Buro Happold in Conversation

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.

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?

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.

This summer, we’re chatting to digital specialists from across Buro Happold as part of the Tech Talk series. Over the next few months, we’ll be covering everything from BIM360 to digital twins, Teams to SmartViz, discussing how technology is transforming the way we work with our clients, collaborators, and one another. To kick things off, legal and digital guru May Winfield talks us through the exciting initiatives taking place within the practice, as well as the legal challenges we all...

Can we transform offsite manufacturing with better data? Engineering design firms need to refocus on outcomes when it come to prefabrication. If we want our structures to endure and adapt to the changing world, we need to get everyone talking to each other along the supply chain, from design to manufacture to construction. In this podcast, we talk about using live data from construction sites to inform decision-making along the supply chain, aid the business case for change and investment, and most importantly, improve modular solutions in design standardization. With insight from Matthew Gough, Director of Innovation and Head of Bids at MACE, and Alain Waha and Wolf Mangledorf from Buro Happold.

Many say that MMC over-simplifies construction. It creates "cookie-cutter" buildings, which may cost less, but they also quash innovation, stifle creativity and create problems in the supply chain. Our experts don’t agree. This podcast looks at the preconceptions around industrialised design, including an in-depth look at how the supply chain can be adapted to include more modern methods of construction without sacrificing quality, diversity or aesthetics. With insight and discussion from Mark Ireland, chief engineer, technology strategy, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) alongside Buro Happold's Mike Cook, Franck Robert and Alain Waha.

Feeling a bit hot? You may need to adjust your expectations – as the world heats up, our idea of what a comfortable temperature is, is going to change. In this episode, Buro Happold’s specialists in heating and cooling discuss the fact that worldwide use of air conditioning is likely to triple by 2050, making it one of the major sources of electricity demand, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The impact of this growth on the environment is particularly concerning. However, new technology means air conditioning solutions will look very different in 30 years’ time. District cooling, passive design and ambient heat loops all have a role to play in the new, hotter, “normal”, but alongside technological solutions, we also have to look at our behaviour, and how to adjust to manage the heat. With insight from some of Buro Happold's energy team, including Lara Balazs, James Dickinson, Nick Boid and Adam Dyson.

What do we do when a building or structure just isn’t useful anymore? As technology transforms our economies and lifestyles, our urban infrastructure must evolve to adapt to changing circumstances. Railways, bridges, office blocks, ports, piers and waterways that fall into disrepair are not only a commercial risk for the owner, they are a blight on the local community. However, these so-called stranded assets have immense potential to spark improvements to our cities. What is Buro Happold doing to regenerate and transform these assets? Most importantly, what should our industry be doing to prevent such occurrences? Featuring Richard Ainsley, Roger Savage, Alice Shay, Cristobal Correa and Craig Schwitter.

The architecture, engineering and construction industry is not using data to its full advantage. How can we ease the “fear” of data in facilities managers and contractors? This discussion brings in tech experts alongside Buro Happold's engineers to examine why data is not being used fully across all the stages of a project. What are the barriers that stop clients and engineers embracing data at every stage, from planning to post-construction? What else can we do to help clients understand the business benefits and value augmentation that data brings? Eduardo Bayod, head of London office at Fide Partners and Steven Wood, senior commercial manager at Digital Catapult join Buro Happold colleagues Irfan Soneji, Tom Hopton and Phil Proctor in finding some answers.

Can good design truly make us happy? We spend the majority of our time in buildings, so shouldn’t we have a better understanding of how they make us feel? This podcast addresses how bad design affects our physical and mental health, and what we can do to make happiness a priority in all of our buildings. There is also the question of designing buildings for those with additional needs – how do we put choice and control at the heart of our designs? Ben Channon, Architect at Assael Architecture and Author of Happy By Design, is joined by Buro Happold's Mike Entwistle, Adam Poole and Jean Hewitt in this far-reaching discussion.