Ecogradia

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How do we design buildings and cities for a planet in crisis? And how do we create an equitable world for all life? Join sustainability strategist and author, Nirmal Kishnani, on Ecogradia, a new weekly podcast where we explore the way forward with experts and practitioners at the frontlines of sustainable architecture and urbanism. If you seek inspiring stories and provocative points of view, innovative ideas, and solutions that are future-ready, Ecogradia is for you. Each episode pushes the boundaries of knowledge so you can shape your own journey, beyond ‘less harm’ to ‘doing good’. To get even more out of this podcast, go to ecogradia.com to find all our episode notes. You can also follow us, leave a review or share your views on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The first season of Ecogradia is sponsored by the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction.

Nirmal Kishnani


    • Apr 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 46m AVG DURATION
    • 62 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ecogradia

    We spend 90% of our lives in them. How can buildings help us thrive?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 19:56


    In a warming, anxious world, can buildings heal both mind and planet? Unpack how wellbeing is reshaping sustainable architecture from the inside out. The post We spend 90% of our lives in them. How can buildings help us thrive? appeared first on Ecogradia.

    This sustainable design award has launched careers — here's how it works

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 33:50


    Think design competitions aren't worth your time? Laura Viscovich, Executive Director of the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, shares how competition entries can turn into career breakthroughs, even if you don't win. The post This sustainable design award has launched careers — here's how it works appeared first on Ecogradia.

    How sponge cities can fix urban flooding (and save millions in costs)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 16:51


    When it comes to extreme weather, our first instinct is to build higher walls and stronger barriers. Discover how sponge cities are turning convention on its head by embracing water instead of resisting it. The post How sponge cities can fix urban flooding (and save millions in costs) appeared first on Ecogradia.

    How to design a net zero energy building: proven strategies that work

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 14:47


    From energy budgets to climate-specific strategies, designing a net zero energy building is a puzzle with countless moving pieces. This episode reveals how to turn overwhelming complexity into possibility. The post How to design a net zero energy building: proven strategies that work appeared first on Ecogradia.

    Material smart: Designing low-carbon buildings

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 45:39


    Timber is having its moment in the global sustainability discourse. Will it replace concrete and steel, or be used in combination to usher in a new era of low-carbon construction? The post Material smart: Designing low-carbon buildings appeared first on Ecogradia.

    How greening buildings could transform our cities into thriving ecosystems

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 42:05


    As cities grow greener, plants are often used as superficial decoration. But what if architecture could create genuine ecosystems? Catie Ryan Balagtas and Anuj Jain reveal how buildings can support all life. The post How greening buildings could transform our cities into thriving ecosystems appeared first on Ecogradia.

    Will Indonesia’s new $33 billion capital be the end of Jakarta?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 34:56


    What makes people choose a new city as home? Ridwan Kamil returns to share how Nusantara aims to evolve from master plan to living city, all while balancing bold aspirations with the practical steps needed to build a thriving capital. The post Will Indonesia’s new $33 billion capital be the end of Jakarta? appeared first on Ecogradia.

    Indonesia's new capital is its “most expensive political decision” ever

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 36:34


    New capital cities rarely succeed. Will Nusantara — Indonesia's largest urban gamble to date — be different? In this episode, we find out how Nusantara will avoid the pitfalls of planned cities from the past. The post Indonesia's new capital is its “most expensive political decision” ever appeared first on Ecogradia.

    5 interiors designed to boost mind, body, and work

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 11:52


    How can we design interiors that not only minimise environmental harm, but also actively promote human well-being? Some architects and designers are sparking fresh ideas about how our built spaces can perform better. The post 5 interiors designed to boost mind, body, and work appeared first on Ecogradia.

    High ambitions: Are tall buildings sustainable?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 17:16


    Are skyscrapers environmental foes or allies? It's a thorny debate, but tall buildings are likely here to stay. Can these giants evolve from being part of the problem to pillars of a sustainable future? The post High ambitions: Are tall buildings sustainable? appeared first on Ecogradia.

    Urban biodiversity: Crafting biocentric public spaces

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 50:58


    In many cities today, there is a striking disconnect between people and nature. Can biocentric urban landscapes help integrate social functions with natural systems? The post Urban biodiversity: Crafting biocentric public spaces appeared first on Ecogradia.

    How solarpunk envisions a world we will want to live in __ Jay Springett

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 42:03


    The solarpunk movement in fiction, art, fashion, and activism imagines a sustainable civilisation and considers how we get there. After gaining traction for a decade, how does it align with the latest thinking in regenerative design? The post How solarpunk envisions a world we will want to live in __ Jay Springett appeared first on Ecogradia.

    How three leaders under 40 built successful careers in sustainability

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 45:16


    None have reached age 40 yet, but each is in a position of influence in the sustainability space. Looking back, did it all go to plan? How is passion kept alive, against the odds? When saving the planet, is work-life balance a luxury? The post How three leaders under 40 built successful careers in sustainability appeared first on Ecogradia.

    Architectural acupuncture II: Hyperlocal design for community

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 44:34


    A hyperlocal building taps into the knowledge, skills, and resources indigenous to a place. How can the very act of constructing it engage and positively transform a community? The post Architectural acupuncture II: Hyperlocal design for community appeared first on Ecogradia.

    Architectural acupuncture I: Small projects, big impact

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 51:55


    In resource-constrained places, small can be powerful. How can a building, acting strategically as an acupunctural node, transform its neighbourhood socially, economically, and ecologically? The post Architectural acupuncture I: Small projects, big impact appeared first on Ecogradia.

    Green campus blueprints: Crafting net-zero architecture

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 57:50


    The path to net-zero energy is filled with promise. Campus buildings offer a unique opportunity: they can be testbeds for new ideas and may also double as teaching tools. The post Green campus blueprints: Crafting net-zero architecture appeared first on Ecogradia.

    Repair, rejuvenation, and regeneration __ Season 4 insights

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 46:25


    Can architecture heal our planet? In this bonus episode, we delve into the power of regenerative design. From restoring existing structures to rethinking material ownership, find out how sustainability and healing go hand in hand.

    BIG has a plan for the planet: Can it be done? __ Bjarke Ingels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 41:50


    All the noise around sustainability can be dizzying. In this episode, Bjarke Ingels returns to discuss BIG's Plan for the Planet. Can a global framework based on real-world strategies help us achieve better individual solutions?

    Suburbia is sprawling (and how to fix it) __ Tone Wheeler __ environa studio

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 46:56


    How will Australia reconcile its sprawling suburbs with urgent sustainability needs? Tone Wheeler addresses this tension, challenging deeply ingrained cultural norms. Are tightly knit urban communities part of the solution?

    Calm the mind, connect with place __ Võ Trọng Nghĩa __ VTN Architects

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 42:08


    How to unlock the mind to produce better designs, faster? Võ Trọng Nghĩa explores this question, revealing a philosophy where meditation is the key to healing ourselves and saving the planet.

    Industrial architecture: For efficiency and well-being

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 44:47


    Factories have always been designed for profitability. However, as the Covid pandemic highlighted, a focus on worker well-being is equally important. Can industrial building typologies rise to the challenge?

    Raising the floor on innovative carbon solutions __ Liz Minné __ Interface

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 45:01


    Imagine a world where your carpet reduces atmospheric carbon. In this episode, discover how Interface is making this a reality. Liz Minné discusses a range of innovative strategies that redefine our expectations of flooring.

    Guardian of the built and unbuilt__Brinda Somaya__SNK

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 50:16


    Navigating conservation and social equity, Brinda Somaya reveals how these considerations blend into a position on sustainability in India. She offers a blueprint for design that is low-impact, contextual, and compassionate.

    Heritage and tradition: Innovating for a sustainable future

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 43:11


    Traditional architecture is a melting pot of history, culture and knowledge-systems spanning centuries. Its continued decline globally begs the question: what can the past offer to the present and the future?

    Challenging the greenery facade__Leonard Ng__Henning Larsen

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 53:50


    Explore the reality of greenery in architecture — pragmatic sustainability or mere aesthetics? Leonard Ng navigates the fine line, urging honesty in distinguishing between environmental impact and visual appeal.

    Simplifying the carbon conundrum__Stuart Smith__Arup

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 52:19


    Tackling the carbon dilemma requires a fresh perspective. Stuart Smith reveals how considering a building's entire life cycle impact can simplify carbon reduction decisions, guiding us towards more sustainable choices.

    Integrated multisystem approach: A key to sustainable design

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 40:48


    Each building is a nexus of multiple systems ‘talking' to each other. This integrated approach is often key to optimising performance. But how does integration work? How do you rally stakeholders and negotiate trade-offs?

    Connecting people to place__Barclay & Crousse

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 46:35


    Many countries in the developing South seek pathways to a sustainable future. Peru-based architecture firm Barclay & Crousse offers a prism on what this looks like, when it is anchored to the specifics of people, climate and place.

    Unleash the power of process__Kjetil Trædal Thorsen__Snøhetta

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 53:40


    Good design often reveals what we do not know we need. But such a feat depends not only on what we tweak and improve, says Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, but how we re-imagine the process. The question is: where to start?

    How form-making will unlock the power of architecture__Bjarke Ingels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 55:24


    Bjarke Ingels is a global brand. Whatever one feels about starchitects in general, he is a force to be reckoned with. What does he think is the future of buildings and cities? What role will design play in solving the climate crisis?

    Roadmaps and signposts: Experts put sustainability to work this new season

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 2:46


    Sustainability is a journey. Ecogradia is back with a new series of ten episodes to find out from world-leading players how to forge ahead, keep faith, beat the odds and put ideas to work, right from the drawing board.

    The bottom line: Global views and takeaways from season 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 35:50


    Season 3 is a wrap. What were the small and large, local and global challenges singled out throughout this series? What can we control at the drawing board and what remains beyond our grip? This is what we learned.

    Holcim Awards 2023: Round-up in Venice with the jury chairs

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 51:51


    This year's competition is now over. Out of 2,380 registrants from 114 countries, 20 entries stood above the rest. So what were the big takeaways? Who showed the most ambition? The five jury chairs are here to tell.

    Paul Finch, World Architecture Festival: The tastemaker (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 55:08


    How does the architecture we praise today square up with a sustainability mandate? Do green imperatives dampen the spirit at the drawing board or can they lift design excellence to new heights?

    tastemakers paul finch world architecture festival
    Paul Finch, World Architecture Festival: The tastemaker (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 52:51


    How does the architecture we praise today square up with a sustainability mandate? Do green imperatives dampen the spirit at the drawing board or can they lift design excellence to new heights?

    tastemakers paul finch world architecture festival
    Nina Maritz, Nina Maritz Architects: The frugality champion

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2023 57:39


    Can necessity unlock greater innovation? How to create an architecture of delight and renown when the climate is harsh, resources are scarce and budgets tight? Can less ever become something more?

    Ambrish Arora, Studio Lotus: The reflective practitioner

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 57:18


    Could a universal process account for all things sustainable — energy, materiality, comfort, etc. — in all typologies, from resorts to low-cost buildings? Would this work in a land as vast and complex as India?

    Tatiana Bilbao, Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO: The architect of care

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 59:09


    Buildings offer shelter. Good architecture does more: it is a form of care for the mind and spirit. So how do we ensure sustainable equitable care for everyone, all social and emotional needs included?

    Benny Kuriakose, Benny Kuriakose & Associates: The vernacularist

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 57:11


    There is wisdom in the vernacular. But does this knowledge offer something more than feel-good nostalgia? Are traditional buildings models for low-impact architecture that must be emulated?

    Nigel Stansfield, Interface: The flooring innovators

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 59:24


    As we aim to 'do good', we often wrestle with what to buy. Which materials are less harmful to the planet? But can a product also be net positive? Could manufacturing help reverse global warming?

    Maria Atkinson AM, Atkinson Consultancy: The sustainability whisperer

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 60:00


    We need a transformational shift: a rethink of the way we work, the goals we set, the processes we deploy. But how should we push forward? Who can help us get to where we need to be?

    Amory Lovins, Rocky Mountain Institute: The energy guru

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 60:40


    To halt global warming, we must eliminate greenhouse gas emissions at scale and with speed. With renewables today, we can ignite a new kind of fire, one that is emissions-free and lower cost.

    The heat is on: Pressing ahead with a third season of ten new episodes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2023 2:41


    The climate crisis is here. Extreme weather is perturbing all lives rapidly across the world. How should buildings and cities respond? Should action be rooted in science or vernacular know-how? Or maybe both?

    Looking back at season 2 from the cutting floor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2023 58:42


    Season 2 of Ecogradia has come to an end. Before we move on, let's take a peek at some of the talking points that didn't make the cut in the last ten episodes. Here is what was left 'unsaid'.

    Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell, WOHA: (Re)Defining beauty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 52:59


    Can sustainable buildings be both high-performing and beautiful? In the age of social media, image is king. Is our appetite for novel forms at odds with our goals for better performance?

    Alyssa-Amor Gibbons, Studio Amor: Standing up to hurricanes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 59:57


    Extreme weather is often a matter of life and death. How do we design for the growing frequency and ferocity of storms? Do we resist at all costs or should we build structures that give in a little to save the whole?

    Herbert Dreiseitl, DREISEITLconsulting: Thinking fluid

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2023 55:25


    Water is a pressing design challenge of the climate crisis. Too much or too little and we struggle to survive. What is the sweet spot where we, our cities and the ecosystems that we rely on, can thrive?

    Prasoon Kumar, BillionBricks: Innovating homes for the homeless

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2023 52:11


    More than a billion people are without shelter today. They could be 3 billion by 2050. Is the growing demand a giant opportunity? What if houses for those in need could produce both renewable energy and long-term profits?

    Daliana Suryawinata and Florian Heinzelmann, SHAU: Being tropical

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 61:10


    Tropical architecture: is it a perspective on place or a question of performance? How can architects from nations along the equator, like Indonesia, draw on local know-how rather than imported technology?

    Kotchakorn Voraakhom, LANDPROCESS: Designing cities for water

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 57:59


    Bangkok, Thailand's capital, is sinking fast, like many other cities around the world. How can urbanists turn this congested megacity, threatened by flood and saltwater intrusion, into a resilient amphibious metropolis?

    Bill Browning, Terrapin Bright Green: Crafting biophilic solutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 59:49


    As a species, we seek closeness to nature. Designing for well-being, therefore, aims to bring nature to the heart of the built environment. But what do these ‘biophilic' spaces feel like? And how do we set the stage to reap their benefits?

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