The Urbanist — "Architecture is Climate"

Podcast by Monocle | Host: Andrew Tuck

Episode Release: December 11, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into how architecture must radically rethink its relationship with climate, politics, history, and social justice to effectively answer the climate crisis. Host Andrew Tuck speaks with Jeremy Till and Tatiana Schneider, members of the Mold Collective and co-authors of the book Architecture is Climate. Their discussion revolves around the book’s eight core themes (land, resources, economy, infrastructure, work, culture, policy, and knowledge), advocating for systemic change in the field and questioning the value systems that currently govern architectural practice, education, and outcomes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Rethinking Architecture’s Foundations

• The Mold Collective views architecture as inseparable from climate and social justice issues, arguing for a "wholesale rethink" of the practice ([01:19–02:52]).
• Tatiana Schneider describes Mold’s inspiration, seeing mold/fungi as “creating relations with other beings and is actually quite intelligent as well” — a metaphor for interdependence in their work ([02:09]).

Critique of the Current Sustainability Paradigm

• Jeremy Till is critical of mainstream sustainability certification:
  • “If Norman Foster's airport in Saudi Arabia for a so-called eco resort can be graded as potentially LEED platinum, I think one has to question the whole basis on which these systems of certification value and assess” ([04:29]).
  • Emphasizes the need to move beyond “band aids” and “surface level” fixes, urging for solutions that address root causes of climate crisis ([03:06–05:32]).

Expanding the Conversation: “Dating the Wrong People?”

• Architecture needs to involve more actors: architects, developers, community groups, and more, seeing the building as just the “tip of the iceberg” ([06:02–07:15]).
• Schneider: Architects should “begin to see architecture as this wider project of spatial production...and by doing so, maybe also expanding what we currently do” ([06:02]).

Balancing Activism and Pragmatism

• Both guests see value in pragmatic activism: “There's a social justice angle, there's an activist angle, but there's also a real pragmatist angle...There’s a true necessity also to change gear” ([07:26]).

Can These Ideas Scale?

• Example: Amsterdam’s adoption of “Doughnut Economics” as a city-wide approach ([08:34]).
• Till: Systemic change is possible if architecture rethinks growth, extraction, and GDP-centric goals; change can, and must, happen at scale ([08:34–09:37]).

Critique of Housing Targets and Models

• UK’s plan to build 1.5 million homes is challenged as unsustainable: “What’s the sacrifice going to be of those 1.5 million?” ([10:06]).
• Mass developer-led approaches are critiqued for “march[ing] over nature” and neglecting alternative models like community land trusts ([10:06]).
• Schneider: Questions origins of housing targets: “Where do these figures come from? ... We do have enough built space... In Germany we have a housing crisis, yes, but … one of affordability and social housing” ([11:09]).

Ownership, Affordability, and Social Value

• The importance of who owns the housing: Greater attention needed to cooperative and community land ownership for genuine affordability ([12:59]).
• Critique of awards and value systems: Award-granting institutions often prioritize aesthetics and “private houses with excess square meterage” over socially and environmentally responsible projects ([13:33–14:17]).

Challenging Desires for Space and Ownership

• Residents may need to “make some sacrifices” — not prioritizing beauty and space above all, but also considering climate and social impact ([14:58–16:04]).
• Till challenges the homeownership ideal: “The idea that we can only ... be happy if we own our own house, is a kind of myth” and not a global norm ([16:43]).

The Broken System—and Alternatives

• The “system is broken” in housing and architecture, but that does not mean “looking at alternatives isn’t” worthwhile ([17:50]).
• Critiques of developer profit motivations, “Right to Buy” failures, and public sector inefficiencies ([17:50]).

Transforming Architects’ Education and Mindset

• Education is not solely to blame, as “a lot of people are doing already really interesting work across the globe” ([19:10]).
• Call to recognize and strengthen these efforts, wherever they exist ([19:10]).

Systemic Change and the Architect’s Role

• “Climate breakdown demands systemic change. We can’t just deal with it through band aids, obviously can’t deal with it through COP, because that’s failing, because it’s compromised” ([20:00]).
• Advocates for using architectural thinking across broader social fields—not just the buildings themselves ([20:00–22:15]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LEED & Green Certification
  “If Norman Foster's airport in Saudi Arabia for a so-called eco resort can be graded as potentially LEED platinum, I think one has to question the whole basis on which these systems of certification value and assess.”
  — Jeremy Till ([04:29])

• On Rethinking Ownership
  “The idea that we can only ... be happy if we own our own house is a kind of myth … There are many more people renting than owning and I don’t see that they’re unhappy because of that.”
  — Jeremy Till ([16:43])

• On the Value of Architectural Thinking
  “What architecture does...is a very kind of unique set of capabilities and abilities...It’s always relational. So it’s got lots of wonderful attributes to the education and to the way architects think. The issue is that often that’s funneled into an increasingly difficult mode of creating great architecture.”
  — Jeremy Till ([20:00])

• On Activism and Genuine Change
  “Take your own history seriously, take the connections around you seriously, try to understand where certain conditions that we face today are coming from. Don't take no for an answer, but also say no more often to things that you really shouldn’t be doing any longer.”
  — Tatiana Schneider ([27:53])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction, Book Context ([00:11]–[01:19])
• What is the Mold Collective? ([02:09])
• Meaning Behind ‘Architecture is Climate’ ([03:06])
• Critique of ‘Green’ Certifications ([04:29])
• Expanding Architectural Practice ([06:02])
• Activism, Pragmatism, and System Change ([07:26–09:37])
• Critique of Housing Numbers & Models ([09:37–12:34])
• Ownership, Affordability & Social Models ([12:59–14:17])
• Residents’ Responsibility & Sacrifice ([14:58–16:43])
• Education, Change, and Empowerment ([19:10–22:15])
• Project Examples:
  • Atelier Bow-Wow’s Timber Network (Japan): Integrating craft, material, and local economies ([22:32])
  • Grand Parc, Bordeaux (France): Refurbishing social housing with communities in place ([24:15])
• Advice to Architects and Students ([26:14–27:53])
• Where to Find ‘Architecture is Climate’ ([28:41])

Case Studies Highlighted

• Atelier Bow-Wow's Timber Network (Japan)
  A community-centered revival of villages facing economic and ecological decline, integrating local crafts, timber use, and social relationships ([22:32]).
• Grand Parc, Bordeaux (France)
  Retrofitting existing social housing with residents in place, preserving community and respecting architectural heritage while improving quality ([24:15]).

Concluding Takeaways

• Urgent, systemic change—not piecemeal solutions—is required in architecture's response to climate and social crises.
• Architectural thinking and its education must stretch beyond buildings, into broader societal, ecological, and political spheres.
• Ownership models, social value, and community outcomes should be as important as aesthetics and economic returns.
• There is already a “sky’s the limit” breadth of positive examples; support and replicate what works.
• Final advice: Connect deeply with context, history, and local networks—say “no” when necessary, and seek broader fields for impact.

Additional Resources

• Architecture is Climate (Open Access and Purchase): DPR Barcelona
• Supplemental Examples and Tools: architectureisclimate.net — features 120+ case studies and “33 prompts for the future”

(All quotes and segment references in [MM:SS] format as per provided transcript)