Grow Places

GP 50: How to Turn Big Ideas into Better Places: Architecture and Impact with Kai-Uwe Bergmann of BIG


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In this milestone 50th episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson sits down with renowned architect Kai-Uwe Bergmann, Partner at BIG, to explore the interplay between design, place-making, and global urban transformation.

Recorded at BIG’s London studio, this episode dives into:

  • The evolution of BIG’s London office and its roots in the Google King’s Cross and Serpentine Pavilion projects
  • BIG’s philosophy of context-driven design, balancing global thinking with local relevance
  • Powerful case studies like CopenHill (a power plant-turned-urban ski slope in Copenhagen) and The BIG U (a visionary climate resilience project for Manhattan)
  • Insights on the architect's role as storyteller, collaborator, and midwife to ideas
  • How diverse, inclusive engagement shapes better built environments—from Bhutan to New York

Whether you're in architecture, development, or just fascinated by how cities evolve, this episode offers compelling insights on how bold ideas and thoughtful design can shape the future of our urban world.

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