Talking Place

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin is joined by not one, but two incredible guests, Rumi Bose, urban designer and place shaping consultant , and Palak Jhunjhunwala, architect and co-founder of Beyond Design. Together they unpack what it means to move beyond “tick-box consultation” and deliver authentic, meaningful co-design.

From transforming Peveril Gardens in southeast London to a community hub, to...

In this episode of Talking Place, Clare —urban health campaigner, housing expert, and founder of Listen 2 Locals—joins host Tanisha Raffiuddin to explore the powerful connection between public health and the places we design, live in, and spend our everyday lives. Clare shares how her work in housing, architecture, and healthcare led her to campaign for more equitable and health-creating urban environments. Drawing on her collabora...

In this special solo episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin, Creative Director of Concept Culture, shares her reflections from the inaugural SXSW London 2025—a bold and buzzing fusion of tech, culture, design, and storytelling.

As a festival known for its intersectional approach, SXSW’s arrival in London was more than a cultural moment—it was a lens into what the future of place might look like when the creative...

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin heads to UKREiiF 2025 in Leeds to hear directly from the voices shaping the future of our built environment.
Framed around one powerful question—“What does the place of the future look like?”—this special edition of ‘REiiFlections’ gathers insights from across the public, private, cultural, and development sectors.

From democratic housing models and funding reform, t...

In this episode of Talking Place, Rosa Rogina, Director of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA), joins host Tanisha Raffiuddin to explore the evolving role of city wide architecture festivals in shaping inclusive, responsive, and people-centered cities.

Rosa shares her journey from architecture student in Croatia to curating one of the world’s largest citywide architecture festivals in London. With a background in res...

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Cllr. Kemi Akinola, the Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council, to explore how culture, placemaking, and community-led leadership are shaping the future of one of London’s most dynamic boroughs.

From tackling food insecurity to investing in youth, the Deputy Leader shares her unique journey from grassroots activism to political leadership, offering insight into ho...

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Frances Heeney, Director of Product Development at Principal Asset Management, to explore how finance, sustainability, and placemaking intersect to shape the future of our communities.

With a global career spanning EMEA, the Americas, and APAC, Frances brings a wealth of experience in business development, client relations, and real estate assets. She shares he...

In this episode of Talking Place, host Tanisha Raffiuddin sits down with Marsha Ramroop, an inclusion strategist and author of the groundbreaking book ‘Building Inclusion’, to explore the critical intersections of place, diversity, and the human experience.

Marsha shares her remarkable journey from a 30-year career in broadcasting to becoming a leading voice in equity, diversity, and inclusion within the built environment. With infe...

In this episode of Talking Place, Jay Morton, director of Bell Phillips Architects, sits down with our host Tanisha Raffiuddin to explore the intersection of architecture, community, and social change.

Jay shares her journey from Part II architect to Director over 12 years at Bell Philips, a practice known for its moral compass and resident-led design. Discover how meaningful engagement happens when architects abandon jargon and tru...

In this episode, Max Farrell, founder of the LDN Collective, sits down with our host Tanisha Raffiuddin to dive into the powerful role communities play in shaping sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban spaces. 

Max explains why understanding the needs, dreams, and challenges of local residents is crucial for successful urban design. He highlights why it is important to bring them into the conversation early on right f...

Place branding expert Dr. Giannina Warren joins our host Tanisha Raffiuddin in a conversation about the importance of place branding in placemaking and development, how place branding can be leveraged to change people’s perception of a place, and its role as a strategic tool to unlock the true potential of places.

As the creator of the world’s first MA in place branding at Middlesex University London, Giannina is a pioneer in the fi...