As more architecture and design firms begin collecting materials data through initiatives like the American Institute of Architects Materials Pledge, designers are gaining new insight into how products impact human health, climate, and the built environment.

But carbon metrics only tell part of the story.

Together, Brant and Busch explore how chemistry, lifecycle thinking, and responsible sourcing—especially when it comes to forests and wood products—are shaping the future of sustainable specification in the A&D industry.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why “material intelligence” is becoming essential in product specification—and how designers can move beyond trends to evaluate products through chemistry, lifecycle impacts, and human health.
• What the latest data from the American Institute of Architects Materials Pledge reveals about how architecture and design firms are collecting materials data—and where the industry still has work to do.
• How forests and responsibly sourced wood products fit into the future of sustainable design, and the role designers play in communicating their value through the materials they choose to specify.

In Part 2 of I Hear Design’s Mobility + Place mini-series, Robert Nieminen speaks with Hannah Hackathorn and Benjamin Ayers of Mancini’s Phoenix office about the realities of designing in and for the desert. In this conversation, we explore how architects and designers are responding to extreme heat with layered strategies for shade, landscape, airflow, and thermal comfort, while also rethinking water use, sustainability, and the role of regional identity in a fast-evolving metro area.

Hackathorn and Ayers discuss why climate-responsive design must begin with fundamentals like building orientation, form, and site planning; how outdoor transitions can become more humane and usable; and why authentic design for place goes beyond desert aesthetics to reflect culture, community, and long-term livability. They also look at the promise of mixed-use development, adaptive reuse, and greater density as Phoenix continues to grow.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How designing for extreme heat goes beyond HVAC to include shade, building orientation, airflow, landscape, and transitional spaces between indoors and outdoors.
• Why thermal comfort in desert environments is as much about human experience and movement as it is about technical performance.
• How water awareness shapes architecture through landscape choices, low-water fixtures, and the idea that in the desert, water strategy is design strategy.
• Why authentic regional design should respond to climate, culture, community, and construction realities—not just rely on stereotypical desert aesthetics.
• What fast-growing cities like Phoenix can teach designers everywhere about resilience, density, mixed-use development, and creating more walkable, livable communities.
• How sustainability conversations with clients are shifting from certification and image toward long-term value, performance, and return on investment.
• Why adaptive reuse and district-scale thinking may play a bigger role in shaping the future of desert cities than standalone buildings alone.

In this episode of I Hear Design, we kick off the first installment of the two-part "Mobility + Place" mini-series with John Anthal, who leads Mancini’s aviation sector. Anthal discusses how airport design has evolved in recent years to focus more intentionally on passenger comfort, intuitive wayfinding, seamless security, thoughtful lounge experiences, and a stronger sense of place.

The conversation also explores how airports are increasingly functioning like mini cities, with integrated hospitality, transportation, and commercial offerings, while still needing to feel curated, welcoming, and distinct to their location. Along the way, Anthal shares practical insights that apply far beyond aviation, offering lessons for architects and designers working on any high-traffic, user-centered environment.

Lisa and Bhavini discuss progress worth celebrating, including more women stepping into leadership and reshaping collaboration, while also naming persistent gaps: credibility and visibility challenges, mentorship access, toxic “always-on” expectations, and the stark reality of pay inequity. The conversation explores what “principal-level leadership” means beyond hierarchy, such as showing up with empathy, building psychological safety, mentoring with intention, and learning through real project context.

The guests also share how their complementary backgrounds in interior design and architecture help break down discipline silos, and how Studio RYS’s recent rebrand reflects an evolution toward a fully integrated practice rooted in storytelling through design. The episode closes with practical advice for emerging and mid-career women aiming for leadership roles in the next phase of their careers.

Drawing on reporting from interiors+sources, this episode explores how tools from Mohawk Group, Fitwel, and sustainability leadership from MillerKnoll are helping specifiers make smarter, lower-impact decisions. You’ll also hear insights on carbon reduction from Rutgers University, learn how manufacturers like Shaw Industries are approaching circularity, and unpack why certifications from organizations such as Forest Stewardship Council and GREENGUARD can be both helpful—and complicated.

Plus, Lauren shares practical red flags designers shouldn’t ignore, and why “not a molecule more than needed” has become a powerful lens for purposeful product design.

Whether you’re specifying furniture, finishes, or fixtures, this episode is your guide to choosing products that support performance, transparency, and planetary health—because great design doesn’t stop at aesthetics. It lives in the details.

You’ll also hear how the building’s campus-connector strategy turns the facility into both a destination and a thoroughfare, while universal design solutions address a challenging 60-foot grade change to support barrier-free access, belonging, and wellbeing.

Sophie shares how today’s clients are approaching workplace projects with more intention and why that shift is changing how we plan, prioritize, and design for experience. You’ll hear her unpack why “budget-conscious” isn’t always about drastically smaller budgets: it’s about fewer surprises, a smaller margin for error, and earlier, real-time clarity around cost drivers and trade-offs.

She also explains a simple way to keep spaces from feeling overly value engineered: a strategy every architects and designer will want to tune in for.  

You’ll hear a practical framework for amenity planning that goes beyond trends starting with site, climate, and infrastructure; designing around user demographics and community synergies; planning for programming, operations, and partnerships;, and clarifying design intent and functionality. Whether you’re a designer, owner, or workplace leader, this episode offers actionable questions to help amenities deliver lasting value, rather than simply another box to check on your workplace offerings.

Together, they explore mentorship as a two-way partnership and a safe space for honest questions, as well as highlight the real difference between a mentor and a sponsor who advocates for you when you’re not in the room. They also discuss “listening-first” leadership, transparency around expectations, and how mentors can support diverse, early-career talent with empathy and clarity.

You’ll also hear how IIDA NY is turning mentorship into action through Career Night, the Student Uplift Program, and the upcoming Listening Lounge—initiatives designed to connect students, emerging professionals, and industry partners in more intentional ways.

The episode also outlines the four levels of speech privacy (from confidential to none) and offers a simple, best-practice framework—Absorb, Block, Cover (ABCs)—including a “good/better/best” approach to specifying ceiling and wall systems. If you design workplaces, healthcare, education, or any environment where focus and privacy matter, this one’s a must-save.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The four ways sound moves through a space and why material choices drive outcomes

• Why ceilings are often the highest-leverage acoustic surface (and how plenums become sound highways)

• What NRC, CAC, STC, NIC, RT, PI, and SPC actually tell you (and what they don’t)

• How to set the right speech privacy target for open plan vs. enclosed rooms

• The ABC strategy (Absorb/Block/Cover) and a “good/better/best” spec mindset

Jordan and Elizabeth share how clients are redefining real estate value around experience and data using metrics like dwell time, emotional response, and behavioral patterns to shape workplaces, campuses, and mixed-use districts. They dive into predictive cost intelligence, digital twins, and AI as a creative partner, illustrating how these tools are helping owners minimize risk in projects, optimize conversions like office-to-residential, and even imagine buildings designed to adapt over centuries rather than decades.

The conversation also covers “future fitting” existing assets, the mash-up of uses transforming cities, and why climate resilience and carbon performance have become critical business issues rather than purely sustainability aspirations. Finally, they talk about the skills emerging designers will need, such as data literacy, curiosity, and comfort with AI, and how firms of any size can start applying the insights from the report today.

Listeners will come away with a clearer view of where architecture and design are headed next, as well as some concrete ideas for turning complexity into opportunity in their own practices.

We also unpack real-world hurdles such as scientific uncertainty, maintenance demands, and upfront cost, and discuss how design teams can minimize risks of adoption through early cross-disciplinary partnerships, pilot installations, and performance tracking. The episode includes a case study spotlight on Phipps Conservatory’s Center for Sustainable Landscapes and closes with a roadmap for firms ready to move from “plants as décor” to living systems as measurable building infrastructure.

Together, they explore how “values-driven” design shows up in the lived experience of a place in things like human-centered spaces, biophilic connection, and design that serves communities for the long haul. They also break down Perkins&Will’s Living Design framework and spotlight Toronto’s Dawes Library, a net-zero-carbon branch library and community hub shaped through Indigenous partnership and co-creation developed in collaboration with Smoke Architecture.

Additional highlights include:

• Why energy modeling should be treated as an ethical responsibility and how firms of any size can act now
• Perkins&Will’s publicly shared “Switch List” for advanced material health
• Designing for biodiversity, including ecological literacy and habitat restoration
• A candid look at client satisfaction vs. staff well-being—and the push to bring joy back to practice
• A pragmatic take on AI: reduce repetitive work, boost creativity, and keep design a human art

The team digs into the year’s biggest through lines—adaptive reuse and reinvention, community-centered/co-created design, and human health and biophilic strategies—then explores the deeper “why” behind audience favorites: storytelling, identity, and “impact over opulence.”

You’ll also hear candid reflections on designing for healing, what truly inclusive design looks like in practice, and what the editors hope to see more of in 2026, from trauma-informed thinking to community impact that extends beyond a building’s four walls.

You’ll hear what made each pick stand out for real-world specification and storytelling in commercial interiors, including innovative products from:

• Luum Textiles
• Lumicor
• Rosemary Hallgarten
• Rockfon
• Una Malan

If you’re a designer, specifier, or product-obsessed creative, this episode is your fast, inspiring snapshot of what defined design in 2025—and what those signals suggest about where specification is heading next.

We cover retrofit realities (low ceilings, messy plenums), day-to-night ambience via dim-to-warm and scene setting, and simple ways to measure success so teams can budget and specify with confidence. Finally, be sure to check out Luxxbox’s Acoustic Analyzer, a user-friendly tool to help you quickly and easily generate a customized acoustic report for your next project.

Then we revisit the original September 3, 2025 commentary by Carrie Meadows, "Architectural Community Responds to Trump’s Executive Order on Federal Design," responding to President Trump’s executive order on federal design. The episode summarizes the American Institute of Architects’ concerns that a mandate favoring classical styles restricts thoughtful design, removes meaningful local feedback, and limits architecture’s ability to reflect modern culture and diverse needs. Drawing on responses from multiple professional organizations, the piece argues for a more democratic, evidence-based, future-forward approach; one that supports community engagement, sustainability, and innovation while respecting architectural heritage.

Guy explains why the most experienced designers are often the most optimistic about AI, while young designers report the highest anxiety despite leading in daily usage. He shares practical ways firms can protect their “design DNA,” why the next phase of AI must move from prompts to control and context, and how new tools like Mattoboard’s Design Stream aim to bridge the gap between inspiring visuals and real-world materials, budgets, and codes. The discussion also explores AI’s role in reducing sampling waste, accelerating sustainable material choices, and shifting designers from execution to orchestration in AI-native studios.

Whether you’re an AI skeptic, a power user, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a grounded look at how designers can stay in the driver’s seat while harnessing AI to support what Guy calls “the great creative mess” where the magic of design truly happens.

Listeners will learn how trauma-informed design connects to environmental psychology, human-centered design, and biophilic principles; why current codes and professional standards don’t yet address emotional safety; and how designers can bridge that gap in everyday practice. The episode also touches on strategies for talking about trauma with clients, overcoming stakeholder skepticism, and understanding the broader social impact of stress-reducing environments—from academic performance to community violence and incarceration rates.

In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen unpacks why indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a frontline design issue—from post-pandemic health concerns and wildfire smoke to rising expectations for healthier workplaces. Unpacking insights from articles published in interiors+sources and BUILDINGS, along with recent research, Robert walks through breakthrough initiatives like ARPA-H’s BREATHE program and Mayo Clinic’s HAIQU project, as well as the new Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air launched at the United Nations, and explains what they mean for architects, interior designers, and facilities professionals.

You’ll learn practical strategies for improving IAQ across planning, building systems, interiors, and existing building retrofits along with real-world scenarios and key questions to bring to your next client meeting. If you’re looking to connect wellness, resilience, and performance in your projects, this episode is your IAQ playbook.

If you’re an interior designer or architect working in healthcare—or simply interested in evidence-based, human-centered environments—you’ll come away with practical ideas and a stronger language for advocating biophilic strategies with clients: from layout moves that calm the nervous system to materials and lighting decisions that support both patients and care teams over the long term.

The discussion covers sustainability and circularity standards that are changing manufacturer partnerships, the role of emerging technologies in personalizing spaces, and how sensory experiences can strengthen culture and wellbeing. Larcom also offers practical advice for brands looking to collaborate with design firms more effectively and shares what he’s watching next in workplace product innovation.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Gensler’s Research & Insights
• Bulo Monica lounge chair by Gensler

Smith shares insights into designing offices that balance privacy with collaboration, support equitable hybrid meetings, and harness the power of AI. He also discusses how sustainability, neurodiversity, and well-being are redefining what a successful workplace looks like. Plus, we look ahead to the next decade and how space will adapt to new technologies and workstyles yet to emerge.

Whether you’re an architect, designer, or workplace strategist, this conversation will change the way you think about the office—and its role in building community, culture, and creativity.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to use choice-based zoning (focus, collaboration, retreat) so people can pick environments that match their cognitive needs.

• Practical ways to reduce sensory load—lighting, acoustics, materials, and tech—to minimize fatigue and distraction.

• Predictable wayfinding tactics (clear sightlines, landmarks, iconography) that lower anxiety and improve navigation.

• Why user control and personalization (adjustable lighting, seating, tools) boost comfort, autonomy, and performance.

• How biophilic cues (views, textures, rhythms) can calm the nervous system and support sustained attention.

• The business case: fewer disruptions, higher engagement, broader talent access—including neurodivergent employees.

• Quick-start pilot ideas and metrics to test changes fast and measure impact (utilization, focus time, satisfaction).

• How to engage local communities and makers
• Integrating art with architecture rather than adding it last
• Source regionally to support sustainability goals
• Consider sensory-friendly choices that make spaces more inclusive

Along the way, we visit examples from retail, hospitality, healthcare, government, and education—from joyful neighborhood murals to mission-driven installations—that show art’s power to connect people, culture, and purpose inside the built environment.

Interested in learning more? Purchase a copy of Roche and Cowart's new book, Trauma-Informed Design, here.

Listeners will learn:

• How wallcoverings enhance the Sense of Coherence by making environments feel comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful, and why that matters for our mental and emotional resilience.

• The ways thoughtful wallcovering design—through color zoning, visual patterns, or signage—can simplify navigation, reduce cognitive load, and bring clarity to complex interiors like schools, hospitals, and offices.

• How innovations in material performance—acoustic textures, antimicrobial and low-glare finishes, stain-resistant or moisture-regulating surfaces—make wallcoverings not only comforting but highly functional and maintainable.

• The deep connection between meaning and design: how biophilic motifs, natural textures, or custom visuals can reflect cultural identity, storytelling, and values—turning walls into healing, human-centered narratives.

• Emerging trends in sustainable and health-oriented design: recyclable and low-VOC substrates, GREENGUARD or Cradle-to-Cradle certifications, smart surfaces that resist bacteria or absorb sound, and digitally customizable art that brings purpose and place into every wall.

Whether you're a designer, builder, educator, healthcare professional, or wellness-curious listener, this episode offers new insights into how wallcoverings can transform spaces into nurturing environments. Tune in to reimagine what your walls can do.

From navigating cultural and generational differences to leading teams through conflict with grace, Koko and Nirmala unpack how their complementary strengths create a “work marriage” that benefits colleagues, clients, and the design process itself. They also explore the evolving role of project managers, common misconceptions about the profession, and the importance of modeling open communication for younger staff.

Listeners will come away with practical strategies for:

• Building trust and respect among diverse project teams
• Embracing “creative abrasion” as a driver of innovation
• Leading by example to foster collaboration across generations
• Navigating conflict with empathy and resilience

Whether you’re managing projects, leading teams, or simply curious about the human side of design leadership, this episode offers a candid look at how partnership can elevate both process and product.

• Modern suburban campuses now emphasize amenities like bike shops, pet care, and social spaces to enhance tenant experience and community vibrancy.
• The integration of tech, life sciences, and creative tenants fosters innovation and attracts a diverse, thriving workforce within suburban settings.
• Designing open, approachable boundaries with retail, F&B, and recreational facilities creates inviting environments that blend public and private uses.
• A phased, adaptable approach ensures redevelopment aligns with market demands, allowing for long-term growth and flexibility.
• Conversions and placemaking initiatives leverage existing structures, promoting sustainability and community engagement while reducing costs.

As you listen to this episode, you'll discover how their projects, such as the Jamestown S’Klallam Healing Clinic and the 7 Cedars Hotel, embody the firm’s commitment to meaningful design that honors identity and fosters a sense of belonging.

Tune in to learn:

• What neuroinclusive design really means and how it differs from universal design
• How small accommodations can have a big impact on performance and well-being
• Why empathy, choice, and intentionality are critical in workplace strategy
• The business case for neuroinclusive environments

From his roots in motorcycle craftsmanship to pioneering bold, tactile home fittings, Massimo shares his firsthand experience combating knockoffs, protecting intellectual property, and building a loyal community that values craft and originality. The two also explore how today’s design culture—oversaturated with AI, social media, and repetitiveness—is giving rise to a renewed interest in and demand for meaning, materiality, and ethical design practices.

This is a timely episode that offers a powerful reminder of why originality in design is so important and what we can do to protect it.

• Biomaterials are defined as materials derived from waste or byproducts—not traditional natural materials with existing supply chains.
• Scalability remains the biggest barrier to widespread adoption of biomaterials due to limited supply and high production costs.
• Spinnova’s fiber technology offers a rare example of a truly scalable, low-impact biomaterial solution.
• Promising prototypes like Agoprene and Piñatex face durability, performance, or supply challenges that limit mass adoption.
• A “Yes, and…” strategy encourages integrating biomaterials alongside traditional ones rather than replacing them outright.
• Natural variation in biomaterials should be embraced as a desirable aesthetic, not a flaw.

Swatchbox has long helped designers streamline how they request and return product samples, but its new offering goes a step further: enabling the return and reuse of any unused material sample, regardless of where it came from. Leveraging a proprietary AI visual engine, the technology will assess the condition of samples and then the company will either recirculate, donate, or recycle them responsibly.

Together, Robert and Ben discuss:

• The environmental and logistical costs of traditional sampling practices
• Why circular design begins with thoughtful specification
• How Swatchbox’s model empowers both manufacturers and designers
• What Gen Z expects from sample workflows—and how the industry is evolving to meet them

If you’re passionate about reducing waste in the built environment, this episode offers real-world insights on how to start closing the loop—one sample at a time.

🔗 Learn more: secondlife.swatchbox.com

• Adaptive reuse can transform historic buildings into vibrant, modern workplaces while preserving architectural character.

• HGA’s new headquarters reflects post-COVID hybrid work strategies, blending flexible spaces with collaborative areas.

• Thoughtful design choices—such as high ceilings, natural light, and healthy materials—enhance employee well-being.

• Locating offices in urban cores supports community revitalization and strengthens ties to clients and local organizations.

• Sustainability certifications like LEED and WELL can align workplace design with environmental and health priorities.

Cheryl also discusses the impact of AI on the design profession, the importance of place in a post-pandemic world, and IIDA’s efforts to secure Chicago’s designation of “Design Week.” With trademark insight and passion, Cheryl shares how designers can navigate industry change while keeping people, place, and purpose at the core.

• Design Your World
• Certified Design Futurist (CDF) program
• Chicago's official "Design Week" proclamation

• Why inclusive design is becoming a business imperative
• How to enhance accessibility in common areas
• How to go beyond ADA in creating thoughtful guestroom features
• Why proactive and empathetic hospitality is so important
• How to future proof through inclusive design principles

We explore the lingering impact of economic uncertainty, new tariffs, and supply chain delays, as well as emerging opportunities in wellness real estate, experience-driven placemaking, and carbon transparency. Plus, you'll learn how new tools like mass timber carbon calculators and healthier materials lists are helping design teams make smarter, more sustainable choices.

Topics Covered:

• What’s driving delays and cautious investment in construction and architecture
• How wellness and experiential design are commanding premium value
• Why carbon benchmarking and healthier material standards are becoming essential
• The Gen Z effect on urban design and multifamily development

Whether you’re navigating tough market conditions or planning your next project with performance and impact in mind, this episode is packed with insights to help you lead with purpose and resilience.

Show Notes:

• Associated Builders & Contractors Monthly Construction Economic Survey Shows Tariff Impacts Emerge
• AIA Architecture Billings Downward Trajectory Continues
• Sherwin-Williams Finds 9 in 10 Construction Pros Face Costly Delays
• Corgan Unveils CO2e Emissions Calculator for Mass Timber
• The Rise of the Experiential Economy | US – Cushman & Wakefield
• Uncovering Growth: Wellness Real Estate Across the Market – Gensler
• Perkins&Will Releases Advanced Guidance on Material Health and Embodied Carbon

Kenn shares how the pavilion evolved from its “materials petting zoo” roots to a vibrant hub for carbon-smart design, including the debut of eco-conscious display tables made from repurposed shipping pallets. From thermally treated wood and 3D laminates to composite panels with negative carbon footprints, this episode unpacks the stories, systems, and synergies behind climate-positive design.

Whether you're headed to Chicago or following from afar, this conversation will inspire you to rethink the role of materials in shaping healthier, smarter, and more sustainable interiors.

From her early days branding pavers to launching circular materials at Cast Carbon, Susan shares why storytelling is crucial—even for the most utilitarian products—and how to craft a narrative that resonates with specifiers. She explains why Gen Z staffers, not firm principals, are driving product research, how AI is changing the way designers source and compare materials, and why transparency beats perfection when it comes to sustainability claims.

Plus, learn how something as simple as color branding (think: pink insulation) can make all the difference in standing out to overworked design professionals.

They discuss the real-world challenges of converting steel-framed office towers into viable residential buildings, the role of city incentives, and how thoughtful design can balance livability, cost, and sustainability. Learn how phased conversions, mixed-use flexibility, and embodied carbon savings are making adaptive reuse a compelling path forward for developers and municipalities alike.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Economic and environmental case for adaptive reuse
• KTGY’s Upcycle Tower design concept
• Zoning and policy changes in cities like Los Angeles
• Structural and cost considerations
• Strategies for integrating office and residential spaces
• Urban resilience and sustainable development

Join us as we dive into the science behind fractal design, its practical applications, and the transformative power of aligning our spaces with nature’s inherent wisdom. This conversation is not just about design; it’s about creating a future where our environments actively contribute to our health and happiness.

Sara and Deidre share their research on color, texture, and pattern, explain how “positive distractions” reduce stress in high-pressure environments, and discuss how natural materials can promote well-being on a subconscious level. They also highlight the role of evidence-based design and emerging technologies in creating spaces that adapt to users’ emotional and cognitive needs.

Tune in to learn how thoughtful design choices can uplift, inspire, and truly make a difference in the places where we live, work, and heal.

Show Notes

• Designing with Emotion story
• Resources on Biophilia, Neuroaesthetics, and Designing for Wellbeing

From navigating male-dominated workplaces to pioneering inclusive and empathetic design solutions, Alda and Casey share insights into fostering a culture of mentorship, designing with intention, and advocating for equitable opportunities in leadership. The discussion also highlights standout projects, such as HBF’s New York City showroom, which integrates wellness-focused spaces, and Alda’s work in women-centered interiors and inclusive workplace design.

Tune in to learn how thoughtful design decisions are shaping a more equitable and empowering future for all.

Tune in to explore:

• The definition of holistic sustainability in design
• Practical steps for applying circular design principles
• How wellness and resilience shape projects across market sectors

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with leaders driving innovation in sustainable design.

Listen to this article read in our latest In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode of the I Hear Design podcast and find out how this technology can support your designs in innovative ways.

From this episode: UL’s seven “Sins of Greenwashing”

1. Cheryl Durst, CEO, IIDA
2. Natalie Hartkopf, CEO, Hightower
3. Vickie Rybl, Director of LCA, WAP Sustainability
4. John Black, Project Business Specialist, Luna Wood
5. Raya Elias-Pushett, Graduate Student and Research Associate, The Chicago School
6. Susan Pilato, CEU, Mantra Inspired Furniture
7. Cara Rude, Principal, MCG Explore Design

Also, visit the i+s booth at NeoCon (#7-1049) to share your thoughts about sustainability at our "Climate Connect Corner" with Chief Content Director, Robert Nieminen, that will be part of a post-show podcast episode. You can also enter to win an e-Bike thanks to our generous sponsors, Bradley Corp. and InPro.

For more information, visit bifma.org or level.bifma.org/.

Learn about Ankrom Moisan's 5 strategic shifts for a thriving workplace as part of their "The Office as Ecosystem" series of articles:

1. The Office Gets Personal
2. The Commute-worthy Workplace
3. The Not-so-office Office
4. New Ways to Meet
5. Culture-first Employee Engagement

Projects mentioned in this episode:

• Zadig & Voltaire Tribecca 
• Theory Hudson Yards

Resources on Armstrong's ProjectWorks solution:

https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en/programs-services/projectworks.html

https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en/case-study/transportation/bwi-airport-terminal-renovation-projectworks-ceiling-design.html

Meet Our Guest:

Amber Pickett Wernick, director of practice development, Perkins&Will, Dallas

Award-winning interior designer and strategist Amber Pickett Wernick joined the Dallas studio of global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will as director of practice development in June of 2023. Wernick, a Dallas native who worked for Perkins&Will between 2008 and 2015, returned to the firm to play a key role in client engagement, identifying new opportunities that grow the studio’s interior design practice.

As director of practice development, Wernick oversees all phases of interior design projects while nurturing client relationships and fostering collaboration. With an emphasis on research and innovation, Wernick develops design solutions that align with the social, cultural, and functional goals of each client. She also serves as a leader in the studio, working to support and advance the development of fellow designers.

Wernick has a strong foundation in the firm’s values and brings more than 14 years of experience in workplace, education, residential, and healthcare interiors. Her portfolio includes the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, the Stanford University campus in Redwood City, and lululemon’s global headquarters in Vancouver.

Meet our guest

Jill Cole is the Managing Principal of Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates. She has devoted herself exclusively to hotel, resort, and recreational properties. She has designed a myriad of prestigious projects, from The Arizona Biltmore to the legendary Château de la Crée in Santenay, France. Extraordinary California properties include Canyon Ranch in Woodside, The Bel Air Country Club, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, and LUMA Hotel San Francisco. For her work, Cole has received Gold Key, Designers Circle, and ARDY awards for interior design. Memberships include the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and Hospitality Design‘s Platinum Circle.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

https://aahid.org/resources/durable-coated-fabrics/ https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/cleaning/disinfecting-bleach.html

https://mitchellfauxleathers.com/

https://www.iands.design/sourcestextiles/article/21066721/the-time-for-upholstered-fabric-performance-in-healthcare-is-now

https://www.iands.design/projects/healthcare-senior-living/article/21438830/a-deep-dive-into-fabric-performance-in-healthcare

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode, we present an article by staff editor Lauren Brant titled, “Small to Mid-Size Firms Talk New Business Strategies for Success,” that appeared in the May/June issue of i+s and that was originally published online on May 11, 2023.

Read the full article here.

In our first In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) series, we present an article by Jennie Morton titled, "Tackle Carbon Neutrality with Product Specification," that appeared in our March/April issue of interiors+sources that was originally published online on April 10th.

Read the article in full here: https://www.iands.design/sustainable-design/article/33002785/tackle-carbon-neutrality-with-product-specification

Resources discussed in this episode:

https://www.aia.org/pages/6351155-materials-pledge

https://armstrongceilings.com/sustainability

https://www.buildingtransparency.org/tally/tallycat/

https://carbonleadershipforum.org/ec3-tool/

https://portal.mindfulmaterials.com/

In this episode, Erin McDannald, CEO and co-owner of Lighting Environments, and its sister company, Environments, talks about how the metaverse can be a powerful tool in designers’ hands as they navigate the new normal that is project management and product sourcing. She offers insights born out of real-world experience and explains how the technology works as well as how it can help design firms become more efficient and sustainable. 

Resources discussed in this episode:

https://www.buildingtransparency.org/tally/tallycat/

https://www.buildingtransparency.org/

https://www.buildingtransparency.org/tally/tally-lca/

https://www.oneclicklca.com/

http://www.sustainableminds.com/

https://portal.mindfulmaterials.com/

https://www.mindfulmaterials.com/the-common-framework

https://www.aia.org/pages/6351155-materials-pledge

This episode was produced in partnership with Formica Corporation.

This podcast was produced in partnership with Armstrong Flooring.

Produced in partnership with CertainTeed Architectural.

In this episode, Tom Leonard, vice president of commercial controls in Leviton’s lighting and controls business, walks us through the most crucial lighting needs in healthcare and senior living spaces and how designers can meet the call for good lighting in this market. Learn more about lighting and controls.

* This podcast was created in partnership with Leviton.

* This podcast was created in partnership with Mohawk Group.

Many generous sponsors are helping make this project a reality, including Tretford Americas. Designed with the highest grade Cashmere goat hairs from natural, sustainable resources, Tretford Americas' carpets are produced free from chemicals and toxins, making them an ideal match for the Benefield site. Courtney White, sales representative for Tretford Americas, dives into this patented manufacturing process and how it helps provide a healthier environment.

This community center will feature retail, makers’ studios, co-living units and important connections to the surrounding area and transit.

One of the generous sponsors helping make this project a reality is 3form. Karli Slocum, vice president of marketing for 3form, joined i+s to talk about the company’s involvement in the Benefield project and how 3form’s new product line, Flek, embodies 3form’s commitment to sustainability.

In this episode, Jackie Dettmar and Mark Page discuss what people can expect to see and experience when they come out to the event.

* This podcast was created in partnership with Mohawk Group.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Altro

*Podcast was created in partnership with AVA Novalis

*Created in partnership with Glen Dimplex Americas

*Thanks to our sponsor, Mannington Commercial.

*This podcast was created in partnership with the Resilient Floor Covering Institute.

*Podcast was created in partnership with Ultrafabrics

*The How to Specify Series is sponsored by Interface

*Thanks to Interface, who sponsored our How to Specify series.

CEU Opportunity: Felt: A Time-honored Material & Modern Acoustic Marvel

*Created in partnership with CertainTeed

*Created in partnership with Mohawk Group

Take the VR Tour now.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Acuity Brands.

*Thanks to our sponsor, Interface Inc.

Take a tour of this unique showroom experience.

*Thanks to our sponsor, Interface Inc.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Acuity Brands.

*This episode was created in partnership with Brintons.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Interface Inc.

After COVID-19 is in the rear-view mirror, how will the meetings and hotel industry have changed forever? What will be the proverbial “new normal?”

Interiors+sources Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen discussed what this new world may look like with top designer Michael Suomi, founder of Suomi Design Works, for this I Hear Design Podcast.

From social distancing to a hyper-aware focus on cleanliness, the world of hospitality design and the meetings and conventions experience may never be the same.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Mohawk Group

*Thank you to our sponsors: Interface & Bradley Corporation

*This podcast was created in partnership with Crossville Inc.

Jenny Han, director of healthcare design for Skender, joins i+s to explain how healthcare facilities can prepare to scale up operations, including a look at modular “pod” exam rooms for existing hospitals.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Mannington Commercial.

*Thanks to our sponsor Altro for the creation of this podcast.

Find more information about how you can have an impact as a designer here.

*This podcast was sponsored by Snowsound.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Mecho.

*Podcast was created in partnership with wakaNINE

*This podcast was created in partnership with Designtex.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Patcraft.

Peter Bowles, the company’s founder and managing director, discusses how the British lighting company utilizes today’s top trends to produce lights that fit in any space for many years to come.

*This podcast was created in partnership with Altro.