Sandbox from Buro Happold

Sandbox FOMO5 2, from Ep.02 ‘Urban Wonderlands: grey or green?’

How can education lead to environmental benefits and help biodiversity to thrive? And how does this impact all of us in a positive way?

Find out more in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5...

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). 

Sandbox FOMO5 1, from Ep.02 ‘Urban Wonderlands: grey or green?’

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – what is it and why does it matter to all of us? Find out in this week’s ‘Sandbox’ FOMO5... 

In our latest Sandbox episode - ‘Urban Wonderlands: grey or green?’, our panel explores the importance of the recent BNG regulation, and how it can be applied throughout urban areas and across the UK.  

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 02: 'Urban Wonderlands: Grey or Green?' - Biodiversity and its positive effects on our health and wellbeing

Why is having green space in our cities so important? How can we implement Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) - what exactly is it and why is it important? 

All of these questions and more, are answered in this new ‘Sandbox’ episode - ‘Urban Wonderlands: Grey or Green’. 

Taking part in this episode are Buro Happold experts Colin Byrne, Partner, Cities Infrastructure, and Aaron Grainger, Associate Director, UK Ecology and Biodiversity Management. Joining them is our special guest, Tamsin Westhorpe, who is a horticulturalist and leading figure in garden media, as well as a Royal Horticultural Society Judge. 

In this episode, our panel delves into the current issues at hand, such as why we are not seeing enough green space maintained throughout urban areas in the UK, and what the impacts of this are on human health & wellbeing and fighting the climate crisis in our cities. 

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). 

Sandbox FOMO5 3, from Ep.01 'Troubled Waters'

Why is it important for rain to fall and be collected in the right place, and how on earth could we make that happen? Find out in our final ‘Troubled Waters’ FOMO5, taken from our very first episode. 

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). 

Sandbox FOMO5 2, from Ep.01 'Troubled Waters'

What is a ‘Two Tier’ water system, and how could it help with our water management in the UK? Find out in this week’s FOMO5, taken from our recent full episode, as this concept is considered and discussed by our guests. 

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). 

Sandbox FOMO5 1, from Ep.01 'Troubled Waters'

Not listened to our podcast ‘Sandbox’ yet?  Here’s an interesting snippet from our latest episode, ‘Troubled Waters’ to pique your interest. 

‘Troubled Waters’ takes a deep dive into the challenges we face today around water management in the UK. Our guests discuss various ideas about what we could do to make meaningful changes to the rather shaky situation we find ourselves in currently - from potential nationwide solutions to how individuals can also make a difference. 

Following each main monthly release of ‘Sandbox’, there will be weekly FOMO5s where we will pick short, engrossing excerpts (under five minutes) as ‘quick listens’ - we know how busy everyone is! These could be anything from valuable insights, thought-provoking elements or even practical advice... 

This week’s FOMO5 picks up on a really interesting observation about how differently we in the UK view water use compared to Australia - you’ll just have to listen to find out what! 

The episode features Buro Happold water engineering experts Duncan Ker-Reid and Louise Clarke, special guest Dr. Tom McNamara, and our regular host Andy Duncan. 

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 01: 'Troubled Waters'

In ‘Troubled Waters’, we look at a topic that we can all relate to, especially with the recent flooding experienced across the country and the memory of last summer’s droughts fresh in our minds. We take a ‘deep dive’ into the challenges we face today around water management in the UK.

Taking part in this episode are Buro Happold experts Duncan Ker-Reid, Technical Director, Water, and Louise Clarke, Associate, Water. Joining them we have a very special guest, Dr. Tom McNamara. Tom is a leading scientist in his field and is the founder of FreeUp - a company that enables water quality/water event monitoring and prediction.

This episode introduces you to Andy Duncan, who will be our regular host for this podcast series. Andy asks the questions that you want to hear the answers to and will help de-mystify some of the more technical terms mentioned, whilst perhaps enjoying dropping one too many puns along the way!

Listen in as our guests discuss potential nationwide solutions for our water management in the UK, and also suggest ways in which we as individuals can help in moving towards answers to this ever-increasing problem.

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). 

Series Two 'Partners in conversation' special: Technology

There’s no doubt that technology has transformed the way we work. From open-source collaboration with the BHoM (The Buildings and Habitats object Model) and mapping buildings using spatial data in GIS, to Microsoft Teams allowing us to work effectively from home, the construction industry is embracing digitisation.

Digital technologies have revolutionised the design of the built environment. Technology is ingrained in both the processes and outcomes of our profession. But is there a danger that we rely on it too heavily? Does overuse of technology inhibit the creative process, and create barriers to true connectivity? 

Interviewer and podcast host Victoria Bentley spoke to new Buro Happold Partners Elliot Felix, Panji Grainger, Abhijeet Kulkarni, Robert Okpala, Yasmin Rehmanjee, Dr Mei Ren and Krzysztof Staszewski about their attitudes to technology. They discuss how new digital tools are transforming the way we design buildings and deliver projects for our clients. 

Series Two 'Partners in conversation' special: Climate

Tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis is of vital importance to Buro Happold. We are leading sustainability initiatives ranging from net zero carbon, climate resilience and passive design, through to social value and the circular economy.

 

Interviewer and podcast host Victoria Bentley speaks to new Partners Christine Lowry, Kaval Patel, Simon Pilkington and Dr Sebastian Seelig about sustainability within the built environment. They discuss how Buro Happold puts sustainability solutions at the heart of every project.

 

The pace of change is accelerating. Prioritising a green recovery that is sustainable and equitable requires sacrifices to our work and home comforts, but offers huge benefits to our buildings and cities. Government policy is important but so is a change of individual habits. But, which matters more?

Series Two 'Partners in conversation' special: Equity

How do you create an equitable organisation? Around the world, companies are grappling with this question as diversity, inclusion, equal opportunity and hybrid working becomes more important.

 

Interviewer and podcast host Victoria Bentley speaks to new Partners Federico Cassani, Amit Deshmukh, Matthew Harrison, Julie Janiski and Anna Wendt about equity at Buro Happold.

 

They discuss the role of policies and behaviour within our company and the wider built environment industry.

 

They also explore what practical steps we can all take to ensure everyone feels empowered, whatever their background. We all have a responsibility to diversify our industry and promote a culture of inclusivity.