Light, Cities & Architecture
In this podcast, Justine Costigan and Antony DiMase explore how the history of design and the built environment shapes our present and future. Each episode dives into ideas and issues that matter today, from architecture and environmental consciousness to storytelling in the media. The hosts reflect on the works that have shaped our world and discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating a better-designed environment. It's a show for anyone interested in design, sustainability, and the stories behind our surroundings.
Episodes
The Architecture of the Inca: Machu Picchu and a Civilisation Built to Last
High in the Andes of Peru, 2,400 metres above sea level, Machu Picchu stands as one of the world’s great architectural achievements. But the extraordinary stonework, terraces and temples of Machu Picchu are just part of a much biggerstory.In this special episode of Light, Cities & Architecture, AntonyDiMase and writer and editor Justine Costigan explore the architecture, culture and legacy of
Carbon, Code & Concrete: Australia's Climate and Data Centre Crossroads
Australia is entering a new era of climate accountability. As mandatory carbon reporting becomes law, businesses are being forced to rethink how they measure risk, manage emissions, and remain competitive. At the same time, the explosive growth of AI is driving unprecedented demand for data centres—bringing new questions about energy, water, infrastructure, and the environmental cost of our digita
The Power of Light: The Modern World’s Uneasy Relationship to Light
In this episode of Lights, Cities and Architecture, we explore the fundamental role of light in shaping how we experience the world around us. From the science of what light is, to its impact on human perception, health, and circadian rhythms, the conversation moves between technical insight and philosophical reflection.We discuss how artificial lighting has transformed modern cities into 24-hour
Sustainability: Selling Point or Ethical Choice?
In this episode of the Light, Cities + Architecture podcast, architect Antony DiMase sits down with buyer’s advocate Sven Fischer to explore a key question shaping contemporary housing: does sustainability truly add market value, or is it still largely driven by ethics?Drawing on insights from both architecture and real estate, the conversation unpacks the gap between how homes perform and how the
Season 4 Episode 5: Are Australian cities still living with “The Australian Ugliness”?
In this episode, Justine Costigan and Antony DiMase explore the legacy of Australian architect and critic Robin Boyd, focusing on his 1960 book The Australian Ugliness and the author's concept of “featurism”—a critique of decorative, status-driven housing that prioritises resale value and novelty over function, sustainability, and liveability. Reflecting on contemporary issues—from oversized homes
Season 4: Ep 4: Jane Jacobs and the challenges of city planning.
In this episode of Light Cities and Architecture, we explore the legacy of urbanist and writer Jane Jacobs and her 1961 book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities.Jacobs’ work challenged the planning ideologies of her time—rejecting top-down zoning, soulless high-rises, and sweeping expressways in favour of cities shaped organically by the people who live in them.Her ideas have influenced g
Season 4: Ep 3: Art Deco and the Architecture of Shanghai
Welcome back to Light Cities and Architecture, where we explore the ideas behind the buildings and people and that shape our built environment.In a change of approach this time, we invite you on a personal journey as Justine Costigan shares her firsthand account of a recent visit to Shanghai — and the city’s remarkable Art Deco legacy.In this episode, Antony steps into the role of interviewer, exp
Season 4: Ep 2: Learning from Le Corbusier
Le Corbusier’s Unité d’habitation in Marseille remains one of the most polarising architectural landmarks of the 20th century. A bold experiment in modernist housing, it envisioned a radical new way of urban living, one that was both efficient and communal. While celebrated by many architects for its innovation, it has also faced criticism for disregarding the social and cultural complexities of r
Season 4: Ep 1: Ayn Rand and the architect as hero
Ayn Rand’s philosophical novel The Fountainhead is one of the most-read and most and quoted books of the 20th century. Dismissed and loved in equal measure, it polarised critics and readers.
The Fountainhead expressed Rand’s strong beliefs about the role of the creator, the need for freedom, and the moral imperative of self-interest. One of the few novels dedicated to the profession of architect
Season 3: Ep 3: NIMBY V YIMBY
Join architect Antony DiMase and writer and editor Justine Costigan as they discuss the rise of NIMBYs and YIMBYs and how these groups reflect the growing dissatisfaction with the way our cities are planned.
We welcome your feedback, questions and topic suggestions. To get in touch email lightcitiesarchitecture@gmail.com
Referenced in this episode:
Tom Cowie’s story about the Thornbury church
htt
Season 3: Ep 2 The impact of war on cities
Join architect Antony DiMase and writer and editor Justine Costigan as they explore the impact of war on cities and the people who live in them. From current battlegrounds in Gaza and Ukraine to historical conflicts, they discuss what happens to cities when buildings and infrastructure is destroyed, the different approaches to rebuilding, and why we need to be talking about this right now.We welco
Season 3: Ep 1 Melbourne's Housing Commission Towers
In a new format for Season 3 - Antony is joined by writer Justine Costigan. Together they explore the recent announcement by the State Government to demolish the Housing Commission Towers in Melbourne. Justine and Antony discuss how this announcement goes against the trend of retrofitting projects here and around the globe, the implications for the people living in the towers, and the project'
The Circular Economy & Office Fit-outs with Andrew Egan
"For people with a passion for sustainability there's never been a better time to be alive." - Andre Egan.
This podcast our guest is Andrew Egan, who, fascinatingly, operates a commercial asset management company that focuses on circularity. Have you ever thought about the lifespan of office furniture? How many chairs, desks, cubicles and kitchens exist in offices worldwide? And, cr
Cities: Power & Public Health with Brendan Gleeson
Author, Professor and recently, Poet Brendan Gleeson joins LCA to discuss the gravitational power and development of cities, with a focus on Melbourne.
With a background in geography and urban planning, Brendan is interested in the human relationships developed through planning and architecture. He is a member of the Melbourne Centre for Cities within the University of Melbourne and is the author
Migrant Housing with Mirjana Lozanovska
This episode I invite esteemed author and Professor of Architecture Mirjana Lozanovska, a good friend of mine on to the podcast to talk about post-war southern European migrant housing in the 50's and 60's. Mirjana's extensive expertise sheds light on the architectural landscape of Melbourne, particularly the houses in our local neighbourhoods.
Migrant housing holds a personal connecti
Design More to Consume Less with Damien Wright
From this episode onwards, we are introducing a new discussion point on which we will invite speakers to contribute - Design More to Consume Less. This topic will introduce and interrogate the concept that design can aid us in reducing how much we consume. Whether that be through well produced items that last a lifetime to scrutinising the supply chain of everything we buy, can design and designer
Light & Space Movement - Robert Irwin, Helen Pashgian, James Turrell and Olafur Eliasson
After a hiatus of 8 months Jackson and Antony are back talking Light, Cities and Architecture. In this episode they talk about The Light and Space movement emanating from California in the 1960’s. Together they discuss the work of Robert Irwin, Helen Pashgian and James Turrell. With obvious links to architecture these artists redefined art in the 20th century to be a sensory expe
Beyond Alvar Aalto - The future of natural light within a world of electrified architecture.
In this bonus episode Jackson and Antony depart from Aalto that was discussed in last episode and discuss the role of daylight design in contemporary buildings. We venture into the meaning of architecture, the art of daylighting and the rise of electric lighting to satisfy people’s needs for light and control in spaces. The future of daylight might be less obvious as lighting design an
Alvar Aalto - A master of natural and electric light in architecture.
In this episode Jackson and Antony look at the work of Alvar Aalto. Specifically, we look at his library buildings and the relationship to lighting design and daylight. Aalto’s work spans over 5 decades and each of his library buildings we see an evolution of the way he uses daylight to create spaces. We explore the influences of luminaire design on his architecture and how&
24-hour cities: Disappearance of the night-time sky.
In Episode 5 Antony and Jackson delve into the delights and mysteries of the night time sky and the impact that light pollution is having on our connection to the stars and colours of the sky at night. Since the advent of electric lighting and urbanisation of our cities we have slowly filled our cities with more and more outdoor electric lights. Increasingly we rely on lighting, advert
New York City's Fight for Light - Urban Planning and Daylight
In episode 4, we explore the daylight in the urban context of big cities and the backlash that happens when we build tall buildings in close proximity. The urban realm at ground level is compromised and the effects are felt for generations. New York has progressively tried to provide planning regulations to limit the effect of daylight at ground level and the story of Ne
Richard Kelly, Mies Van de Rohe & Philip Johnson - The birth of architectural lighting design.
Podcast 2 ventures into the birthplace of lighting design. Antony and Jackson discuss three important figures in the history of Lighting Design. Mies Van de Rohe, Philip Johnson and Richard Kelly. With the arrival of glass boxes in the mid 20th Century – lighting faced some new difficulties and challenges. How exactly does one light a glass box reveals the importance of lig
A Brief History of Light in Cities and Architecture
Hi and welcome to first LC&A podcast presented by Antony DiMase and Jackson Stigwood. In this episode we start at the very beginning and explore the historical relationship between light and architecture. The journey then continues through the introduction of electricity to cities and the commercialization of the incandescent bulb. Moving into the 20th century we discuss various forms of lamp
Recommended
The Working Class
Radio WA Conversations with Barry Green
Still Learning: Conversations for the leaders we're becoming
Talking Books
pureANIMAL Collective
The HPS Podcast - Conversations from History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science
Magnetic With Madelyn
Storyberries Audio Books for Kids
8/9 Rugby
Ausmerican Aces
3AW Mornings with Tom Elliott
The Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott
