Summary

Step inside London’s Brutalist masterpiece as Philippa Simpson — Director for Buildings & Renewal at the Barbican Centre — unpacks the once-in-a-generation project to refresh this 1970s cultural icon.

From tricky way-finding through its residential estate to an ambitious master-plan that weaves sustainability, accessibility and new music venues into the concrete fabric, Philippa shares how an international design competition, deep community consultation and a people-first ethos will shape the Barbican’s next chapter.

Tune in for candid insights on nurturing fresh talent, funding the arts and what it really takes to future-proof a living legend.

Chapters

00:00 The Barbican Center: An Architectural Icon

12:06 Renovation Plans and Challenges

24:06 Design Competition and Team Selection

24:18 The Importance of Team Dynamics in Appointments

25:34 Navigating Competitions and Tenders in Architecture

26:52 Fostering New Talent in the Industry

27:54 Long-Term Planning and Phased Deliverables

28:36 Addressing London's Music Venue Shortage

30:11 Creating a Musical City: Beyond Classical Music

32:14 The Role of Funding in Arts and Culture

36:25 Challenges in Renovating Iconic Spaces

41:09 Community Engagement and Consultation in Design

44:33 Future Plans for the Barbican Centre

Summary

This conversation explores the evolving landscape of mass timber construction, focusing on the importance of early planning, the role of specialists, and the integration of sustainability and acoustics in timber projects.

The speakers, Dean Lewis and Mark Chen from Skanska, discuss their experiences and insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by mass timber, including cost efficiency, innovations in materials, and the future of prefabrication in the industry.

This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of construction, focusing on the comparison between panelized and modular construction, the importance of sustainability, and the role of innovative tools like the EC3 in assessing embodied carbon.

The discussion also highlights the integration of AI in construction processes, the potential of 3D printing, and the challenges of using timber and recycling materials in building projects.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Early Planning in Timber Projects

02:52 Introduction to Skanska and Its Operations

05:48 Mass Timber: Challenges and Opportunities

09:05 Roles and Responsibilities in Timber Construction

12:00 The Need for Specialists in Timber Engineering

14:51 Acoustics in Timber Construction

18:02 Sustainability and Carbon Considerations in Timber Projects

20:46 Cost Efficiency of Mass Timber vs. Traditional Materials

24:10 Innovations in Mass Timber Products

26:50 The Future of Prefabrication in Timber Construction

34:54 Panelized vs. Modular Construction

37:18 Sustainability in Construction Materials

40:09 The EC3 Tool and Embodied Carbon

42:06 Building Codes and Sustainability Initiatives

45:42 The Role of AI in Construction

50:53 3D Printing and Concrete Alternatives

54:12 Challenges in Using Timber for Construction

01:00:00 Recycling and Reusing Building Materials

SummaryIn this conversation, we speak with Jamie and Colin, the founders of Wrapt Homes, a company focused on making homes more energy efficient through innovative retrofit solutions. We discuss their backgrounds, the challenges of starting a business, and the importance of sustainability in construction. The conversation delves into the specifics of Wrapt's services, the materials they use, and their future plans for growth and innovation in the retrofit industry. They also touch on the significance of grant funding, team dynamics, and the need for quality control in delivering their services.Takeaways- Wrapt focuses on making homes more energy efficient.- The retrofit industry faces significant challenges.- Sustainability is a core value for Wrapt.- Innovate UK grants can provide crucial support for startups.- Quality control is essential in construction projects.- Wrapt aims to simplify the retrofit process for homeowners.- The private rented sector has the worst quality housing in the UK.- Collaboration with other companies is important for growth.- Wrapt is exploring prefabrication to reduce disruption during projects.- Trust and relationship-building are key in the energy industry.Chapters00:00 The Genesis of Wrapped02:24 Founders' Backgrounds and Inspirations04:40 Understanding Wrapped's Mission and Services07:32 Navigating the Retrofit Landscape10:08 Innovative Approaches to Retrofit12:36 The Evolution of the Business Model15:25 Challenges and Learning Experiences17:58 Funding and Grants: The Innovate UK Experience20:32 Material Choices and Sustainability22:52 Team Dynamics and Employment Strategies25:33 Quality Control and Project Management27:58 Future Plans and Innovations40:10 Strategic Growth and Team Structure43:18 Organic Growth vs. Investment Opportunities49:25 Innovative Panel Production and Technology52:43 Challenges in the Private Rented Sector58:16 Innovate UK Projects and Community Engagement01:02:43 Draft Busting Services and Customer Experience01:15:51 Future Projects and Collaborations