HABU
HABU

*How Architecture Builds Us

In this eight-part podcast series, we take you on a journey through Edmonton’s architectural landscape. Each episode features in-depth conversations with architects, planners, scholars, and community voices who shed light on how these spaces influence our daily lives, reflect our cultural values, and guide the city’s future development.

Together, we’ll discover how thoughtful design and innovation can turn bricks and mortar into vibrant, inclusive, and meaningful places.

Episode 1 - Metro Cinema (10 minutes)

Guest Speakers

Two men sitting in director chairs shaking hands, with a camera and soda cups between them

Dan Smith

Executive Director of Metro Cinema, Dan Smith, takes Sasha behind the scenes of the historic single-screen theatre. He shares his vision for the organization, fond memories of working within a community-driven space, and reflects on how his involvement with Metro began.

Two women sitting on director chairs facing each other, with a wooden barrel table between them, black background.

Mackenzie joins Katia to discuss the importance of preserving historic buildings — including one of her favourite landmarks, Edmonton’s single-screen theatre, Metro Cinema. A scholar and frequent attendee, Mackenzie shares her perspective on why spaces like Metro matter to the city’s cultural life.

Mackenzie Ann Mayor

Episode 2 - Jasper Place Library (10 minutes)

Guest Speakers

Two people sitting in wooden chairs having a conversation in an office space, with a city model on a table beside them.

Michael Dub

Principal Architect at Dub Architects, Michael Dub, joins Katia to discuss his role in designing Edmonton’s Jasper Place Library. They explore the inspiration behind the building’s signature curves and reflect on what libraries might look like a hundred years from now.

A woman with long gray hair and fair skin smiling at the camera against a plain white background.

Madeline Gormley

Madeline Gormley, Director of Branch Services and Community Engagement at the Edmonton Public Library, joins Katia to discuss the importance of third spaces. Together, they explore how libraries have evolved, what they once represented, and what their future might hold.

Produced with the support of:

  • Colorful vertical bars next to the blue text 'EPL' on a white background.

    Edmonton Public Library

  • Logo resembling a speech bubble with the letters "SH" inside, set against a dark purple background.

    Telus - StoryHive

  • Logo with the word 'dub' in lowercase black letters on a white circular background.

    DUB Architects

  • Image resembling a logo for the movie 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' featuring the title in black with a red stylized mountain shape in the center.

    START Architecture

  • Black and white line drawing of a person pointing a gun at a dog.

    Metro Cinema

  • Logo of the City of Edmonton in blue text on a black background.

    The City of Edmonton

  • A large stylized letter A with a green polka-dot pattern, yellow background elements, and white intersecting lines.

    University of Alberta

  • Text in green, bold, and large font reading 're imagine' with a period at the end.

    Reimagine Architects

  • Illustration of a stylized, abstract fish with a greenish hue.

    Wolf Willow Studio

  • Black and white illustration of a person walking in front of a full moon, with a dog on a leash, surrounded by trees and a house.

    The Works

  • Red and black checkered circle with a white leaf icon in the center.

    Red Plaid Development