Architecture & Urban Planning
Buildings, cities, structural engineering, transit, and the built environment
The built environment shapes how we live, work, and move through the world. This channel examines architecture, urban design, transit systems, and the decisions — good, bad, and baffling — that determine whether a city thrives or frustrates everyone who lives in it.
#1742: The Golden Cage of Dimona
Dimona offers property at 1/8th the price of Tel Aviv, but a massive "opportunity gap" keeps the city marooned.
#1563: The 3-Meter Wall: The Impossible Future of Safe Rooms
Can 20cm of concrete stop a half-ton missile? Explore the brutal physics and economic impossibility of the 3-meter safe room standard.
#1419: The Swiss Back Office: The Architecture of Neutrality
Discover how Switzerland manages the invisible infrastructure of global trust through the technical "protecting power" mandate.
#1304: The Architect Spouse Survival Guide: Social Camouflage
Stop nodding blankly at floor plans. Master the "secret language" of architects to survive studio visits and gallery openings with ease.
#1139: Subterranean Urbanism: Is the Future of Cities Underground?
Could your next apartment be 60 feet underground? Explore the tech, health, and costs of moving our cities below the surface.
#908: Why Did We Forget How to Build Cheap Subways?
Why does a mile of subway cost billions today? Herman and Corn explore the hidden complexities and rising costs of modern urban transit.
#793: The Engineering of Survival: Finding Safety in a Siren
Learn the structural engineering secrets behind why stairwells and specific floors offer the best protection during an urban emergency.
#737: Beyond Egg Cartons: Silencing Auditory Trespass
Tired of city noise invading your home? Discover the science of acoustic windows and why egg cartons won't save your sleep.
#736: The Red Light Revolution: Why Your City Needs a Sunset
Are harsh streetlights ruining your sleep? Explore the science of why cities are switching to red and amber lighting for better health.
#638: The Healing Power of Neuro-Design
Can a building actually heal your nervous system? Discover how neuro-design uses science to create spaces that reduce stress and spark creativity.
#615: Beyond the Vibe: How Experts Rank Public Transport
Explore the professional yardsticks used to rank global transit, from reliability metrics to the psychology of ticket inspectors.
#575: The End of the Car: Can We Really Quit Private Transport?
Is the private car a failed experiment? Herman and Corn discuss why EVs aren't enough and how we can design cities for people, not machines.
#573: The Death of the Ghost Town: Rethinking Mixed-Use Zoning
Explore how mixed-use zoning is transforming sterile suburbs into vibrant 15-minute cities. Herman and Corn dive into the future of urban living.
#572: Cracking the Code: How Zoning and Policy Shape Our Cities
Why do our cities look the way they do? Herman and Corn dive into the invisible codes, taxes, and global models that define the urban landscape.
#571: Density Without Stress: Building the Perfect City
Explore how "Hermanville" redefines urban density through acoustic architecture, mid-rise blocks, and car-free centers.
#531: Vertical Harvests: Can Skyscrapers Actually Feed a City?
Herman and Corn explore the reality of vertical farming, from Singapore’s high-tech towers to the structural limits of growing food in cities.
#504: Urbanism for Everyone: Building Better Neighborhoods
Tired of "sidewalks to nowhere"? Learn the principles of good urbanism and how to advocate for a more walkable, resilient community.
#503: Dignity in the Golden Years: Vienna’s Housing Safety Net
Discover how Vienna’s social housing system ensures that elderly renters are never forgotten through proactive care and legal protections.
#499: Gentle Urbanism: Why Vienna Works and Jerusalem Struggles
From "whispering asphalt" to social housing, discover how Vienna creates a human-centric city while others struggle with noise and grit.
#481: Steel and Stone: Engineering Jerusalem’s Pilgrimage Road
Discover how modern engineering and ancient history collide beneath the streets of Jerusalem to reveal the legendary 2,000-year-old Pilgrimage Road.
#473: The Price of Progress: Jerusalem’s Light Rail Revolution
Jerusalem is undergoing "open heart surgery." We explore the brutal trade-off between futuristic transit and the survival of today's city life.
#449: Skyscraper Science: The Ultimate No-Drill Rental Hack
Discover how the industrial-grade science behind the Burj Khalifa can help you mount heavy gear without losing your security deposit.
#413: The Skyscraper Lie: Density, Cost, and Jerusalem’s Future
Are luxury towers solving the housing crisis? Explore the "rocket equation" of architecture and why height doesn't always equal density.
#408: Why Can't We Build a Mile Into the Sky?
From vortex shedding to the elevator paradox, Herman and Corn explore the physical and economic limits of building the world's tallest towers.
#407: The Vertical Revolution: Why Your Old Elevator Won’t Fall
Ever wonder why rickety old elevators stay upright? Explore the engineering behind safety inspections and the hidden power of modern lift tech.