sep 5, 2022

Originally published December 2017. The Barcelona Pavilion, by Mies van der Rohe. Over many years of working on numerous projects, I have always drawn inspiration from the...

Small green spaces can help keep cities cool during heat waves

by Lingshan Li | Jun 14, 2022

A recent World Meteorological Organization report called heat waves the “deadliest meteorological hazard” from 2015 to 2019, affecting people living on all continents, and...

The Architect

The inspiring architect from Burkina Faso who lifted world’s biggest prize

by Paulo Moreira | Mar 28, 2022

Diébédo Francis Kéré has become the first African and the first black person to be awarded architecture’s highest international honour, the...

The Architect

On COP: COP on

by Simon Allford | Nov 18, 2021

On Wednesday, I travelled hopefully to COP26 – looking forward to the delights of the LNER high speed, low carbon, full fat English breakfast. My best laid plans went awry as...

The Architect

The best of times, the worst of times

by Simon Allford | Sep 8, 2021

In a fortnight, after a year as president elect, I will become the new president of the RIBA. It is a job I never thought I would want to do – and for many good reasons. Not ...

Golden Oldie

City thoughts: part one

by Simon Allford | Jul 12, 2021

Originally published July 2020. How did the Great Fire of 1666 shape London's architectural history? At this time of year, we are inundated with nostalgic images of a Victorian...

The Architect

French reconnection, Ch 5, part 1

by Oliver Ash | Jul 7, 2021

In this fifth chapter of his professional memoirs, to be published in six parts, Oliver Ash recalls how one of the greats of Paris real estate helped shape his career in the boom...

The Architect

When it’s acceptable to not be a ‘starchitect’

by Houston Morris | Jun 29, 2021

One of the unexpected pleasures of lockdown has been the ability to view London unhindered by people and traffic. Recently, I was almost run over by a delivery moped when staring...