About this season
Based on his book, American writer Stewart Brand takes a look at the life history of buildings - how they're shaped by their architects, and how they're further shaped by their inhabitants.
Episodes (6)
1. Flow
Aired 10 July 1997 • 30 min
In the first episode, Stewart Brand takes a look at some famous buildings... and the problems hidden behind their impressive façades.
2. The Low Road
Aired 17 July 1997 • 30 min
Stewart Brand looks at the unsung heroes of architecture - cheap, unpretentious buildings, and their inherently malleable qualities.
3. Built for Change
Aired 24 July 1997 • 30 min
This episode looks at people who have built their own homes and property and the difference between them and the often stubborn nature of "planned" living.
4. Unreal Estate
Aired 31 July 1997 • 30 min
This episode examines the gap between seeing buildings as either a home or an asset.
5. The Romance of Maintenance
Aired 7 August 1997 • 30 min
This episode looks at how the unromantic role of maintenance plays a crucial part in shaping whether a building stands the test of time, as well as looking at the roles materials play in the way buildings adapt.
6. Shearing Layers
Aired 14 August 1997 • 30 min
The final episode looks at how the component parts of a building adapt and change over time in order to suit the changing world.