Free Thinking – Building London

BBC Radio 3’s discussion programme features a gathering of architects and writers focusing on the development of London and the depiction of buildings old and new from the Soho of the eighteenth century to contemporary projects.

Stew, the name for brothels in London. A townhouse set to become luxury flats in the centre of Soho is the focus of the new novel Hot Stew from Fiona Mozley, who was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for her debut book Elmet. SI Martin founded the 500 Years of Black London walks nearly 20 years ago. In his novel Incomparable World he depicts a bustling 18th-century London which offers a refuge for the many black Americans who fought for liberty on the side of the British. Plus pianist and composer Belle Chen on her six original new pieces exploring London - each composition with its genesis in a field recording in the city from both before and during the pandemic. They join architects Eric Parry and Alison Brooks and presenter Laurence Scott for a conversation about the development of London, as part of the London Festival of Architecture.

Alison Brooks is one of the judges for this year's Davidson Prize Exhibition: A digital showcase of architects’ solutions to ways of living in a post-pandemic world. Eric Parry has been thinking about the changing city skyline.