Cultivating Connection: Architecture as Social Infrastructure #45

Cultivating Connection: Architecture as Social Infrastructure #45

Author: podcast@skanska.com (Skanska) March 30, 2026 Duration: 23:46

Uncover the secret to building resilient, profitable places. Snøhetta's Marius Hauland Næss and Skanska's Ida Granqvist discuss how people-centric design and collaboration drive long-term value for everyone involved. 


Host: Malin Dalén


How do we actually build a future that's both functional and sustainable? That's the central question driving Shaping Sustainable Places-Development and Construction of a Low-Carbon Built Environment. This isn't just a theoretical discussion; it's a grounded exploration of the materials, methods, and business decisions reshaping our cities from the ground up. Brought to you by Skanska, a world-leading project development and construction group, the conversations here are rooted in real-world application, leveraging their frontline knowledge and foresight. Each episode features candid discussions with the people on the front lines-architects, engineers, project managers, community planners, and policy makers-who are turning ambitious climate goals into tangible reality. You'll hear about the complexities of sourcing low-carbon concrete, the financial models that make green buildings viable, and how new technologies are being integrated into centuries-old construction practices. This podcast digs into the intersection of business, science, and society, revealing how the built environment around us is being quietly revolutionized. It’s for anyone curious about the tangible steps being taken right now to reduce the carbon footprint of our offices, homes, and infrastructure, and how those steps fundamentally shape the culture and quality of our daily lives. Tune in for a practical, insightful look at the innovation happening at the construction site, in the boardroom, and within communities.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 52

Shaping Sustainable Places – Development and Construction of a Low-Carbon Built Environment
Podcast Episodes
Electric advantage: the quieter building site [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:57
Is it realistic to believe that the construction sites of the future will be completely fossil fuel free? In this episode, we examine the benefits of electrifying construction sites and the challenges of achieving zero-e…
How good is wood? The case for mass timber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:11
Many architects agree that there are advantages to building in mass timber. Trees bind carbon, wooden buildings have shorter construction time, and timber offers superior insulation. So what's impeding the material's wid…
From Scopes to Action [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:23
Before 2001 there were no global standardized frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and mitigation actions. The creation of the GHG Protoc…
Pushing the limits of circularity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:13
Circularity is one of the most effective strategies for reducing Scope 3 emissions in the construction industry. So how can we push the limits of circularity? In this episode, we visit Prague, capital of Czechia, where w…
AI in construction: From slow start to fast track [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:45
In this episode we explore how artificial intelligence, and the next generation of digitalization and automation, are helping the development and construction industry to reduce its environmental and climate impact. This…
To Build or to Rebuild, That is the Question [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:03
In this episode of Shaping Sustainable Places we discuss what is best: to refurbish an old building and bring it up to modern standards, or knock it down and construct a new low-carbon building instead? Both sides have t…
Resilience: Protecting our cities from a changing climate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:14
Hurricanes, storms, heatwaves and heavy rain due to climate change are presenting new challenges for communities around the world. Farsighted cities are taking actions now to protect themselves from these sorts of hazard…
The future of housing? It's here today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
As more of us want to live more sustainably, we take a glimpse into the near-future, where homes generate more energy than they consume over their lifetimes. In this episode we visit the Norwegian city of Trondheim and m…
Climate Week NYC 2023: Special Report [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:15
In this special episode of Shaping Sustainable Places, recorded during Climate Week NYC 2023, we delve into the collaborative spirit driving sustainability in the development and construction sectors. The emphasis is on…
Investing in Sustainability [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:54
The market economy is a powerful force in shaping the direction of future innovation. As our societies become more globally conscious we create economic shifts that motivate more climate-conscious business practices. Thi…