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We bring together curious individuals interested in a specific topic to discuss, dissect and interrogate it. The style is conversational/inclusive, featuring experts from Buro Happold, plus an invited external guest to join us in each episode who will add another angle to the narrative. Listeners are encouraged to gather around our podcast, so that we can explore the latest advancements in various fields and expand our collective horizons. Sometimes we’ll tackle a subject head on, sometimes a sideways view - but always with curiousity, expertise and maybe even a dash of humour. To join the conversation use #BHSandbox on all your usual social media platforms, and for even more insights visit our podcast page on www.burohappold.com. Happy listening - don’t forget to tell your friends!
Episodes
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Summer in the City: How Engineering Shapes Seasonal Urban Life.
With summer fast approaching and temperatures in areas across the UK set to soar above 25°C next week, it’s time to ask: are our cities ready to keep us cool, connected and resilient?
In this special Sandbox ‘Extra’ episode we revisit some of the powerful moments from our previous episodes, to explore how clever engineering helps us cope with rising temperatures. From smart water management strategies through droughts, to the value of accessible green spaces and the roles of thoughtful design in supporting tourism and community life; discover the interventions that will help our urban environments thrive in the heat.
Here is a quick overview of the key topics discussed in this episode:
- Urban Heat & Building Resilience: Hear from Smith Mordak, Chief Executive of UKGBC and Lara Balazs, Buro Happold, on protecting our building stock as temperatures rise.
- Green Spaces & Biodiversity: Insights from Tamsin Westhorpe, RHS Judge, horticultural journalist and gardener, on the importance of ecological education and making the most of city parks.
- Water Management: Tom McNamara, Founder of FreeUp, discusses a two-tier water system and the impacts of climate change, including 60% drier summers and 30% wetter winters.
- Community Connectivity: Buro Happold’s Lawrie Robertson and Rainier Valcarcel explore how London’s community hubs thrive in the summer.
- Sustainable Tourism: Lindsay Hawdon, travel writer and guest lecturer, shares how to rediscover cities sustainably and enjoy local tourism.
- Wellbeing in Urban Environments: Hear from our acoustic and lighting experts Daniel Bailey and Lena Kalpakidi on how we can enhance productivity and wellbeing indoors through better acoustic and lighting design.
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).
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