Today, I’m joined by a true industry trailblazer, Smith Mordak.Smith is an award-winning architect, engineer and writer, working across disciplines to realise a regenerative economy and built environment.As former Director of Sustainability & Physics at Buro Happold, a one-time steering committee member at Architects Declare, and a current board member of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy (to name just a few of their past and present roles) – Smith has a long-standing reputat...
Nov 21, 2023
40 min
Welcome back to Stand Tall. This episode’s a bit different to our usual conversations. Today, I’m excited to share my own stand tall moment with you. Back in April 2023, I travelled to Malawi to lead a Women’s Partnership Challenge trip with Orbis Expeditions, a travel company specialising in sustainable tourism. The 10 day trip is for women, of all ages and backgrounds, who itch to have real purpose in their adventure. From a wildlife safari and eco-island stay to partnerships...
Sep 14, 2023
34 min
I’m thrilled to welcome Neil Pinder to the show today. Neil is an award-winning educator and activist on a mission to demystify and diversify the architectural profession. For over 25 years, Neil has taught in a number of inner-city schools and is currently Head of Product Design and Architecture at Graveney School in south London, where he introduced Architecture to the curriculum. He is a trustee of Thornton Education Trust and Blueprint for All (formerly the Stephen Lawrence Charitabl...
Jun 9, 2023
34 min
Today, I’m joined by Robbie Turner - Director of Inclusion & Diversity at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).He was appointed by the RIBA in November 2022 to “ensure the architecture profession – and its systems and structures – are underpinned by inclusive values, actions, and policies”.Robbie is a pharmacist by trade with extensive experience in pharmaceutical management. In 2018, he became Executive Director of Member Experience at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and spe...
Apr 28, 2023
36 min
On International Women’s Day, I am delighted to launch Season 3 of Stand Tall with my first guest Susannah Walker.In 2021, Susannah - along with Imogen Clark - co-founded Make Space for Girls, a charity that campaigns for better public spaces for teenage girls.Research shows that girls and young women are overwhelmingly excluded from public spaces. Parks and multi-use game areas are often planned and designed for stereotypical boys. Think skateparks, BMX tracks and football pitches. As a resu...
Mar 7, 2023
29 min
Season 3 returns in March 2023 to bring you more fast-paced and candid conversations with trailblazers across property, architecture, construction, and engineering. Discover the journeys they have taken to get where they are now and hear about their Stand Tall moments. About Stand Tall Stand Tall with Rachel Bell is conversations about life, careers, and defining moments with people blazing a trail across property, architecture, engineering and construction. The podcast is brought ...
Jan 27, 2023
2 min
Joining me for the final episode of Season 2 is Martin Prince-Parrott.Martin is the Founder and Managing Director of SUB\URBAN WORKSHOP which he describes as a ‘thoroughly modern ESG-led real estate developer’.With an award-winning architectural background and a firm belief that property should enrich lives, Martin is on a mission to transform the suburbs by creating healthy, low-carbon, and tech-enabled communities.In this episode, we discuss ‘future-fit’ cyborg buildings, sustainable develo...
Nov 30, 2022
30 min
This week, I’m joined by my friend and colleague Rob Delius who is Head of Sustainability at Stride Treglown.Earlier this year, Rob completed an epic 1250 mile walk from John O’Groats to Land’s End. For three months he lived alone and largely off grid, walking up to 20 miles each day and sleeping in a tent most nights. Since his return to work in August, I’ve been keen to invite him onto the show to find out more about his adventure: the highlights, the challenges, and the revelations… Rob ha...
Oct 31, 2022
34 min
My guest today is Alice Williams, Vice President of Strategy at Schneider Electric – a global company leading the digital transformation of energy management and automation for greater efficiency and sustainability.Alice has a fascinating background. Initially training as an aeronautical engineer, she worked her way up through the ranks of the British Army, specialising in intelligence and reconnaissance work. In 2019, she transitioned into the world of business and has since become a key voi...
Sep 29, 2022
38 min
In this episode of Stand Tall, we turn the spotlight on issues close to many people’s hearts: mental health, mindfulness, design quality, life post-pandemic… and how you can write a book – by accident!That by no means sums up my guest, Ben Channon, but does give you a quick overview of the many topics we cover in this fascinating interview with “The Mindful Architect”.Ben is an architect and Director at Ekkist, author, TEDx Speaker, WELL Accredited Professional, and co-founder of The Architec...
Sep 5, 2022
45 min
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