Does Sustainable Construction Really Cost More? | Greg Fuller | LOSD Podcast | S7

In this episode of SkillCast by LOSD, Nurbanu Somani speaks with Greg Fuller, a Dubai-based consultant specialising in construction, cost management, project management and sustainability.Greg challenges the belief that green construction must be expensive. He explains how smarter design, better management and changes to everyday processes can reduce environmental impact without requiring major investment.Drawing on his experience with solar-passive homes, Greg discusses buildings that require little or no conventional heating and cooling. He also examines misleading green credentials, carbon credits, lifecycle costs and the importance of helping clients understand both the environmental and commercial benefits of change.The conversation then turns to Dubai’s sustainability ambitions, social sustainability and the role people play in protecting the environment.Greg also shares his other great passion: ballroom dancing. Having performed during the Sydney Olympics and taught dance aboard cruise ships, he explains how dancing taught him confidence, focus and freedom from other people’s judgement.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Welcome to SkillCast Season 700:48 Introducing Greg Fuller01:01 Construction and green consulting01:18 Dancing and sustainability01:35 Growing up around nature01:53 Studying sustainable design02:16 Creating solar-passive homes02:28 Sustainable design versus building rules02:39 Buildings without conventional heating or cooling02:50 The struggle to promote green construction03:00 Superficial sustainability credentials03:35 Immediate cost versus future value03:41 Starting his own consultancy03:44 Does sustainability have to cost more?03:52 The first steps towards sustainability03:59 Why education comes first04:16 Explaining the “why” and “how”04:46 Action versus corporate lip service05:12 Sustainability through management05:33 Saving time and reducing emissions06:05 Measuring carbon savings06:14 Moving beyond carbon credits06:48 Is Dubai a concrete jungle?07:21 The UAE beyond the skyscrapers07:55 Innovation in Dubai08:35 Dubai’s sustainability ambitions09:07 Turning targets into action09:31 Sustainable steel production10:24 People versus the planet10:33 People are part of the environment10:46 Social sustainability10:50 Buildings, productivity and wellbeing11:40 Greg’s dancing career11:54 Teaching on cruise ships12:12 Performing at the Sydney Olympics12:56 Why Greg challenges conventional thinking13:01 Are 99 people always right?13:56 What dancing taught him14:08 Ignoring other people’s judgement14:45 Confidence and personal presence15:07 Why children need the arts15:44 Improving focus through dance16:37 Encouraging individual expression17:14 Connecting with Greg17:46 Sustainable workplaces18:15 Does quality have to cost more?18:22 Researching sustainability costs18:39 Lifecycle value19:16 Building-integrated solar power19:37 Solar-generating materials20:02 From small steps to major change20:15 Closing reflectionsFor enquires email: admin@losd.co.uk