About this episode

A conversation with architect Alexander Josephson about the future of architecture and city-building in Canada.

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes architect, entrepreneur, and provocateur Alexander Josephson for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of architecture, city-building, sustainability, and the role of design in shaping culture. Drawing on his journey from rebellious young designer to co-founder of the internationally recognized architecture firm Partisans, Alexander challenges conventional thinking about how we create buildings, neighborhoods, and cities. The discussion explores everything from Toronto’s rapid growth and the unintended consequences of modern planning policies to the importance of beauty, identity, and emotional connection in the built environment. Alexander shares his views on why architecture is inherently political, why cities should reward innovation and design excellence, and how Canada can unlock its potential by investing in local talent, manufacturing, and visionary thinking. The conversation also ventures beyond traditional architecture into emerging ideas like digital memorialization, immersive virtual environments, and what Alexander calls “post-physical architecture.” It’s a thought-provoking episode about…

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