Vintage Sustainability

The EAGA Story

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:09:20 GMT

In this episode, John and Gordon talk to John and Pauline Clough. John was founder and CEO of EAGA, starting in 1990 and building up to 5400 staff. The company was listed on the FT250 in 2007. John tells a story of the remarkable rise of EAGA and the subsequent Carilion takeover. As usual, our conversation wanders into other areas such as growing up in the north east of England and the social cohesion that can come from that, those foundations also formed a key part of the ethos of the EAGA partnership and still resonate in the running of The EAGA trust. John and Pauline also tell us about the purchase and redevelopment of Adderstone house in Northumberland, the construction of their new eco-house and the gardens in the grounds including the most northerly vineyard in England.

Professor Kel Fidler, Vice Chancellor of Northumbria University speaking in 2007 said: “Awarded the MBE in 1994, John Clough is one of the North East’s true success stories. He is an inspirational role model for the business leaders of tomorrow and a shining example to our graduates today.”

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Kevin , The Rivergreen Centre and the earthed rammed wall.

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 08:01:03 GMT

John and Gordon talk to Kevin Turnbull about the Rivergreen Centre, a innovative successful green building. The conversation wanders into the joy in construction projects and their lasting effect on those involved. We find out what features had lasted and some that didn't .

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Graham Wynn, AI and University Learning

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:53:28 GMT

How does University learning and teaching need to evolve in an AI world. We talk to Professor Graham Wynn ( Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education at Northumbria University) about how it is being managed and the opportunities it unlocks. Graham is a promoter of experiential learning , something built environment programmes are very familiar with, and he sees this as a key element in the future of successful higher education. John and Gordon use AI to research Graham prior to the interview and to create some questions for the interview. We eventually let him know about this as he starts to ponder our insight into his thoughts.

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Nigel and Lion House 2

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:52:54 GMT

We revisit the design of the first BREEAM "Outstanding" office, Lion House, through a discussion with Nigel Banks, one of the original design team. Nigel, who is now Technical director with Octopus also takes us through the current developments, issues and possible changes and to the UK energy market.

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Season 1 Review and Looking Ahead

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 06:16:21 GMT

John and Gordon chat about the visits and interviews in season 1 and think about subjects for season 2

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Martin Hulse - heritage entrepeneur

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 09:43:25 GMT

Vintage Sustainability meets the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust in the shape of Martin Hulse the Trust Manger. T&WBPT is a heroic organisation working to preserve the architectural heritage of Tyne and Wear through the repair, conservation and regeneration of historic buildings and structures.

Their greatest hits include 28-30 The Close (House of Tides), the Old Low Lights building on North Shields Fish Quay, All Saints Church in Newcastle and St Mary’s Gateshead. Buildings which currently keep him awake at night include Dunston Staithes and the Keelman’s Hospital in Newcastle.

Martin has the daunting task of balancing authentic historic building preservation, community engagement and commercial viability all the while navigating sources of funding from a myriad of organisations. His interview is both interesting and entertaining, he exudes a pragmatic enthusiasm for the preservation of buildings we know and love, without his drive and skill they may have become car parks or supermarkets long ago.

But hey, why am I wittering on, get listening…….

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The Auckland Project

Thu, 29 May 2025 14:36:43 GMT

For many centuries, Bishop Auckland was a thriving market town but since the demise of the mining industry, like many British towns, it has been affected by an economic and social decline. The Auckland Project is a regeneration charity working to establish Bishop Auckland as a must-visit cultural destination. In this episode John and Gordon head off to Bishop Auckland to meet David Land, CEO of the Auckland Project to find out how the project is progressing.

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Tim and the Toffee Factory

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 07:11:04 GMT

John and Gordon return to the Ouseburn in Newcastle upon Tyne to meet Tim Baily of Xsite Architecture. Tim talks about the Toffee Factory and its role in the Ouseburn development, BOHO on Teesside and the recently completed Pattern Shop in Newcastle.

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The Ouseburn Story

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 12:29:41 GMT

John and Gordon talk to Dale Bolland about the Ouseburn and its transformation into the City's coolest district. Punk Rock, Workers Revolutionary Party and the Tunnel are all recalled.

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Professor George Marston, Universities, Sustainability and students

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 11:35:23 GMT

In this episode we talk to Professor George Marston, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Projects at Northumbria University.

George works closely with the University Executive shaping and delivering the University’s Vision, Strategy. He is Chair of the University Sustainability Management Group which oversees the Environmental Management System and related activities and the University’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management Group. George discusses atmospheric chemistry, the University’s success in the sustainable league tables, campus development and the time he got stranded in Youngstown, Ohio. John also mentions how important squirrels (biodiverse campus environment) are in attracting impressionable students at open days.

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Tree sitting, Cradlewell Bypass and a brush with the law

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 11:34:51 GMT

In this episode we talk to June, a teenage anti road demonstrator in the 1990s who also happens to be John's niece. The £12m Cradlewell bypass routed traffic through a tunnel to bypass a narrow pinch point at the end of the Coast Road into Newcastle. The protest invented the idea of tree sitting and delayed the project for a few months. June's arrest and it's subsequent impacts on her career are explored. John wonders whether June has changed her views, well have a listen!

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Nick Huston talks domestic heat pumps

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:40:05 GMT

John and Gordon talk to Nick Huston of Daikin (Future Energy Business Manager). Nick tells us about some of the early domestic heat pumps projects he was involved in and we discuss how the future might play out over the next few years. Economics of current heat pumps are explored and contrasted to historical cases (1950s). Nick also lets us know about the "Tesla charge point races" playing out on our roads

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Professor Ruth Dalton measuring joy and the Revai G-Whiz

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 13:07:50 GMT

We discuss sustainable design and architecture with Professor Ruth Dalton. Covering her early experience of the importance of sustainability in the 1980s architecture school, her favourite local building and some aspects of design that could be added to sustainable assessment of buildings. Ruth also tells us of her experience with that 1990s London favourite the Revai G Whiz. It works in London but not so much in Milton Keynes. Oh, I should say it contains some mild swearing.

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Louise Allen, Spark at the Helix

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:36:30 GMT

Louise talks about running Central Square and her new role at the Spark Building. How to create a sense of place in the building and its occupants. She also lets us know about her first car and the informal DJ at the Spark

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More thoughts from Peter Rolton

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 13:12:06 GMT

We continue our conversation with Peter Rolton, covering batteries, starting up the Rolton Group, cars and Gary Neville’s zero carbon testimonial.

Some local north east flavour in this podcast including “gubby” jobs and Claude Gibb Hall. Peter also tells us about being chairman of Gary Neville’s zero carbon testimonial team.

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Peter Rolton reflects on student days and BREEAM

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 14:11:00 GMT

In this episode we chat with Peter Rolton, chairman of the Rolton Group. Peter and Gordon have something in common, both studied Building Services Engineering at Newcastle Polytechnic ( now Northumbria University) in there early 80s, so there is some reflection on that period. We talk to Peter about the influence of BREEAM , the maturing debate about sustainability, the stop start nature of the UK Government's legislation in this area and Peter’s role as a government advisor 2006- 2010.

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Simon Murray talks about judging

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 14:50:09 GMT

John and Gordon talk to Simon Murray about his role in the RICS and other organisations. We ask Simon, how were the sustainability awards judged and what were key projects over the last 15 years or so? John reminds us of the "circle of blame", this was first codified 20 years ago or more, is it still relevant?

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Edinburgh Park

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 11:27:58 GMT

In this episode we meet Peter Mullican, the chairman of Parabola, the developers of Central Square. Central Square, a featured building in an earlier episode was one of John and Gordon's first research projects. We discuss with Peter, what design features have been retained 25 years later in his new development , Edinburgh Park, a net zero development and how he sees the impact of sustainability in the property market today. John also has a trip down memory lane, recalling his protests at the building of Torness.

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Jason , BREEAM and the trundle wheel

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 10:12:50 GMT

We talk to Jason Hodgson, Operation Director at SV Rutter Ltd. We know Jason from his days at Tolent and John in particular worked with Jason on BREEAM assessments (Design Centre of the North). John and Jason reflect on how the introduction of the sustainability tool, BREEAM, worked in projects. The discussion also looks at cost of assessment, collecting evidence(how close is that post box?) and need for a trundle wheel! The future for projects - perhaps less BREEAM and more focus on MEES is reflected on.

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MEES, EPCS and Kevin Muldoon-Smith

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:04:07 GMT

John and Gordon meet Dr Kevin Muldoon Smith, who is an Associate Professor in Urban and Built Environment Adaptation and Investment in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria University. His research focuses on adaptation and investment in the built environment. We talk with Kevin about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)and their impact in property investment.

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Central Square Newcastle upon Tyne 1

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:29:33 GMT

John and Gordon visit Central Square a building they researched back in 1999/2000, the first BREEAM "excellent" in Newcastle. A summary of the paper is here: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/14630010310812019/full/html We will be returning to this building to discuss the building with ARUP, who were the engineering designers of the refurbishment.

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South Staiths Housing

Thu, 18 May 2023 12:39:28 GMT

John and Gordon go to the South Staiths housing estate in Gateshead This from the BBC website helps understand our interest

"It is 23 years since Wayne Hemingway hit out at the "Wimpeyfication" of Britain's new-build homes and decided to launch a design revolution in Gateshead. But has anything changed?

It was a tirade aimed at shaking the housing industry to its foundations. Property prices were rocketing, but here was a gobby northerner whose expertise lay in designing dresses weighing in to decry the "defacing" of our green and pleasant land.

The incensed opinion piece, printed in The Independent, accused firms of being "hooked on the past... pastiche... and profits".

Furore ensued. A grilling by Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman soon followed. And then, out of the blue, came a phone call from under-fire Wimpey.

The result was a daunting move into urban design for Hemingway and his wife Gerardine, and the creation of Staiths South Bank - a "forward-thinking" development of almost 600 properties on a former industrial site in north-east England.

John and Gordon meet Maggie, a long term resident on there estate

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Lion House 1

Mon, 08 May 2023 10:51:16 GMT

In our first episode we visit the first office to be rated BREEAM "outstanding" and talk to one of the tenants Ben Tansey of Reheat. We consider the use of biomass in the building, which was a key part of achieving the "outstanding" label.

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Trailer

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:32:49 GMT

John and Gordon discuss their forthcoming podcast series on sustainable buildings revisited

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