Dezeen Weekly

This week, we discuss a new architecture-themed horror film, some concerning news about green walls and a new architectural term that one of our hosts has audaciously coined. In this episode, Dezeen features editor Nat Barker and design editor Jennifer Hahn consider Backrooms – a surprise-hit horror movie from a 20-year-old director – and its origins in the internet's fascination with "liminal space". Then, they talk through new research indicating that plastic-potted green wall systems could make fire spread up building facades faster than the cladding used on Grenfell Tower. Finally, they discuss Nat's claim that a new architectural style has emerged in the UK and beyond. This episode was recorded and edited by Miguel Santa Clara. Dezeen Weekly artwork is by Simon Volt.

Why is everyone talking about a giant new data centre planned for the Utah desert? Is IKEA's new collection a wake-up call for the design industry? And why do Parisians hate tall buildings? In this episode, Dezeen features editor Nat Barker and design editor Jennifer Hahn begin by discussing a project to build a huge data centre in a remote part of Utah, including the local backlash. Then, they react to IKEA's new PS collection, and consider how it's possible for such nice design to cost so little. Finally, they talk about what might prove to be Paris's last ever skyscraper.

What was special about the shoes on the feet of the record-breaking runners at the recent London Marathon? Is the Met Gala an important design event, or just about money and celebrity? And why is a new addition to a 930-year-old French cathedral so controversial? In this week's episode, Dezeen's design editor Jennifer Hahn and features editor Nat Barker plot a brief history of the race to create the first shoe capable of breaking the hallowed two-hour marathon barrier. Then, they reflect on this year's Met Gala, and whether it has any relevance for design as a whole. Finally, they discuss the response to Kengo Kuma's new entrance to the medieval Angers Cathedral.

Why are there so few women in top architecture jobs? What's the deal with the world's first kilometre-high skyscraper, currently under construction in Saudi Arabia? And why do major building projects stall? In this episode, Dezeen features editor Nat Barker is joined by architecture reporter Amy Peacock and editor Tom Ravenscroft. They discuss the most recent gender pay gap figures for the biggest UK architecture studios, and the issue of unequal salaries in the profession. Then, they talk about Jeddah Tower, which is steadily rising to become the world's tallest building after a series of setbacks. To finish, with the White House East Wing currently an inactive building site, the team considers other famous cases of buildings that have faced mid-construction delays.

Why is the White House currently stuck with a giant hole in the ground? Is the redesigned Lime bike a success? And what does it mean to be a top designer in 2026? In this episode, Dezeen features editor Nat Barker and design editor Jennifer Hahn discuss a dramatic plot-twist in the story of Donald Trump's East Wing redevelopment project. Then, they share their thoughts on the new Lime bike design currently being rolled out in the UK. Finally, they reflect on a rare interview with legendary designer Marc Newson, and what it says about being a successful designer today.

How worried should architects be about large language models taking their jobs? How did the Pritzker Architecture Prize make us look silly this week? And what is "bio-upcycling"? In this episode, Dezeen features editor Nat Barker and design editor Jennifer Hahn consider a controversial labour impact study by AI company Anthropic. Also, they reflect on the surprise announcement about this year's Pritzker laureate, Smiljan Radić. Finally, they discuss the news that scientists have managed to produce a Parkinson's drug from waste plastic with the help of bacteria.

What do the revelations about Tom Pritzker's association with Jeffrey Epstein mean for the Pritzker Architecture Prize? What happened in a recent court case about Zaha Hadid's name? And could the escalating conflict in the Middle East be a worry for big architecture studios? In this episode, Nat Barker and Tom Ravenscroft discuss the delay to this year's announcement of architecture's most prestigious accolade. Then, they explain the result of a legal battle between the firm and the foundation of the late architect Zaha Hadid, and consider the implications of the Burj Al Arab being struck by an Iranian drone.

This week's episode sees us analyse Jony Ive and Marc Newson's interiors for the first electric Ferrari and whether the design signals a revival of the physical button. Then, we consider plans for what has been touted as Australia's first new city in 100 years. Will its climate strategy be enough to cope with scorching temperatures? How exactly will it be "inclusive"? And when does a suburb become a city? This episode was hosted by Dezeen features editor Nat Barker and design editor Jennifer Hahn.

Does Donald Trump approve of modernist buildings if they have his name on them? And are we living through an era of architectural "gentleism"? In this week's episode of Dezeen Weekly, Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft and features editor Nat Barker discuss architects' proposals for an overhaul of Eero Saarinen's iconic Washington Dulles Airport following criticisms made by Donald Trump (00:47). Then, they reflect on the significance of the pick for this year's RIBA Royal Gold Medal, Irish architect Niall McLaughlin (15:35). Finally, they consider the impact of Brexit on the design industry, five years after the UK's departure from the European Union (23:26).

Dezeen introduces Dezeen Weekly, a brand new podcast in which we discuss the major architecture and design stories of the week. In our first episode, award-winning Dezeen journalists Nat Barker and Jennifer Hahn consider what a project for the largest airport in Africa (if not the world) says about aviation design in 2026 (0:48). Then, they weigh up whether a new autistic Barbie is cynical or sincere (09:55), and relay architects' concerns over the recovery from the devastating wildfires that shocked Los Angeles in 2025 (16:10).