Welcome to The Futurebuild Podcast (audio channel), where we spotlight the drivers of positive impact in the built environment. Hosted by Martin Hurn, Futurebuild Event Director, each episode features inspiring conversations with leaders and innovators from across the industry. Join us as we explore how cutting-edge technologies, sustainable practices, and ground breaking projects are shaping a better future. Tune in to hear first hand stories of how these trailblazers are making a real difference in the built environment and beyond. Subscribe now to stay informed, inspired, and connected with the forefront of sustainable innovation.
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
The Big Retrofit Challenge is back, bigger and bolder for 2026!
Futurebuild, in partnership with the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) and Innovate UK, is launching The Big Retrofit Challenge 2026, a national call for innovations to help decarbonise our homes at scale.
In this episode of the Futurebuild Podcast, Martin Hurn talks with Laura Marks, Chair of the NHDG Innovation Working Group and Innovation Champion at United Infrastructure, about what's new for 2026, last year's standout ideas, and how the Challenge is driving real change across the retrofit sector.
Deadline to apply: Monday, 10th November at 10 AM
Find out more & apply
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Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
In this episode of the Futurebuild Retrofit Mini Series, Martin Hurn speaks with Stuart Gadsden, Commercial Director from Kensa to explore how ground source heat pumps are quietly transforming UK home heating. From social housing estates to large-scale retrofit projects, discover the technology, cost savings, and environmental impact of this low-carbon solution, all from right beneath our feet.
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Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
In this Futurebuild podcast, host Martin Hurn speaks with Diego Padilla-Philipps—Director of Decarbonisation and Innovation for Building Structures at WSP. A structural engineer by trade, Diego has led landmark projects like 22 Bishopsgate and is driving WSP’s mission to halve emissions by 2030.
He shares how AI and multi-objective optimisation are transforming the design process—breaking down silos, testing thousands of options, and flipping the industry’s “journey of disappointment” into the productisation of buildings.
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Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
As part of our Retrofit Mini Series host, Martin Hurn speaks with Sara Edmonds—architect, activist, and co-director of the National Retrofit Hub. She shares how the retrofit movement is shifting from policy and pilots to purpose, people and place. In this episode, Sarah explores the potential of community retrofit, the role of collective action, and the system innovations needed to scale solutions. A must-listen for anyone serious about the retrofit revolution.
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Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
In this episode of the Futurebuild Podcast, Elaine Toogood, Senior Director, MPA Concrete and The Concrete Centre. joins host Martin Hurn to explore how we can deliver homes that are truly fit for the future. From the risks of overlooking what’s behind our walls to the opportunities of low-carbon concrete, they discuss resilience, safety, innovation, and why housing policy must keep pace with climate reality.
Explore more insights and case studies in The Concrete Centre’s Sustainability Series
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Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
How do we retrofit commercial buildings to cut emissions — without compromising performance? In this third episode of Futurebuild’s Retrofit Series, Martin Hurn is joined by Ben Bartle-Ross from Mitsubishi Electric about the rise of heat pumps in commercial retrofit. From working with architects and consultants to overcoming real-world challenges at Bournemouth University and Chester Zoo, this episode explores innovation, collaboration, and what successful retrofit truly requires.
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Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
In this second episode of our new retrofit series, host Martin Hurn speaks with Varsha Ravichandran, Sustainability Consultant at Turner & Townsend and part of the RISE Retrofit programme team, joins the Futurebuild Podcast to explore retrofit as a cultural and technical challenge. She discusses balancing carbon reduction with architectural heritage, creating local green skills, and why changing mindsets is just as important as updating buildings. A fresh look at how retrofit can transform not just performance, but places and communities.
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Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Charlie Martin, CEO and founder of the Anti-Greenwash Charter, joins the Futurebuild Podcast to discuss the growing trend of greenhushing—where companies stay silent on sustainability due to fear of backlash. Drawing from the first annual Green Claims Pulse Survey, a collaboration between Futurebuild, the Carbon Literacy Project, and Hattrick, Charlie shares insights on why radical transparency and honest storytelling are critical to rebuilding trust and driving meaningful climate action in the built environment. He highlights how marketing can go beyond promotion to become a powerful catalyst for genuine change.
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