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Our Built Heritage

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Rating
★★★★★
5
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Categories
Country
United States
This podcast has
65 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2024/06/05
Latest episode
2026/10/21
Average duration
68 min.
Release period
19 days

Description

This podcast is for anyone interested in historic buildings. This could be a traditional cottage, a Victorian terrace, a Georgian manor house or even a stately home. Whether it is listed or not, they are all special and interesting and part of Our Built Heritage. Each episode I will be talking to experts in their field who work in the heritage-built environment or own a traditional or listed property. We will be debunking myths, talking about how best to work with your traditional property and top tips.

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Check latest episodes from Our Built Heritage podcast


S7. Ep 4. In conversation with Lisa McFarlane, Director and RIBA Specialist Conservation Architect at Seven Architecture.
2026/10/21
“The hierarchy of significance doesn't necessarily equate to the older, the higher.” Lisa McFarlane, Seven Architecture. In this episode I am joined by Lisa McFarlane, Director andRIBA Specialist Conservation Architect at Seven Architecture. Lisa specialises in heritage, conservation and new buildings in historical settings across the UK. She is also a member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).   Lisa shares her journey and how maths is an important partof being an Architect and where her enjoyment for older buildings and repurposing them came from. This was furthered when she undertook a Masters in conservation whilst working full time in a practice. The Masters reinforced the importance of heritage and developed Lisa’s understanding of obtaining funding and how to make projects in heritage work alongside technology and how thebuilding fabric works and responds in more traditional methods of construction. We talk about the trends in designs and people’s perceptionof buildings and how climate agendas may also be playing a part in how buildings are seen, looked after and developed. We talk about working with traditional buildings and how toreuse them sensitively whilst also maintaining a building and the need to understand the construction to make sure the materials selected are appropriate. Lisa shares some of the projects she has worked on which helps to bring to life howshe puts this into practice. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness on our built heritage.
S7. Ep 3. In conversation with James Wright from Triskeley Heritage.
2026/10/14
“It's a beautiful and yet very basic question, isn't it?” James Wright, Triskeley Heritage. In this episode I am joined by James Wright, from TriskeleyHeritage, an archaeological consultancy practice based in Nottingham offering building archaeological services. James is also a published author and worked as a specialist consultant on a number of films, television and radio programmes. James appeared in Series 3, Episode 5 where we talked abouthow he got into working in the heritage sector, common themes and misconceptions that keep cropping up in his line of work and advice for people who own a traditional property.   We talk about what could make a building significant and thefactors that may influence this along with the stories that are associated with a building that can further impact the significance. Changes in people’s requirements could then be translated into not only the adaptation but also the significance of a building.   We chat about how the function of a building may change dueto the requirements placed on it and how buildings are adapted and why they might have been built in the first place.   We also discuss what to look for when trying to read abuilding and how the way buildings were listed means that there are buildings out there that are centuries older than they first appear to be. There is also evidence of buildings that should be listed but have not been properly assessedand the ramifications of this.    James and I discuss climate change and what this might meanfor buildings.   It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties.   If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else, you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness on our built heritage.
S7. Ep 2. In conversation with Charlotte Tomlinson, Development and Outreach Officer for England at the Heritage Network.
2026/10/07
“I love historic buildings, but without people, they don't mean anything.” Charlotte Tomlinson, Heritage Network. In this episode I am joined by Charlotte Tomlinson,  Development and Outreach Officer for England at the Heritage Network. Charlotte oversees a national programme of sector support and peer learning events, empoweringcommunity heritage initiatives with the rescue and reuse of schemes, and heritage-led regeneration.    Charlotte shares how her love of history influenced heracademic choices and exposed her to the meaning of heritage. We talk about her early roles after completing a Masters and PHD and the importance of communitygroups and how integral they are to looking after buildings and community benefits it brings.   We chat about what heritage means practically and when itcomes to a building that isn’t being used and what this means for the building, the community and the environment. Challenges often come from the people involved not understanding the value and thinking it is more complicated than it is rather than the condition of the building being too challenging to keep and it is this perception of heritage that prevents buildings from being saved. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property.   It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties.   If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness on our built heritage.
S7. Ep 1. In conversation with Kelly O’Driscoll, Head of Built Heritage at Blenheim Palace.
2026/09/30
“For us, conservation is the incredibly careful management of change” Kelly O’Driscoll, Blenheim Palace.   In this episode I am joined by Kelly O’Driscoll, Head ofBuilt Heritage at Blenheim Palace. Kelly’s work involves creating, programming and delivering Blenheim Palace’s Conservation Strategy which involves looking after the estate and making sure the 1m visitors each year have a quality experience in spite of the restoration programme that is happening all around them. Visitors are encouraged to join the journey with a “No apology for the scaffold” approach. You can’t have one without the other and Kelly is an obsessive champion of craft and conservation skills- architects, structural engineers and artisans. We talk about how Kelly’s journey from being an Architectand working with hospitals, schools, universities and historical buildings led to her being the Architect for an island. The work she undertook was challenging and incredibly sensitive in nature prior to joining the team at Blenheim Palace. We chat about the importance of communication and having adetailed project plan that factors in all the different priorities for the building and generating income to help care for it. Working to a longer term 15-yearplan means consideration is given to the future rather than being focused onlyon the present. Kelly explains how work is assessed and the information that is gathered to inform decisions.   Kelly shares her thoughts on restoration, conservation,preservation and repair and how these words do and don’t apply to the work they undertake at Blenheim Palace from roof repairs, replacing guttering and the orangery roof.   We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property.   It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties.   If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else, you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness on our built heritage.
S6. Ep 10. In conversation with Hannah Pallubinsky, Assistant Professor at Maastricht University.
2026/06/10
In this episode I am joined by Hannah Pallubinsky, Assistant Professor at Maastricht University where she co-leads the Thermoregulation and Metabolism research group. Hannah’s research focuses on how environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and air quality impact human physiology, health, and well-being. With particularly interest in how our bodies respond to indoor and outdoor environments, and how we can design healthier living and working spaces in the face of climate change. Hannah talks about how her research has influenced her views on the built environment and the relationship humans have with buildings and how the indoor environment influences our health plus the role old buildings play given the number that are in existence. Old buildings were designed to fit the needs of occupants and as designs have changed how much is considered about the health of the occupants’ vs the buildings aesthetics? We chat about the complications that mechanical ventilationcan have on a person if it were to fail. The impact an environment can have on your health and if we are not exposed to any variation in temperature it can result in a body not performing as it should and our bodies often get lazy. Biologically we are comfort seekers! Hannah shares how the research can feed into the builtindoor environment and make buildings more resilient for the future.  We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness onour built heritage.
S6. Ep 9. In conversation with Mairi Claire Bowser, a Dundee born Production Buyer.
2026/06/03
In this episode I am joined by Mairi Claire Bowser, a Dundeeborn Production Buyer, currently based in the South of England. Mairi Claire has worked in the Film and TV industries across the UK since 2011, and has been actively engaged with, and has helped to lead movements for, environmentaljustice in relation to the screen sector since then. Mairi Claire shares her journey into film and TV productionand how the magic happens but also what does and doesn’t happen to props and set components and the challenges they face. We talk about sustainability and the carbon impact but alsothe social side and human equality aspects and how all these factors need to be a driving force in decision making. Mairi Claire talks about what it’s like to own a wikka mudhouse and the complexities and joy of owning such a unique property. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness onour built heritage. Link to the map Mairi Claire mentioned   Natural, Historic, Alternative & Sustainable Building& Renovation in the UK Resource Map https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1K3066GOUPYDTIACOU784arzJYhVnfI0&usp=sharing   Material Redistribution Map for the U.K Film & TVIndustries https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1U1gKn0ewMoy96HKB8xMdSulJxEuJO3E&usp=sharingc   https://www.mcbowser.com/
S6. Ep 8. In conversation with Ellora Coupe Founder of Her Retrofit Space and Her Own Space.
2026/05/27
In this episode I am joined by Ellora Coupe Founder of HerRetrofit Space and Her Own Space, two interconnected member platforms empowering women to lead the UK’s home retrofit revolution. Ellora shares her journey from interior architecture andexposure to building sites at a young age thanks to her father. We talk about how she works with a client and the importance of understanding the client and what they need from their space to ensure the right solution is achieved whichmay mean reconfiguring a space rather than adding an extension. We also talk about seeing properties differently with more of a car mindset then how we often see a property which can be to its detriment. We chat about what you might consider when you areretrofitting a property and how misleading that word is. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness onour built heritage.
S6. Ep 7. In conversation with John Hall, Director at Remedial Repair & Restoration.
2026/05/20
In this episode I am joined by John Hall, Director at Remedial Repair & Restoration where they help clients to seamlessly blend old and new brickwork whilst also offering restorationservices on all types and ages of properties. John shares where his interest in bricks came from and thejourney he went on which led him to starting his specialist business which includes supply and restoration of historic bricks including brick matching and paint removal. We talk about some of the projects he has worked on. We discuss the tinting process and how bespoke it is whichuses the porous properties of the bricks to achieve the results to ensure the colour is right for the building and the setting. FYI it is not painting bricks! John shares his thoughts on ivy, air bricks and letting abuilding breathe and how quickly stone can decay if it has a crack in it. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness onour built heritage.
S6. Ep 6. In conversation with Aimée Felton, Director of Estates and Conservations at The Charterhouse.
2026/05/13
In this episode I am joined by Aimée Felton, Director of Estates and Conservations at The Charterhouse, a grade 17-acre estate. Aimée plays a critical role in delivering the strategy which promotes excellence in the care, conservation and stewardship of this magnificent former Carthusian monastery. Managing, presenting and developing the estate, to ensure the ongoing care of the residents, presentation of the estate to the public and excellence in built conservation. Aimée shares her career journey and how she started life as an architect and how her passion for heritage shaped the projects she worked on which then led her to being appointed Director of Estates and Conservations at The Charterhouse. We talk about her role at The Charterhouse and how the estate is used including as almshouses as well as venues for events and filming and photoshoots. We talk about the practical aspects of caring for a listed site and what that means when it comes to maintaining and adapting it to meet changing needs, especially when it comes to sustainability and aging populations. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness onour built heritage.
S6. Ep 5. In conversation with Adam Hickey, Founder and Managing Director at Pinnacle Conservation.
2026/05/06
In this episode I am joined by Adam Hickey, Founder and Managing Director at Pinnacle Conservation. Pinnacle are passionate about construction, conservation and enhancing venerable and fragile buildings. They offer a holistic approach to the repair and conservation of historic buildings. As conservation specialists they enjoy challenges posed by the most obscure heritage conservation projects presented to them and tackle them with enthusiasm. Adam shares how he became passionate about heritage and exposure to older buildings on family holiday subconsciously played a part. We talk about the types of projects he has been involved in and the thought process that goes into it. Adam shares his thoughts on the north south variation when it comes to the availability of projects and routes into the industry. We talk about the joy and magic of working on older properties and how tangible history is. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes and misconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on a project and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you can share Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness on our built heritage.
S6. Ep 4. In conversation with Ruth Wightman, founder of Peak Project Solutions.
2026/04/29
In this episode I am joined by Ruth Wightman, founder of Peak Project Solutions where she helps architects, contractors, and specifiers across the UK deliver projects that are practical, buildable, sustainable and visually compelling. Part of Ruth’s offering is to source bricks and masonry that blend seamlessly with the existing building which can often be a planning condition when working on listed buildings and buildings in a conservation area. Ruth shares her journey and the array of roles she hasundertaken which led her to establish company. It is incredibly inspiring to hear! We talk about the projects Ruth has been involved in and howthey source, match and tint bricks to suit the clients and building’s needs and the importance of conservation and repurposing materials. Ruth describes what may happen when a building is demolished or there is over ordering/waste on a site and how in some cases change needs to happen and a more joined up approach. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness on our built heritage.
S6. Ep 3. In conversation with Karen Haller FRSA, a global expert in Behavioural Design and Colour Psychology.
2026/04/22
In this episode I am joined by Karen Haller FRSA, a global expert in Behavioural Design and Colour Psychology. Shehelps businesses and design professionals use colour and design to support mental health, enhance well-being, and create positive, nature-aligned change. Karen consults and collaborates with companies looking for innovative solutions to social problems who seek new ways of improving the human experience in balance with nature. Her clients included architectural and design practices and leading global brands. She has helped hundreds of design professionals aroundthe world to deepen their knowledge of colour through her sought-after colour and design psychology courses and mentoring programmes. Karen is the author of The Little Book of Colour as well as being an in-demand media commentator,international speaker and awards judge. Karen shares her journey and how she became a colour phycology expert and how colour is more than how colour is placed around the colour wheel. Colour phycology is about how colour influences how we think, how we feel and how we behave based on a colour in isolation but also the combination of colours.   We talk about how colours have changed and how purple meant death if it was used by anyone else but Julius Caesar as he deemed it exclusively his to use. How the materials that made the paint often resulted in what was deemed exclusive to the rich and whether it was affordable until acrylic paint was invented along with synthetic dyes producing the results of the more expensive materials however that may result in a level of toxicity that is not seen in the natural world when using natural pigments. We discuss considerations when applying colour and appropriateness of materials and the context of the setting whilst also addressing how we feel in the space considering peoples behaviours. We talk about trends and how it is not a new thing and it can be driven by scarcity like purple or the availability of it when purple becomes widely available. Human nature to belongand feel like we are part of it and trends plays into this. We chat about heritage colours in a heritage context and how it can impact how you feel. Along with how people’s decor can be driven by how much external stimulation people areexposed to which was heightened during COVID when people could not leave their home which resulted in more colour or in some cases less colour being used tosupport their wellbeing. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness onour built heritage. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_haller_colour Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenHallerColourAndDesign LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenhaller   WEBSITE DETAILS Consulting https://karenhaller.com Free design industry e-book https://karenhaller.com/free-10-myths-ebook   Colour & Design courses https://karenhaller.com/courses  Little Book of Colour https://thelittlebookofcolour.com  Free first chapter https://thelittlebookofcolour.com/free-chapter
S6. Ep 2. In conversation with Sarah Charlesworth, Business Skills Foundation Lead at the Hopwood Foundation and Hopwood DePree, writer, actor and Co-Deputy Chair of Historic Houses North-West Region.
2026/04/15
In this episode I am joined by Sarah Charlesworth, Business Skills Foundation Lead at the Hopwood Foundation and Hopwood DePree, writer, actor, director and producer and now Co-Deputy Chair of Historic Houses North-West Region. He is also a published author which details his restoration journey of a Grade 2 listed building, Hopwood Hall, which wasbuilt by his ancestors with parts of it dating back to the 1420s. Sarah shares how she started working within the heritage sector after studying building archaeology and then working in local government and Historic England. Hopwood grew up in Michagan and then lived in Los Angles where it is heavily influenced by Art Deco designs. When he found out that the stories from his childhood were true and Hopwood Hall was real, he visited the UK and saw the building and the state ofdisrepair but was overwhelmed by how the community was trying their best to care for it. Using the skills he learnt working in film he applied them to saving the building and his work continues. We talk about the importance of having the right level of resourcing and knowledge in planning departments to support projects and the impact it can have on a building when they are not in place. Hopwood shares the challenges they are facing in particular all the red tape which is more than he anticipated but the community has fuelled his passion to save the building forfuture generations. Hopwood describes his surprise at skills shortages given theage of the UK’s building landscape. Sarah talks about the programme they’ve established with prisons to build skills and provide work opportunities when they leave the prison system. We talk about Hopwood’s plans for Hopwood Hall and how itwill serve the community whilst offering it as an event space to generate income to help maintain the building for generations to come so it can be self-funding rather than rely on grants. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you can share Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness on our built heritage. Links to organisations mentioned on today’s episode Hopwood Foundation https://hopwoodfoundation.org/ Architectural Heritage Fund https://ahfund.org.uk/ Heritage Fund https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/ Heritage Trust https://heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk/   Getting involved in the skills training/learn more about theprogramme [email protected]
S6. Ep 1. In conversation with Emma Fletcher, Director of Low Carbon Homes at Octopus Energy.
2026/04/08
In this episode I am joined by Emma Fletcher, Director of Low Carbon Homes at Octopus Energy which focuses on delivering sustainable and affordable energy solutions for residential properties. Emma is also Chair of the Residential Professional Group Panel and a member of the Knowledge and Practice Committee at RICS, where she contributes to advancing best practices in residential surveying. Emma shares how her interests in properties and visitinghistorical sites and subjects at school influenced her journey.   We chat about how buildings are driven by function and how historically the church would have played a central role both in terms of the community but also in terms of where buildings were located. We discuss how important health, wellbeing and warmth was in building design particularly since the industrial revolution and how these factors are still a fundamental consideration in building design today. Factors such as engineering, advances in technology and the choices in materials where the best they could afford, striving for excellence are all things we shouldcontinue to consider when designing buildings.     Emma talks about owning a Grade 2 listed property and thechanges the building has seen over years and how each generation has left its mark. This resulted in some surprises being uncovered and how important it is to live in the building before making any changes so that you fully understand the building. We talk about Emma’s work in bringing the first rural district heat network to the UK and how this could help replace oil and help with rising electric bills. Emma shares her top tips on how to manage gas and electricity bills and make the most of lower tariffs at night and the benefits of solar panels and how they may be perceived by homeowners. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes and misconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on a project and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties. If you liked what you heard it would be great if you canshare Our Built Heritage with anyone else you think will find it interesting and also subscribe so that you know when the next episode has been released. It would be amazing if we between us can raise awareness onour built heritage.
S5. Ep 10. In conversation with Sarah Harrison, Co-Founder and Director of Harrison Stringfellow Architects.
2026/01/28
In this episode I am joined by Sarah Harrison, Co-Founderand Director of Harrison Stringfellow Architects who specialise in creatively reusing buildings. Sarah is particularly good at negotiating the planning system and finding creative solutions for tricky sites combining organisational skills with a creative flair she is also an accredited RIBA Principle Designer.Harrison Stringfellow Architects ethos is centred around Community, Conservation, and Climate. We talk about Sarah’s journey into conservation and her work as an architect and how exposure to older properties at the start of her career influenced her career progression andviews on repurposing buildings. Sarah and I chat about advances in technology and how trends often influence a build but whether they are appropriate depending on the client and the age of the property and the buildings overall health and understanding this is integral before you start. This will then ultimately lead to creating the right solution to address any issues in lifestyle, building health etc. Sarah describes some of the incredible projects she has worked on, the thought process behind them and the importance of heritage making sure it was centric to the final designs. We also discuss the usual challenges, common themes andmisconceptions working in the heritage sector along with top tips when working with an older property. It will be an interesting listen for anyone embarking on aproject and is looking for some guidance and anyone generally interested in older properties.

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