Welcome to Radio Mecanoo, a podcast series led by Sandra Rottenberg, talk show host and producer, which will explore current social issues where architects play a crucial role, such as urban resilience, sustainable development, and inclusive design.
Emphasizing why the human condition should be central to the future of design, this series brings diverse perspectives to the forefront. Guests range from architects and urban planners at Mecanoo, to developers, stakeholders, and community activists, each offering unique insights into the intersection of architecture and societal well-being.
This podcast series will be conducted in Dutch.
NL
As cities expand and densify, this often comes at the cost of existing biodiversity. This isn’t just bad news for nature but also for us as humans. Research shows that we need nature in cities to maintain our health. So, how can architectural design help enrich urban nature?
Armand Paardekooper Overman, architect and associate partner at Mecanoo, collaborated with ecologist Thijs de Zeeuw to design a residential building where plants and animals take centre stage. Located between Amsterdam’s Zuidas district and Beatrixpark, Mecanoo worked alongside a team of landscape architects, biologists, and engineers to create an ecological "hub" for birds, bats, insects, trees, plants, flowers, and seeds.
Nadina Galle, an ecological engineer and author of The Nature of Our Cities, visited the proposed location with Sandra Rottenberg. According to Galle, nature-inclusive buildings should become the norm. This approach offers solutions for climate control in cities and provides significant health benefits for residents.
Listen to Plant en dier centraal in Habitat Royal for more insights.