New York and London are among the world’s most renowned and populous cities. Historically two of the world’s fastest developing cities, these cultural capitals once again find themselves on the frontiers of the world of Architecture. Full Frame speaks with architects, city planners and real-estate giants to learn how we are building our future.

Understanding suitability and city building

New York City is home to the global stock market, Wall Street, and some of the world’s most iconic buildings. Always adjusting to the changing times, the Big Apple is undergoing massive transformations to fit our modern era.

Former Director of City Planning under New York’s Mayor Bloomberg, Vishaan Chakrabarti is known for helping shape of New York’s most trendy neighbourhoods. He’s Authored multiple books and is the founder of the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism.

Full Fame’s Mike Walter meets with Vishaan to discuss how the pandemic, climate change, and renewed urbanism amongst the youth are once again changing how the cities around us are built.

“So you’re right. New Yorkers generally have about a third of the carbon emissions per person that the rest of the country does. And it’s not because we’re environmental angels. It’s just because we happen to live in small apartments” he jokes.

Growing popularity in returning to city life, coupled with green architecture, Vishaan guides us through the thought processes architects and city planners use to make our cities more idyllic and sustainable places to live.

Managing the Big Apple’s largest commercial real-estate portfolio

The average cost of a square foot of real-estate in Manhattan is over $2000. 29 million square feet are managed by SL Green making it and its Chairman / CEO, Marc Holliday, the city’s largest commercial landlords.

We meet with Marc to discuss the completion of the company’s crowning Jewel, One Vanderbilt (a 93-story supertall skyscraper overlooking midtown), post pandemic trends, and the ins and outs of managing a real-estate empire in ever turbulently changing global environment.

Though despite all the rapid changes in our world, it is the human factor that Marc says ultimately dictates how property managers like SL Green look to remain competitive in the future.

“I think about balance, but not work life balance. Just balance in and of itself. Because no matter how much you love your work and how much you love your free time, health is number one. So you have to have some semblance of balance to stay healthy.”

By building places of work employees and employers both want to spend time at, Marc says property developers can help find that perfect life balance.

England at an architectural crossroads

Home to the Industrial revolution, and the image after which the western world was built, England today is at a crossroads.

With limited space available, and an ever aging national infrastructure map Europe’s third largest economy finds itself at a crossroads. Keeping a hold of its iconic world heritage style of architecture, or modernizing to meet the needs of today.

Full Frame embeds with Designer Liisa Murd to visit the Battersea Power Station, London’s latest architectural marvel.

“Working with existing buildings is a truly rewarding experience for the architects, and it adds value to it. We can bring an old building alive when we look at new ways of using and new materials to attract people as well. Because something old and something new is always an interesting combination,” Liisa says.