In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with Pip Simpson, Director of Buildings and Renewal, at the Barbican. They explore the evolving role of cultural institutions in shaping cities, fostering creativity, and building community. Pip shares insights from her experience at major UK institutions, discusses the Barbican’s unique mixed-use design, and reveals plans for its ambitious revitalization. From architecture and accessibility to programming and public engagement, this conversation uncovers how spaces like the Barbican can inspire, connect, and adapt for the future.

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, we sit down with Rob Marten, co-founder of SPACE+, to explore why tribes — small, intentional communities — are at the heart of human-centric real estate events.

Rob reflects on his journey from organising a village music festival called “Twigstock” as a teenager to co-creating SPACEUK, one of the UK’s most distinctive property events. Through candid stories and industry insights, he explains how smaller, more focused gatherings help challenge assumptions, create serendipity, and foster the kind of connection the real estate sector urgently needs.

We discuss:

• The philosophy behind SPACE+’s "tribes" approach and why scale and intimacy don't have to be at odds.
• The importance of genuine diversity in event programming — and the responsibility organisers have in shaping who gets heard.
• Why real estate struggles with public-facing language (think: build-to-rent and single-family housing), and what that means for the sector’s future.
• How SPACE+ aims to “curate serendipity” and why in-person events still matter more than ever in a post-pandemic world.

From live music to meaningful placemaking, this episode is a deep dive into how we bring people together — and why it matters.

🔗 Listen now and discover how human-centred convening can change the face of real estate.

In this energising episode of the Grow Places podcast, Tom Larsson speaks with Kristian Riis—former rock musician and founder of creative placemaking agency Volcano —about the urgent need to rethink how we shape our cities, communities, and lives.

From life on tour with his band Nephew to working alongside governments, cultural entrepreneurs, and the King of Bhutan, Kristian shares how his passion for togetherness has evolved into a mission to transform the built environment. He unpacks the link between culture and wellbeing, why good placemaking is good business, and how temporary activation and flexibility are essential tools for the cities of tomorrow.

Recorded during Kristian’s visit to London for ULI Europe, this conversation weaves global perspectives with real local insight—from Copenhagen to Ulaanbaatar, Victoria Station to Truman Brewery. A powerful reminder that meaningful places aren’t just built—they’re grown, with creativity, compassion, and community at their core.

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson sits down with Sophie Rosier, Head of London Mixed Use, Development, at Savills to explore the evolving landscape of city-making. From her early days at Television Centre to leading complex regeneration projects like Brent Cross Town, Sophie shares how passion, collaboration, and strategic vision are reshaping London’s urban fabric.

They discuss the increasing complexity of unlocking major mixed-use developments, the role of long-term partnerships, and the transformative impact of early community engagement. Sophie also highlights the importance of programs like UrbanPlan in inspiring the next generation and how simple values—like building trust and safe, inclusive spaces—can drive long-lasting impact.

Whether you're a seasoned property professional or someone curious about how our cities are shaped, this episode offers a heartfelt and insightful look into the people and purpose behind large-scale development.

🎧 Tune in to hear how cities evolve—and how we can make them better.

In this new episode of the Grow Places Podcast, we explore one of the most critical but often overlooked elements of successful regeneration: trust.

Kat Hanna, Co-Managing Director (London) at Avison Young, joins us to talk about her journey from public policy into real estate, and how meaningful partnerships—rooted in trust—are essential for delivering real, long-term change in our towns and cities.

🎯 We cover:

• How regeneration strategies must evolve beyond physical design
• The role of inclusive thinking and authentic engagement
• What public and private sector actors can learn from each other
• Why building trust early is key to sustainable urban transformation

💬 “Regeneration can’t be delivered without trust—it’s not just strategy, it’s the foundation.” – Kat Hanna

What if we told you that the biggest driver of quality of life in a building isn’t space, location, or sleek design – but how connected people feel to each other?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with Adam Hinds, co-founder of LifeProven, to unpack what truly makes a place thrive. From ESG’s misunderstood reputation to surprising data on mental well-being in housing, this is a deep dive into how buildings influence lives – and how the real estate sector is only just beginning to catch up.

Adam shares the real reason LifeProven was born (hint: it started with a very awkward question from a university client), and how their pioneering approach is shifting decision-making for investors, developers, and policymakers alike.

Expect insight, humanity, and a few well-earned reality checks – plus a vision for the kind of places we should be creating, and what happens when data meets empathy at scale.

You’ll learn:

• Why the most powerful ESG investors aren’t backing down
• What “quality of life” really means – and how to measure it
• How dense urban living can still be deeply human
• Why clutter causes anxiety (and how to design that out)
• The design decisions that really matter – and the ones that don’t

If you care about the future of cities, real estate, or just want to know how your environment shapes your wellbeing – this one’s for you.

Learn more at growplaces.com

Rachel Coleman, Head of Research at Turner & Townsend Alinea, takes us on a fascinating journey through the interconnected worlds of construction economics, data analytics, and place-making in this thought-provoking conversation.

With disarming candour, Rachel shares how she stumbled into a career in construction after studying physical geography — intending just a one-year office stint before returning to university. That temporary role evolved into a fulfilling vocation, connecting people and processes, addressing inefficiencies, and ensuring valuable knowledge flows through projects.

Despite the persistent challenges facing development — from rising costs to material shortages — Rachel offers refreshingly optimistic perspectives. She challenges the long-held belief that construction productivity has stagnated, citing evidence that properly planned work enables 7.5 people to achieve what previously required 10, simply through smarter sequencing and resource management.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn as Rachel reframes the debate around affordability. True affordability, she argues, extends beyond the building itself — encompassing proximity to schools and workplaces, access to affordable transport, and opportunities for diverse social interaction. It is, ultimately, about total living costs and quality of life.

For anyone navigating today’s complex development landscape, Rachel’s insights on data strategy are invaluable. She advocates for establishing a single "source of truth" to avoid outdated information, collecting comprehensive datasets while remaining conscious of cognitive biases, and demonstrating better approaches to shift industry mindsets.

Whether you're a developer, planner, policymaker, or simply curious about how the built environment takes shape, this conversation offers essential perspectives on creating more affordable, sustainable, and human-centred places — even amid economic headwinds and industry constraints.

In this episode, Tom Larsson speaks with Faisal Butt, founder of Pi Labs, about the evolution of PropTech and real estate venture capital. Faisal reflects on his journey from a tech-driven background to pioneering investments in property technology, coining the term “PropTech.” He discusses Pi Labs’ progression across three funds, investing in startups ranging from SaaS to robotics and AI. Highlighting breakthroughs like AI converting architectural drawings and security drones, Faisal emphasises the need for clearer pilot-to-rollout processes in real estate innovation. He advocates for defined ROI and leadership trust to unlock scalable growth and drive industry-wide transformation. 

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson speaks with James Pellatt, founder of Digital Trees and former Director of Innovation at GPE, about the deep structural inefficiencies in real estate—and how data and technology can be the key to unlocking lasting change.

James shares the thinking behind launching Digital Trees, his pragmatic approach to innovation, and why leadership, culture, and curiosity are essential to digital transformation. Drawing from decades in the sector, he unpacks why PropTech often fails to scale, how sustainability commitments created new data burdens, and why AI’s biggest opportunity might be freeing up time for deeper human connection.

From project management to smart buildings, and from open innovation to the lessons of Kaizen at Jaguar Land Rover, James and Tom explore how real estate can stop repeating the past and start designing for the future—with purpose, precision, and empathy.

Tune in for a thought-provoking look at the intersection of technology, place, and the people behind progress.

www.growplaces.com/podcast

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson sits down with journalist and CREtech's Head of Content, Emily Wright, to explore the evolving narratives around real estate, design, and the human experience of place.

Emily shares insights from her 20-year career in the industry, reflecting on how conversations around well-being, sustainability, and placemaking have shifted from niche concerns to mainstream priorities. She discusses the power of human-centred design, the changing role of public vs. private space, and the industry’s responsibility to create places that feel truly lived-in, informal, and adaptable.

From Helsinki’s Oodi Library to the Nordic sauna culture, Emily and Tom discuss the importance of everyday joy, the flexibility of great places, and how the best environments are often the most unfinished. They also touch on how profit and purpose can coexist and why commentary on the built world matters more than ever.

🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the future of places, the impact of design, and the pleasure in the simple things.

www.growplaces.com/podcast