In a refreshingly candid reflection on the future of real estate, journalist Emily Wright explores the growing power of human-centered design and the surprising commercial value of informality. Featured on the Grow Places podcast hosted by impact-driven developer Tom Larsson, Wright shares insights from over two decades in the industry—finally turning the mic on herself to express what she really thinks about the built environment.
The conversation spans everything from well-being and visceral emotional impact to why real estate professionals must rethink how spaces are designed, not just for function but for comfort, connection, and authenticity. The playful quote at the heart of the story—“no shoes, no makeup, no pants”—turns out to be more than just cheeky wordplay. It represents a philosophy of design that is raw, real, and refreshingly relaxed.
Wright points to places like Löyly Sauna in Helsinki as examples of how great design doesn’t have to be polished or pretentious to be powerful. Instead, spaces that embrace ease and honesty can unlock deeper, more personal experiences—and still be commercially successful.
This edition of Well-Placed sets the tone for Wright’s broader mission: to showcase the people and projects reimagining real estate through emotional, accessible, and human-first approaches. Stay tuned, she teases, for a wild new story about post-apocalyptic car parks turned homes—because in this vision of the future, the unexpected is exactly what makes design meaningful.