Sandbox from Buro Happold

How you could optimise your home's lighting and acoustics (and what exactly is pink noise?!) - FOMO5 3, from Ep.11

How could we all optimise lighting and acoustics in our homes – and what exactly is ‘pink noise’? Find out more in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5... 

When it comes to our homes, comfort is key. Whether you want to relax or focus, the lighting and acoustics in our internal environments make such a difference to our everyday lives.  

Taken from our latest podcast episode, ‘How Buildings Affect Your Sleep, Stress & Productivity (without you noticing)', this week’s short FOMO5 episode focuses on how we can apply optimal acoustics and lighting in our homes.  

From arranging furniture to maximise natural light, to creating a soothing baseline of quiet noise in bedrooms, there are many ways to enhance home comfort. 

Buro Happold’s acoustic expert, Dan, also discussed the differences between white and pink noise, saying: “Fundamentally, if I was to really simplify it, I would say it’s got more energy at the low end than white noise does. It's a bit bassier compared to white noise. And because of that, it's a little bit better at masking that lower frequency sound.” 

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan in this episode were Buro Happold experts Lena Kalpakidi, Senior Lighting Engineer, and Daniel Bailey, Associate, Acoustics & AV. 

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.    

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

How can lighting and acoustics be effectively designed for neuro-inclusivity? FOMO5 2, from Ep.11

Imagine working in a space that invisibly enhances your sleep quality and reduces stress, making every day better - Find out more in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5... 

“It’s producing an environment that is not targeted at neurodivergent people, it's targeted at everyone. And that is the thing for me that’s really important: It creates a space that’s neuro-inclusive so that it works for all of us as well.” - Daniel Bailey, Associate, UK Acoustics & AV, Buro Happold.  

In our latest episode of ‘Sandbox’, ‘How Buildings Affect Your Sleep, Stress & Productivity (without you noticing)', our panel explored what makes good lighting and acoustics in our offices. 

Here are some questions answered in this episode... 

1. Choice of Space: How do open-plan areas compare to focused zones for productivity and comfort?
2. Reverberation Control: What are the best ways to manage sound bounce in a space?
3. Lighting Controls: How can adjustable lighting prevent eye strain and headaches?
4. Uniform Lighting: Why is even light distribution important to avoid contrasts and shadows?
5. Maximising Natural Light: How can we bring the outdoors in and maximise natural light indoors? 

Our panel also highlighted Buro Happold’s Neurodiversity Service Offering, which champions neuro-inclusive spaces, and our collaboration with the Department of Education as their preferred acousticians for schools. 

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan in this episode were Buro Happold experts Lena Kalpakidi, Senior Lighting Engineer, and Daniel Bailey, Associate, Acoustics & AV.   

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.    

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

Are you aware of just how lighting and acoustics affect your well-being? FOMO5 1 from Ep.11

Did you know - When in a building, whether it be our homes or offices, we often overlook how lighting and acoustics impact our mental and physical well-being. Spend five minutes with us to understand more, and what you could do about it… 

As an example, insufficient lighting can lead to musculoskeletal issues due to poor posture, while bad acoustics could cause cardiovascular problems. Discover why in this week's 'Sandbox' FOMO5 episode. 

In this short segment, taken from our most recent podcast episode, 'How Buildings Affect Your Sleep, Stress & Productivity (without you noticing)', the panelists explore the effects of poor lighting and acoustics - from chronic stress to cognitive impairments - and highlight the importance of raising awareness to improve our own environments. 

Expert Insight: Lena Kalpakidi, Senior Lighting Engineer at Buro Happold, said, “People do not consciously recognise the impact of good design, because in fast-paced environments, individuals focus more on their activities and responsibilities rather than how they feel within spaces.  

“And this leads to a disconnect from their emotional world with a strong emphasis on practicality.” 

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan in this episode are Buro Happold experts Lena Kalpakidi, Senior Lighting Engineer, and Daniel Bailey, Associate, Acoustics & AV.   

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.    

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

Ep.11: How Buildings Affect Your Sleep, Stress & Productivity (without you noticing)

How do buildings affect our sleep, stress and productivity, without us noticing? Discover the surprising impact of our surroundings in the newest episode of ‘Sandbox’... 

Our internal environment can have a more profound impact on our productivity and wellbeing than you may think. From physical effects to reduced mental wellbeing, poor acoustics and lighting can significantly contribute to how we work, act and sleep.  

In the latest special episode of our ‘Sandbox’ podcast, our panel of Buro Happold experts from the lighting and acoustic teams, explore just how important these two disciplines really are. 

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan in this episode are Buro Happold experts Lena Kalpakidi, Senior Lighting Engineer, and Daniel Bailey, Associate, Acoustics & AV.  

Here are a few key discussion points covered in the episode, to pique your interest:  

• Mental and physical wellbeing: Our panel explores how bad lighting and acoustics can lead to poorer mental and physical wellbeing, including long term sleep disturbance and bad posture.   

• Creating diverse environments: The importance of creating neuro-inclusive, adjustable spaces within a building that cater to a variety of requirements for occupants. The panel also discuss Buro Happold’s Neurodiversity service offering.  

• Buro Happold's work: Lena and Dan discuss examples of the work they have been doing to improve acoustics and lighting within a variety of spaces, including commercial and cultural buildings.  

• Future gazing: Lena and Dan give their predictions on what the next 10 years could look like for optimised lighting and acoustics in our homes and offices. 

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.    

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

 

How can sustainable tourism be implemented more on a business/policy level? Sandbox FOMO5 3, from Ep.10

How can sustainable tourism be transformed at a business and policy level? And how could this contribute to the authenticity of a place? Find out more in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5... 

In this week’s Sandbox FOMO5, taken from our latest podcast episode ‘Sustainable Tourism: Travelling to a Greener Future’, our experts unpacked the findings from Buro Happold's recent design sprint with Bath and North East Somerset Council.  

Here are some quick highlights before you dive into the episode:  

• Buro Happold's recent design sprint: Unpacking the sustainable tourism strategies for Bath and North East Somerset. 

• Multi-lense approach: Exploring governance, infrastructure, and more when it comes to sustainable tourism. 

• Authenticity and regional focus: Moving beyond city centers to unlock the true potential of surrounding regions. 

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, were Buro Happold experts Graziano Di Gregorio, Associate Strategic Planner, and Gabriel Berti, Graduate Consultant. Our special guest in this episode was Lindsay Hawdon. Lindsay is a former Sunday Times and Telegraph travel columnist and a writer of fiction.    

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.    

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

 

What choices can the individual make as a tourist to travel more sustainably? Sandbox FOMO5 2, from Ep.10

Planning your next getaway? Before you book, take a moment to consider: how can you travel in a way that leaves a lighter footprint? 

In this week’s Sandbox FOMO5, taken from our episode ‘Sustainable Tourism: Travelling to a Greener Future’, our expert panel unpacks the small choices that make a big difference. From flights to food to where you stay, discover how to be a more conscious, responsible traveller—without sacrificing the joy of the journey. 

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, were Buro Happold experts Graziano Di Gregorio, Associate Strategic Planner, and Gabriel Berti, Graduate Consultant. Our special guest in this episode was Lindsay Hawdon. Lindsay is a former Sunday Times and Telegraph travel columnist and a writer of fiction.   

In the FOMO5, our panel of experts explore:  

1. How, as visitors to places, we can all choose how we spend our time and money – whether it be buying from local artisans to visiting authentic attractions.   

2. Making the journey part of the experience: How can we actively choose alternatives to airplanes that could not only help the planet, but also enhance our travel experiences?  

3. Connecting with locals and sharing experiences: How engaging with residents can lead to unforgettable memories and a deeper understanding of the places we visit. 

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.    

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

So what actually is ‘Sustainable Tourism’? Sandbox FOMO5 1, from Ep.10

Sustainable Tourism: ‘It’s a different way of travelling, more of a conscious way’. Grab an iced drink, find just five minutes, and jump ‘aboard’ this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5 to learn more... 

With the Spring Equinox upon us and the weather warming up, the summer season is within reaching distance, where many of us will be travelling to destinations abroad via bus, boats, trains and planes.  

Our most recent episode of ‘Sandbox’ explores how we can all be travelling more sustainably to minimise our impact across the world.  

In this week’s short FOMO5 episode, our ‘Sandbox’ panel defines what sustainable tourism means to them. Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, are Buro Happold experts Graziano Di Gregorio, Associate Strategic Planner, and Gabriel Berti, Graduate Consultant. Our special guest in this episode is Lindsay Hawdon. Lindsay is a former Sunday Times and Telegraph travel columnist and a writer of fiction.  

Here’s a quick flavour of the points discussed in this Sandbox FOMO5:  

1. How can sustainable travel go beyond environmental concerns to positively impact the communities we visit?
2. What does it mean to minimise our carbon footprint while blending with local cultures and spending locally during our travels?
3. How does travelling more consciously balance various aspects of human existence, including the environment and related structures and systems, to ensure positive impacts? 

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.    

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

Ep.10 - Sustainable Tourism: Travelling to a Greener Future

What does ‘Sustainable Tourism’ actually mean and how can we all re-think the way we travel to create a more sustainable future?  

These questions and more were put to our expert panel in this week’s episode of Sandbox. 

There is nothing quite like the thrill of a holiday. From savouring new cuisines to exploring historic sites, many of us will hop on a train, plane or other modes of transport to discover new places. The discussion about Sustainable Tourism was so interesting this episode is slightly longer than others, so here’s a list of useful timestamps if you want to jump to a particular topic... 

4:43 - Defining Sustainable Travel.  

7:53 - Lindsay’s Travel Experiences and her book Jakob’s Colours.  

13:25 - Balancing Infrastructure, Society, Economy, and the Environment.  

15:51 - Engaging with Local Communities for a Meaningful Travel Experience.  

17:47 - Personal Choices and Their Impact on Sustainable Tourism.  

20:44 - Economic Leakage and the Ethics of Tourism.  

26:49 - Sustainable Travel as the Next Step in Ethical Consumerism.  

32:40 - Design Sprint Outcomes and Discussing Authenticity. 

37:52 - Predictions for the Future of Travel and Tourism.   

Our panel discuss it all; from more sustainable means of transport, to supporting local businesses as a tourist, and fundamentally to leaving the places we visit better than when we arrived. Our Buro Happold experts also delve into the findings from a recent design sprint we hosted about sustainable tourism with Bath and North East Somerset Council.  

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, are Buro Happold experts Graziano Di Gregorio, Associate Strategic Planner, and Gabriel Berti, Graduate Consultant. Our special guest in this episode is Lindsay Hawdon. Lindsay is a former Sunday Times and Telegraph travel columnist and a writer of fiction. Her first novel, ‘Jakob’s Colours’ is based on an 18-month solo trip she took around the world with her two sons. Lindsay is also an Associate Lecturer in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University.  

To find out more about ‘sustainability’ in travel jump ‘on board’ to our latest episode of ‘Sandbox’... 

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.   

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

 

What could the ‘ideal’ version of London and other capitals look like? Sandbox FOMO5 3, from Ep.09

‘There has to be a driver from the residents of London to really make a change’: What could the capital cities of the future look like, with people power behind the ideas? Find out in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5... A quick five-minute listen, perfect for your coffee break! 

Whether it is giving more consideration to pedestrians, or bringing nature back to the city, there are many ways in which the ‘ideal’ capital could be envisioned. 

In the excerpt our panel ponders their own ‘ideal’ versions of London – with Rainiers being ‘car free’ and bringing back more green and blue infrastructure to the city, whilst Lawrie’s was to keep London as a global hub of innovation and creativity, but to make housing and connectivity more accessible for residents.  

The panel also touches on the importance of London continually improving its backbone connectivity that is needed to underpin the city in the future. 

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, in this episode, were Buro Happold experts Lawrie Robertson, Head of Strategic Planning, and Rainier Valcarcel, Discipline Director, Cities Infrastructure. 

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.   

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).  

How has the living and working landscape in London changed to create a more de-centralised city? Sandbox FOMO5 2, from ep.09

From hybrid-working to a de-centralised city, how is the living and working landscape in London changing? Find out more in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5... 

In a post-covid era, the way our cities operate has changed. Hybrid working has become the norm, meaning there is a reduced need for London residents to travel to the city centre on a daily basis.  

In this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5 episode, taken from our most recent episode, ‘Heart of the City: Re-thinking Capital Living’, our panel explores the challenges and opportunities facing London, including: 

• Challenges to London’s world status: The panel discusses how London’s Alpha ++ status has changed in an era where we are seeing fragmentation in the international market, particularly with other capitals across Europe being better positioned to attract top talent and businesses.  

• De-centralisation of the city: Other prominent hubs throughout London have seen huge investment in development, including Battersea and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, meaning there is less reliance on the city centre. The panel suggests that connectivity between these hubs around London could be improved to ensure they are networked into the global city economy. 

• Change in working patterns: The panel discusses the change in working patterns following the pandemic, where people need more from their office spaces. Rainier Valcarcel touches on Buro Happold’s new London office, which is an example of how office spaces could be adapting, with breakout rooms, rest areas, and interactive spaces.  

Joining our regular host Andy Duncan, in this episode, were Buro Happold experts Lawrie Robertson, Head of Strategic Planning, and Rainier Valcarcel, Discipline Director, Cities Infrastructure. 

Subscribe to the whole series; Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiosity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour.   

This podcast series is brought to you by Buro Happold (https://buro.im/SandboxPodcast).