Last week, I sat down with Stephen Davies, a unique voice in sustainable architecture and community development. Stephen's journey from the gritty streets of Bolton and the Manchester party scene to a cycling enthusiast and socially-conscious designer in a quiet town in Cornwall was both unexpected and inspiring. He reflected on how personal challenges and a near-death experience shaped his perspective on life and work. His approach blends philosophical musings with practical solutions to the problems of globalism by embracing a localism strategy for building sustainable food systems, communities, and building practices. Stephen is particularly passionate about hempcrete, a carbon-negative building material that he sees as a game-changer for the construction industry and local economies. Stephen embodies the power of embracing change and is a testament to how personal transformation can drive broader social and environmental change. I hope you enjoy this refreshing and thought-provoking take on creating resilient communities in an uncertain world. Thanks to Alex Fish for the recommendation. 00:00 Introduction 02:34 Who is Stephen as a human? 05:13 Who or What Made Him? 10:34 Education and Party Culture 14:49 Cycling and a Life-Changing Accident 18:16 Pursuing Architecture 30:10 Social Conscience and Family Dynamics 37:26 Localization and Community Building 49:49 Community Projects and Company Formation 51:27 Skills Training and Women in Construction 52:07 Innovative Use of Hempcrete 53:06 Challenges and Solutions in Sustainable Building 58:00 Funding Strategies and Community Support 01:00:20 Collaborating with Local Authorities 01:05:31 Philanthropy and Commercial Partnerships 01:11:47 Personal Reflections and Inspirations 01:23:57 Final Thoughts and Future Plans Social Links Links in Show Hemcrete Cornwall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.