In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read episode, we review an article recently published on the i+s website titled, "Office Furnishings Find a Second Life Through Designers and Distributors Embracing Sustainable Practices." Listen in as we discuss how sustainability and circularity, combined with newer tools and marketplaces for sourcing…

In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen is joined by industry experts Robert Siegel (Siegel Design), Steven South (Spectorgroup), and Erin McDannald (Elevated) to explore the business case for sustainability. The discussion covers how companies are leveraging sustainable design to improve ROI, boost employee well-being, and increase …

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) mini-episode, we revisit a recent article published on the i+s website that explores how woven metal fabric is transforming healthcare infrastructure with its durability, biophilic properties, and versatility. From enhancing safety and privacy to reducing noise pollution, discover how this dynamic material is c…

In this insightful episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with industry leaders Pablo La Roche (Arcadis), Joe Mamayek (SGA), and Jonce Walker (HLW) to explore the evolving landscape of green building standards, including LEED v5 and its far-reaching implications. From cutting-edge technologies like geothermal and passive cooling t…

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode based on a recent article published on the interiors+sources website, we explore how interior designers are uniquely responsible for promoting inclusiveness and meeting non-neurotypical groups’ needs through innovative office design—which can improve the overall occupant experience. Learn how to priorit…

In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Yure Suarez (Perkins&Will), Ilijana Soldan (Hord Coplan Macht), and Ryan Smith (3form) to discuss the evolution of sustainable design in the second installment of a three-part series on sustainability. Discover how holistic approaches, resilience strategies, and circular design p…

Once considered expensive and difficult to operate, 3D printing has become far more accessible in recent years. Now, design firms can often afford to have 3D printers in-house, but there are also plenty of outsourcing options. The result is that we’re seeing a major increase not only in large-scale projects driven by this technology—such as a fully…

Join I Hear Design host Robert Nieminen as he sits down with Gensler Co-CEOs Jordan Goldstein and Elizabeth Brink to unpack their 2025 Design Forecast. Discover how five key trends—experience-driven lifestyle districts, sustainable design innovations, adaptive reuse, attainable housing, and the future workplace—are reshaping the built environment. …

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode of I Hear Design, we explore the cutting-edge innovations showcased in the 2024 IIDA Healthcare Design Awards. From biophilic design that reconnects patients with nature to trauma-informed spaces that prioritize safety and calm, the winning projects highlight five transformative trends that are reshapin…

In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen welcomes Carrie Meadows, Editor-in-Chief of interiors+sources, for her podcast debut and an enlightening conversation with Adam Reeder, president of LightArt. Together, they delve into the fascinating relationship between LightArt and its materials partner, 3form, and explore how these industry…

In this “In Case You Missed It” (ICYMI) episode, we revisit an article titled, “Moody Nolan Shares School Initiatives that Serve Student Health,” published on iands.design on September 30, and written by Deb Kolesar, senior interior designer at Moody Nolan. You’ll discover how a “community school” or “wraparound services model” in K-12 schools are …

In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen takes listeners on a captivating journey through La Sagrada Familia, the world-famous cathedral in Barcelona. He recounts his recent visit to this architectural marvel, exploring the fascinating history behind Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece and his nature-inspired designs. Discover the ongoing cons…

In this mini In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode of I Hear Design, we revisit an article titled, "OneDigital Unveils New Tech-Forward HQ, Designed to Elevate Work-Life and Collaboration," published on the i+s website on August 28, 2024. Designed by Hendrick, discover how this new corporate hub blends cutting-edge technology with a people-first et…

As the November political elections draw near, we sat down with designer and trend forecaster Stacy Garcia to discuss her thoughts on how consumer behaviors are shaped by the broader economic and political landscape and what that means for design professionals. From parallels between today’s climate and the 2008 recession to the emergence of bold, …

With hybrid and remote policies as the primary working model, many Gen Z employees are skeptical of the value of the office’s collective experience. Our challenge as workplace designers is finding the balance between these vastly different sets of expectations to ensure the office supports all staff and to prove the value of the physical office so …

In this episode of I Hear Design, we’ll dive into a topic that’s sparked a lot of debate over the years: the use of PVC in the built environment. In spite of its ubiquitous usage by designers and specifiers for a variety of applications, questions about its its sustainability claims continue to swirl, and many A&D firms as well as manufacturers hav…

Choosing finishes that meet the aesthetic needs of a space combined with inherent cleanability makes vinyl wallcovering an easy choice for today’s high-demand spaces like healthcare environments. With the latest innovation of digital wallcoverings, we’re able to take it up another level by creating less waste with custom-designed and measured wallc…

No industry is immune to the current wave of artificial intelligence, including architecture and design. The general consensus is that while AI for workplace design has great potential, it needs more time to mature. But the inroads are there, and the industry is headed for a significant pivot. In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode of the I …

In this episode of I Hear Design, we're diving into the dynamic world of urban design and mass transit projects. Our guests, Ana Francisca de la Mora and Donald Verbanac from Arcadis, explore the intricate challenges of creating vibrant, functional urban spaces with an eye toward of placemaking. We also discuss how urban planners and architects can…

In this In Case You Missed It episode, we recap an article written by Barbara Horwitz-Bennett that was originally published on the interiors+sources website on April 5, 2024, that explores some unlikely markets that provide a snapshot of a few projects getting it right in developing cities attracting tourists and locals alike.…

Well, folks, that's a wrap! We just returned from NeoCon and Design Days in Chicago, and the energy at The MART and Fulton Market was palpable. In this extended episode of I Hear Design, i+s Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen sits down with NeoCon movers and shakers, including IIDA's CEO Cheryl Durst, Hightower's co-founder and CEO, Natalie Har…

In this episode of I Hear Design, we talk to interiors+sources' long-time partner, journalist and educator Kenn Busch, about the launch of the new Climate Positive Solutions Gallery at NeoCon 2024. As the founder of Material Intelligence, Kenn is a go-to expert about educational messaging around architectural materials, informed by years of researc…

In this episode of the "I Hear Design" podcast, host Robert Nieminen discusses the topic of specifying sustainable and healthy furniture, focusing on understanding various sustainability standards. He is joined by Steve Kooy, technical director for health and sustainability at BIFMA, who provides insights into the development and integration of the…

In this In Case You Missed It episode, we recap an article written by ASID's Lindsey Koren that was originally published on the interiors+sources website on April 9, 2024, that uncovers highlights from ASID's 2024 Trends Outlook Report on refreshing trends emerging in the design of hospitality environments.…

Workplace design has seen significant shifts over the years, from the dreaded cubicle farms of decades passed to open plan offices and the hybrid model we’ve been hearing in the wake of the global pandemic. But where is workplace design now and where is it headed in the future? In this episode, Bethanne Mikkelsen, senior principal at Ankrom Moisan’…

In this In Case You Missed It Episode, we’re featuring a popular article from the interiors+sources website titled, “How Today’s Retail Design Influences E-Commerce” written by Nicki Gitlin, the owner and founder of Dang Design and Architecture, originally published online on March 26, 2024. Join us as we dive in to how customers today are familiar…

Technology has been the focal point of conversation across every industry in the past year, not the least of which has been the field of architecture. In this episode, Jack Chaffin, architect and principal at Seattle-based Johnston Architects, talks about how the firm is leveraging new technologies to enhance their designs and bring a greater level…

In this "In Case You Missed It" episode of I Hear Design, Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen reviews two recent articles from the i+s website that explore The Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator, better known as EC3. The first is titled, “3 Designers Talk 3 Ways to Utilize EC3,” by Lona Rerick, sustainable design leader and architect at …

As the architecture and design industry becomes increasingly familiar with digital design tools and pre-construction services, knowing how they work and what to look for is paramount. How can tools like 3D Revit and digital twins address pain points for project teams, for example? Listen in as Armstrong's Nate Baxter answers this questions (among o…

In this In Case You Missed It Episode, we’ll be revisiting a popular article from the interiors+sources website titled, “9 Pillars of Thoughtful Project Management,” written by Kimberly M. Zeiser, senior associate in Gensler’s Chicago studio, originally published online on Feb. 1, 2024. Join us as we explore the strategies, tools, and best practice…

In its annual Design Forecast, global architecture and design firm Gensler identifies eight key trends at play that will help move the industry forward in 2024 and beyond. Stranded assets like offices are being re-thought and re-tooled into residential spaces to help with the housing crisis, for example, and leveraging technologies like AI and crea…

In this “In Case You Missed It Episode,” we highlight a recent article titled, "Perkins&Will Launches Open-Source Tool for Healthier Environments," that was originally published online on Dec. 11th, 2023 by the i+s staff. Listen in as we describe this new resource for architects and designers that leverages public health data to help better inform …

What is circularity? That’s a question that we posed to international interior architect and product designer Laurence Carr in this episode of I Hear Design. As the founder and CEO of her eponymous and regenerative design firm in New York, Carr shares her passion and perspectives on upcycling, healthy materials and bio-based materials, and zero-was…

What do hand sketching, creating custom furniture and adaptive reuse have in common? They’re all in a day’s work for architect Rachel Robinson, co-founder of New York City based durodeco. In this episode, she sits down with i+s Editor in Chief, AnnMarie Martin, to discuss how her firm got its start, where the design industry seems to be heading in …

In this episode, Mannington Commercial's Roby Isaac discusses what informs his design thinking and guides the design process for the company’s newest introductions; the role of technology in experiential design, including how AI can be leveraged as a design tool; the incredible work Mannington is doing around sustainability and purpose-driven desig…

Research has demonstrated that unwanted noise in the workplace negatively impacts 70% of employees' concentration levels, productivity, and creativity, with similar results across education, healthcare, and hospitality environments. In this episode, i+s sits down with Slavi Younger, founder and partner of acoustical product manufacturer Fräsch, to …

The Cersaie International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile in Bologna, Italy this past September highlighted the amazing trends and technologies happening in the world of tile around the world. In this episode, Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen sat down with several of his fellow delegates from North America who traveled across the pond to attend th…

In this “In Case You Missed It Episode,” we highlight a recent article titled, “Optimizing the Hybrid Learning Experience” written by staff writer Barbara Horwitz-Bennett that appeared in our September/October issue of interiors+sources and that was originally published online on Sept. 29th, 2023. Experts sound off on the best in layout and A/V cho…

This is it! The fourth and final installment in our Women in Design series. Our very own Editor in Chief of i+s, AnnMarie Martin, sits down for an honest and encouraging conversation with Amber Pickett Wernick of Perkins&Will's Dallas studio to learn more about her story of coming up through the interior design and architecture industry and the les…

Times are changing in the interior design industry as more women are taking up positions of leadership in architecture and design firms, like our guest for Part 3 of our Women in Design series, Abby Shehan, senior design director at Premier in Dallas. In this episode, Shehan talks about how her internship as a student led to her first job in a desi…

As we continue our Women in Design series, we recently sat down with Libby Sims Patrick, founding principal and CEO of the Sims Patrick Studio based in Atlanta to discuss her journey to leading the successful hospitality design firm of her namesake. She also talks about the importance of narrative and storytelling and how it has informed her firm's…

Women make up the majority of the more than 80,000 interior designer positions in the industry today, yet only a fraction occupy positions of leadership. Why is that, and what challenges do female designers face in an industry that's still male dominated, especially in the commercial segment? In this episode, Managing Principal Jill Cole of Cole Ma…

This month, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams announced its 2024 Color of the Year: Persimmon. In this mini-episode, host Robert Nieminen discusses the power of color on occupants in the built environment, citing an unusual phenomenon better known as "Drunk Tank Pink." Listen in as he cites a series of articles that explore the role that color psycholo…

In this “In Case You Missed It Episode,” we highlight a recent article titled, “San Francisco’s LUMA Hotel Celebrates Community and History” written by staff writer Barbara Horwitz-Bennett that appeared in the July/August issue of interiors+sources and that was originally published online on July 24th, 2023. As Mission Bay’s very first hotel and Sa…

In this episode, Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen sat down to chat with classroom furniture manufacturer Artcobell’s Patricia Cadigan, Vice President of Learning Environments, who recently immersed herself in the design and construction process of Grandview Heights Secondary School in Surrey, British Columbia. She worked directly with school …

Health and wellness may appear to be a trend in recent years, particularly in the face of a pandemic, but many product manufacturers and experts in the healthcare space have understood the importance of proper cleaning and maintenance to avoid the spread of bacteria and viruses. In this episode, Jane Rohde, principal of JSR Associates and represent…

NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days in Chicago are right around the corner. Listen in to this episode as i+s Chief Content Director Robert Nieminen and Editor-in-Chief AnnMarie Martin discuss the magazine's upcoming NeoCon Preview in the May/June issue and the most-anticipated stops they'll be making at THE MART and Fulton Market this year. Martin…

As the dust settles after the pandemic, small to mid-size design and architecture firms are now able to stop and take a proper look around to determine their position. Where it’s finding many of them is on a new playing field with their clients and colleagues alike, with lots of unfamiliar implications for material selection, work hours, financing …

It should come as no surprise that there is a movement to redefine and promote wellness across the landscape of the built environment—from our cities, schools, workplaces, homes and just about every space between. It’s fitting then that the winner of this year’s second annual “Space to Be You” pod design contest, produced by SnapCab and i+s, goes t…

Overwhelmed by carbon neutrality? It can feel like a hydra that has too many heads to conquer. But one strategy to target your carbon reduction goals is by specifying products with low embodied carbon. In our first In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) series, we present an article by Jennie Morton titled, "Tackle Carbon Neutrality with Product Specificati…