Constructive Voices

Understand more about Biodiversity Net Gain With Sustainability Lawyer, Ben Stansfield of  Gowling WLG . Ben specialises in environmental and planning law. BNG – biodiversity net gain is a really positive step. I suspect 10% improvement through development stops the rot, preventing further degradation. But actually, it’s only when we get to 20 to 30% biodiversity net gain that we can start to see...

“Clean energy cities is a framework of recommendations that we gave to five different typologies of cities globally across the world.”  Dr. Stephen Lorimer, Centre for Net Zero If you want to be ahead of the curve in understanding how are cities need to change and are being transformed, then be sure to listen to Dr. Stephen Lorimer of the Centre For Net Zero, who speaks both passionately and exper...

The Global Policy Research Group is the the policy hub for next-generation policymakers that brings senior researchers, young professionals, and students together. One of their most recent reports investigates case studies and other aspects of Sustainable Housing in Europe. Jackie De Burca speaks to GPRG’s Research Leader of the Environmental Solutions, Katharina Fey, and Research Fellow, Jordan E...

Jane Findlay is the Immediate Past President of the Landscape Institute of the UK, and the director of Fira Landscape Limited. She has a wealth of experience in not only landscape architecture but also how it works in healthcare settings and therefore, how it can affect our health. Be sure not to miss this thought-provoking interview with Jackie De Burca, which you can listen to here or on your fa...

Learn from some top experts on biodiversity during Part 2, of the Biodiversity in the Built Environment Roundtable. Gain perspective on this topic that is not only vital to understand from an industry perspective but also from a climate change angle. Led by Claire Wansbury, this Roundtable included a superb panel of experts. Claire is an Atkins Fellow and Technical Director Atkins , a world-leadin...

Learn from some top experts on biodiversity during Part 1, of the Biodiversity in the Built Environment Roundtable. Gain perspective on this topic that is not only vital to understand from an industry perspective but also from a climate change angle.   Led by Claire Wansbury, this Roundtable included a superb panel of experts. Claire is an Atkins Fellow and Technical Director Atkins , a world-lead...

Today, Tuesday 28th February 2023, our beloved and esteemed colleague, Henry McDonald will has been laid to rest. This episode is a tribute to Henry, with excerpts of a small selection of some of his excellent interviews for Constructive Voices. Additionally, a few guests and colleagues pay tribute to him. Henry was a talented, prolific, versatile and empathetic journalist, author and broadcaster....

Henry McDonald talks to two top authorities about the precarious state of the British Houses of Parliament: Ian Paisley Jnr. and the Observer Architecture Critic, Rowan Moore. This podcast episode is one of many examples of Henry's superb broadcasting work.  These excellent interviews were recorded in 2022 before Henry became ill. The team here at Constructive Voices have been deeply saddened by t...

Can Venture Capital Help Biodiversity in the Built Environment with Margarita Skarkou? Plus Fintan Damer of Mott MacDonald Talks About the Importance of Education Join the Round Table here. As part of the Biodiversity in the Built Environment month, we investigate the urgently needed good that venture capital can do in an interview with Margarita Skarkou of 2150 VC. Plus we talk to Fintan Damer of...

Join the Round Table here. Welcome to Season Two of Constructive Voices and our first-ever themed month: Biodiversity in the Built Environment. January 2023 will offer you expert insight into Biodiversity in the Built Environment. We have lined up a superb panel of guests who will be featured in two podcast episodes (17th and 24th January) and we will culminate in the Round Table event on 31st Jan...

As some of our loyal listeners know, 2022 was the very first full year of Constructive Voices. And what a year it was! From Ireland to Australia, and from Brighton Beach to the United States of America, 2022 has been an amazing year thanks to the magnitude and diversity of our global guests. We have explored some big topics, such as climate change and sustainability, and how they relate to the bui...

“If we’re not careful, the United Kingdom is going to have its Notre Dame moment…. that Parliament is going to burn to the ground.” Ian Paisley, Jnr. Member of Parliament, United Kingdom “It’s very politically sensitive because no politician wants to be the one who tells the public that a very large amount of taxpayers’ money has to be spent on MPs’ place of work.” Rowan Moore, Architect Critic fo...

COP26 saw the first-ever Built Environment Day COP26 in Glasgow saw the first-ever Built Environment Day. Considering that one of the most shared statistics states that approximately 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions can be traced to constructing and maintaining buildings, some of you might be wondering if this is too little, too late. Roland Hunziker, director of sustainable buildings and ci...

Richard is a recovering alcoholic who has worked in the construction industry for fourteen years. His bravery and honesty will touch you whether you are dealing with an addiction yourself or know of someone who is. The addiction doesn’t need to be alcohol for this episode to be relevant for you. Two top addiction healthcare specialists from the UK and USA are part of the conversation. Both of whom...

The 44th episode of Constructive Voices looks Stateside to construction technology expert, Aaron Henderson. Talking to Steve Randall, Aaron navigates the stormy waters of an industry that has been shaken by a range of phenomena. He discusses how to minimise risk during these turbulent times, while giving listeners an interesting insight into the AEC sectors in America. As Product Marketing Manager...

Ireland’s favourite TV Builder, Peter Finn, talks to Scott Delaney of CIS Ireland about the state of the construction industry in Ireland plus he shines a spotlight on the work of CIS Ireland. They discuss how COVID-19 has changed the landscape of the construction industry. Scott also hones in on the huge challenge of material costs. Learn his insights from his industry researcher’s perspective. C...

Does this episode title annoy you in the current circumstances that so many of us find ourselves in? It can be hard to stomach concepts like this when our worlds have been turned upside down in so many ways over the last few years. However, architect and company director of Cityzen , John Smith MCIAT’s interview with Henry McDonald will certainly make you think! Plus Peter Finn gives his very hone...

Imagine your mission is to protect one of the most famous books in the whole world. A beautiful and intricate illuminated manuscript that contains the four Gospels of the New Testament that was created by Celtic monks around the year 800. This was the challenge that Peter Finn, Ireland’s Favourite TV Builder and one of the Constructive Voices presenters, faced a while ago. Ireland’s Favourite TV B...

Wondering how your counterparts are doing Down Under? Curious about the current state of the construction industry in Australia? Then tune in to Episode 40, with our Australian expert guest, Alex Fernandez-Soncini. Alex will give you a snapshot of the Australian construction industry, where the attitudes are, where the industry is right now based on a survey of several countries across Asia Pacifi...

The inaugural FOOTPRINT+ was a huge success and we were delighted to be there as a media partner. This bonus episode wraps up the series of super interviews that we recorded at the event. If you missed any interviews from the event you can catch up on previous specials one, two , three and four. Plus the first bonus special is available here. Check out the great selection of guests on this bonus e...

In this episode, Steve Randall speaks to Sam Whitworth and Maddie Podstada of Stelling Properties Limited. Steve was also given a tour around the Stelling Properties factory and himself and Pete the Builder discuss modular construction. If you have an interest in modular construction or you want to hear how it is being used to aid civilians fleeing the conflict in Ukraine then this episode is for...

To kick off this bonus FOOTPRINT+ episode, Pete the Builder spoke to Andrew Waugh about using timber in construction Andrew Waugh, Waugh Thistleton Architects Andrew is a founding director of Waugh Thistleton Architects, an architecture practice dedicated to designing buildings and places of the highest architectural quality that acknowledge their impact on the environment.  “…for the last 20 year...

Julia Watson is a leading light at this crucial moment in humanity's history. We were honoured and delighted to be able to interview her recently about indigenous architecture. From 5 May - 29 August 2022, the Barbican Centre is featuring Julia's  collaborative exhibition, Our Time on Earth ,  which is a major exhibition celebrating the power of global creativity to transform the conversation arou...

We really enjoyed being at the Footprint+ event earlier this month. Speaking to so many different people with the same goal was really refreshing. We still have one more episode to bring you, plus a couple of bonus episodes! If you missed any interviews from the event, you can catch them on the previous specials one , two and three .  To begin the final episode of this four-part series, Pete the B...

To kick off this third special episode, Steve Randall spoke to Josie Cadwallader-Hughes about Zero-Carbon homes As Sustainability Director at Thakeham Group , Josie Cadwallader-Hughes is responsible for keeping Thakeham at the leading edge, building partnerships with distinguished organisations with a long history of championing change, and advising on a number of cross-industry programmes enablin...