#39 Thomas Rau (RAU Architects, Turntoo & Madaster)
Episode 39 of the Bao Podcast is a special episode - first, because it’s the first podcast recorded at an external location. And second, because of our guest: a man who needs no introduction... but I’ll give him one anyway - Thomas Rau!As founder of RAU Architects, Turntoo and Madaster, Thomas is a visionary thinker who challenges the way we design, build, and use materials. His concept of material passports and circular construction is reshaping the industry, proving that buildings should be seen not just as structures but as resource banks for the future. His innovative approach has not gone unnoticed - he has received numerous awards, including the ARC13 Oeuvre Award, the Circular Economy Leadership Award, and the World Green Building Council Chairman’s Award. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about innovation, responsibility, and the architecture of tomorrow!RAU Architects (https://anewdawn.rau.eu/) Turntoo (https://turntoo.com/) Madaster (https://madaster.com/) Time stamps:0:00 Intro01:30 How Thomas started his career07:30 Stories about accidents and diseases and how it changed his vision and motivation17:30 Sustainability vs circularity21:30 Changing mindset is the only way to make an impact28:45 Conflict cost - change39:00 Advising to the king of Bhutan48:30 Material passports57:30 Outro
--------
1:02:25
#38 Kostas Anastasiades & Ben Moins (University of Antwerp & B.CYCLE)
For episode 38 of the Bao Podcast, we welcome 2 people: Kostas Anastasiades & Ben Moins. Both are senior researchers at the faculty of Applied Engineering at the University of Antwerp.They are also linked to the service platform B.Cycle where Kostas serves as an expert on circularity and Ben is the program manager focussing on sustainability.Both of them are writing and doing a lot of research on circularity, recycling and waste management, sustainability assessment and much more.At Bao Living, all these issues are close to our hearts, and we also try to do our part to find solutions to these problems. So we’re very curious to hear more from their insights!Ben’s research + contact (https://www.uantwerpen.be/nl/personeel/ben-moins_19251/) Kostas’ research + contact(https://www.uantwerpen.be/nl/personeel/kostas-anastasiades/) Circular value institute (https://www.circularvalueinstitute.com/team) B.CYCLE (https://bcycle.be/)Constantine The Great (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great)Leonardo da Vinci (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci) Time stamps:0:00 Intro1:30 Ben’s research9:30 Kostas’ research18:30: Implementation of research30:15: About B.CYCLE34:45 Are there historical practices in construction that we can learn from today?39:30 Price vs sustainability47:45 Where do we see the construction industry in a couple of years?51:25 What are the barriers of today’s society to increase circularity in construction?54:20 Outro
--------
1:01:42
#37 Lieven Smeyers (pt.2) (Lito)
Lieven is the CEO of Lito and has already participated in the Bao Podcast almost 2 years ago, and is now back for part 2.He and his team managed to develop the ‘Litobox’: which contains every component you need for heating and cooling your house and for making domestic hot water. It combines a ventilation system that guarantees air quality, a rainwater purification system, the indoor components for a photovoltaic installation and an electrical switchboard with internet equipment. Optionally, a battery pack can be added as well.Thanks to off-site assembly and testing, your building process is enormously speeded up, as it can be installed, connected, and commissioned in a few hours.Show notes: Lito (https://lito.be/en/) Lito & Bao Living collaboration for ION (https://www.baoliving.com/projecten/moderne-nieuwbouw-appartementen-in-brussel) Time stamps: 0:00 Intro1:30 Three biggest milestones since previous episode21:15 Biggest challenges since previous episode32:25 Surprising/Inspiring customer feedback42:20 Lessons learned in entrepreneurship52:00 Outro
--------
58:54
#36 Pieter-Jan Loyens (Encon)
For Episode 36 of the Bao Podcast, we introduce you to Pieter-Jan Loyens, the Managing Director of Encon. This is an agency, based in Bilzen, that supports businesses with creative and innovative solutions in their transition toward becoming more sustainable.They distinguish themselves through their unique combination of ecology and economy, linking environmental awareness with cost savings and profitability for their clients.In recent years, they have built a strong market position with this approach. One of their most remarkable projects might be their own headquarters in Bilzen, Infinity. It is considered one of the most sustainable office buildings in Europe. With several sustainability certificates as LEED and BREEAM, the design serves as a showcase for innovative technologies and sustainable architecture.Show notes:Encon (https://www.encon.eu/nl-BE) Pieter-Jan Loyens (https://be.linkedin.com/in/pieter-jan-loyens/en) Robin Bruninx (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinbruninx) Hasco Invest (https://hascoinvest.be/nl/home)Jean Jacques Velkeniers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-jacques-velkeniers-1053b11/) BREEAM (https://breeam.com/)LEED (https://www.usgbc.org/leed/)Tectum Group (https://www.tectumgroup.be/) HNST Jeans (https://www.supergoods.be/blogs/supergoods-news/welkom-bij-supergoods-de-belgische-duurzame-jeans-van-hnst)Vario Food (https://variofood.be/)Upgrade Estate (https://upgrade-estate.be/)Wanaka Partners (https://wanakapartners.com/) Ellen MacArthur (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_MacArthur) Ignace van Doorselaere, ‘De essentie’ (https://4-f.be/publicaties/de-essentie)Daniel Kahneman, ‘Thinking Fast & Slow’ (https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/thinking-fast-and-slow/9300000043254613/)Michael Lewis, ‘The Undoing Project’ (https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/the-undoing-project/9200000065157549/) Time stamps:0:00 Intro2:00 Founding story of Encon10:30 Examples of how Encon are helping companies 19:30 Pieter-Jan’s key learnings throughout his career 26:15 Work of Encon in construction industry29:30 Sustainability certificates: how do you achieve them?34:30 Promising methodologies in construction38:30 Good business cases for big battery installations43:45 Cost of batteries dropping45:00 Circular frontrunners in Belgium48:10 Reach out to Pieter-Jan or Encon via the information in the show notes!49:00 Outro
--------
1:01:35
#35 Anneleen Desmyter (Yally)
For episode 35 of the Bao Podcast, we invited Anneleen Desmyter, the CEO of Yally. This is an innovative company based in Antwerp that’s redefining property management with a future-focused approach.Yally’s mission centers around buying homes and transforming them into energy-efficient, tenant-friendly spaces. As a forward-thinking landlord, Yally prioritizes both comfort and affordability for tenants, using smart technology to cut down on energy costs and provide an all-inclusive service through their online platform, MijnYally.be.Yally (https://yally.be/) Quares (https://quares.be/nl/)The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/368593.The_4_Hour_Workweek) Time stamps: 0:00 Intro01:00 About Anneleen and Jally05:50 Opportunities they saw when founding Yally10:40 Meaning behind the name 13:15 Yally's activities and insights in the market55:00 Outro
Every month, we invite a guest on the Bao Podcast who's active in the construction industry. With our guests, we discuss the latest evolutions and the future of this interesting industry.
Want to learn more about Bao Living? Visit https://en.baoliving.com/
Australia