Best Liam Caron Podcasts (2025)

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The Sad Death of the Starchitect 15:18

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4h ago15:18

15:18

For decades, a handful of architects shaped cities, skylines, and the public imagination. They were ambitious, controversial, sometimes flawed, and often brilliant. We called them starchitects. Today, almost all of them are gone, or well into their seventies, eighties, and nineties. And strangely, no new generation has replaced them. In this episod…

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Unité d’Habitation Marseille - Le Corbusier’s Vision for a New Way of Living 18:28

28d ago18:28

18:28

Explore the story behind the Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, Le Corbusier’s groundbreaking experiment in collective living. This episode looks at post war France, the housing crisis that shaped the commission, and the ideas that drove Le Corbusier to rethink how communities could live together. From the Modulor and the design of the duplex apartme…

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Burj Al Arab – The Building that Put Dubai on the World Map 12:17

29d ago12:17

12:17

In this episode, we explore how the Burj Al Arab transformed Dubai from a coastal trading hub into a global destination. From Tom Wright’s first sketches to the construction of its artificial island. From its soaring atrium to the famous stunts on its helipad. This is the story of how architecture became branding, and how one hotel reshaped the ide…

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Flatiron Building - The Shape of a New York Icon 16:48

1M ago16:48

16:48

At the turn of the 20th century, New York was still a low-rise city. The Empire State and Chrysler Buildings were decades away, and the idea of a skyscraper north of Madison Square seemed absurd. Then came the Flatiron, a 22-story steel-frame experiment that turned an awkward triangular lot into one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the world…

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Berlin Wall - A Line That Shaped the World 18:09

1M ago18:09

18:09

It wasn’t a palace, a museum, or a tower. It wasn't even a "place". It was just a wall. Yet for almost three decades, it held an entire city, and the world, hostage to fear, ideology, and division. In this episode, we explore the story of the Berlin Wall: how a city became trapped inside itself, how a simple structure evolved into one of the most s…

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California Academy of Sciences - The Story of a Living Building 12:23

2M ago12:23

12:23

After the 1989 earthquake left the California Academy of Sciences in ruins, San Francisco faced a choice: rebuild what was lost, or imagine something entirely new. What emerged was one of the most sustainable museums ever created — a living, breathing building by Renzo Piano, where science and architecture merge beneath a rolling green roof. In thi…

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The Pantheon - The Dome That Defied Time 14:17

2M ago14:17

14:17

Nearly two thousand years old, yet still standing in perfect balance. The Pantheon remains one of the greatest achievements in architectural history. In this episode, we travel back to ancient Rome to uncover how Emperor Hadrian and his engineers created the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, and how their vision of harmony between heaven …

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Marina City - A Vertical Dream on the Chicago River 16:07

2M ago16:07

16:07

In this episode of Architecture Topics, we travel to Chicago, the birthplace of the modern skyscraper, to explore Marina City, Bertrand Goldberg’s bold experiment in urban living. Designed in the late 1950s and completed in 1967, Marina City was a "city within a city," two cylindrical towers combining apartments, shops, parking, offices, and even a…

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The Gateway Arch - When Geometry Became Poetry 14:37

2M ago14:37

14:37

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HSBC Main Building – Designing the Most Expensive Building of the 80s 14:39

3M ago14:39

14:39

In the early 1980s, Hong Kong’s HSBC Main Building became the most expensive building ever constructed. Designed by Norman Foster, it turned the skyscraper inside out and upside down. It was more than just an engineering marvel, it was also shaped by feng shui, public space, and the political uncertainty of Hong Kong’s looming 1997 handover. For Fo…

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Eiffel Tower - The Rise of an Iron Revolution 16:04

3M ago16:04

16:04

Step into the story of the Eiffel Tower, the iron revolution that reshaped Paris and captured the world’s imagination. Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, this daring structure was once mocked and resisted, yet it became the ultimate symbol of France. Learn how the engineers behind the design, backed by Gustave Eiffel’s leadership and ambition, turned…

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One World Trade Center - From Freedom Tower to Reality 11:44

3M ago11:44

11:44

One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the United States and one of the most debated skyscrapers ever built. Initially envisioned as the “Freedom Tower,” its path from concept to reality was shaped by politics, security concerns, financial struggles, and symbolism. This episode explores how the design evolved after Daniel Libeskind’s mas…

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Rebuilding Ground Zero - A Skyline shaped by Politics, Power, and Memory 18:09

4M ago18:09

18:09

Rebuilding Ground Zero was never just about architecture. It was a battle over politics, power, memory, and profit. This episode traces the long struggle to decide what would rise where the Twin Towers once stood. From Daniel Libeskind’s “Memory Foundations” to designs by David Childs of SOM, Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, Fumihiko Maki, Bjarke Ing…

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9/11 - How and Why the Towers Fell 13:37

4M ago13:37

13:37

Step into the morning of September 11th, 2001, as the Twin Towers of New York faced the unthinkable. This episode recounts the confusion of that day as it unfolded, the desperate attempts at rescue, and the moment both towers collapsed. Beyond the human tragedy, it explains in clear terms how impact damage, fire, and structural failure combined to …

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Twin Towers - The Rise of New York's Giants 15:55

4M ago15:55

15:55

Discover the story of how the Twin Towers came to dominate New York’s skyline. From the decline of Lower Manhattan in the 1950s, to the powerful role of the Port Authority and the Rockefeller family, to architect Minoru Yamasaki’s bold vision, this episode traces the creation of the World Trade Center step by step. Learn how engineers pioneered new…

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Oslo Opera House - Where Architecture Becomes Landscape 12:54

4M ago12:54

12:54

The Oslo Opera House is one of the most striking cultural buildings of the 21st century, a vast white roof that rises from the fjord and invites everyone to walk across it. In this episode, discover how Norway went from a century of hesitation to building a landmark that opened ahead of schedule, under budget, and instantly became the heart of a ne…

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London Eye - An Unlikely Turn of Events 17:58

4M ago17:58

17:58

It was never meant to be forever. The London Eye, once called the Millennium Wheel, was pitched as a five-year celebration for the year 2000. With no client, no funding, and no official backing, its creators fought for every inch of progress. Against all odds, their temporary attraction became a permanent icon, changing London’s skyline, and how th…

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Rome Colosseum – The Architecture of Power, Propaganda and Spectacle 16:42

5M ago16:42

16:42

Explore the story of the Rome Colosseum, the world’s most iconic amphitheater. From its origins under Emperor Vespasian to its role in hosting gladiator fights, public executions, and even naval battles, this episode uncovers the political and architectural forces behind ancient Rome’s greatest arena. Learn how the Colosseum was built over Nero’s p…

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Cathedral of Brasília – Where Modernism Meets Faith 12:26

5M ago12:26

12:26

The Cathedral of Brasília is one of the most daring religious buildings of the 20th century. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1970, it broke away from centuries of tradition with its crown-like columns, circular floor plan, and stained glass ceiling. This episode explores how the cathedral came to be, the political vision behind Brazil’s…

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Nakagin Capsule Tower – Living in a Future That Never Arrived 13:35

5M ago13:35

13:35

In the heart of 1970s Tokyo, a building appeared that looked like it had landed from another planet. A stack of steel capsules, each with a round window like a spaceship, bolted to concrete towers in the middle of a chaotic, booming city. It was one of the most radical experiments of Japan’s Metabolist movement, a vision of a city that could adapt …

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Sagrada Familia – Barcelona’s Most Iconic Work in Progress 20:58

5M ago20:58

20:58

The Sagrada Familia is more than just a church. It is Barcelona’s most famous landmark, Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, and one of the most ambitious buildings ever conceived. In this episode of Architecture Topics, we'll dive into the fascinating story of the Sagrada Familia. From its humble beginnings as a modest parish project, to Gaudí’s…

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Space Needle - Seattle’s Window to the 21st Century 12:37

6M ago12:37

12:37

Discover the story behind Seattle’s most iconic landmark, the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, this futuristic tower captured the imagination of a city and became a lasting symbol of ambition and innovation. Learn how a simple sketch on a napkin evolved into one of the most recognizable structures in the world, from its bold design an…

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CCTV Headquarters – A Loop through Power, Media, and Form 15:58

6M ago15:58

15:58

Explore the story behind the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing, one of the most radical buildings of the 21st century. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA, this massive looping skyscraper challenged conventional architecture and redefined China’s urban skyline. From its politically charged commission to its daring structural design and the infamous fire th…

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30 St Mary Axe – Rethinking the Modern Skyscraper 12:53

6M ago12:53

12:53

In this episode we head to the heart of London to uncover the story behind 30 St Mary Axe, the skyscraper better known as The Gherkin. From the tragedy of a bombed historic building to the rise of a glass tower that redefined London’s skyline, this is the story of a building that challenged not just height restrictions, but architectural expectatio…

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Santa Maria del Fiore - The Unbuildable Dome 14:29

6M ago14:29

14:29

Discover how Florence’s most iconic cathedral became the birthplace of Renaissance architecture, and how Filippo Brunelleschi solved a 45-meter-wide engineering mystery no one else could. This episode explores the political ambition, civic pride, and human genius behind the construction of the world’s largest masonry dome, completed in 1434. From m…

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Parthenon – The Illusion of Perfection 17:42

7M ago17:42

17:42

Discover the secrets behind one of the most iconic buildings in history. This episode explores the Parthenon in Athens. Not just as a temple to the goddess Athena, but as a masterclass in political power, architectural illusion, and cultural identity. Learn how 5th-century BCE architects used subtle curves, tilted columns, and optical tricks to cre…

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Guggenheim Bilbao Museum – The Birth of the Bilbao Effect 16:57

7M ago16:57

16:57

The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is more than an architectural icon and a turning point in the history of cities. In this episode, we explore how a daring political decision, a collapsing industrial economy, and a radical design by Frank Gehry came together to create what is now known as “The Bilbao Effect.” Learn how Bilbao, once a declining port city…

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Empire State Building - The Making of an American Legend 16:12

7M ago16:12

16:12

Step into 1930s New York and discover the incredible story behind the Empire State Building, a skyscraper born from rivalry, built during the Great Depression, and crowned the tallest in the world for nearly 40 years. From secret spires and airship dreams to record-breaking construction and pop culture fame, this episode unpacks how the Empire Stat…

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Neue Nationalgalerie - Mies van der Rohe’s Final Masterpiece 12:51

7M ago12:51

12:51

Step into 1960s Berlin with me as we uncover the story of the Neue Nationalgalerie, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s final masterpiece. Designed during the Cold War tensions and under the Berlin Wall’s shadow, this modernist icon redefined museum architecture with its minimalist steel-and-glass pavilion. Explore how Mies, returning to Germany after decad…

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Taj Mahal – A Love Story Told in Architecture 12:43

7M ago12:43

12:43

Discover the story behind one of the most iconic buildings in the world: the Taj Mahal. More than a monument, this 17th-century masterpiece is a symbol of love, loss, power, and architectural brilliance.In this episode, we explore the history of the Taj Mahal, the relationship between Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, and the cultural and politi…

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Seattle Public Library – A Machine for Learning in the Digital Age 22:54

8M ago22:54

22:54

Discover how Seattle built one of the most radical libraries of the 21st century. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA, the Seattle Central Library redefined what a public building could be. A twelve-story machine for learning, wrapped in glass and steel. From its book spiral to its bold design logic, this episode unpacks the architecture, ambition, an…

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Golden Gate Bridge - The story behind the most iconic bridge ever built 17:55

8M ago17:55

17:55

In this episode of Architecture Topics we'll explore the full story behind the Golden Gate Bridge. From the geographic and economic factors that made it make sense, to the ambitious engineer who dared to imagine the impossible but didn't actually know how to build it, to the team behind the scenes that did... Discover how Joseph Strauss rallied pub…

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Centre Pompidou Paris - The "inside-out" museum 12:24

8M ago12:24

12:24

Explore the story behind the Centre Pompidou in Paris, one of the most radical and controversial buildings in modern architecture. Designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers in the 1970s, this iconic "inside-out" museum challenged everything Paris thought it knew about culture, design, and public space. In this episode we will talk about the politi…

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La Pedrera - The Gaudí Masterpiece Barcelona Once Mocked 18:46

8M ago18:46

18:46

Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, is one of the most iconic buildings in Barcelona and a landmark of Antoni Gaudí's architecture. Discover how this bold and controversial building was mocked when it was built in the early 20th century, and how it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of modernist innovation. Perfect for fans of Barcel…

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NYC Guggenheim Museum – The Building That Refused to Fit In 12:54

8M ago12:54

12:54

The NYC Guggenheim Museum is a building that broke every rule of museum design, defied the city's building codes. It became Frank Lloyd Wright’s final, and most controversial masterpiece. Wright was in his late seventies when he took on the commission. He hated New York. He didn’t like museums. And yet, over sixteen turbulent years, he fought to br…

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Sydney Opera House - Building the Impossible 13:33

8M ago13:33

13:33

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, but few know the dramatic story behind its creation. In this episode, we explore how Danish architect Jørn Utzon won an international design competition, solved an impossible engineering challenge, and then was forced to abandon the project before it was finished. Discov…

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Welcome to Architecture Topics! Architecture History—One Story at a Time 1:01

9M ago1:01

1:01

Welcome to Architecture Topics, the podcast where we delve into the stories, ideas, and designs that shape the world around us. My name is Liam Caron, and in each episode, I’ll take you on a journey through the ideas, designs, and people that have shaped architectural history. From ancient monuments to modern skyscrapers, I’ll explore how architect…