Bao Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with William Diercxsens and Mathias De Loore of Sheltr, the Antwerp coliving operator that turns existing buildings, from former hotels to a historic bank on the Meir, into design led homes with private rooms, shared spaces and an all-inclusive rent.We talk about the economics of coliving, why Sheltr chooses renovation over new construction, building a real community under one roof, and what it takes to scale the concept beyond Antwerp. A lively conversation about how we will live in the cities of tomorrow.Shownotes:William Diercxsens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-diercxsens-5b946aa8/ Mathias De Loore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathias-de-loore-622490110/ Sheltr CoLiving: https://www.sheltr.be/ Stellina Group / Stellina Invest: https://stelina.be/Simon-Kucher: https://www.simon-kucher.com/enDeloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/global/en.html Belfius: https://www.belfius.be/site/retail/nl Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifragile_(book) Tout le bleu du ciel by Mélissa Da Costa: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/44168344-tout-le-bleu-du-ciel Timestmaps:00:00 Guest introduction & background01:21 Transition from engineering to consulting and Stellina Invest04:35 Transition from corporate finance to hospitality07:23 What is Shelter & co-living business model explained08:15 Pricing model & all-inclusive rent structure11:34 Why renovation of existing buildings is preferred over new builds13:57 Flagship Meir Bank building project (Antwerp)18:40 Community building, matching, and monthly resident events19:40 Legal and regulatory frameworks for co-living in Antwerp vs. Brussels26:23 Unit economics, financial yields, and comparison to office spaces35:53 Group synergies & origins with Yust hotel concept39:15 10-year growth vision for Shelter40:01 Rapid-fire questions49:14 Outro

In this episode of the Bao Living Podcast, we sit down with Leo Van Broeck, architect, co-founder of Bogdan & Van Broeck and former Vlaams Bouwmeester.We talk about the way Flanders has been built, the pressure on our limited space and what needs to change if we want a more sustainable built environment.From the bouwshift and renovation wave to our relationship with nature, raw materials and the rise of industrialised and modular construction, Leo shares his perspective on where the building sector needs to go next.🎙️ A conversation about architecture, policy and one big question: how do we build better without simply building more? Shownotes: Leo Van Broeck (  / leo-van-broeck-81aa7bb  )Bogdan & Van Broeck (https://www.bogdan.design/)Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) (https://www.kuleuven.be/english/kuleuven)Club of Rome (https://www.clubofrome.org/) Climate Expert Committee of the Brussels Region (https://www.brupartners.brussels/nl/b...)Urban Sprawl: Get Fat, Stay Poor, and Die in Car Crashes: A 2014 study publication (https://www.fastcompany.com/3028661/u...)Rerum Novarum: An encyclical written by Pope Leo XIII at the end of the 19th century (https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xi...)Half-Earth: A book written by Edward O. Wilson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-Earth)L'Anomalie (The Anomaly) by Hervé Le Tellier (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ano...)L'Amante Senza Fissa Dimora (The Lover Without a Fixed Address) by Fruttero & Lucentini (https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27ama...)Timestamps:00:11 – Introduction of Guest Leo Van Broeck01:55 – Awakening to Land Use and Climate Change05:04 – Human Disturbance of Natural Ecosystems07:53 – Pitfalls of Spatial Planning and Agriculture10:00 – Personal Practice Decisions and Public Action11:46 – Commercial Influence of Ethical Design14:30 – Selection as Flemish Government Architect15:09 – Societal Hardships from Low-Density Sprawl19:28 – Historical Evolution of Sedentary Land Control22:34 – Spiritual and Philosophical Origins of Misbehavior27:36 – Capitalist Market Models and Wealth Disparity31:38 – Advocacy and Public Engagement Outcomes34:03 – Anecdotes of Positive Community Shifts36:54 – Historic Spatial Policy Differences in Flanders41:34 – Reflections on Long-Term Ecological Pessimism46:33 – True Reclamation and Demarcation of Nature49:02 – European Conservation Strategies and Policy Shifts52:26 – Quantifying Species Loss and Critical Demographics56:04 – Timeframes Required for Global Repair01:00:37 – Closing Questions: Historical Figure Discussion01:02:35 – Closing Questions: Reading Recommendations01:05:42 – Closing Questions: Best Recent Purchase01:06:17 – Concluding Remarks and Outro#baopodcast #podcast #ubandesign #architecture

In this episode, we sit down with the co-founder and CEO of Urban Jungle Project, a company rethinking how nature can live inside our cities, from green rooftops and living facades to forgotten urban spaces turned into climate-proof ecosystems.We talk about urban heat, biodiversity, 3D-printed jungle blocks, smart plant monitoring, and why the cities of tomorrow may need to look a lot less grey.Let’s dive in.Shownotes:The Urban Jungle Project (https://www.theurbanjungleproject.com/en/) Daan Grasveld (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daangrasveld/)Sony Music Entertainment (https://www.sonymusic.com/) Picnic Supermarkets (https://jobs.picnic.app/en/about-picnic)Ebben Tree Nursery (https://www.ebben.nl/en/)Nos (https://nos.nl/)TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) (https://www.tudelft.nl/en/)Timestamps:00:11: Intro01:41: Dan’s professional background03:10: Spark for the project05:43: Pivot from energy to nature07:04: Global urbanization challenges08:35: Urban Heat Island effect12:12: Benefits of green roofing14:28: The business case for nature15:48: Launching the first pilot19:45: Founder and partnership dynamics21:54: Choosing heart over head26:55: Embracing generalist leadership29:37: Advantage of organic growth37:59: Modular and lightweight tech39:57: Sensors and maintenance care42:47: Overcoming growth constraints44:47: Measuring biodiversity and impact51:21: Future company vision52:18: Closing and contact info

Our guest is Tom Willemen, CEO of Willemen Groep, a leading Belgian construction powerhouse spanning infrastructure, real estate, and civil engineering. Under his leadership, the group has become a frontrunner in sustainability and digital transformation. As Chairman of Embuild, Tom is a vocal advocate for industrialising the sector and modernising the construction ecosystem. Today, we discuss the challenges and future of the industry.Show notes: Willemen Groep (https://www.willemen.be/en) Tom Willemen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomwillemen/) BuildWise (https://www.buildwise.be/en/) BuildWise Vision Comittee publication on “Circularity” (https://www.buildwise.be/media/xmtbgbcw/bwi_visiedocument_circularity.pdf) BuildWise Vision Committee publication “Finance and Affordability of construction in 2031” (https://www.buildwise.be/media/apephizu/bwi-230201-visierapport_1i23-int.pdf) Time stamps:00:00 Intro01:50 Inside Willemen Groep: what “day-to-day” really looks like2:40 Challenges in the construction industry 5:06 Potential solutions and innovation10:07 Finding time to think in an industry that never stops11:11 The BuildWise vision committee12:23 Zooming in the Circularity report16:09 The Affordability report18:03 Leadership in construction21:13 Lessons and setbacks of Willemen Groep 24:48 Vision for the Future: 2040 31:40 The most difficult ecosystem part to redesign34:56 Tips and tricks to stay informed and keep learning38:30 Outro

In this episode we speak with Joachim De Vos, Co-chair and Managing Partner of Living Tomorrow, founder of TomorrowLab, and professor of scenario planning at Ghent University.Since the early 1990s, when the first House of the Future opened its doors, Joachim has helped organizations and policymakers prepare for what’s next through foresight, scenario planning, and innovation strategy.He is also the author of Why Innovation Fails, which examines the pitfalls of innovation and how companies can become “future fit.” The book features a deep dive into the Kodak case, developed with Steven Sasson, the inventor of the digital camera.We talk about the lessons of innovation success and failure, how to keep a strong vision alive inside complex organizations, and the future shifts Joachim believes will change how we live and work.Show notes: Living Tomorrow (https://www.livingtomorrow.com/nl/)TomorrowLab (https://www.tomorrowlab.com/)Joachim De Vos (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joachimdevos/?originalSubdomain=be)Frank Belien (https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-belien-66a6b815/?originalSubdomain=be) Joachim De Vos - Why Innovation fails (https://www.lannoo.be/nl/why-innovation-fails-0) Evi Gruyaert - Waarom luisteren gelukkig maakt (https://www.pelckmansuitgevers.be/waarom-luisteren-gelukkig-maakt.html) Time stamps: 00:00 Intro03:35 Bill Gates at the opening of the house of the future9:00 About the first house of the future13:00 About the second house of the future14:45 About the current evolutions30:30 How does not being CEO anymore shift your focus? 39:30 What are good tools to better handle organizations?45:30 Thinking about the future is art48:00 Outro

In episode 41, we speak with Steven Van Passel, Professor in Environmental Economics and Vice-Rector for Valorisation and Sustainability at the University of Antwerp.Steven leads the EnvEcon group, a multidisciplinary research team focused on sustainability assessments in energy, food systems, and the circular economy. With a background in agricultural economics and years of experience advising climate and nitrogen panels, Steven offers a grounded, systems-level view on how to move from research to real-world impact.We talk about how to translate science into societal value, why systems thinking is essential, and what role technology should play in the sustainable transition of our built environment.Show notes:Steven Van Passel’s research + contact👉 https://www.uantwerpen.be/nl/personeel/steven-vanpassel/ENV‑ECON Research Group👉 https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/env-econ/Planetary Boundaries (Stockholm Resilience Centre)👉 https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.htmlProgramma Aanpak Stikstof (PAS) – Nederland👉 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/natuur-en-biodiversiteit/stikstofIEA – Solar PV Market Report👉 https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pvEllen MacArthur Foundation – Circular Economy & Plastics👉 https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/plasticsNature‑based Solutions (Oppla – EU-database)👉 https://oppla.eu/nature-based-solutionsGrand Hotel Europa – Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer👉 https://www.standaardboekhandel.be/p/grand-hotel-europa-9789029526227 Voorbij duurzaamheid – Op weg naar een ecorechtvaardige samenleving – Shivant Jhagroe👉 https://www.walburgpers.nl/nl/book/9789464564259/voorbij-duurzaamheidTimestamps:[00:00] Intro [02:00] How Steven became an environmental economist [03:03] What markets get wrong about sustainability [13:35] Nitrogen, farming, and the housing crisis [19:15] Trade-offs in climate policy and why timing matters [21:50] The real impact of solar panels and tech optimism [32:02] How oil prices affect recycling and circularity [32:55] Can Europe lead if others lag behind? [48:30] What gives Steven hope (and concern) [50:10] Why adaptation is no longer optional [55:50] Book tip & dream dinner guest [01:04] Outro

For Episode 40 of the Bao Podcast, we welcome Noor Huitema-Hellemans, co-founder of Copper8, a consultancy helping organizations rethink value, governance, and collaboration.Based in Amsterdam, Copper8 challenges businesses to move beyond short-term profit and focus on long-term impact. Their work bridges research and practice, supporting clients in sectors like construction, finance, and manufacturing to drive systemic change.In this episode, we explore what it takes to lead a purpose-driven company, how to align financial and environmental value, and why true transformation starts with asking the right questions.Copper8 (https://www.copper8.com/)LinkedIn Noor Huitema-Hellemans (https://www.linkedin.com/in/noorhuitemahelleman/)Ellen MacArthur Foundation (https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/)Planetary Boundaries Documentary on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/)CSRD - Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en)Mahatma Gandhi (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi)Time stamps:0:00 Intro1:55 Noor’s motivation for systemic change4:30 From traditional consultancy to founding Copper88:50 Choosing impact over growth: the 15-person team limit13:00 Bridging research and practice to accelerate change26:20 Circularity beyond materials: financial and environmental value34:10 The role of legislation and market awareness38:15 Who should reach out to Copper8?43:50 Outro

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

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

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