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Best Architectural Podcasts Every Architect Should Listen To

Architecture podcasts are a convenient way for architects and design enthusiasts to expand knowledge, stay updated on trends, and explore urban planning, history, and social issues. This guide highlights top podcasts such as Let’s Talk Architecture, 99% Invisible, A is for Architecture, About Buildings + Cities, and Failed Architecture.

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Best Architectural Podcasts Every Architect Should Listen To
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As architects, we love listening podcasts to help us focus and make our working hours in front of the screen more enjoyable! Architects, who value the quality of all the content they consume, don’t watch every movie, read every book, or listen every podcast to foster “thinking like an architect”. In this article, we’ve compiled podcast recommendations that will enrich your architectural work, widen your vision, and allow you to learn new things while working with full focus. You’ll enjoy listening to discussions on contemporary architecture, design at all scales, and urban development, along with insights into architectural history and social issues. Listening to podcasts offers architects an accessible way to expand their knowledge, stay updated on industry trends, and gain fresh perspectives on design.

It is always recommended to follow written and spoken publications to broaden your perspective not only while working but also in daily life. Podcasts are convenient for multitasking, enabling architects to absorb insights during commutes, site visits, or studio work, making continuous professional growth more achievable. You will find the best architecture podcasts that are broadcast regularly below!

Best Architecture Podcasts at a Glance
Podcast Host(s) Produced By Since Frequency Primary Focus Available On
Let’s Talk Architecture Michael Booth Danish Architecture Center (DAC) 2020 Biweekly / Monthly Contemporary Danish architecture & urban development Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Libsyn
99% Invisible Roman Mars Radiotopia / SiriusXM 2010 Weekly Hidden design stories & architecture in everyday life Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SiriusXM, Pandora
A is for Architecture Ambrose Gillick Independent 2021 Weekly / Biweekly Architectural theory, history & social impact Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music
About Buildings + Cities Luke Jones & George Gingell Independent 2016 Biweekly Architectural history, culture, film & literature Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube
Failed Architecture FA Editorial Team Failed Architecture (est. 2011) 2018 Monthly Critical architecture, social justice & politics Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud

Let’s Talk Architecture

Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast produced by the Danish Architecture Center (DAC), hosted by journalist and author Michael Booth. The series features in-depth conversations with leading architects, urban planners, and designers from around the world, exploring the ideas and agendas shaping contemporary architecture and urban development. Topics range from climate-responsive design and material innovation to the transformation of existing buildings and the role of architecture in societal change. By engaging with professionals who influence the built environment, the podcast offers listeners insights into the creative and innovative minds behind the future of our cities.

99% Invisible

99% Invisible is a widely acclaimed podcast hosted by Roman Mars that explores the often-overlooked design elements that shape our world. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms, the show delves into architecture, urban planning, and design, uncovering the hidden stories behind everyday objects, buildings, and systems. With a focus on the subtle yet significant details that influence how we experience the built environment, 99% Invisible combines storytelling, research, and expert interviews to reveal the creativity and thought behind design decisions that typically go unnoticed.

A is for Architecture

A is for Architecture, hosted by Ambrose Gillick and available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, is a series dedicated to making architectural discussions engaging and approachable for a broad audience. Each episode features conversations with experts, academics, and practitioners, offering perspectives on architecture’s history, design principles, and social impact. By addressing a wide range of themes, the podcast highlights how the built environment influences daily life and culture. With its balance of creativity and practical knowledge, it appeals not only to architects and students but also to design enthusiasts and general listeners seeking fresh insights through podcasts.

About Buildings + Cities

About Buildings + Cities is a podcast hosted by UK-based architects Luke Jones and George Gingell, available on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and more. As its name suggests, the show focuses on exploring architecture and urban life, examining both historical and contemporary developments. Beyond traditional discussions of buildings, it also considers the influence of film, literature, and comics on architectural thinking. With thoughtful and detailed conversations, the hosts provide listeners with a deeper understanding of architectural history, cultural context, and the technologies shaping today’s built environment, making it a rich resource for anyone interested in how cities and architecture evolve.

Failed Architecture

Failed Architecture, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, and other platforms, offers a critical look at contemporary architecture by blending research, personal narratives, and reflective commentary. The podcast challenges the profit-driven nature of the current architectural system and seeks to reconnect the discipline with real-world issues. Each episode highlights the intersections of architecture with culture, politics, identity, ecology, and society, providing thought-provoking insights that question conventional practices while emphasizing the human and environmental dimensions of the built environment.

Architecture Podcasts – Topic & Audience Comparison
Podcast Key Topics Covered Best For Tone & Style Episode Count
Let’s Talk Architecture Climate-responsive design, material innovation, circular economy, urban transformation, sustainability Practicing architects, urban planners, sustainability-focused designers Professional, journalistic, interview-based 57+
99% Invisible Hidden design stories, urban planning, infrastructure, everyday objects, graphic design, architecture General audience, design enthusiasts, architecture students, creative professionals Narrative storytelling, cinematic sound design 770+
A is for Architecture Architectural theory, design history, social housing, urban culture, academic research Architecture students, academics, researchers, theory enthusiasts Academic yet conversational, in-depth interviews 167+
About Buildings + Cities Architectural history, cultural context, film & fiction in architecture, technology, urban evolution Architecture enthusiasts, history lovers, students seeking deeper cultural context Thoughtful, detailed, exploratory with cultural detours 135+
Failed Architecture Social justice, housing crises, labor politics, migration, ecology, identity in architecture Critical thinkers, socially-engaged architects, urban justice advocates Critical, research-driven, reflective commentary 67+

In summary, integrating podcasts into your daily routine is more than just a way to pass the time. Both audiovisual and visual publications are essential tools for architects to refresh their knowledge and learn about current debates, architectural developments and societal consequences. It is a valuable alternative for professional growth and creative inspiration. By choosing content thoughtfully, architects can continuously widen their understanding of architecture and design while staying connected to cultural and societal discussions that shape the built environment.

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Written by
Elif Ayse Sen

Architect, Author, Content Marketing Specialist.

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