Designing with Climate in Mind

In recent years, Managing Director of Iceland, Richard Walker, has forged the way for a new era of supermarket sustainability. In the latest episode of our podcast, Designing with Climate in Mind, he talks to Jon Khoo about the astounding achievements Iceland has made by drastically reducing the amount of plastic on its shelves and removing palm oil from its own brand products. Plus, he discusses the backlash he’s at times faced while becoming one the industry’s most renowned environmental disrupters. From Iceland’s legendary banned Christmas advert in 2018, to perspectives from his own time working in the built environment, this episode is full of unique insight from a titan of British retail. In many ways, Richard’s journey shares many parallels with Interface founder Ray Anderson, both leading companies to be unlikely heroes in responsible business. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking way to spend 45 minutes over the festive period, then episode 9 of our podcast series should definitely be added to your playlist.

In Episode 8, Jon talks to legendary explorer, Paul Rose, about the role of adventure in a green recovery and what that means for the design community. Paul is a renowned lover of nature, and his incredible career has seen him working on the frontline of environmental action and seeing the impact of climate change first-hand. From a decade as a base commander with the British Antarctic Survey, to serving as the Vice President of the Royal Geographic Society, to presenting BBC TV shows exploring our planet, Paul is one of the UK’s most respected climate communicators.In this episode, Jon and Paul discuss the role of education in cultivating curiosity and a solutions-based mindset for the next generation of design professionals. Together, they explore how everyone can play their part in creating a more sustainable future, and how Paul’s incredible experiences have strengthened his resolve to help create a more climate conscious world.  

“There are some people who argue, and I think very convincingly, that we’re only really going to make progress with addressing the planetary emergency if we rethink the whole relationship that we have with the rest of the living world.” In this episode renowned architect Michael Pawlyn, outlines why we can no longer be complacent with our response to the climate emergency – we need to take action. As the founder of Exploration Architecture and co-founder of Architects Declare, Michael is a leading figure in the design community, inspiring action against the climate emergency. In this episode, Michael challenges us to push past the line of neutrality, and strive to have a positive impact on everything we do; to restore ecosystems, rebuild nature, and enhance and protect human wellbeing. Exploring how our health and the planet’s are intrinsically linked, Jon Khoo and Michael also discuss the power of biomimicry, biodiversity loss and how we must address the challenges facing the planet or risk global health going into dramatic reverse. 

One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, or so they say. It’s this style of circular thinking that led Kresse Wesling MBE to create award-winning luxury, sustainable fashion brand, Elvis & Kresse. In the latest episode, Jon Khoo uncovers the incredible story behind Kresse’s success, as well as the powerful recycling innovations she’s working on which could reshape the way we look at waste. 

What role should the built environment play when ensuring green recovery? In the fifth episode of our podcast series, Designing with Climate in Mind, Jon Khoo talks to Munish Datta, from the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC). Having played a key role in designing and implementing Marks & Spencer’s award-winning Plan A sustainability strategy, and as a member of faculty at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Munish is one of the UK’s leading experts when it comes to corporate environmental responsibility. In this episode, the pair discuss the UKGBC’s current projects and lobbying, the responsibility of the construction industry to reduce its carbon emissions and the power of cross-sector collaboration. Munish and Jon also reflect on how current conversations around racial injustice and the issue of diversity represent both a significant challenge and important opportunity for the construction industry and beyond. Time codes09.00 - The role of the UKGBC25.48 - Discussion of embodied carbon28.28 - Carbon offsetting and a zero-carbon economy32.44 - Reflection on the lock down period42.39 - Race diversity and inclusion in the built environment

Circular economy designer and consultant, Claire Potter, joins Jon as the latest guest to contribute to Interface’s expert-led series. Claire runs an award-winning studio in Brighton, helping organisations create measurable change, through positive design. In the latest episode, she demystifies ‘the circular economy’, and outlines its importance in today’s society. Jon and Claire chat through creative ways around how to reduce waste and maximise our resources.