In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson is joined by Tom Holbrook, Director of 5th Studio, to explore what it means to work across the full spectrum of architecture, urban design and strategic planning. Tom describes how 5th Studio has spent over two decades navigating what he calls "border country," the complex, often neglected edges of cities where political boundaries, infrastructure, severance and opportunity collide. From the Olympic Park in Stratford to Oxford and Cambridge colleges, from railway land to heavy infrastructure, he explains how synthetic, transdisciplinary thinking and a willingness to zoom between strategy and...

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson is joined by Stephanie Edwards, Architect, Urban Designer and Co-Founder of Urban Symbiotics, to explore what it truly means to put people at the forefront of meaningful change in the built environment. Stephanie shares how Urban Symbiotics works at the intersection of people, data and design, using demographically representative engagement to turn lived experience into evidence that shapes better places. From street conversations and stay-and-play groups to targeted social media and multilingual outreach, she explains how her team meets people where they are, building trust and gathering insights that...

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson travels to Copenhagen to meet Christian Søndergaard, Head of Saxogade, what may be the world's only socio-economic street. For over 40 years, the nine-shop operation run by an NGO has combined commercial vitality with meaningful work opportunities for people facing significant barriers to employment, from long-term illness to homelessness.

Christian explains how the street functions as a real business whilst providing structured pathways back into work for around 100 people each week. Tasks are carefully broken down so that individuals can contribute genuine value rather than perform token a...

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson is joined by Hilary Satchwell, Director at Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design, to explore what it really means to put people at the heart of placemaking. Hilary reflects on nearly three decades at Tibbalds, where she has worked across scales and settings, from the edges of small towns to the centre of London, always with a focus on creating people-friendly places. She describes how thinking about specific people, their journeys, their safety, their daily lives, rather than a generic "everyone," leads to fundamentally better outcomes. The conversation touches on...

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson is joined by Gerry Hughes, Managing Director of Gerry Hughes Consulting, to explore leadership, delivery and the realities of urban regeneration. Gerry reflects on stepping away from the corporate world to focus on projects that genuinely “make a difference,” from leading a major city-centre regeneration scheme in Belfast to delivering a cutting-edge nuclear science and clean energy campus near Bristol. Drawing on decades of experience across strategy, planning and executive leadership, he shares candid insights into why delivery in the UK is so challenging — pointing to bureaucracy, siloed thinking and a...

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson is joined by Jesse Shapins, Head of Urban Regeneration at Urban Partners, to explore what it really takes to deliver neighbourhood scale change in European cities.
 
Jesse shares his journey from a childhood shaped by landscape architecture and historic preservation, through New York and Berlin, to the ambition and lessons of Sidewalk Labs, and ultimately to leading urban regeneration across Northern Europe. It is a story that connects culture, capital, and civic responsibility, and asks how places are intentionally shaped rather than left to chance.
 
To...

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson is joined by John Williams of Scail UK to explore what it really means to get ahead with AI — and where the built environment should be doubling down as technology accelerates. John shares his journey from journalism, through senior marketing roles in property, to building AI-led businesses focused not on hype, but on unlocking the story inside organisational data.

Together, they discuss why AI is only as powerful as the data and context behind it, why real estate still struggles to understand the “why” behind customer decisions, and ho...

In this episode of the Grow Places Podcast, host Tom Larsson is joined by Ailish Killilea of The Townscape Consultancy, for a compelling exploration of heritage, townscape, and their roles in shaping places people want to live, work, and visit.

Ailish reflects on her journey from the west of Ireland to London’s complex urban fabric and her experiences running marathons, sharing how her fascination with human experience and design led to a career in townscape and heritage consulting. The conversation covers the nuanced balance between preservation and progress, how to assess the significance of buildings and pl...

In this powerful episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson speaks with Pooja Agrawal, co-founder and CEO of Public Practice, a pioneering not-for-profit that places built environment professionals into local government roles to drive meaningful change.

Pooja shares her journey from growing up in Mumbai to becoming a passionate advocate for public service in the UK. She dives deep into the importance of multidisciplinary teams in local government, the challenges of resourcing in the public sector, and why empathy between public and private sectors is more vital than ever.

🔍 Episode Highlights

How do you actually deliver a school, an office, or a housing block and turn it into something extraordinary?

In this episode, Tom Larsson speaks with Paul Monaghan, co-founder of AHMM, about a career spent designing buildings that shape everyday life and the people behind them. With warmth, honesty, and a quiet determination, Paul reflects on the evolution of architecture, the joy of delivering real projects, and why staying grounded matters in an ever-changing industry.

💬 From building loyalty inside his firm to earning the trust of clients and planners, Paul shares stories of lessons learned, cha...

In this episode, Tom Larsson is joined by Kevin McKeever, Managing Director of Lowick Group, a leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancy working at the intersection of development, politics, and community. Kevin also recently co-founded Hedry, a cross-party consultancy focused on building resilience in the built environment.

This wide-ranging and honest conversation unpacks the urgent challenges facing the UK’s housing and planning system, from viability and delivery to trust and political will. Drawing on decades of experience in local government, Westminster, and large-scale regeneration, Kevin provides sharp insights into the systemic issues stalling progress and wh...

In this insightful episode of the Grow Places Podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with one of the most forward-thinking voices in the UK real estate sector – Denz Ibrahim of Legal & General.  As Head of Futuring & Place, Denz shares how he and his team are turning traditional development models on their head by embedding creativity, community, and customer-centric design into every layer of placemaking.

We dive into Foundry, Legal & General’s innovative co-working and micro-enterprise platform that’s bringing underused spaces in town centres and new residential neighbourhoods to life. From repurposed job centres in Poole to high...

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:

In this episode of the Grow Places podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with James Armitage-Hobbs, Director at DP9, to ask a big question: What role does co-living play in the future of our cities?

They explore:

In this episode of the Grow Places podcast, Tom Larsson sits down with Keir Regan Alexander of Arka Works to ask a big question: Can architects stay relevant in the age of AI?

They explore:

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 di...

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 tool...

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 ge...

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:

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 t...

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 ch...

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 oppo...

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 cr...

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...

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...

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 d...