Vintage Sustainability

John and Gordon visit Durham to speak with Dawn Whitton, Director of Education and Associate Professor at Durham University's Business School. Dawn discusses how AI is impacting learning and teaching, including its pros and cons, and addresses maintaining fairness for students. She also shares a memorable and relevant quote from Douglas Adams’s 'The Salmon of Doubt' about responses to new technology

In this episode, John and Gordon talk to John and Pauline Clough. John was founder and CEO of EAGA, starting in 1990 and building up to 5400 staff. The company was listed on the FT250 in 2007. John tells a story of the remarkable rise of EAGA and the subsequent Carilion takeover. As usual, our conversation wanders into other areas such as growing up in the north east of England and the social cohesion that can come from that, those foundations also formed a key part of the ethos of the EAGA partnership and still resonate in the running of The EAGA trust. John and Pauline also tell us about the purchase and redevelopment of Adderstone house in Northumberland, the construction of their new eco-house and the gardens in the grounds including the most northerly vineyard in England. Professor Kel Fidler, Vice Chancellor of Northumbria University speaking in 2007 said: “Awarded the MBE in 1994, John Clough is one of the North East’s true success stories. He is an inspirational role model for the business leaders of tomorrow and a shining example to our graduates today.”

John and Gordon talk to Kevin Turnbull about the Rivergreen Centre, a innovative successful green building. The conversation wanders into the joy in construction projects and their lasting effect on those involved. We find out what features had lasted and some that didn't .

How does University learning and teaching need to evolve in an AI world. We talk to Professor Graham Wynn ( Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at Northumbria University) about how it is being managed and the opportunities it unlocks. Graham is a promoter of experiential learning , something built environment programmes are very familiar with, and he sees this as a key element in the future of successful higher education. John and Gordon use AI to research Graham prior to the interview and to create some questions for the interview. We eventually let him know about this as he starts to ponder our insight into his thoughts.

We revisit the design of the first BREEAM "Outstanding" office, Lion House, through a discussion with Nigel Banks, one of the original design team. Nigel, who is now Technical director with Octopus also takes us through the current developments, issues and possible changes and to the UK energy market.

John and Gordon chat about the visits and interviews in season 1 and think about subjects for season 2