Imagine a Place

Latest Episodes:

Take a Seat, It Will Change Your Life | Doug Shapiro Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

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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Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

Sustainability and the Next Generation of Designers | IIDA at NeoCon Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

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

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Code and Concrete, Tech's Impact on Commercial Real Estate | Todd Edstrom Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

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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Integrating Clinical Perspectives into Healthcare Design | NIHD Roundtable Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

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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Nature Knows, Handwritten Notes from a Sustainability Leader | George Bandy Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

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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The Case for Place | Sascha Wagner, Huntsman Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

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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Are you truly ready for change? | LIVE from Pittsburgh MiniCon Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

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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My Instincts Led Me Here | Ebehi Ijewere, Host of Layers of Design Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

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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Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

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Hand Drawings to AI, The Evolution of Healthcare Architecture | Gary Vance, Architect and Author Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

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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A Deeper Life of Presence and Generosity | Vijay Gupta, Violinist and Speaker Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Joining Doug this week is Vijay Gupta, violinist and speaker. As a live performer it's not about being perfect—that's what practice is for. Live performance art is authentic. It's about being present and connecting with the audience. Vijay doesn't want to preach, he wants to connect and understand his audience's values and stories. Through this music and conversations, Vijay aims to facilitate the creation of something bigger than himself.

So, how does he do this? He values curiosity, openness, reading, and integrating diverse inspirations into his learning. He values continuous learning as a verb, not just fixed achievements in time. All of this inspires Vijay to "give away his gifts" with one of his most important values being generosity. Vijay believes we find purpose by giving the gifts we didn't know we had.

This conversation also touches a bit on AI. Vijay's take on AI is refreshing—he suggests we focus on how technology can amplify human values and intentions, rather than replace them for the sake of efficiency. AI can help people appreciate life's beauty, while still accomplishing tasks in a human way.

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