This Natural Life - Roma Agrawal

The writer and structural engineer behind The Shard, Roma Agrawal, takes Martha Kearney to Kilburn Grange Park in north-west London. The park was an oasis for Roma during some of the most difficult periods of her life.

Roma shares how she sees the world through the lens of a structural engineer, reflecting on materials, society and the ways we organise our cities. She tells Martha about her upbringing in Mumbai, India, and the natural world that surrounded her there, comparing it with the landscapes she experiences in the UK today. The pair also visit a special spot in the park – the rose garden – which holds memories of Roma's turbulent thirties.

Roma worked as an engineer on The Shard, the tallest building in western Europe, and her books include Built: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures, and the childrens' book How to Build a Chocolate Bridge: Extraordinary Builds Using Everyday Things.

Producer: Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio Bristol

Published on Thursday, 23rd July 2026.

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