How to Build Cities That Are a Joy to Live In: Eva Le Peutrec, Marco Maio, and Karel Smejkal on the Future of Architecture

Technological progress keeps giving us new possibilities, yet it also reveals how easily space can lose its humanity—and with it, our ability to feel at home. That’s why architecture remains one of the quietest, yet most powerful tools we have.

In the new episode of Talks 21, I invited three guests who don't see cities merely as buildings, but as living organisms.

Eva Le Peutrec, whose projects span from Shanghai to Paris.

Marco Maio, who perceives light as one of the most essential building materials.

And Karel Smejkal, who explores how space influences our psyche and relationships.

Together, we discussed how to create cities that are a joy to live in—where technology meets nature, responsibility meets intuition, and the individual meets community.

How architecture can heal, inspire, and bring back a sense of closeness that often gets lost between concrete and the rush of everyday life.

You can listen to the full Episode 8 of Talks 21 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or directly on my website.

Key Takeaways

• Architecture isn’t just about buildings—it’s about how we live, because every space awakens something in us.

• The future of cities belongs to people, not cars.

• Public spaces should encourage connection, not isolation.

• Light, proportions, and materials shape our psyche more than we realise.

• Harmonious spaces create harmony within us.

• Communities thrive where space invites them—safe streets, shared gardens, and places for both children and adults.

• Responsible architecture requires humility, long-term thinking, and the courage to be a creator, not just a builder.

Architecture as a Path to a Better World

Throughout history, architecture has always reflected its time. Buildings of the past carry traces of culture, spirituality, and courage. Similarly, today’s cities reveal our world—its speed, technology, and how often we forget to make room for humanity.

That’s why I’m fascinated by where cities can evolve next. How architecture can help create environments where people truly enjoy living. And what role each of us plays in this—architects and non-architects alike.

Three Worlds, One Shared Vision

Our discussion brought together three remarkable guests with different experiences, perspectives, and stories—yet a shared purpose: to design cities that support life, not mere survival.

Eva Le Peutrec

An architect who has designed skyscrapers and entire urban districts for hundreds of thousands of residents. Her work spans from Shanghai across the Pacific Islands to San Francisco and Paris. Eva seeks ways to bring humanity, nature, and community back into dense urban structures. Her concept of “vertical villages” shows what the future of coexistence in high-rises could look like.

Marco Maio

A Portuguese architect based in Prague who sees light as one of the most crucial building materials. To him, light defines atmosphere and how we feel in a space. Marco combines his work with light and deep respect for local culture and the people living there. He believes architecture should strengthen communities and that good design naturally unites people.

Karel Smejkal

Architect, lecturer, and founder of applied architectural psychology. He demonstrates how space influences our emotions, psyche, and relationships far more than we usually realise. Karel bridges scientific research with intuition and empathy, reminding us that architecture is not just design—it's a responsibility, because people live their lives within it.

A City That Belongs to People

One natural question that arose during our conversation was: Who are our cities really built for?

Many neighbourhoods were planned in times when transportation was the priority—wide roads, long distances, narrow sidewalks. That made sense then, but today's lifestyles and new ways of working show that we need something different.

A thought was expressed in the interview that captures it very precisely:

“A beautiful square should be full of people, not parking lots.”

The focus is returning to walkability, accessible services, and lively streets—and with it, the role of public space as a place for connection, play, and spontaneous interaction.

How Space Shapes Our Lives

Another theme we explored was the power of space—not just its function, but its more profound emotional impact.

When we enter a room, we instantly sense whether it feels right, even if we can't explain why. Architecture can inspire, heal, and create harmony when designed with empathy and respect for the human experience.

That’s why we discussed light, proportions, and sacred geometry—principles thousands of years old that still give spaces rhythm, balance, and calm even in today's accelerated world.

The guests agreed: when architecture grows from human understanding, it can guide us toward harmony—both in our cities and within ourselves.

How Cities We Love Are Born

Thriving cities are never an accident—they emerge where people think decades ahead and every piece fits into a shared vision. It’s not enough to build new homes; we need to understand how to connect streets, services, parks, and gathering places into one living ecosystem.

Sometimes it takes just a small spark to transform a neglected area into a vibrant public space. Sometimes it takes a long-term vision that outlasts political cycles. And sometimes, it begins with one person who sees potential where others see decay.

The common thread: courage—to step into space, take ownership, and nurture it with our own energy. That's how places where people genuinely want to live are born—and how they grow with us and for us.

Listen to Episode 8 of Talks 21

How do spaces designed by the Fibonacci sequence affect us? Why does ceiling height change how we think? Or how nature can once again become an organic part of our urban lives?

Tune in to Episode 8 of Talks 21 with these three inspiring architects—available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or directly on my website. I believe this conversation offers a new way to look at the cities we live in—and perhaps an invitation to see our surroundings with greater sensitivity and responsibility.

If you’d like to explore the work of my guests, visit:

If you’d like to explore the work of my guests, visit:

• Eva Le Peutrec – www.evalpeutrec.com

• Marco Maio – www.marcomaio.com 

• Karel Smejkal – www.inspireli.com