Architecture in the Den: Healthy Homes with Simeon Shtebunaev

There’s no doubt that we’ve all spent more time at home in the past 12 months, whether home working, home learning, self-isolating, shielding or caring, and in the process changed what ‘home’ needs to do for us and how our cities operate. This podcast is a conversation about what makes a healthy home, how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we relate to cities, and why it’s more pressing than ever for the property industry dealing in both new and existing buildings to be producing or reconfiguring homes to a decent size and with access to green space. Host Lisa Raynes, Founder and CEO of Pride Road Architects has the perspective of the architect serving the mass market of homeowners of existing buildings; Doctoral Researcher Simeon Shtebunaev has insight into the needs and preferences of the next generation of homeowners, he also has oversight of projects currently going to through planning in the Birmingham area. Pride Road Franchise grew out of Founder Lisa Raynes’ refusal to accept that there was only one way for a woman to have an architecture career and a family life. She built her practice in the domestic sector, and then invested to turn her business into one that other ambitious architects wanting work/life balance can buy into. She’s had a seat on the RIBA Council (2015-18), been Chair of Women in Property NW and founded Manchester Curious, an urban architecture outreach festival. At Pride Road we focus on making design interventions that improve our clients’ value and enjoyment of their homes. https://www.prideroadfranchise.co.uk Simeon Shtebunaev is a doctoral researcher and visiting lecturer in Birmingham City University focusing on how young people engage in the planning of future 'smart' cities. Simeon served as a trustee of the RIBA (2016-2019) and as a Vice-President for Students and Associates, co-founding the RIBA Future Architects initiative. Simeon also served as a member of the RTPI General Assembly (2018-2019) and the RTPI International Committee. He holds a dual master’s degree in Architecture and Town Planning from the University of Sheffield. Currently, Simeon is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority Cultural Leadership Board and the Birmingham Civic Society's Planning Committee. For the past five years, he has co-ordinated and taught annually at a summer school in architecture and design for secondary school children in Bulgaria. He is part of the Birmingham Architectural Association committee and an Associate with the youth agency Beatfreeks.