Building Green

Ever wonder what key factors actually make a material sustainable for each situation? Dr. Gayatri Keskar is a materials scientist and sustainability expert, committed to revealing the facts about sustainable materials. She shares her fascinating journey, from growing up in an engineering family to working on cutting-edge innovations in material science. In this conversation, we take a closer look...

Ever wondered what it’s like to sleep under the stars in the middle of a wildlife reserve? In this episode, we sit down with Graeme Labe, the visionary behind Luxury Frontiers, to explore the world of luxury hospitality designed to connect people with nature. Find out how Graeme redefines luxury in hospitality, discover how he built safari lodges in the Okavango Delta while living on top of a Land...

What if temporary buildings could be as sustainable as permanent ones? In this episode, we talk with Thomas Hundt, co-founder of Jangled Nerves, about the sustainable future of exhibitions and architecture. Thomas shares fascinating stories, including the Mercedes-Benz Red Pavilion, where nearly all materials were reused or resold, making it a model of sustainability in temporary construction. He...

How do we build for the future without harming the planet? In this episode, we talk to Karim Elnabawy, a senior sustainability manager who's working on some of the biggest projects in Saudi Arabia. He breaks down the challenges of building in the desert and using 100% renewable energy for projects like Neom. He discusses the misconceptions about the cost of sustainable buildings, how the clien...

Ever wondered if it's possible to build a comfortable home in the tropics without air conditioning?  Meet Charles, a pioneering architect who’s redefining sustainable design in Southeast Asia. In this episode, Charles shares how he uses bioclimatic design and natural materials like rice husk and bamboo to cool buildings, while avoiding high-tech, energy-consuming solutions. Discover why timber...

Is your electric car really saving the planet?  In this eye-opening episode, we challenge the myths around sustainability and explore what it takes for truly sustainable projects to become the norm.  Our guest, Ali Al-Sammarraie, a leading expert in urban planning, isn’t just focused on sustainable design - he’s also dedicated to making sure these designs bring economic value and align with the pr...

How can architecture help us pay back our ecological debt? In this episode, I chat with Todd Jersey and Katy Reynolds, two pioneers in green architecture and sustainable building practices. Todd shares his journey from traditional building to creating eco-friendly designs, inspired by permaculture principles. Katy, a former investment banker, tells us how she transitioned to green homebuilding and...

Ever wondered how nature can teach us to build better cities? Professor Hisham Elkadi is a pioneer in sustainable urban development. He shares everything he learned in his extensive research about how ecological principles can shape smarter, more resilient cities and why flexibility is key in design. Key Points: Learn how Professor Elkadi transformed Geelong, a city in Australia, by using nature&#...

Uncover the real cost of sustainability and why it’s not what you think. Erica Anesi, CEO of women-owned hardware company PBA, reveals some unexpected insights about sustainable design that might just change your perspective. Curious? Here’s a sneak peek: How focusing on the three dimensions of sustainability is revolutionizing the way PBA is producing award-winning sustainable hardware. How to me...

Did you know a city in Brazil recycles 70% of its waste? Tony Ip, founder of Tony Ip Green Architects, shares how a transformative trip to Curitiba completely changed his approach to urban planning and sustainable architecture. Learn how Tony led the construction of Hong Kong's first zero-carbon building using passive design principles and cutting-edge technology. Inspired by Curitiba’s forwar...

Did you know you can build robust, eco-friendly walls using hemp and lime? In this episode, Cany Ash, founding director of multi award-winning architects Ash Sakula, shares how they build 500mm thick walls without any plastic. Learn about her project where a village in the center of London was built from recycled materials from the Olympics and how she envisions "adaptable neighborhoods"...

Discover how space logistics can revolutionize space exploration with Omar Alayli, founder of Future Space Architecture. Learn about the challenges and innovations in developing in-orbit logistics and how space technology can enhance sustainability on Earth. Dive into the exciting possibilities of interstellar travel and life beyond our planet. To explore more about Omar Alayli and his work, you c...

How can we make cities less dense without sacrificing functionality and beauty? Award-winning architect Jason Pomeroy discusses how sky gardens impact our perception of the city and what role floating farms play in our future. Learn about the designs that could shape the next generation of urban spaces and the role of culture in cities like Singapore. To explore more about Jason Pomeroy and his wo...

Miroslav Naskov is an architect who believes in the power of nature. Discover his creative journey, from building shelters as a child to creating innovative projects in the real world and the Metaverse, including his experience working with Zaha Hadid Architects and Patrik Schumacher. We discuss his unique approach to architecture that includes the use of AI from an early stage and local fabricati...

Jon Ackroyd, co-founder of Akroyd Lowrie, shares his journey from struggling with dyslexia to leading creative retrofit projects in London, like the transformation of Camberwell Magistrates Court. Discover how his "radical retrofit" philosophy reimagines old buildings using sustainable materials and creative solutions. Tune in to learn how the use of VR helps in the sustainability of des...

It is not obvious to most people what role acoustics play in sustainable building design, as they don’t have an impact on the reduction or efficiency of materials - actually, stringent acoustic criteria often require an increase in materials and the density of the same. The Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory, Paul Schwarz, takes us on a journey through the often-overlooked bu...

The project of Arena do Morro by architects Herzog & De Meuron is mainly known for its social impact on the community in the favela. In this episode we focus on its sustainability performance, as its remarkable energy and microclimate concept, remain overlooked due to its social focus. Tomislav Dushanov, Associate at Herzog & De Meuron, sheds light on the transformative power of sustainabl...

Fabiano Sartori is an architect and urban planner with a strong focus on integrating sustainability into humanitarian action. His career evolved from founding his Brazilian architecture studio to influencing major humanitarian projects all over the world. In this episode, discover: - The challenges of making cities and refugee camps sustainable while helping people in need - The powerful impact of...

Kourosh Salehi is the Design Director at global architecture firm LWK +Partners, and he's based in Dubai.  Kourosh shares his extensive journey in architecture, emphasizing the critical role of "contextual metabolism" in shaping cities and buildings that reflect the cultural, environmental, and social fabric of their settings. Kourosh challenges the notion that sustainability is an e...

In this episode of "Building Green," I delve into an inspiring conversation with Ivana Kildsgaard, Sustainability Director at Tengbom, one of Scandinavia’s leading architecture practices, and Chairman of 100 Gruppen, which focuses on how to create circular and sustainable interiors. Ivana brings a fresh perspective to the integration of sustainability in architectural design and urban pl...

In this episode of "Building Green: Tomorrow’s Architecture Today," our host, Ladina Schöpf, sits down with Akbar Hassan, not an architect, but Senior Investment Analyst at Kettler, to explore the intersection of real estate finance and sustainable architecture.  Akbar shares his journey from his beginnings at New York University to his role at Kettler, through very different touchpoints...

Join us on this episode of “Building Green” as host Ladina Schöpf welcomes Jessica Van Schalkwyk, a professional disaster manager and founder of Disaster Nomad. From surfing the waves of South Africa to working in international disaster zones, Jessica’s journey is driven by a passion for integrating effective disaster management strategies with sustainable elements. Dive into Jessica’s insights on...

In this inspiring episode of 'Building Green,' host Ladina Schöpf engages with architects from Casablanca, Jaafar Sijelmassi and Omar Mawlawi, to discuss the innovative use of sustainable, local materials in modern architecture.  They delve deep into the challenges and triumphs of constructing the new Bosch headquarters in Casablanca, using traditional earth building techniques. They share their j...

En este episodio de "Building Green", Ladina Schöpf conversa con Andreu Villagrasa, un pionero en arquitectura sostenible y eficiencia energética. Residiendo en Barcelona, Andreu comparte su transición de arquitecto técnico a defensor de la arquitectura bio-climática y del estándar Passivhaus (casa pasiva).  Andreu revela cómo su experiencia en certificación energética y simulación termo...

In this episode of "Building Green," host Ladina Schöpf talks with Dr. Matthew Sawyer about the synergy between healthcare and environmental sustainability. They dive into the UK's Healthcare Net Zero Plan, discussing its ambitious goals to reduce the carbon footprint across 40,000 primary care buildings and the challenges in making healthcare facilities greener. Sawyer shares insigh...