Global Challenges, Local Solutions for Architects – with Gary McLuskey

In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Gary McLuskey, Greystar’s Managing Director of Global Design, to explore the evolving role of architects in development. From policy barriers to international design lessons and the power of collaboration, Gary shares a candid view on where the industry is heading and what needs to change. Expect robust debate, rich anecdotes, and compelling insights from one of the sector’s leading voices.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Architects Must Reclaim Design Leadership -
Gary advocates for architects to embed themselves earlier in the development process to maintain creative control and relevance.

2. Planning System Fatigue -
Over-regulation and excessive pre-app processes are delaying developments and adding costs, creating a risk-averse culture.

3. Apartment Size Restrictions Are Outdated -
Across global markets, smaller units (like 18 sqm) coexist successfully within larger communities—London's restrictions may be self-defeating.

4. Design Standards Should Reflect Real Lifestyles -
Regulations often ignore how people actually live—flexibility in policy could better support affordability and diversity.

5. Local Insight Is Essential -
Greystar’s success comes from pairing global systems with local expertise—no copy-paste solutions across cities or cultures.

6. Better Buildings Need Better Managers -
A strong community manager can offset poor design, showing that human interaction is as vital as bricks and mortar.

7. AI and Tech Are Critical to Future Success -
From streamlining data to informing briefs, Gary sees a strong role for tech in modernising design and construction.

8. Project-Centric Collaboration Wins -
Removing ego from the process and aligning around project goals makes for smoother, more effective outcomes.


VALUABLE RESOURCES

www.ackroydlowrie.com

www.greystar.com


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ABOUT THE HOSTS

Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.


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