Charlotte Malterre-Barthes: Unmaking architecture.

In this episode of the A is for Architecture Podcast, the host interviews Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, an architect, urban designer, and assistant professor at EPFL, about her book, "A Moratorium on New Construction." They discuss the discord between architectural theory and practice, the problematic and gendered nature of architectural design, and the axiom that building inherently involves destruction. Charlotte explains the personal and systemic origins of her book, the importance of pausing new construction to re-evaluate building practices, and the need to address the ethics of construction in relation to social justice and environmental impact. The conversation explores the role of architects in maintaining existing structures, redistributing space, and integrating ecological considerations into design processes, advocating for a more critical and responsible approach to architecture and construction.