Constructive Voices

In this special and historic episode of Constructive Voices, we hand over the mic to our first-ever volunteer, Sarah Austin, a sustainable development practitioner with a passion for biodiversity, food systems, and rural regeneration. Sarah takes the lead in this fascinating deep dive into Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Ireland’s only eco neighbourhood designed to model regenerative, low-impact living.

“We seek to live in a regenerative and respectful way, sharing these 64 acres with many other species... to live with as light a footprint on the planet as possible.” – Peadar Kirby

Sarah is joined by Peadar Kirby, a resident of Cloughjordan Ecovillage and a retired professor who has spent his academic career studying development models and climate policy. Together, they explore the origins, vision, and everyday life of this pioneering community—and how its lessons can be shared with the world. 

“Our greatest asset is one another. The technologies can help, but it's our creativity and collaboration that will truly see us through.” – Peadar Kirby

What Cloughjordan Ecovillage is: A 64-acre eco neighbourhood integrated into the rural village of Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary.

How it began: From an idea in 1990s Dublin to a vibrant, regenerative community.

Sustainable living in action:

Homes built to top ecological standards

A district heating system powered by renewable energy

A community-run organic farm feeding residents fresh, local food

The power of community: Insight into how genuine interdependence creates resilience, creativity, and a rich cultural life.

Governance with purpose: A flat, nature-inspired governance model that supports active participation and shared responsibility.

Global connections: Cloughjordan's role in the Global Ecovillage Network and its importance as an educational charity.

Tips for other communities: How towns and neighbourhoods can implement small but powerful changes for sustainable living.

From the importance of tackling heat-related emissions to groundbreaking projects like the British Library’s solar thermal installation, this conversation dives deep into the challenges and innovations shaping the future of sustainable energy.

“About 50% of primary energy and greenhouse gas emissions are tied to heating. Solar thermal can play a huge role in reducing that.” – Dr. Alex Mellor

In this episode of Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca speaks with Dr. Alex Mellor, Director of Engineering at Naked Energy, about the critical role of solar thermal technology in decarbonising heat.

As a passionate environmentalist and solar energy expert, Dr. Mellor shares insights into how Naked Energy’s cutting-edge Virtu technology is revolutionising solar heating for commercial and industrial applications.

Learn why decarbonising heat is essential in the fight against climate change.

Understand how solar thermal technology works and its real-world applications.

Get inspired by innovative solutions that make renewable energy accessible and efficient.

Hear firsthand how businesses and institutions can implement sustainable heating solutions.

“It’s incredibly satisfying to see our work on rooftops, actively reducing emissions and making a real impact.” – Dr. Alex Mellor

Dr. Alex Mellor’s Journey – His path from academia to leading engineering efforts at Naked Energy.

The Role of Solar Thermal Technology – Understanding how solar heat contributes to global decarbonisation.

Virtu Technology – Exploring Virtu PVT (photovoltaic-thermal) and Virtu Hot solutions.

Challenges in Scaling Solar Thermal – Overcoming barriers in adoption, perception, and technology implementation.

The British Library Project – A deep dive into the UK’s largest solar thermal installation.

Global Expansion of Naked Energy – Strategies for adapting to different climates and markets.

Future Innovations in Renewable Heat – Exciting developments in solar cooling and heat storage.

“Solar heat is not just for southern climates—countries like Austria and Denmark lead in its adoption. The UK and others can follow suit.” – Dr. Alex Mellor

Dr. Alex Mellor is Director of Engineering at Naked Energy. He started out in solar R&D, before joining Naked Energy in 2018, where his role spans product development, customer engagement and project delivery.

Following a lifelong passion for solar, he has become fascinated by how we use heat across society, and how innovative technology can be brought to bear on its decarbonisation.

Prior to joining Naked Energy, Alex was a Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at Imperial College, and a visiting researcher at Fraunhofer-Institut, Germany; he holds a PhD in Solar Energy Technology from the Institute of Solar Energy in Madrid, Spain.

Alex has authored 2 patents and 21 published papers on PV-T technology, high-efficiency PV, off-grid systems for rural areas and PV for space power, as well as a book on quantum solar cells.

His passion for outreach saw him perform spectroscopy on the 16th century armour of Lord Buckhursts for the Wallace Collection, as well as deliver a series of solar-energy workshops at local schools, which he is now re-purposing for his 4-year-old son.

If you’re an educator, industry professional, or student considering a career in construction, this episode is packed with practical insights on the future of built environment education.

Craig’s passion for empowering the next generation shines through, offering invaluable advice for those looking to make a difference in the sector.

In this insightful episode of Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca sits down with Craig Bloxsome, an experienced educator dedicated to shaping the future of the built environment.

As the Course Team Leader at Cirencester College, Craig has spent over 20 years working with young people in the construction environment, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the industry.

Craig shares his journey from working with apprentices to becoming a passionate course leader, discusses the importance of hands-on experience, and explores how emerging technologies like BIM, AI, and digital modelling are transforming construction education. He also highlights the challenges of attracting diverse talent into the sector and the crucial role of sustainability in modern construction training.

“Young people are already designing and building in digital worlds like Minecraft and Fortnite. They might not realise it, but they’re doing architecture. The next step is helping them see how those skills translate into real-world careers in the built environment.” – Craig Bloxsome

✅ Craig’s career path from apprentice training to T Level leadership
✅ The impact of T Levels and work placements in bridging the gap between education and industry
✅ How gaming and digital tools (like Minecraft and BIM) can attract young talent to construction
✅ The importance of communication skills alongside technical knowledge
✅ Challenges in delivering T Level courses and securing work placements
✅ Sustainability in education – ensuring future construction professionals are equipped for green building practices
✅ Encouraging more women and diverse talent to enter the built environment industry

“The feedback we have from employers now is that students are coming into the workplace and actually showing them how to use new technologies and software they didn’t even realise could be so useful. It’s a real win-win situation for everyone.” Craig Bloxsome

In this compelling episode of Constructive Voices, Jackie De Burca sits down with author, PR expert, and climate advocate Sangeeta Waldron to discuss her latest book, What Will Your Legacy Be? Global Conversations with Changemakers.

Through heartfelt anecdotes and actionable insights, this episode examines how individuals can create a lasting legacy that positively impacts our planet.

You may wonder what this has to do with the built environment. But as you will hear from Sangeeta and as our team believes, it is all interconnected.

“Legacy is about leaving the planet better not just for the next ten years, but for the next hundred or two hundred years.” – Sangeeta Waldron

Photo courtesy of Deposit Photos

Key Highlights:

Sangeeta’s Career Journey: With over 30 years of experience in public relations, Sangeeta reflects on her career—from working with UK Prime Ministers to founding her agency, Serendipity PR & Media.

The Inspiration Behind the Book: Discover how a conversation with her publisher led Sangeeta to write about the intersection of legacy and climate action.

Defining Legacy: For Sangeeta, legacy means leaving the planet better for future generations—an ethos woven throughout her book and personal philosophy.

Stories That Inspire: From Julian Lennon’s work with the White Feather Foundation to groundbreaking research on humpback whales, Sangeeta’s interviews reveal surprising and hopeful insights.

Connecting with the Built Environment: Sangeeta discusses how sustainability initiatives within construction can shape a pro-planet legacy, highlighting innovative tools like carbon-tracking apps for materials.

Practical Takeaways: Simple steps to foster sustainability—reduce plastic use, eat seasonally, and talk about climate issues—can collectively make a significant impact.

“One act can create a ripple, and those ripples can come together to create a tsunami of positive impact.” Sangeeta Waldron

Sangeeta is an award-winning public relations professional. Discover more by visiting her company’s website, Serendipity PR.

She is also a ground-breaking author. Discover her third book, What Will Your Legacy Be: Conversations with global game changers about the climate crisis

A seasoned landscape architect, author and urban designer, Alexandra shares her insights from her dual practices in London, UK, and Vancouver, Canada.

The conversation delves into the unique urban design strengths of Vancouver, the challenges of densification, and the city’s need to address climate resilience through green and blue infrastructure.

“Vancouver has always been one of the most livable cities in the world, placed within an absolutely spectacular setting, and its forefathers safeguarded green areas like Stanley Park right from the beginning.” – Alexandra Steed

Key Highlights:

“Vancouver has been thoughtful about considering the pedestrian experience—using setbacks, street trees, and green roofs to create a more human and less engineered cityscape.” Alexandra Steed

“With densification, there’s a growing need for robust green infrastructure. Without it, stormwater has nowhere to go, and we risk losing the natural beauty Vancouver is known for.” Alexandra Steed

“It’s not too late for Vancouver to lead by example, weaving nature-based solutions into its development plans and preparing for the challenges of climate change.” – Alexandra Steed

Alexandra Steed, a passionate landscape architect and Fellow of the Landscape Institute (FLI) and the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), has a profound commitment to art, sustainability, and the transformative power of landscapes.

In 2013, she founded the London-based studio URBAN with the goal of bringing joy to people’s daily lives through landscape design that enhances beauty and fosters well-being. Steed actively advises and serves on expert panels for organisations such as the Design Council UK and the UK Government’s Office for Place.

As a lecturer at The Bartlett, UCL, she shares her knowledge and volunteers her time to support community place-making visions. Steed’s exceptional contributions to landscape architecture have garnered prestigious awards, including the WAFX Award for innovative global solutions and the LI Award for Excellence in Tackling Climate Change.

Additionally, she was shortlisted for the Sir David Attenborough Award, highlighting her dedication to preserving and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystems. She is the author of the ground-breaking book “Portrait to Landscape: A Landscape Strategy to Reframe Our Future.”

Cement production, a cornerstone of modern infrastructure, is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. Fortera is tackling this daunting challenge with groundbreaking technology that redefines the way cement is produced.

“Concrete is what creates our civilization. It’s not about replacing it—it’s about finding ways to make it cleaner, greener, and better for the future.” – Ryan Gilliam

Join us as Ryan shares his journey from academic beginnings in Materials Engineering to leading a company on a mission to decarbonise one of the world’s most energy-intensive industries.

Learn how Fortera leverages nature-inspired processes to create innovative cement solutions, blending sustainability with economic feasibility.

Key Highlights:

“There’s good reason to be optimistic. The interest from cement companies, architects, and investors shows that the world is ready to embrace sustainable solutions. It won’t happen overnight, but the momentum is real.” Ryan Gilliam

“Our goal is simple but ambitious: paving the way to zero CO2 cement. With every step, we’re proving that sustainability and scale can coexist.” Ryan Gilliam, on Fortera’s mission.

Ryan Gilliam is co-founder and CEO of Fortera, a low-carbon cement manufacturer focused on paving the way to zero CO2 cement. Gilliam is a serial entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to solving climate issues. Specifically, Gilliam has focused on decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like cement, energy, and petrochemicals.

He has over 100 granted patents focused on electrochemical, chemical, and materials technologies for the beneficial reuse of carbon emissions, green hydrogen production, and more environmentally friendly chemical manufacturing.

In addition to his role at Fortera, Gilliam also serves on the Board of Directors of Verdagy, a company he founded that is innovating advanced electrolysis technology for the large-scale production of green hydrogen. 

“Optimism wins. Solving sustainability challenges like emissions from cement is possible, and there are reasons to be hopeful as companies and industries embrace these changes.” Ryan Gilliam

In this inspiring 19-minute episode of Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca is joined by the incredible Sangeeta Waldron, a PR expert and celebrated author, for a deep dive into the vibrant community of Enfield, North London. Together, they explore how this unique borough has blended nature, sustainability, and innovation to create a thriving urban ecosystem that stands as a model for other communities.

From the rewilding initiatives at Forty Hall Estate to the innovative transformation of the Living Room Library, Sangeeta paints a vivid picture of how Enfield embraces sustainability while fostering a strong sense of community. She also highlights the crucial role of local media, the surprising biodiversity of the area, and how nature’s wisdom can guide us toward a more balanced way of living.

Tune in for a conversation that’s as enlightening as it is heartwarming, filled with real-world examples of how urban and natural worlds can harmoniously coexist.

Discovering Forty Hall Estate:
Learn about the rewilding of beavers, free-grazing red poll cows, and how technology like QR codes helps locals live side-by-side with nature.

The Living Room Library in Edmonton:
A stunning example of urban regeneration, where two old garages were transformed into a sustainable library and community hub.

Why Local Media Matters:
How Enfield’s Dispatch newspaper keeps the community informed and counters misinformation in an age of digital overload.

Sangeeta’s Perspective on Sustainability:
Insights from her books, including Corporate Social Responsibility is Not Public Relations and her upcoming release, What Will Your Legacy Be?

This bonus episode features a 12-minute excerpt from a 2021 interview with Professor Michael Parkinson, renowned for his work on urban regeneration, particularly in Liverpool. He discusses Liverpool's transformation from a city on the brink of collapse in the 1980s to one experiencing a significant Renaissance. He is interviewed by the late author and Guardian journalist, Henry McDonald.

Key factors for this recovery include:

On Liverpool's Transformation:

On Collaboration and Leadership:

On European Influence:

On Everton’s Stadium Development:

On Liverpool’s Resilience:

On the Waterfront:

Closing Reflection:

These quotes and insights highlight Liverpool's unique journey of urban regeneration and the blend of local, national, and European efforts that fueled its recovery.

“The real problems we have with cavity wall insulation is it’s been installed in the wrong geographical locations, in the wrong type of housing stock.” – Damian Mercer

In this eye-opening episode of Constructive Voices, host Steve Randall dives into the critical topic of cavity wall insulation with expert guest Damian Mercer, Owner and Director of Cavity Extraction Ltd.

While cavity wall insulation is designed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints, its failure in millions of UK homes has led to a cascade of issues including damp, mould, financial strain, and even health problems. Could this be a national scandal in the making?

“Failed cavity wall insulation creates a breeding ground for damp, mold, and health conditions ranging from asthma to COPD.” – Damian Mercer

Damian shares his decade-long experience in addressing failed cavity wall insulation, shedding light on:

Discover the surprising parallels to past controversies like asbestos and RAAC, and why Damian believes this issue needs immediate government intervention. Tune in to hear real solutions, industry insights, and what homeowners can do to safeguard their properties.

“A dry envelope with no insulation actually performs better than a property with failed cavity wall insulation.” – Damian Mercer

Key Topics Discussed:

“Surely, as a government, we should have investigated the processes of retrofit insulation and the impact of these products on the housing stock of the UK.” – Damian Mercer

Damian Mercer set up Cavity Extraction in 2014 and is the first to admit his company shouldn’t be needed or indeed as successful as it is. Cavity wall insulation shouldn’t fail! But it does, and it is an unknown national scandal having a severe impact on not only public housing but also privately owned homes up and down the country with approximately 50% of UK homes anticipated to have failed cavity wall insulation.

Over the last 18-24 months, Damian Mercer has been working tirelessly, lobbying for a change in legislation to ensure that this does not happen again and that those impacted are fairly renumerated.

Damian’s efforts have included meetings with then local conservative MP, Katherine Fletcher, who visited the Cavity Extraction Ltd office and more recently an appearance in front of hundreds of MPs at Westminster Hall in London.

Damian’s Westminster trip was specifically to shine a light on a cavity wall insulation scandal that has impacted over 100 people in Burnley alone, centred around the collapse of SBB Law, who were managing hundreds of no-win, no-fee cases for victims of failed cavity wall insulation.

The law firm collapsed in 2023 and as a result, its clients were slapped with huge bills to pay, with one victim owing £36,000. Following a meeting of around 100 Burnley-based victims earlier this year, Damian went to present their arguments to MPs at Westminster, passing on key messages from the community and fighting for a solution for those affected and living in fear of bailiffs and rising debt.

Just as it felt like headway was being made and the right people were being made aware of the regional scandal and bigger nationwide situation at play – which matches that of the recent post office enquiry – an election was called and alas, a totally new government in place, bringing everything back to square one but Damian is determined to keep fighting the fight.

“Nature has a calming and restorative effect. It can improve our mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being—it’s not just a luxury; it’s essential.”– Dr Nadina Galle

In the final part of this enlightening series, Jackie de Burca sits down with ecological engineer and National Geographic Explorer Nadina Galle to discuss the transformative power of nature. From understanding how nature heals our bodies and minds to innovative practices like forest therapy and urban tree email campaigns, this episode is brimming with hope and practical insights.

Nadina shares deeply personal reflections from her book, The Nature of Our Cities, and offers actionable advice on integrating nature into our daily lives—whether in sprawling forests or a single urban tree. For anyone seeking inspiration and strategies to reconnect with nature, this is a must-listen episode.

“Seeing the forest as the therapist—that’s central to ecotherapy. The forest provides mechanisms for healing; we’re just the guides” – Dr. Nadina Galle

Episode Highlights:

“We came from nature, we evolved in nature, and ultimately, we are hardwired to love and need it.” Dr. Nadina Galle

Head over to the Dr. Nadina Galle Category