Building Soul returns for second series on BBC Radio 4

In 2023 Thomas Heatherwick presented the BBC Radio 4 series Building Soul, setting out much of the problem he described in his book Humanise. Each episode was listened to more than 2 million times.

Series two has now hit the airwaves. Thomas says:

“In the first series, I took us on a journey into the origins of an epidemic of characterless buildings. In this one, I’ll argue that together we can make change happen. Through the lenses of head, hand, and heart we’ll look not just at what’s gone wrong – but how we can fix it.”

Episode 1: Rational people making irrational buildings

Is bad design making our cities soulless? Thomas Heatherwick investigates the ‘blandemic’ – and how we might build beauty, craft and joy back into urban life. Featuring Kevin McCloud, Michael Gove, Kengo Kuma, Rowan Moore, Jane MacKenzie, Hilary Satchwell, and Mike Hood.

Episode 2: Making making great again

Our cities have been built like machines – efficient, repeatable, and soulless. In this second episode, Thomas Heatherwick argues it’s time to put the hand back into architecture. Can embracing craft, imperfection – even AI as a creative partner – help us make buildings that feel human again? Featuring Jacques Herzog, Stefany Tomalin, Kevin McCloud and Des Fagan.

Episode 3: Public Service Architecture

Joy, pride, comfort – these aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials. In this episode, Thomas Heatherwick explores the power of the public to reshape our cities. From emotional attachment and grassroots campaigns to the influence of mass media, he shows how people – not just planners – can drive radical change in how we build.
Featuring Richard Curtis, Oli Marshall, Professor Rebecca Madgin, and Damon Moore.