Episodes
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In a recent episode, Doug asked a question that sparked considerable discussion: should a college degree be mandatory for the NCIDQ exam, or if work experience and apprenticeships be adequate? Responding to insightful listener feedback, Doug invited Jon Otis, a distinguished figure in interior design advocacy and a Professor, to explore the issue further. The feedback varied; some listeners supported alternative licensure paths for their diversity and affordability, while others advocated for the necessity of a bachelor's degree due to the rigor of formal education. This sparked a broader conversation between Doug and Jon about the merits of formal education versus learning through experience.
Do you have a hot take? Email Doug at [email protected] with your opinions on the NCIDQ degree requirements.
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Is the private office taking on a new and important role? Is it time for the private office to be reimagined? In this special episode, Doug shares part of a conversation we captured between designer Brian Graham and our very own, Molly Prior. Together, Brian and Molly chat about the rapid shift in management styles that might challenge the traditional use of the private office - from a more hierarchical environment to a more inclusive and flexible space that can encourage open dialogue and create a sense of equality. But, what might that look like for the future of private offices and workspaces in general?
Hear more from Brian Graham on this new take on the private office. Watch here.
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Missing episodes?
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In this solo episode, Doug looks back at the first quarter of 2024. He reminisces on insightful past episodes exploring creativity, leadership, and the impact of design on the human experience and our well-being. He also poses an interesting question regarding the NCIDQ exam for interior designers—should a college degree be required for this exam or is significant work experience/apprenticeship enough to suffice?
Email Doug at [email protected] with your opinions on the NCIDQ degree requirements.
We also look forward, as we have some exciting plans for the podcast network including an upcoming season focused on the power of design in education, new episodes from other shows, and a "surprise" for delivering insights in a unique and exciting way.
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In this episode, Doug is joined by Joey Shimoda of Shimoda Design Group. This reflective conversation spans from Joey's unique upbringing in Alabama and the challenges of growing up in a racially tense environment to the potential impacts of emerging technologies.
Growing up in Alabama during a turbulent period in American history—Joey reveals a journey marked by challenges, including his family's history of internment during World War II and the complexities of being one of the few Asian families in his community amidst the racial tensions of the 1960s. This backdrop serves as a foundation for Shimoda's profound insights into the role of curiosity, open-mindedness, and the embrace of both the analog and digital realms in shaping his design practices.
Doug and Joey talk about how the implications of technological advancements like AI and the metaverse cannot be overlooked in the field of design. There is a need to emphasize human-centered creativity and tangible experiences in this rapidly changing technological landscape.
This conversation not only showcases Joey's illustrious career and musings, but also serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of human creativity in the face of technological change.
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In this episode we talk with Tasha Singh a design student from Drexel University. Tasha's design philosophy centers around fostering social connection and a sense of community through the built environment. Her experiences moving from the close-knit neighborhoods of India tot he more individualistic society of Philadelphia have profoundly shaped her approach. Tasha aims to blur the lines between public and private spaces, creating a "porosity" that encourages casual interactions and chance encounters.
Underpinning her work is a deep belief that design should serve those who are often overlooked or forgotten. Tasha advocates for designing with empathy and considering how even the most marginalized might engage with and benefit from the spaces we create.
Tasha even touches on a crucial point: the need for designers to slow down, be present, and truly experience how environments impact people's sense of belonging and wellbeing. Tasha's mission is to contribute designs that knit together communities while elevating the voices of the unseen.
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Welcome to a special episode recorded LIVE at the "Crafted for Living" event in collaboration with Carolina and Mannington Commercial. Join us as we sit down with Kevin Swanson, a seasoned expert in Senior Living design at Hawthorn Construction Group. Kevin shares his heartfelt passion for creating spaces that truly cater to the needs of seniors, discussing the delicate balance between aesthetics and safety. From the importance of choosing the right words to implementing small yet impactful changes, Kevin's dedication shines through. Join us for an engaging conversation about the art of designing with purpose and making a meaningful impact in senior living environments
We’re also joined by Lauren Morgan, Brand Manager at Carolina, adding her insights to the conversation and a little about her journey into healthcare design.
Want to learn more? Visit Carolina's insights page to get a recap of the Crafted for Living event here
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In this special episode for Women's History Month, we've gathered 8 incredible stories of perseverance and personal growth from some of our favorite guests. These stories are not just about the perseverance and achievements of these women but are meant to motivate and encourage everyone listening. You'll also meet Lydia Moya, an executive producer for Imagine a Place, as we take a look back at this episode and reflect on these stories and what this month is all about.
Here's a list of our guests in order and links to their original podcast:
1. My Ngyuen
2. Ginger Curtis
3. Charlotte Kingsbury
4. Erin Peavey
5. Kia Weatherspoon
6. Ximena Diaz
7. Debbie Millman
8. Krystal Lucero
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Architect Nadia Borrás Marković takes us back to her childhood in Mexico City, reflecting on special memories of the home her father built and the creative spirit he nurtured in her. She opens up about her persistence in achieving her goals as one of the few women studying architecture. Towards the end, she explains how architecture goes beyond the practical to create connection and the importance of understanding people’s stories.
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Here are some key takeaways from Doug's experience at the New Year New You event in Miami.
Authentic intelligence comes from experience and activating our brains, hearts, and souls.
There is a difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and authentic intelligence. Artificial intelligence is knowledge gained through algorithmic study and memorization—learning in 2D—while authentic intelligence comes from experience that activates more areas of the brain and leaves emotional imprints. It engages our brains, hearts, and souls. And as AI advances, we need to balance and develop our authentic intelligence through conversations, travel, and immersive experiences.
Curiosity is the most important skill in the AI era.
Curiosity is singled out as the most important skill in the AI era. With unlimited information at our fingertips, our impact comes from the questions we ask, not just passively accepting the answers we receive. Staying curious allows us to steer our use of AI tools, rather than losing agency and keeps us from falling into sameness.
Imperfections make us human.
As AI generates hyper-perfect images and content, imperfections make us human. We need to embrace the imperfections and uniqueness that differentiates human creativity from AI. In design, we should move away from perfection and embrace more human, authentic work. Our humanity shines through those imperfections.
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In this episode Doug sits down with David Polzin, Executive Director of Design at Cannon Design in St Louis. David is known for creating and fostering a creative culture within a large organization—something that proves to be more and more difficult. There is an inherent tension between structure and creativity in large organizations which means it can be difficult to spark innovation. But David believes that embracing risk and failure is actually very important for fostering a creative environment. New ideas are born from continuously iterating on ideas, letting go of attachments, and synthesizing constraints.
The workplace is changing and the creative process is changing with it. One of David's biggest concerns is that people are becoming disengaged from their physical environments due to immersion in technology and that architecture should enhance lived experience and nature. We are slowly losing our connection to spaces and nature. It's on leaders to adapt their leadership styles to new generations and help rescue the creative process.
Overall this is an incredible interview where David shares his thoughtful philosophies on creativity, design, leadership, and the human experience.
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Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day and we are honored to present an interview with renowned architect Curtis Moody, Founder of Moody Nolan. In today's episode, we delve into the profound impact of truth and self-belief on Curtis's life and pioneering achievements. He shares intimate reflections on his upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, highlighted by a pivotal life moment: a school counselor's claim that his skin color barred him from pursuing a career in architecture. This episode is a journey through the challenges and triumphs that have defined Curtis's journey.
Curtis shares vivid memories of learning about Dr. King’s assassination as a teenager and the impact this event had on his life. He also discusses how being a competitive athlete impacted his approach to business, including an incredible strategy that landed him the commission to design Ohio State's arena.
From the guiding principles he lives by to the projects most meaningful to him, Curtis speaks candidly about the passion and persistence that led him to become one of the most prominent architects in the country.
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In this end-of-year solo episode from Doug Shapiro, he shares how picking a random seat at a dinner changed the course of his life. Doug's story of how he found OFS and became a part of the company is inspiring. It shows that taking initiative can lead to big opportunities and even bigger growth.
Doug also gives insight into barriers. The things things that call us the most, the things we know we should do, those are the things we tend to avoid the most. Attack them head on and your possibilities open up tremendously.
We also get some holiday and family appreciation from Doug. He is human after all and he couldn't do what he does without the support of those closest to him.
Thank you all for a wonderful year! We have big things planned for 2024!
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Earlier this year at NeoCon 2023—OFS, Imagine a Place, and IIDA hosted a lively roundtable discussion focused on sustainability, moderated by sustainability leader George Bandy. The panel featured Stacey Crumbaker, an architect and designer based in Seattle, and Paul Shahriari, founder of green building data platform ecomedes. Their conversation offered wisdom and advice for the next generation of interior designers and architects aiming to make sustainability a priority in their work.
How does the next generation get involved and make changes? Building and developing a personal brand that puts you in the position to advocate for sustainable design in your current position is a great way to get involved. Make the case for conscious material choices and their impacts. Legacy mindsets are part of the problem, but designers can create a new legacy mindset—one that aims to reduce consumption and waste, not just meeting minimum requirements. Consider the full lifecycle of your specifications and be mindful of the generational impact.
Designers need to redefine beauty and realign the definition with sustainability. Seek out inspiration from a diversity of spaces like food deserts (geographic areas, often low-income neighborhoods, where residents have limited access to affordable, nutritious food), not just affluent communities. We need to design with marginalized users in mind and include them in the process.
Learn more about IIDA
Learn more about George Bandy
Learn more about Stacey Crumbaker
Learn more about Paul Shahriari
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NOTE: Todd has left JLL since recording this episode.
In this episode, Doug sits down with Todd Edstrom—formerly of JLL. Todd provides insights into why technology is transforming the commercial real estate (CRE) industry—an industry that has been slow to leverage technology. The industry is "curious but skeptical" excited to try new things, but slow to shake the industry.
So, what technology is beneficial to the commercial real estate industry? A major theme is the importance of data. How can data be used to inform better decision-making? While data sets such as survey's and utilization/badge data are necessary, Todd argues that productivity data is most important right now to understand exactly how spaces are being used. There's even new technology emerging that uses sensors to capture data and give researchers insight into how a spaces are actually used.
Looking into the future, Todd is encouraged by technologies like virtual construction site scans to automatically track progress and tools that use AI to instantly generate 3D space plans from PDFs. It's important to note that these technologies shouldn't replace human relationships and expertise in CRE deals, but should compliment them.
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You've joined us for a very special episode! Our team at Carolina did some research and pulled together leaders from the Nursing Institute for Healthcare Design (NIHD) to discuss how clinicians and designers are partnering to create better healthcare environments. We also discuss the impact of spaces on burnout, emerging research, and new opportunities for clinicians interested in healthcare design.
So, how can we integrate clinicians into the design process? It starts at the beginning. One common mistake is bringing clinicians in when it's "too late." Including nurses and clinicians early in the process ultimately saves money in the long run. Designing a space correctly from the start is much cheaper than redesigning spaces later.
Another issue that can be solved by design is clinician burnout. Providing quiet spaces for respite, incorporating nature into stairwells, and using daylighting inside are all examples of needed design solutions to help clinicians combat burnout. Spaces affect emotions more than you know and there's research to prove it. In this episode, we talk about the innovative approaches like AI and biometrics that are being used to understand spaces and how they affect you.
If you're a clinician and you want to get involved, start now. Whether the project is big or small, get involved and contribute your voice in any way you can. There's more and more potential for new careers that blend nursing and design. NIHD is passionate about its mission and committed to advocating for clinical input in healthcare design.
Learn more about NIHD and Carolina.
Watch the full video.
Meet our guests below:
Elizabeth Johnson, Montana State University
Anthony Mistretta, Perkins+Will
Kristina Krail, Krail Advisory
Lynn Aguilera, Stanford Medicine Children's Health
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In this episode, Doug sits down with lifelong sustainability leader George Bandy—Chief Sustainability Officer for Darling Fibers. George has spent decades championing environmental justice and climate action for the likes of the US Green Build Council, Interface, and Amazon.
In this in-depth and candid conversation, George reflects on formative moments such as sitting on his grandmother's porch as a child learning about nature's wisdom and spearheading sustainability initiatives at major corporations. He unpacks complex issues with nuance and care and examines the sustainability field's evolution, its growing pains, and the work still required for true equity. No one company can drive the change needed—it's too late for that. George stresses that collaboration and shared goals across leading green building groups is the only way to see the impact needed.
This interview is full of humble optimism from George. He believes in sustainability's power to reveal our shared humanity and reconnect us to nature's rhythms. There is great joy when diverse people unite around a common purpose to create sustainable solutions.
Learn more about George Bandy.
Learn more about George's role at Darling Fibers.
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In this episode Doug sits down with Sascha Wagner—President and CEO of Huntsman Architecture—to discuss the importance of in-person interactions, mentorship, and workplace. To put it bluntly, these things can't be replicated virtually. So what are we going to do? What is the case for "return to office"?
Sascha makes the point that the physical workplace plays an important cultural role in bringing people together and facilitating in-person interactions. These physical spaces can amplify company culture and encourage important interactions such as mentorship. Some of Sascha's early influences and mentors modeled professional behavior for him and emphasized the value of in-person interactions for learning and development.
The uncertainties that exist today can be viewed as opportunities to learn from and build more flexibility into workplace design. Simply put, places have the power to elevate the human experience.
Learn more about Sascha Wagner.
Learn more about Huntsman Architecture.
Check out this podcast from The Resilience Lab which talks about emotional intelligence in the workplace.
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In this episode, Doug sits down with 5 guests at the Pittsburgh MiniCon convention put on by Franklin. The topic—change readiness. Every person and every organization is grappling with change readiness in some way.
At the organizational level we discuss the importance of listening, bringing elements of nostalgia into new spaces, involving multiple generations in decision-making, and maintaining a flexible attitude.
On a personal level we need to accept and learn from failure when trying new things, we need to value the blending of fresh perspectives with institutional wisdom, and realize that change often brings new relationships and opportunities.
During this episode you'll hear from:
Jane Hallinan from Perkins Eastman
Sanela Schnitgen from University of Pittsburgh
Beverly Shelby from AE Works
Pamela Austin from Burns Scalo Real Estate
Ralph Dallier from Franklin
This episode was inspired by an episode The Disrupted Workforce with Warren Berger.
Learn more about Franklin's Pittsburgh MiniCon convention.
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The career path of Ebehi Ijewere has not been easy, however—by trusting her instincts—Ebehi has found herself as an architect at Jacobs and host of the Layers of Design podcast. Ebehi grew up in Lagos, Nigeria where her creative influences were her mother and aunt who was an architect. These influences pushed her to move to the U.S. at the age of 17 for college.
Being an international student presented itself as a bit of a barrier after college as Ebehi applied for jobs. This led her to feel alone, but it also encouraged her to search for others having similar struggles. Finally through a connection, Ebehi landed her first job in architecture, but it never seemed fulfilling. Ebehi realized she wanted more than just any architecture job—she wanted one that truly valued her contributions.
This led her to rely heavily on her instincts—not being afraid to leave jobs that don't seem to be the right fit. It's admirable when people recognize a particular job is not enriching them and have the courage to move on. This is what led her to Jacobs, into a role where she truly feels valued. Ebehi encourages others not to ignore that feeling when "something isn't working."
Ebehi's story is an important reminder that you must seek out work cultures that empower you.
Listen to Layers of Design.
Learn more about Jacobs.
Learn more about Ebehi Ijewere.
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In this episode, Doug talks with architect and author Gary Vance whose career is split between the pre-computer and post-computer era of the industry. Not only has Gary's workflow changed tremendously, but his client interactions have changed as well. The transition to CAD and email in the workplace caused a notable shift—it changed the way clients viewed and commented on design drawings. Before computers, architects relied heavily on sketches to communicate ideas with clients. With the introduction of CAD, drawings initially made clients think designs were finalized, hindering feedback.
Gary feels nostalgic for his early career, but there are plenty of challenges today in healthcare design that need addressed. One example is the need for privacy in a healthcare setting. It seems obvious, but the use of curtains to separate two patients makes privacy very difficult. Gary emphasizes the importance of private patient rooms to provide comfort, confidentiality, and dignity as standard in contemporary healthcare settings.
So, what are some interesting ways to involve technology in the world of architecture that is different than current applications? Not so different than pilots and truck drivers learning on simulators, why can't architects do the same? Architectural practice simulations could offer solutions to problems before they are encountered in the real world—problems such as dinosaur dung. Yes, that's right, early in his career Gary had a test pile failure blamed on ancient dinosaur dung at the job site.
The next phase of Gary's career is his wonderful book series—"Kid Architect"—which aims to introduce children and young adults to architecture and related fields. Gary has a passion for educating youth about architecture so they understand what the profession entails before pursuing it.
Learn more about Kid Architect here.
Learn more about Gary Vance here.
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