HOK unveils £1m mobile COVID-19 testing labs, Boris’s “Project Speed” explained and the industry mourns the loss of a legend

On this week’s episode of EG’s We’re Still Here podcast Emily Wright is joined by EG residential reporter Emma Rosser for a round-up of the week’s news and HOK’s Gary Clark as the architecture practice releases designs for mobile COVID-19 testing labs.

Emma kicks off by relaying some of the tributes that have poured in from across the industry following the sudden death of Berkeley Group founder and chairman Tony Pidgley last week. An industry stalwart, the sector has lost a true legend. For more on the man known to some simply as "the guv'nor" be sure to read EG's obituary here https://www.egi.co.uk/news/he-was-the-doyen-of-residential-property-the-guvnor-of-that-business/. 

Also this week, Emma delves into Boris Johnson's "Project Speed" following the Prime Minister's announcement of the “most radical reforms to our planning system” since the Second World War. Under the reforms developers will be permitted to switch shops to homes and offices without the bother of a planning application. Proposals to demolish vacant shops and build homes will not require planning approval either.

And, of course, it wouldn't be We're Still Here without our now weekly Robert Jenrick update. Have a listen, you won't be disappointed.

Also this week, Emily Wright speaks to HOK's principal and science and technology leader Gary Clark about the design of mobile COVID-19 testing labs. Designed to address the needs of large institutions including colleges, universities, business parks, corporations and government offices, the £1m labs can accommodate up to nine staff workers and equipment capable of testing 80 samples at one time. The result would be mobile labs doing up to 1,120 tests a day.

For more on the design and Gary's thoughts on how the labs could become a significant part of the UK's response to COVID-19 as lockdown rules ease further, tune in to hear more.