Dr. Mark Breeze: Shelter is the essence of architecture

What do you think of when you think of shelter? Have you even thought about what it means or what it’s meant to do? Is it just something that provides immediate protection from the elements? And what about architecture? Is architecture about buildings that we find aesthetically pleasing (or not!) And is there a difference between architecture and shelter? These are questions that I’d never really considered until I spoke with my guest today, architect, academic and award-winning filmmaker Dr Mark Breeze. 

The UN High Commission for Refugees reported that at the end of 2020 82.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced. The UNHCR does break down this figure into people who are internally displaced, asylum seekers, refugees that come under their mandate but it’s a lot of people who aren’t in their own homes. Which gets us talking about the importance of shelter and the work Mark does in this area. 

We talk about the role of architecture and how much it impacts our daily lives. For example, did you know that architecture is responsible for 40% of the world’s CO2 emissions? Talking to Mark I realise that architecture isn’t really about buildings but about creating space that allows for the intangible things - care, safety, privacy, collaboration , our culturally specific needs - not just about bricks and mortar. And in it all we do talk about music!

Guest: Dr. Mark Breeze

Title: ‘Shelter is the essence of architecture’ 

Music on playlist: Candy Walls by TR/ST

Spatial Realities design research collaborative

Contact: hello@spatial-realities.com 

Shelter Without Shelter documentary: University of Cambridge Sustainable Shelter Group

Books: Structures of Protection? Rethinking Refugee Shelter Book

Forms of the Cinematic: Architecture, Science, and the Arts Book

Learn more about our Season 3 sponsors Airbnb and Project Lighthouse: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/against-discrimination