We dig into why lone workers are growing fast, how extreme weather is reshaping site risks, and how connecting culture with smart tech turns “compliance” into prevention. You’ll hear real examples—from JLL to Costain—and a pragmatic playbook any firm can use.

“Safety works when everyone has permission to call it out—from apprentices to execs.” David Picton

1. Lone workers: why they’re on the rise, the unique risks they face, and how to protect them.

2. Climate disruption on site: heat, storms, floods—and the simple factors (shade, hydration, acclimatisation, permission to speak up) that change outcomes.

3. Culture that speaks up: the “permission” moment that proves safety works when everyone can challenge—even a junior apprentice.

4. Data into decisions: how visibility lifts reporting and drives action.

5. SME playbook: low-cost, high-impact moves for smaller firms to handle extreme weather and continuity.

“Technology plus culture is the shift—from basic compliance to predicting issues before they happen.” David Picton

• Start with risk assessments on your highest-exposure tasks and locations. Keep them live as conditions change.
• Plan for weather: set clear comms trees, cross-training, and alternative task lists for

A short, sharp burst of optimism from the built environment. This episode: how floating neighbourhoods can power and protect themselves; why the EU wants to put nature on the balance sheet; and a hopeful update from Burkina Faso where smart water-harvesting is helping 29,000+ new trees thrive.

Floating neighbourhoods: Modern floating platforms are typically hollow, creating space for decentralised systems—wastewater and drinking-water treatment, on-board electricity storage, floating solar, even algae/seaweed biofuels. That off-grid setup boosts resilience and, placed offshore, these structures can also reduce wave energy to help protect coasts during storms.

“Floating structures… offer opportunities to become more self-supporting and off-grid—more resilient.” Rutger de Graaf, Blue21

Tune into the full episode – Floating Futures here

Courtesy Rutger de Graaf Floating-Pavilion

EU

At Constructive Voices, we’re not only about the place and the things that happen within the built environment, we’re also about how the places are directly connected with us as people. Along with the creatures around us and how that actually plays out in various ways within our lives.

Today we’re with David Picton. Now David will also be visiting you again in another episode, but in this particular episode, David, who’s the Senior Vice President of Safety and Sustainability at EcoOnline, is going to speak to you about his visit to the Everest Base Camp and how this is a mirror for his life as it has been to other people also.

In this conversation, David Picton shares his transformative journey to Everest Base Camp, discussing the profound connection he felt with nature, the communities along the trail, and the importance of teamwork and collaboration.

He reflects on the physical and mental challenges faced during the trek, the sustainability efforts observed in the region, and the life lessons learned from this extraordinary experience.

We open with a fascinating concept that’s as much about protecting our minds as it is about protecting the planet — neurosustainability. Host Jackie De Burca speaks with Mohamed Hesham Khalil, whose pioneering research at the University of Cambridge explores how the built environment affects our brain health, mental wellbeing, and cognitive performance.

“That shift… from experiencing the built environment in a specific way and then going back was an alert to start seeing this relationship between the built environment and the human brain.” — Mohamed Hesham Khalil

Discover how architecture, neuroscience, and nature intersect — and why this matters more than ever post-lockdown.

Next, volunteer reporter Sarah Austin speaks with Catherine Cleary, co-founder of Pocket Forests, about transforming small urban spaces into thriving native woodlands. With over 125 sites planted — from car-parking-space-sized micro-forests to half–tennis-court plots — these dense plantings are changing soil health, biodiversity, and community connections.

“We’re planting much younger trees… much more closely together… the result is that they create this microclimate very quickly.” — Catherine Cleary

For the full deep dive, check out our special episode Greening Ireland from Pocket Forests to Native Woodlands on our website.

From turning down Harvard to study engineering against her father’s wishes, to running manufacturing plants in her twenties, Gretchen’s career is a testament to courage, adaptability, and a refusal to accept the status quo.

Today, she is an international author, speaker, and founder of the Women Thriving in Construction Institute, a global non-profit driving data-led change to attract and retain more women in construction.

If you care about leadership, diversity, or the future of the construction industry, this conversation delivers both inspiration and actionable insight. Gretchen doesn’t just talk about change — she’s building the structures, connections, and data that will make it happen.

• The “grounded self-leadership” approach – why leadership starts with personal values and purpose

• How male allyship can transform workplace culture and open doors for women

• Why inclusivity fuels innovation in construction, energy, and engineering

• Four agile leadership routines every leader needs in high-stakes industries

• The systemic barriers holding women back — and practical steps to dismantle them

• Gretchen’s vision for scaling what works globally through the Women Thriving in Construction Institute

Dr. Gretchen Gagel is a distinguished executive in the construction industry, bringing 40 years of management consulting expertise.

She holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA focused on finance, and a Ph.D. in Leadership, Organization Culture, and Change/Agility.

She has served as Chair of Brinkman Construction and is the founder of Women Thriving in Construction, a Global Institute dedicated to fueling global collaboration and funding strategies to accelerate the success of women in construction, mining, and energy inspired by her 2021 induction into the National Academy of Construction, Dr. Gagel is committed to fostering the success of women leaders.

Her book, Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction, published by Wiley in April 2025, provides invaluable guidance and strategies for women to excel in construction, engineering, and related fields.

Mary K. Rhinehart, Chair, Johns Manville Corporation, wrote,

“In the decades I’ve known Gretchen, I have watched her grow and excel as a mother, a civic and business leader, and an influencer in the construction industry. We are so fortunate that Gretchen carved out the time to write this seminal book on women’s leadership and I am confident that all will benefit from the knowledge she shares. Gretchen is a remarkable leader and role model who cares deeply for the construction industry, and her passion for helping women thrive helps us build a more inclusive in...

In this episode of Constructive Voices, we’re joined by Stephen Barrett, the driving force behind Ireland’s transition to whole-life carbon assessment in construction. (Bookmark this page for the release date of 29th July)

As Programme Manager at the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), Stephen is at the heart of implementing the updated Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)—a policy shift that’s set to transform how we design, construct, and assess buildings across Europe.

Whether you’re a building designer, material supplier, or policy watcher, this is the insight you need to prepare for what’s coming.

"Don’t worry about the result—just begin assessing. It’s the act of questioning your design that starts to change behaviour." — Stephen Barrett, IGBC

• Architects, engineers & building designers

• Construction managers & BIM specialists

• Sustainability officers & ESG consultants

• Policy makers & local authorities

• Students and educators in built environment studies

• What the updated EPBD really means—and why it’s a "starting gun" for industry change.

• Why lifecycle carbon is overtaking energy as the key metric in building performance.

• The vital role of BIM (Building Information Modelling) in meeting new EU carbon targets.

• Open source vs proprietary BIM platforms: How to start now, without breaking the bank.

• Lessons from the Nordics, and how Ireland’s ahead of the curve with its prototype methodology.

• What the construction industry must do before 2030 to stay compliant—and competitive.

• Why your old tools won’t cut it anymore—and how new platforms like One Click LCA are changing the game.

• Simple advice for professionals: Start assessing now—don’t fear the results.

"If we design with carbon in mind from the beginning, we won’t just build better—we’ll change the entire supply chain behind construction." — Stephen Barrett, IGBC

Stephen joined the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) in 2020 and is currently Programme Manager for Whole Life Carbon initiatives.

He has contributed to several key European and national projects, including Level(s) – the EU framework for measuring the environmental performance of buildings – and the #BuildingLife campaign, aimed at aligning public policy and industry practices with Whole Life Carbon (WLC) goals.

Stephen led the UPFRONTCO2 and INDICATE projects and is currently managing IMPLEMENT, which focuses on mainstreaming WLC approaches.

He holds an MSc in Sustainability and Adaptation in the Built Environment and brings a strong background in d...

Welcome to the very first edition of the Constructive Voices News — a short, sharp burst of uplifting stories from the built environment, with a side of conservation.

Hosted by Jackie De Burca, this six minute episode showcases inspiring developments in construction, sustainability, and social integration. Here’s what’s in the spotlight:

In Amersfoort, Netherlands, the Arcadis Future Academy is changing lives. A powerful collaboration between Arcadis Refugee Talent Hub, New Dutch Connections, and De Taaltrainer is helping refugees build careers in construction and architecture.

One standout story is Ayoub Choban, who arrived in the Netherlands from Iraq in 2014 and has now secured a contract with Arcadis. The programme combines technical training with soft skills and mentorship, paving the way for a more inclusive future in the sector.

French firm Bouygues Construction is leading the charge towards a low-carbon future. With a bold goal to cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, they’re investing in eco-design, bio-based materials, reuse strategies, and life cycle analysis (LCA) at every stage of construction.

Digital tools and staff training are central to their approach — and they’re calling on the industry to join in the transformation.

Related episode plug: If this topic piques your interest, don’t miss our newly released episode on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive with Stephen Barrett of the Irish Green Building Council.

In a moment of joy for wildlife enthusiasts, Dublin Zoo has welcomed its first okapi calf in over a decade. This elusive and endangered species — often called the “forest giraffe” — is native to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Courtesy of Dublin Zoo

Born to Lumara and Kitabu, the new calf represents hope for the future of the species and a proud achievement for the zoo’s conservation team. Although born on Good Friday, the news was only released officially in late July.

Helen Clarke, the Team Leader at Dublin Zoo said,

“The calf is thriving, and visitors exploring the African Plains area may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her in the coming days – and see just h...

Where better than your own home country to start exploring something that is very close to one’s heart? And I believe to lots of people’s hearts when they start to think about it. At Constructive Voices, we’re not only exploring the obvious parts of the built environment.

“In fact, we’re digging a bit deeper. And connecting the people and their places together, because this is what it’s all about.” Jackie De Burca

How the environment affects us every single day with our health in mind, with how our daily activities are able to be conducted. There’s just a whole host of things that our environment brings to us or perhaps makes more difficult for us.

So tune in to Jackie De Burca as she speaks with Stephen Barrett. He’s the program manager for the Whole Life Carbon Programme at the Irish Green Building Council, and he is going to talk to us about Cobh, which is a picturesque Irish town just outside Cork.

Stephen has planted his roots there for the moment, and now he questions some aspects of the area, such as development.

Biodiversity transport and community pride and how this area Cobh and Cork in general can shape a more sustainable way forward. This episode touches on subjects such as underused train lines to cruise ship impacts, and the local lens that Stephen sees on global challenges.

“What struck me moving from the UK to Ireland is how undervalued Tidy Towns is—those people know their place better than anyone.” – Stephen Barrett on the untapped expertise within community-led groups

Stephen joined the