Grow Places

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 She advocates for establishing a single "source of truth" to avoid outdated information, collecting comprehensive datasets while remaining conscious of cognitive biases, and demonstrating better approaches to shift industry mindsets.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.

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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

Welcome to the Grow Places Podcast, where we explore the virtuous circle of people, growth, and place. Hosted by our founder, Tom Larsson, this episode takes a deep dive into architecture, development, and urban living with Tom & James Teatum, co-founders of Noiascape.

Noiascape is redefining the way we think about housing, blurring the boundaries between living, working, and social space. The brothers share their journey from architectural practice to development and operations, explaining why fragmentation in the built environment limits innovation and how their integrated approach allows them to create places that truly shape experiences.

We explore:
🔹 How Noiascape challenges conventional housing models with a focus on experience and community
🔹 The role of design, development, and operations in shaping better living spaces
🔹 Why listening to residents and local communities is key to creating places that thrive
🔹 How cities can foster cultural identity and social interaction through smart spatial design
🔹 The future of urban living and how Noiascape plans to scale its model across multiple cities

With a passion for connecting people and place, Tom & James explain why great cities are made in the spaces between private and public life—and how they are building for sustainable, meaningful urban experiences.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation about the future of housing, the power of design, and why great places are never created in isolation.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Discover the transformational power of purposeful design with Angela Crowther, a director at Arup, as she shares her journey from engineering to master planning and how her work in post-tsunami Indonesia reshaped her perspective on community resilience. Angela reveals the vital role that thoughtful design plays in rebuilding communities, emphasizing the significance of ecological restoration projects like mangrove reforestation. Listen as she combines rigorous analysis with creativity to address complex challenges and advocates for a systemic approach to urban design with a focus on sustainability and well-being.

Gain insights into the evolution of urban design collaboration, where breaking away from traditional roles and hierarchies fosters innovative solutions. Angela discusses how creating an inclusive environment encourages questioning and reshaping project briefs, leading to meaningful progress. Learn about the shift towards sustainability and the need for diverse perspectives, as Angela provides examples of adaptive buildings and the importance of pushing ideas to achieve tangible outcomes that benefit both people and places.

Explore the complexities of integrating community insights with top-down approaches in urban development. Angela highlights the critical need for continuous dialogue with communities and the inadequacies of limited consultations. 

Delve into material innovation in structural engineering, focusing on sustainable practices like incorporating graphene in concrete and circular economy solutions. Angela's experiences of stepping outside her comfort zone underscore the importance of advocating for creative solutions and collaborating effectively with trusted advisors to tackle complex client challenges. Join us for an engaging conversation on fostering collective innovation in the field of urban design.

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson is joined by Lucy Musgrave, founder of Publica, to explore the intricate relationship between urban policy, design, and real-world impact.

From shaping London’s most iconic streets and spaces to influencing major policy initiatives like Good Growth by Design, Lucy shares her insights on how cities can evolve in a way that is both inclusive and sustainable. They discuss Publica’s research-driven approach, the role of civic leadership in shaping urban futures, and why listening to diverse voices is key to creating thriving neighbourhoods.

Lucy also shares her personal journey – from overcoming leukemia to her daily cartwheel challenge – and how it fuels her mission to create more equitable, people-focused cities.

Topics include:
✔️ The intersection of urban design, policy, and social impact
✔️ The importance of inclusive planning and diverse representation
✔️ The evolving role of public space in city life
✔️ How small urban interventions can lead to big societal change
✔️ Why a national emergency on women's safety should be a call to action for the built environment

This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about place, people, and progress in our cities.

🔗 Follow us @WeGrowPlaces and visit growplaces.com for more insights.

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson speaks with Nicholas Worley, partner at Fletcher Priest Architects and a passionate photographer, about the power of authenticity in visual storytelling for architecture and design.

Nicholas shares his journey from studying architecture to becoming a renowned photographer, highlighting how his dual careers have influenced his approach to creating meaningful spaces and visuals. Together, they explore the evolution from glossy, aspirational imagery to genuine narratives that reflect how spaces truly feel and function.

Key highlights include:

• The significance of people-first design in architecture, with a focus on their design in the heart of London.
• How authentic storytelling through visuals fosters trust and connects with real users.
• Insights from cities like Copenhagen and Zurich, where water and natural elements transform urban life.
• The role of AI in visual communication, balancing inspiration with authenticity in a rapidly evolving landscape.

This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of how architects, designers, and photographers can use their craft to tell real stories about place and create environments that truly resonate with people.

Tune in to discover how authenticity can redefine the way we design, build, and communicate about the built environment.

Discover how traditional economics is being reshaped to meet the complexities of modern life with the pioneering insights of Bridget Rosewell CBE. Bridget shares her journey from the classrooms of Oxford University to leading infrastructure projects like Crossrail, where she champions a more human-centered approach to economic modelling. Her insights reveal the transformative potential of integrating human behaviour and social factors into economic frameworks, providing fresh perspectives on infrastructure planning and societal growth.

As we navigate the pressing issue of housing affordability, we unravel the intricate dynamics of land costs, planning constraints, and strategic development. By exploring models like the Oxford-Cambridge arc and the potential of Compulsory Purchase Orders, we uncover pathways to sustainable housing growth that prioritize both supply and rental sector enhancements. Our conversation also delves into the multifaceted nature of the rental market, advocating for diverse rental options and long-term tenancies to effectively tackle the housing crisis.

In our exploration of post-COVID economic trends and generational shifts, we examine how changing work expectations are reshaping societies. Bridget offers insights into the evolving definitions of work-life balance among Gen Z and millennials, and how these shifts are influencing productivity and public services. Additionally, our discussion on infrastructure investment highlights the promising yet risky ventures in carbon capture storage and sustainable aviation fuel, emphasizing the crucial role of government funding in pioneering these forward-looking sectors. Join us as we uncover the motivations that drive careers in economics and infrastructure, where problem-solving and persuasion play pivotal roles in shaping the future.

Be as provocative as you dare towards the Real Estate Industry ... Will your business survive the future?

Discover the future of real estate with Richard Pickering, the Head of Innovation for Cushman & Wakefield in the EMEA region. Explore the critical role of strategic foresight in real estate, as Richard shares his journey from consulting to leading innovation. Gain insights on translating visionary concepts into tangible strategies, and ponder the challenge of merging long-term planning with immediate execution in an industry poised for transformation.

Join us as we tackle the pressing issues at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and real estate. Richard underscores the importance of data-driven approaches to sustainability, the shift towards hybrid work models, and the potential of multi-use spaces to optimise efficiency and eco-friendliness. Listen to our exploration of how evolving work and living patterns are reshaping urban areas, prompting a reimagining of asset utility and sustainability in the real estate sector.

Anticipate the "blockbuster moment" looming over the real estate industry, with Richard likening it to the finance sector's seismic disruptions. We discuss how the slow evolution of physical infrastructure contrasts with the rapid pace of digital technology, urging developers to anticipate future trends. Through collaboration on sustainability, diversity, and technology, the industry can embrace change as an opportunity, rather than a threat, and enhance both our lives and our cities.