Barnabas Calder
@barnabascalder.bsky.social
Historian of #architecture and #energy, at University of Liverpool School of Architecture. Author of Architecture: From Prehistory to Climate Emergency (Pelican, 2021), and Raw Concrete: The Beauty of Brutalism (William Heinemann, 2016).
Pinned
My #books so far. Three more on the way, in various states of incompletion.
#architectureandenergy
#rawconcrete
#architectureandenergy
#rawconcrete
David wins some big bragging rights for this. Staggering!
Cannot find an architect's name for die neue Flensburg Bahnhof, 1928, unless it is Emil Freiß?
November 12, 2025 at 6:39 PM
David wins some big bragging rights for this. Staggering!
A super-tough #whatbuilding for you.
November 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
A super-tough #whatbuilding for you.
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
This summary piece of Barnabas Calder's thinking about energy and architecture (in Dezeen, form 2023) is a blast of sense. There's mention too of Yasmeen Lari's important work. #architecture
I offered a dissenting voice in this article about "beauty" in #architecture, though little of it got in. Essentially, I can't see why style wars should wang on self-promotingly through a climate emergency.
www.ft.com/content/fd8a...
I put the case here too:
www.dezeen.com/2023/01/12/a...
www.ft.com/content/fd8a...
I put the case here too:
www.dezeen.com/2023/01/12/a...
Who should decide what makes a building beautiful?
Everyone agrees that we need more homes, and fast — and that we want them to look good. But who should be the judge: architects, governments or the general public?
www.ft.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:25 AM
This summary piece of Barnabas Calder's thinking about energy and architecture (in Dezeen, form 2023) is a blast of sense. There's mention too of Yasmeen Lari's important work. #architecture
I offered a dissenting voice in this article about "beauty" in #architecture, though little of it got in. Essentially, I can't see why style wars should wang on self-promotingly through a climate emergency.
www.ft.com/content/fd8a...
I put the case here too:
www.dezeen.com/2023/01/12/a...
www.ft.com/content/fd8a...
I put the case here too:
www.dezeen.com/2023/01/12/a...
Who should decide what makes a building beautiful?
Everyone agrees that we need more homes, and fast — and that we want them to look good. But who should be the judge: architects, governments or the general public?
www.ft.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:11 AM
I offered a dissenting voice in this article about "beauty" in #architecture, though little of it got in. Essentially, I can't see why style wars should wang on self-promotingly through a climate emergency.
www.ft.com/content/fd8a...
I put the case here too:
www.dezeen.com/2023/01/12/a...
www.ft.com/content/fd8a...
I put the case here too:
www.dezeen.com/2023/01/12/a...
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
on the plane home from conferences on #sufficiency and #passivhaus I read "Form Follows Fuel" by Florian Urban and @barnabascalder.bsky.social. It has remarkable relevance to both, a brilliant book demonstrating that we cannot get a real grip on upfront carbon without embracing sufficiency.
A tale of two conferences and a book, "Form Follows Fuel"
I attend a Sufficiency conference in Edinburgh and a Passivhaus conference in Belfast, and read a new book relevant to both.
lloydalter.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:40 PM
on the plane home from conferences on #sufficiency and #passivhaus I read "Form Follows Fuel" by Florian Urban and @barnabascalder.bsky.social. It has remarkable relevance to both, a brilliant book demonstrating that we cannot get a real grip on upfront carbon without embracing sufficiency.
This will be really interesting and fun if you can get to Chester this weekend: learning to build medieval gothic vaults from very accurate foam replicas. I can't wait!
chestercathedral.com/events/event...
#architecture #medievalarchitecture #vaulting #chester
chestercathedral.com/events/event...
#architecture #medievalarchitecture #vaulting #chester
October 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
This will be really interesting and fun if you can get to Chester this weekend: learning to build medieval gothic vaults from very accurate foam replicas. I can't wait!
chestercathedral.com/events/event...
#architecture #medievalarchitecture #vaulting #chester
chestercathedral.com/events/event...
#architecture #medievalarchitecture #vaulting #chester
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
In a slightly abstract twist, where were we yesterday?!
September 27, 2025 at 4:32 PM
In a slightly abstract twist, where were we yesterday?!
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
#architectureandenergy Thanks to the 100+ people who joined our book launch event last night at the Glasgow School of Art! Well done Chloe and Kieran @architectsdeclare.bsky.social for organising this event, and thanks to @barnabascalder.bsky.social and www.instagram.com/john_joseph_...
September 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
#architectureandenergy Thanks to the 100+ people who joined our book launch event last night at the Glasgow School of Art! Well done Chloe and Kieran @architectsdeclare.bsky.social for organising this event, and thanks to @barnabascalder.bsky.social and www.instagram.com/john_joseph_...
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
@barnabascalder.bsky.social @florianurban.bsky.social amazing job, this should be required reading for any history class!
September 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
@barnabascalder.bsky.social @florianurban.bsky.social amazing job, this should be required reading for any history class!
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
if you only buy one book about architecture or history this year make sure it's form follows fuel! 14 buildings from 4 millennia show how energy has shaped human housing, sustainability and climate through history, and its topical and informative interdisciplinary approach make this a must read!
September 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
if you only buy one book about architecture or history this year make sure it's form follows fuel! 14 buildings from 4 millennia show how energy has shaped human housing, sustainability and climate through history, and its topical and informative interdisciplinary approach make this a must read!
I love going by train. Recognise these roofs?
#whatbuilding
#whatbuilding
September 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I love going by train. Recognise these roofs?
#whatbuilding
#whatbuilding
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
St Agnes, Grade I, J L Pearson - Toxteth. We placed its Vicarage and Hall by Norman Shaw on our Top Ten Endangered Buildings list in 2024 - both have now been sold we believe. www.victoriansociety.org.uk/endangered-b... Thanks Barnabas.
Endangered building - Liverpool vicarage and hall on Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2024 - The Victorian Society
Liverpool vicarage and hall on Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings list 2024 is on our list of endangered buildings. The Victorian Society - Campaigning for Victorian and Edwardian Built ...
www.victoriansociety.org.uk
September 23, 2025 at 2:28 PM
St Agnes, Grade I, J L Pearson - Toxteth. We placed its Vicarage and Hall by Norman Shaw on our Top Ten Endangered Buildings list in 2024 - both have now been sold we believe. www.victoriansociety.org.uk/endangered-b... Thanks Barnabas.
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
just finished the pre-fossil chapters, very hard to put the book down for the night as it is both an extremely informative and entertaining read! great choice of examples too, serving the focus on energy and sustainability in architecture just wonderfully! fantastic book, highly recommended!
September 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
just finished the pre-fossil chapters, very hard to put the book down for the night as it is both an extremely informative and entertaining read! great choice of examples too, serving the focus on energy and sustainability in architecture just wonderfully! fantastic book, highly recommended!
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
going in 🔥 @barnabascalder.bsky.social @florianurban.bsky.social very much hyped to finally have this
September 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
going in 🔥 @barnabascalder.bsky.social @florianurban.bsky.social very much hyped to finally have this
September 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM
A real pleasure to hear my colleague in @liverpooluni.bsky.social's History of Architecture Research Cluster, Alex Buchanan, today as part of Heritage Open Days. Alex was talking about Rickman and early C19 gothic, in an iron church of 1815. Great talk, good audience, lots of appreciation.
September 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A real pleasure to hear my colleague in @liverpooluni.bsky.social's History of Architecture Research Cluster, Alex Buchanan, today as part of Heritage Open Days. Alex was talking about Rickman and early C19 gothic, in an iron church of 1815. Great talk, good audience, lots of appreciation.
BOOK LAUNCH:
Edinburgh, 24th September.
@florianurban.bsky.social and I will be discussing our new book quantifying the energy cost of architecture through history. Do come!
The following night we're speaking about it in Glasgow, so see you at whichever suits.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bookshopla...
Edinburgh, 24th September.
@florianurban.bsky.social and I will be discussing our new book quantifying the energy cost of architecture through history. Do come!
The following night we're speaking about it in Glasgow, so see you at whichever suits.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bookshopla...
BookshopLATES... Form Follows Fuel
Florian Urban and Barnabas Calder discuss their new book with Chris Stewart PPRIAS
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
BOOK LAUNCH:
Edinburgh, 24th September.
@florianurban.bsky.social and I will be discussing our new book quantifying the energy cost of architecture through history. Do come!
The following night we're speaking about it in Glasgow, so see you at whichever suits.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bookshopla...
Edinburgh, 24th September.
@florianurban.bsky.social and I will be discussing our new book quantifying the energy cost of architecture through history. Do come!
The following night we're speaking about it in Glasgow, so see you at whichever suits.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bookshopla...
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
The weekend will be good.
New book Form Follows Fuel arrived by @florianurban.bsky.social and @barnabascalder.bsky.social
LOL @ multi-page embodied energy and embodied energy for materials tables per building ... How detailed is this please. 😄💪🏽
New book Form Follows Fuel arrived by @florianurban.bsky.social and @barnabascalder.bsky.social
LOL @ multi-page embodied energy and embodied energy for materials tables per building ... How detailed is this please. 😄💪🏽
September 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The weekend will be good.
New book Form Follows Fuel arrived by @florianurban.bsky.social and @barnabascalder.bsky.social
LOL @ multi-page embodied energy and embodied energy for materials tables per building ... How detailed is this please. 😄💪🏽
New book Form Follows Fuel arrived by @florianurban.bsky.social and @barnabascalder.bsky.social
LOL @ multi-page embodied energy and embodied energy for materials tables per building ... How detailed is this please. 😄💪🏽
On BBC World Service this morning, talking about the joys of #Brutalism in architecture.
@ddolzikova.bsky.social had me on after reading my book Raw Concrete. Don't worry: I mentioned that it's not a material for use in a climate crisis.
Beginning at 43:30: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
@ddolzikova.bsky.social had me on after reading my book Raw Concrete. Don't worry: I mentioned that it's not a material for use in a climate crisis.
Beginning at 43:30: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Weekend - 06/09/2025 GMT - BBC Sounds
A review of the week with the latest news.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 6, 2025 at 8:34 AM
On BBC World Service this morning, talking about the joys of #Brutalism in architecture.
@ddolzikova.bsky.social had me on after reading my book Raw Concrete. Don't worry: I mentioned that it's not a material for use in a climate crisis.
Beginning at 43:30: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
@ddolzikova.bsky.social had me on after reading my book Raw Concrete. Don't worry: I mentioned that it's not a material for use in a climate crisis.
Beginning at 43:30: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
More on Harrods Egyptian Hall
Was William Mitchell responsible for throwing this shade on his client?
Can it really be case that no one ever tipped off Al Fayed about the actual meaning of Ozymandias?
@barnabascalder.bsky.social @c20society.bsky.social
thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/mar...
Was William Mitchell responsible for throwing this shade on his client?
Can it really be case that no one ever tipped off Al Fayed about the actual meaning of Ozymandias?
@barnabascalder.bsky.social @c20society.bsky.social
thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/mar...
September 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
More on Harrods Egyptian Hall
Was William Mitchell responsible for throwing this shade on his client?
Can it really be case that no one ever tipped off Al Fayed about the actual meaning of Ozymandias?
@barnabascalder.bsky.social @c20society.bsky.social
thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/mar...
Was William Mitchell responsible for throwing this shade on his client?
Can it really be case that no one ever tipped off Al Fayed about the actual meaning of Ozymandias?
@barnabascalder.bsky.social @c20society.bsky.social
thesociologicalreview.org/magazine/mar...
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
In the meantime, watch a @barnabascalder.bsky.social lecture about unnatural materials:
youtu.be/46SlQnwzk70?...
youtu.be/46SlQnwzk70?...
Unnatural Materials - Barnabas Calder | ACAN
YouTube video by Architects Climate Action Network
youtu.be
September 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
In the meantime, watch a @barnabascalder.bsky.social lecture about unnatural materials:
youtu.be/46SlQnwzk70?...
youtu.be/46SlQnwzk70?...
@florianurban.bsky.social and I have a new book out shortly, with superb drawings and calculations by John Joseph Burns. Launches in Edinburgh (24 Sept) and Glasgow (25 Sept). Available online in the usual places for £35.99/€39.50/USD39.50.
September 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
@florianurban.bsky.social and I have a new book out shortly, with superb drawings and calculations by John Joseph Burns. Launches in Edinburgh (24 Sept) and Glasgow (25 Sept). Available online in the usual places for £35.99/€39.50/USD39.50.
A wood by Seatoller in the Lake District this past week. It had an awful lot of dead and partially dead oak trees On the east-facing slope, whilst those on the north-facing side were looking pretty healthy. Does anyone know what is killing them? I was quite upset to see them.
August 3, 2025 at 8:16 AM
A wood by Seatoller in the Lake District this past week. It had an awful lot of dead and partially dead oak trees On the east-facing slope, whilst those on the north-facing side were looking pretty healthy. Does anyone know what is killing them? I was quite upset to see them.
Some actual good news: the ICJ have set out the ecological situation clearly and authoritatively, and confirmed that each country has a legal obligation to take effective climate action. Could we get on and do it, please?
www-aljazeera-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.alja...
www-aljazeera-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.alja...
Climate change an ‘existential threat’, UN court says in landmark opinion
ICJ Judge Yuji Iwasawa says greenhouse emissions are ‘unequivocally caused by human activities’ as he delivers opinion.
www-aljazeera-com.cdn.ampproject.org
July 24, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Some actual good news: the ICJ have set out the ecological situation clearly and authoritatively, and confirmed that each country has a legal obligation to take effective climate action. Could we get on and do it, please?
www-aljazeera-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.alja...
www-aljazeera-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.alja...
Reposted by Barnabas Calder
'...SHBT have united with the National Trust for Scotland and Bernat Klein Foundation as the Bernat Klein Studio Coalition aiming to buy and restore the building...' > this is very good news. www.shbt.org.uk/2025/07/savi... @c20society.bsky.social @barnabascalder.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 10:41 AM
'...SHBT have united with the National Trust for Scotland and Bernat Klein Foundation as the Bernat Klein Studio Coalition aiming to buy and restore the building...' > this is very good news. www.shbt.org.uk/2025/07/savi... @c20society.bsky.social @barnabascalder.bsky.social