Gensler Design Exchange (Gensler)

At Oregon State University, Gensler Sports is working closely with the athletics department to upgrade student-athletes’ resources and player spaces. Ryan Sickman, Gensler’s sports practice area leader, speaks with Scott Barnes, Vice President & Athletics Director at Oregon State University, to talk about how advanced technology is helping Oregon State increase recruitment while designing optimized, individualized training programs and player safety strategies for student-athletes.

Show Notes: Bit.ly/GenslerPod

At Gensler, we have already shared comprehensive recommendations for space guidelines, proprietary tools, and consulting services for what's needed to successfully return to the office now, in the near term, and in the long term with our clients. But even as workplace experts, we are learning daily and adapting our business practices to reflect updated CDC recommendations, evolving employee expectations, and new research findings. In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Francisco Gonzalez, Principal and Gensler D.C. Office Director, sits down with Kate Kirkpatrick, Principal and Gensler D.C. Consulting Studio Director, to gather practical recommendations and honest perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in returning to our offices, and discuss how people, place, and technology might come together in an optimized workplace ecosystem.

In today’s episode, our host Brandon Larcom sits down with internationally recognized Gensler D.C. Design Director Nestor Santa-Cruz. With more than 20 years of corporate interiors experience, Nestor is noted for his award-winning designs, which have been published in Interior Design, Contract Design, Elle Décor, Architectural Record, and The Washington Post. Nestor has earned a reputation as a trendsetter whose designs appeal to a diverse and international audience. With his innate architectural style sensibility and expansive knowledge of design history, Nestor serves a wide variety of law, financial, government, association, hospitality, and residential clients to design projects of all scales. His designs have a long-lasting effect, marrying both modern and traditional styles, so the resulting space looks great, but also represents the client’s culture and mission authentically, organically, and “dateless-ly” — evoking an ongoing sense of belonging for all users.

SHOW NOTES: http://bit.ly/genslerpod

Since the start of the pandemic, safety, wellness, and sustainability have become just as much of a requirement for passengers at airports as speed and efficiency. As the holiday travel season intensifies into the end of 2021, what can airport travelers expect now and into 2022? In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, four Gensler aviation industry experts explore how the pandemic has introduced airport design innovations in health, wellness, technology, and equity.

Today's Black History Month feature is a rebroadcast of our episode "Embracing Multiculturalism" with Michael Marshall, Design Director & Principal of Michael Marshall Design, whose highly-acclaimed work has won countless industry awards and is featured in the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture. Kicking off the episode is a special Q&A with Gensler's Dom Sanchez and Gail Malone, speaking on the importance of community to create action toward more inclusive future.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Today’s special episode is a recording of a webinar we participated in in early April, hosted by our retail real estate owner, operator, and developer friends at EDENS. In this webinar, you’ll hear from Norma Morales Perez, Senior Vice President of Brand & Culture at EDENS, and Gensler workplace experts Janet Pogue McLaurin, Workplace Leader and Principal, and Cheryl Duvall, Consulting Practice Area Leader and Associate. Janet and Cheryl discuss how effective remote work environments can spur innovation and create new ways of connecting that may reshape the physical workspace when we return to our offices. They share best practices on how to create great workplaces at home based on their experience designing corporate offices. Cheryl and Janet also explore how we might think about the workplace in new ways after we re-emerge from our distributed locations.

As American cities shut down to slow the spread of COVID, car traffic across the country dropped by an average of 70% at one point. All those quiet roads opened the door for municipalities to tap into the Safe Streets (or Slow Streets) ethos and rethink how their many miles of pavement could be redesigned for additional or new uses. While these efforts are well-intentioned, they fail to address one basic question: Safe for whom? So far, many Safe Streets initiatives are unfolding in well-capitalized and majority-white areas that feature restaurants, shops, parks, and other cultural and leisure activities. Too often, communities of color have not been part of the equation. Architects and designers have an opportunity to change that dynamic by understanding the flow of resources, enabling more inclusive engagement and participation, and capturing measurements for success.

We're bring some exciting changes to the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, including a new logo AND new music! Stay tuned for more exciting episodes coming your way soon. In the meantime, don't forget to leave us a review if you've enjoyed the show! For more Gensler insights, check out the latest Design Forecast live on Gensler.com.

This week on the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Gensler’s Jordan Goldstein speaks with the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design, moderated by Sarah Rottenberg, Adjunct Assistant Professor & Executive Director, Integrated Product Design Program at the University of Pennsylvania.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Coworking emerged as a popular trend for startups seeking budget-friendly workplaces and resources over the last few years — but this phenomenon hasn’t only affected tech companies. Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC), for example, is a Washington, D.C., based public policy conglomerate that houses a constant flow of boutique PR firms from both sides of the aisle. Today, Gensler Principal & Design Management Leader Jim Williamson, sits down with Bill Chess, CFO for PPHC, to chat about PPHC’s unique business model that falls in line with the startup economy, and how the space Gensler designed for it has positively impacted its success.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

For the Gensler Design Exchange podcast’s inaugural episode, Tama Duffy Day (Gensler’s Firmwide Health & Wellness Practice Area Leader) interviews Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) Director of Planning and Interiors, Jennifer Fink, and explores how great design is impacting today’s healthcare industry.

Tama and Jennifer discuss LHVN’s approach to issues like community health and land acquisition, how Lehigh Valley is looking at delivering healthcare “beyond the hospital bed” and the ability of design to impact physician burnout. Finally, Tama and Jennifer touch on the future of hospitals and the rising importance of ambulatory care centers.

You can read more here on Medium: http://bit.ly/genslerpodcast

From Philadelphia down to Miami, we’ll take you (virtually) to visit each of our eight offices to hear stories about how our people reached out to their communities — both locally and regionally — to listen and take action to provide resources, time, expertise, and more that helped organizations, neighborhoods, and individuals in need. 

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Next week marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is a month long celebration honoring the culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. To kick off the month, we’re re-sharing an episode that aired just under a year ago where Cuban-born Gensler D.C. Design Director Nestor Santa-Cruz explains how his work process has changed through the pandemic and offers insights on how to stay plugged in to find design inspiration in a hybrid world. With more than 21 years of corporate interiors experience, Nestor is noted for his award-winning designs, which have been published in Interior Design, Contract Design, Elle Décor, Architectural Record, and The Washington Post. Nestor has earned a reputation as a trendsetter whose designs appeal to a diverse and international audience. With his innate architectural style sensibility and expansive knowledge of design history, Nestor serves a wide variety of law, financial, government, association, hospitality, and residential clients to design projects of all scales.

Today, the Capital One Arena has hosted 47 million people and more than 3,915 events. Its impact, however, far exceeds its walls. The neighborhood, once destitute, is now a lively mixed use district. Ryan Sickman, Gensler’s sports practice area leader, spoke with Jordan Silberman and David Touhey, Vice Presidents of Operations for Capital One Arena, about the stadium’s commitment to its local community and how they are rethinking design to create enhanced experiences for its diverse fans.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

This week, we’re excited to share with you a webinar we hosted recently with our Gensler staff focused on embracing multiculturalism in design — both in our design work and in our industry. The conversation, moderated by Gensler Principal & Global Director of Design, Jordan Goldstein, featured special guest Michael Marshall, AIA, NOMA, Design Director & Principal of Michael Marshall Design, whose highly-acclaimed work has won countless industry awards and now been featured in the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Creating a great workplace experience requires a focus not just on space and effectiveness. The best strategies align space, culture, interaction, and behavior to create a high-performance workplace experience that optimizes people’s performance. On today's episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Gensler's Brandon Larcom and Tim Pittman sit down to discuss major findings from the 2019 U.S. Workplace Survey, creating a path forward for the future workplace.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Guest host Diana Apalategui and guest Lucy Kitchin explore ideas for private sector intervention in federally owned assets in the District

Public space has always been an integral part of human life. It supports the widest diversity of experiences and offers some of the best experiences overall, according to Gensler’s Experience Index research. From your local park, to the sidewalks on city streets, to the terraces and gardens provided by restaurants or retail centers, these spaces define our collective urban (and suburban) experiences. And after months of isolation from much of the outside world through the lockdown spurred by coronavirus, public space has been at the center of our social lives as a “safe” place to connect with others while social distancing. Now more than ever, these spaces are poised to become the lifeblood of our neighborhoods and cities. Today's guests will discuss how we might design cities that work for everyone and facilitate both organized and spontaneous connections between diverse people.

In today’s episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, we sit down with EDENS CEO Jodie McLean, El Cielo Hospitality Group Owner and Chef JuanMa Barrientos, and Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, Francisco Santos Calderón, to discuss La Cosecha’s cultural impact, authenticity, and significance in the nation’s capital.

SHOW NOTES: http://bit.ly/genslerpod

Kevin Kearney, Aramark’s District Manager specializing in food service at Quicken Loans Arena, spoke to our sports practice area leader at Gensler, Ryan Sickman, to discuss why stadium concessions are an integral part of the game-going experience and how the redesign of the Q in favor of more social spaces with food accessibility is enhancing the community connection of fans with the arena.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

We're working on new content for our next few seasons of the Gensler Design Exchange. Catch up on all of our previous episodes on our show notes page, and stay tuned for more design forecasts coming your way soon! 

Through the chaos of the past year, the Women’s Leadership Forum became an organic, uplifting digital meeting ground for people — both men and women — to share insights on our current world, our professional experiences, and our predictions for what’s to come. Though we’ve never opened up these conversations to the public before, today, we’re sharing some of our favorite moments from these enlightening dialogues.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Are you confused by the Trash/Recycle/Compost bins at health food stores? Are you seeking simple ways to be less wasteful at work — or is your company interested in learning about how to establish some greener, more mindful operations in the workplace? You’ve come to the right place. Today’s episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast features Benjamin Holsinger, a leader in Sustainability & Wellbeing Consulting at Gensler, joined by fellow sustainability teammates Liz Resenic and Gregory Plavcan, to share tips on how you can design sustainable practices into your daily life.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

“Sick care” refers to the emphasis that health care has traditionally focused on treating symptoms and illnesses instead of promoting whole patient care, including preventative care and expanding access to health care for at-risk patients. Paula Widerlite, Chief Strategy Officer at the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), is today’s guest on the Gensler Design Exchange, and she talks with Gensler Firmwide Health & Wellness Practice Area Leader, Tama Duffy Day, on improving patient access to health care through strategic systems and design.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

In the second episode of our “Looking Up” series with Armstrong World Industries, a dear client of ours and an innovative global company that provides ceiling and wall solutions for commercial buildings and residential spaces, Katie Mesia, Southeast Region Design Resilience Leader and Gensler Executive Climate Council member, moderates a conversation between Gregory Plavcan, Sustainability Consulting Leader at Gensler, Helen Sahi, Director of Sustainability at Armstrong, Mark Hershey, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Armstrong, about how our two organizations are charting the course toward a more sustainable, resilient future — for ourselves and for our clients.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange Podcast, we’re examining how Humana’s focus on workplace well-being as part of their return-to-office strategy has strengthened their culture and employee engagement.

In today’s rapidly changing world, companies, civic leaders, and citizens alike are interested in learning how they can incorporate sustainability into their organizations, communities, and daily lives to be more mindful of our impact on this Earth. In the spirit of Spring and Earth Day, today’s episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast features Benjamin Holsinger, a leader in Sustainability & Wellbeing Consulting at Gensler, joined by fellow sustainability teammates Liz Resenic and Gregory Plavcan, to share tips on how you can design sustainable practices into your daily life. Are you confused by the Trash/Recycle/Compost bins at health food stores? Are you seeking simple ways to be less wasteful at work — or is your company interested in learning about how to establish some greener, more mindful operations in the workplace? You’ve come to the right place.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

In this second episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Tama Duffy Day, Gensler’s Firmwide Health & Wellness Practice Area Leader, speaks to Unity Health Care Chief of Staff, Michael Crawford, about setting new standards for comprehensive health care, patient-centered design and community wellbeing. Unity uses a different model than many traditional health systems, with the majority of its 25 “one-stop shop” community health centers located in traditionally underserved locations across Washington, D.C.

You can read more here on Medium: bit.ly/genslerpod

To celebrate this month and the contributions of our Hispanic and Latinx colleagues, we invited three architects, designers, and employees from across Gensler offices and a variety of backgrounds on the Gensler Design Exchange for this special episode. Lisette Ortiz, Gensler's Southeast Region Photography and Awards Manager with Cuban-Colombian roots, sits down with Vivian Caravaca, a [Tica] Costa Rican architect in Gensler's Tampa office, Christian Hernandez, a Cuban technical designer in Gensler's Miami office, and Dani Marquez, a Venezuelan designer in Gensler's Atlanta office, to discuss their career journeys, what it means to be Hispanic in our industry, their role in making our communities more resilient & equitable, and the impact that diversity in design and architecture can have on the human experience.

In today’s episode, Carolyn Sponza, Principal & Studio Director at Gensler, speaks with Leona Agouridis, Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID), and Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong, a New York-based artist, to explore the connections between art and architecture, current demands for space activation, and how we might reimagine our streets and the public realm to steward more equitable and sustainable districts.

As consumers seek more meaningful connections in a digital world, brands are looking to immersive experiences to better engage audiences. Listen as we explore the growing trend of immersive experiences and how designers can help realize new frontiers. 

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be one of the most stress inducing events in a person’s life. That’s why researchers at the Aquilino Cancer Center are investigating new methods of oncology that will treat not only the physical symptoms of disease, but the psychological aspects as well. Paired with design experts Chris Baer and Gensler’s Tama Duffy Day, research oncologists like Dr. Manish Agrawal now have a flexible, “Swiss army knife” of a learning space and testing environment, where clinical trials of MDMA and psilocybin therapy can lead to optimal results and care for cancer patients. On today’s episode of the podcast, we’ll discuss the science of psycho-oncology and how healing is at the apex of medicine, design, and the mind. 

Today, Kathleen Allen, brand strategist at Gensler, speaks with Jennifer Bowen, Vice President of Destination Development of the Augusta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, about how the new “Augusta & Co.” redefines the traditional visitors center experience and creates a unique identity for the city of Augusta, Ga., serving as both a launchpad for an amazing visit to Augusta and a platform for the city itself.

LEARN MORE: bit.ly/genslerpod

In this episode, we examine decarbonization in the built environment. We define embodied carbon vs. operating carbon, address net carbon impact, discuss how we approach resilience with our clients, and weigh the impact of carbon in interior design.

Recently, Gensler’s Washington, D.C., hub hosted a panel discussion in partnership with the Washington Business Journal to discuss the state of the DMV region, what’s on the horizon, and what that means for our local businesses and communities.

Panelists: Victor Hoskins, Director of Arlington Economic Development; Emily Weems, VP and Head of Government and Policy Affairs at Capital One; Brian T. Kenner, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development of the Government of the District of Columbia; and David Petr, President & CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Gensler's Gregory Plavcan talks with Gary Strehlke, Wellbeing Navigator at Steelcase. Steelcase's wellbeing hubs are an accessible approach to HR. Rather than the “principal’s office” HR tends to be, a wellbeing hub is an intentional space where employees can address concerns both directly and indirectly related to work and where physical barriers to access are transformed or removed with a goal of making people feel comfortable enough to engage the resources.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

This month we are celebrating Black History Month on the podcast with a new episode each week in February. This week, hear Gensler Baltimore Co-Managing Director Vaki Mawema deliver a keynote address at AIAS GR20 Conference, discussing the power of leadership and the unique significance of this moment in our history to make an impact on the architecture industry - and to create a better world for all through the power of design.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

With at-home technology making the view from a fan’s couch as lifelike as being there in person, today’s sports teams are evaluating how they can update their arenas to make attending games live – instead of in front of a TV – an unbeatable experience. In today’s conversation with the Cleveland Cavaliers CEO, Len Komoroski, Gensler Sports Practice Area Leader, Ryan Sickman, talks about how success in preparing for the future of sports lies at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and innovative design.

Show Notes; bit.ly/genslerpod

Vivian Caravaca, RA, Architect, Gensler

Julie Jackson, CDT, NCARB, RA, Design Manager, Senior Associate, Gensler

Amy Stone, AIA, CDT, LEED Green Associate, NCARB, Design Manager, Gensler

About 17% of all licensed architects today identify as women. And while almost half of the students in architectural programs in the U.S. are women, the number of women who become registered, achieve upper management levels, become partners, and own architectural firms has not increased at the same rate or in the same proportion as their male counterparts.

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, three Gensler employees share their stories of becoming registered architects.

Hailing from Costa Rica, Vivian Caravaca earned her architecture degree from the Universidad de Costa Rica, after sparking interest in design during her high school shop classes. Now an architect in the Gensler Tampa office, Vivian works on a variety of projects across hospitality, workplace, residential, mixed use, and retail.  

“I had uncles who worked in the construction industry when I was younger. I sometimes wonder if I would have had architectural career aspirations earlier if I had seen my aunts or other women in the architecture, design, or construction fields.”  - Vivian Caravaca, Architect, Gensler

Julie Jackson is a design manager in the Gensler Charlotte office. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art at Wake Forest University, Julie took the leap into architecture and earned her master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. Starting at the Gensler New York office in 2004, Julie has worked on hundreds of projects at various scales over the last 18 years

“I didn’t really go into school knowing that there were fewer female architects than male architects, but it wasn’t until I looked more into the architects behind the work I was studying, and at the history of architecture itself, that I began to see that there aren’t a lot of architects that look like me. Entering this field with a lot of confidence helped me immensely. I reframed what could be seen as a disadvantage into a challenge that I needed to overcome.” – Julie Jackson, Design Manager, Senior Associate, Gensler

Amy Stone, an architect in the Gensler Atlanta office, had no original ties to the architecture field. A knack for sketching and sincere reverence for buildings led her to earning a bachelor’s and master’s in architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology (with an MBA on the way). Now as a design manager at Gensler, she brings experience with a wide variety of project types including multi-family housing and mixed-use, adaptive reuse, renovations, higher education, interior design, warehouses, affordable housing, and residential design.

“They say, ‘you cannot be what you cannot see.’ You need to have examples of what’s possible, even if it won’t be your exact path. Once you see ways woman have been creative around the obstacles and roadblocks around them, it sparks ideas and abilities in you, too.” – Amy Stone, Design Manager, Gensler

Throughout this episode, Vivian, Julie, and Amy share challenges and moments of reflection in their pursuits, from a lack of representation, to managing work-life balance. As their careers progressed, areas of opportunity were made clear. Through confidence, determination, and the help of their networks — from their families to organizations like Madame Architect — their winding paths led each of them to Gensler.

Their stories are a testament to the power of perseverance, and an inspiration for women everywhere. Tune in to hear the full conversation. As always, thanks for listening!

Subscribe to Gensler Design Exchange on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Alexa AnyPod, Google Play, Stitcher, and Libsyn — or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

In honor of Women’s History Month, this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast is celebrating women in the industry, including right here in our own firm. Three women in leadership roles within Gensler share their stories about their career paths.

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, host Gregory Plavcan talks with mindfulness meditation teacher Grace Ogden. Grace draws from 27 years of experience in mindfulness meditation and teaches at George Washington University and UMass Medical School Center for Mindfulness. In this conversation, Gregory and Grace discuss the difference between wellness and wellbeing, how and why to cultivate a wellbeing oriented workplace, how to get more people to engage in mindfulness practices, and two practical tips for fighting a distressed mind.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

If you’ve attended any sporting event in the last ten years, chances are you’ve walked through a metal detector or had your bag checked by a guard after you scan your ticket. Ryan Sickman, Gensler’s sports practice area leader, spoke with Russ Simons, Chief Listening Officer and Managing Partner at Venue Solutions Group, about the top trends in sporting event security today and how venues can design for more effective visitor and player safety tomorrow.

Show Notes: BIT.LY/GENSLERPOD

Gensler’s Southeast Women’s Leadership Forum was born as an organic, uplifting digital meeting ground for people to share insights on our current world, professional experiences, and hopes for the future. The Forum hosts a series of conversations with emerging leaders and those in leadership roles who share their personal career journeys and experiences, while addressing topics relevant to developing leadership skills. In honor of Women’s Equality Day, we’re re-publishing an episode from earlier this year where we share our favorite moments, key takeaways, and specific calls to action from these enlightening dialogues that will help emerging professionals navigate their unique path to leadership.

As people's relationships with their cities shift, we believe it's critical that developers, urban designers, and clients shape planning strategies and key re-entry decisions based on valuable research data and analyzed trends. In today's episode, Mark Erdly, Cities + Urban Design Practice Area Leader for Gensler's Southeast region speaks with Sofia Song, Gensler's Global Cities Lead, to discuss findings from the Gensler Research Institute's City Pulse Surveys. Then, Mark speaks with local experts Kevin Songer, Gensler Atlanta Co-Managing Director, Brad Brogdon, Gensler Charlotte Design Manager, and Leith Oatman, Gensler Tampa Workplace Practice Area Leader to discuss how the findings from our research have implications on workplace, mobility, retail, culture, and entertainment for rising cities in the Southeast and beyond.

Gensler’s firmwide senior living leader Tama Duffy Day interviews industry experts on essential principles to consider as we look at the current moment as a unique opportunity for change. Stephanie Firestone is a Senior Strategic Policy Advisor for Health & Age-Friendly Communities at AARP International; Dr. Bill Thomas is a geriatrician, industry trailblazer, and Independence Officer at Lifesprk; and Esther Greenhouse is a built environment strategist, environmental gerontologist, and a Strategic Director at the TC Age Friendly Center for Excellence. These three guests are collaborators on AARP International’s important Equity by Design webinar series dedicated to exploring different aspects of the active aging conversation.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

By connecting organizations' rich histories, employee's personal beliefs, and aspirations for continued meaningful action, brands can foster belonging and community based on shared values. Organizations that invest in spaces that go beyond four walls and function to express shared values and celebrate who they are and, more importantly, what they believe in, will ultimately strengthen their culture and bring their brand to life. In today's episode, we're re-broadcasting a panel discussion that Gensler hosted in partnership with AIGA for this year's DC Design Week. The panel convenes diverse voices across history-rich organizations like WMATA, Armstrong World Industries, and US Army War College, to discuss the increasingly important role brand plays in building culture, storytelling, and getting people back to shared spaces.

Through the power of design and a focus on the human experience, we can transform our workplaces, buildings, and ground planes into hubs for connection and engagement that extend beyond walls into the surrounding city and community. There are environmental, social, and economic benefits to creating multi-use environments that are connected to the community with shared public spaces — something that people value now more than ever because of the pandemic. In today’s episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Chad Parker, Principal and Managing Director of Gensler Raleigh, sits down with Shawn Seaman, President of Hoffman & Associates, to discuss the power of design and what it means to lead great development, empower our communities, and rise together.

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, host Brandon Larcom sits with industry experts to uncover what mass timber is, where it comes from, and why we should be using a lot more of it.

When strategic healthcare planning and design thinking intersect, healthcare organizations are setting the framework for success in community caregiving, according to Tim Chafin, Chief Strategy Officer at Legacy New Ventures Consulting. Ultimately, the ability to execute on an organization’s long-term strategic vision comes down to fundamental issues related to organizational culture, and providers should prioritize improving communication in the workplace and leverage design thinking in innovative ways to achieve their most important goals.

Show notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

Brandon Larcom, Director of Product Development for Gensler's Southeast Region, interviews Janet Pogue McLaurin, Principal at Gensler, about global trends in workplace design. Janet is a workplace strategist, researching how design can impact office effectiveness, wellbeing, and innovation. Brandon sits down with Janet to discuss what a healthy work environment looks like, how to measure productivity, and where workplace design is headed.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Like every other industry, AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) felt the extreme volatility of the past 24 months. Supply chain issues, shipping challenges, skilled labor shortages, and rapidly fluctuating costs have led to both trials and opportunities in leading and executing projects across the built environment. While we don’t have a crystal ball, we do have lessons learned that we can share to help set expectations and create transparency in the procurement process as we enter the new year. In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, we convene a group of project management and technical experts to discuss their experiences over the past two years and offer their insights and suggestions for advising and guiding teams and clients to make the design and construction process as smooth as possible in 2022.

At this critical inflection point in our history, it's important to reflect and recharge in order to preserve not just our individual wellbeing, but also our ability to return to designing the future of our cities with our best foot forward. As we continue to dream up innovative, purpose-built spaces both public and private, how can we be more mindful, intentional, and impactful? Insights & tips from Gensler's Gregory Plavcan & George Washington University's Grace Ogden.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Today, Gensler Design Director Meena Krenek speaks with Red Bull's Southeast Vice President of Marketing Alastair Dickson. The two dissect the importance of 'why' – why Alastair was interested to the Red Bull brand in the first place, why Red Bull decided to move its new Southeast HQ into an abandoned warehouse in a burgeoning part of Atlanta, and why design is pivotal to cultivating customer experience and fostering a positive, productive workplace that inspires employees everyday. 

About 2% of all licensed architects identify as Black or African American, and .4% are Black or African American women. While racial diversity in the architecture field is slowly growing, there is a wide gap to fill. In today's episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, two Gensler employees engage in a candid conversation on their varying experiences as Black women in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry and share how they've successfully pursued careers in architecture and design.

It’s no secret that retail has experienced a tumultuous time, and as cities continue to grow and face new challenges, retailers now more than ever are adapting to today’s demands. In today’s episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Kathleen Jordan, co-studio director and resident retail expert at Gensler, owner and chief retail strategist Charlotte, sits down with Jordan Dollard of Esther & Elsa, to understand what the evolution of retail will bring and speculate what the next-generation shopping experience will look like.

Growing up, our parents would tell us never to get into cars with strangers or take what isn’t ours. Today, that’s all the norm thanks to rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber and dockless bikes and scooters like Lime. As technology evolves, so do our cities and the ways we move around. How is that affecting our transportation systems and urban infrastructure? Today on the Gensler Design Exchange, Gensler's David Zaidain talks with Dan Emerine from the DC Dept. of Transportation and Maggie Gendron of Lime to delve into just that.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

Our Gensler Sports team has designed dozens of dynamic sports facilities across the world and across the college and professional leagues. From locker rooms to arenas, our work has created large-scale place making and branded destinations with the potential to revitalize communities and improve player performance. In today’s final installment of the Gensler Design Exchange sports series, Ryan Sickman, Gensler’s firmwide practice area leader in sports, talks to colleagues Kristin Byrd, Byron Chambers, and Steve Chung, about Gensler’s innovative perspective on sports and stadium design.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

As populations swell and housing costs rise, many middle-income families are finding themselves priced out of the market. In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, we explore the differences between affordable and attainable housing and provide context on housing burden trends.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are bringing you a special episode of the Gensler Design Exchange focused on the impact of sound in health and wellness. In this episode, Gensler’s health and wellness leader, Tama Duffy Day, speaks with ambient electronic musician Yoko Sen, whose research on noise in hospitals and its effects on stress, health, and healing for both patients and physicians alike led the two women to later collaborate on “tranquility rooms” for hospital employees at the Johns Hopkins Sibley Innovation Hub.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

We’re re-broadcasting a panel discussion hosted by DCA Live last week. In this conversation, Christian Amolsch, Client Relationship Leader and Senior Associate, and Kim Sullivan, Principal in Gensler’s Washington D.C. office, speak with industry experts David Crew, Head of Real Estate at Hogan Lovells, Susan Berson, DC Office Managing Partner at Mintz, Brian Sprague, COO at Akin Gump, and Maurice Bellan, DC Office Managing Partner at Baker Mckenzie, to discuss how design trends that have accelerated in the last year will have a lasting impact on the world’s leading law firms, their workforces, and their design partners for many years to come.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

The pandemic has highlighted the disparity between the future of work and the bulk of existing commercial office and residential building stock. Thousands of square feet are arguably unaligned to the demands and expectations of the evolving market. Successful developments in the future will be those that offer far more than merely a place to work or live. In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, design and development experts discuss how buildings can stand out and be more resilient in today's competitive market.

Few roles have as symbiotic a relationship with architecture and design as facilities management. The task challenges those carrying it out to think critically about space, its effect on people and productivity, and how it interplays with financial stewardship. Rosalie Mignano-Aste is the vice president of corporate real estate and facilities management at Endeavor. In her role at Endeavor, formerly fashion and sports entertainment media conglomerate WME | IMG, Mignano-Aste oversees the administration of leasing, site selection, budgeting, broker liaison work, and bidding out architectural services and construction, after which her team also supervises move-ins and space maintenance. Today on the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Gensler Design Director Meena Krenek sits down with Rosalie to dive into a conversation about how their roles intersect and interact.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

In the latest episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Gensler’s residential practice area leader, Phil Esocoff, speaks to Tama Duffy Day, Gensler’s firmwide health and wellness expert, on how today’s elderly population is redefining what “active aging” entails and how residential communities can be redesigned to support more inclusive, multigenerational living that supports aging in place.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

Moderator: Nadia Volchansky, LEED AP, NCIDQ

Strategy Lead

Gensler

Guest:

Cheryl Duvall, CID, FIIDA, LEED AP, NCIDQ

Senior Associate, Regional Consulting Practice Area Leader

Gensler

Gensler is filled with innovative individuals who have diverse perspectives. This unique nature allows our people to approach projects with entrepreneurial spirits, and helps their clients go further by pushing the boundaries of what design can do.

This episode is the first in a series where we will highlight trailblazers at Gensler who have taken their strengths and talents and invested it in their work to become intrapreneurs. In this episode, Regional Consulting Practice Area Leader Cheryl Duvall joins series host Nadia Volchansky to share her background as an entrepreneur in the architecture and design industry.

01:30    Cheryl’s intro, background

03:00    Cheryl starts her first design firm at the age of 25; she examines the initial challenges and eventual success.

05:42    Cheryl’s company is acquired by a larger firm.

07:55    Cheryl speaks to her experience as a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry.

“When I was a 25-year-old woman designing a major law firm, there were times I felt disrespected. I saw it as an opportunity to prove myself. I knew if I was knowledgeable and not faking it, I would come across as confident. And because I believed in myself, others did too.” – Cheryl Duvall

11:20    The barrier to entry for women in business, then and now.

11:53    Cheryl embarks on starting her second design firm while attending graduate school; her entrepreneurial evolution

14:18    Cheryl arrives at Gensler in 2018.

16:33    Covid’s impact on Cheryl’s role at Gensler, the growth of the consulting practice

“As designers, we influence and build culture. Culture and innovation strategy services are really what’s next. The focus on organizational development and the softer, human-centric services is where our consulting practices are going to see growth.” – Cheryl Duvall

17:41    The innate and learned skills and behaviors Cheryl believes it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

18:30    The advice Cheryl would give her younger self.

20:05    Cheryl’s definition of success in entrepreneurship.  

Tune in to hear the full conversation. As always, thanks for listening!

The holidays are a time of year for giving back and lending a hand to help those in your community. To honor this, this week on the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, we’re celebrating issue advocacy through the power of design. On this episode, Elaine Asal, design strategist in our Gensler Baltimore office, talks with Ryan Cavanaugh (design manager, Gensler Atlanta), Michael Adkins (consulting strategist, Gensler D.C.), Meredith Baber (marketing manager, Gensler D.C.), and Christian Fortuno (technical designer, Gensler Miami) about their recent collaboration with Mera Kitchen Collective, a community-driven, food-based cooperative focused on the empowerment of refugee and immigrant women. 

In the latest episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Tama Duffy Day, Gensler’s Firmwide Health & Wellness Practice Area Leader, talks to Dr. Mark Rowe, an Irish physician, educator, thought-leader, and author of “A Prescription for Happiness.” Mark’s three pillars for effective health care center around designing safer, quality experiences for patients, creating generative spaces where people can flourish, and fostering a culture of care for medical staff.

Learn more on our show notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

At Gensler, giving is a year-round affair. Impacting our communities and investing in the education of our youth are critical components of our mission to create equitable and resilient cities. That's why we are committed to creating positive, enduring change through social responsibility and civic engagement in the communities where we live, work, and play. This week on the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Meredith Flanagan, Gensler's Washington DC office community impact leader, sits down with Theresa Sheils, co-managing director of Gensler DC, to discuss the office's community impact initiatives and reflect on how the Gensler DC (gDC) team has given back over the last year.

As society emerges from a time of uncertainty and isolation, cultural institutions are leading the way because they intuitively understand that their mission-driven work is part of something greater. Rather than taking a passive role as collectors and exhibitors, museums can and should become dynamic places of learning, engagement, and inspiration that showcase the rich items of our past, while expanding their collections for and making themselves more accessible to diverse audiences of the future.

This week on the Gensler Design Exchange, Bevin Savage-Yamazaki who leads our Foundations, Associations & Organizations global practice, as well our culture and museums practice in Gensler’s New York office, sits down with Rachel Goslins, the director of Smithsonian’s historic Arts + Industries Building (AIB), America’s first National Museum, to explore the future of the museum experience. 

In this episode, we’ll be exploring how museums are adapting to changing visitor expectations and an increasingly digital world, and get an exclusive look into the AIB’s groundbreaking new museum experience “FUTURES” which opens to the public on Saturday, November 20, 2021.

In June 2021, the YWCA South Florida celebrated 100 years of social impact, standing at the forefront of some of the most critical social movements in history and addressing the need for civil, social, and economic justice in its community. Ushering in its next century of social impact, the YWCA South Florida looks to drive empowerment through design. On today's episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Gensler Miami Senior Associate, Co-Studio Director & Client Relationship Leader Jorge Bernal sits down with Gensler Miami Principal & Co-Managing Director Diana Farmer-Gonzalez, YWCA South Florida President & CEO Kerry-Ann Royes, and Kaufman Rossin Director of Risk Advisory Services Glenn Davis.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

In a world of 7.6 billion people and counting, there’s bound to be repetition somewhere, right? In today’s post-modern age, it’s hard to ignore the omnipresence of content and product surrounding us. A simple scroll through social media might unveil a common pattern of rehashed content. But even in our increasingly oversaturated world, there are breaks in this repetition — our champions of innovation who advance ‘originality’ in the design of our products, spaces, and experiences. In today’s episode, we discuss this very idea. How do we protect innovation as an industry and promote diverse thinking and creativity in an age where we’re constantly inundated with information?

When you think about flooring, what do you imagine? The sound of heels clicking on a surface? Tile, wood, carpet, and vinyl? Yes, flooring is the material beneath your feet, but it is also the footpath through your everyday life. It maps out our global cities and suburbs purposefully and effectively, and we evolve upon its surface, first learning to crawl, then walk and run upon it. Shaw Contract is an innovative flooring company that is transforming the way we walk through the world with its emphasis on functionality and design. In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Gensler Design Director Meena Krenek speaks with John Stephens, Vice President of Marketing for Shaw Contract.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Today, we're peeling back the next layer of La Cosecha's Mercado (market), Arte (art), and Cultura (culture) principles to discuss how the space's mindfully curated design and art selection establishes a cultural touchpoint authentically representative of today's Latin America. Our host, Gensler's Brandon Larcom, returns to La Cosecha's Estudio to talk with EDENS Managing Director Bill Caldwell, IBD Mural Artist Mariela Ajras, and Gensler Design Director Walter Trujillo about how the collaboration of EDENS, Gensler, and local artists and designers culminated in an eclectic celebration of Latin American arte.

Urban planners are reimagining what cities can be by implementing solutions like smart parking and micro units to allow more and more people to move into cities comfortably. Today, Gensler’s Residential Practice Area Leader, Phil Esocoff, speaks with Darryl Hemminger, Senior Vice President for ZOM, on how developers are assessing tenant needs across cities and suburbs and finding solutions that best fit each demographic.

Show notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Greg Plavcan sits down with Liz Resenic of Gensler’s Washington office. Liz is a Sustainability Specialist and an active contributor to Gensler’s WorkWell model as well as Gensler’s internal wellbeing initiatives. In their conversation, Greg and Liz discuss the symbiotic relationship between sustainability and wellbeing, the history of Gensler’s WorkWell model, and how Gensler is continuing to evolve and expand it’s well-being program internally and externally.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

It's Women's History Month! In today's conversation on the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Gensler Atlanta Principal & Co-Managing Director Tory Winn sits down with Meredith Leapley, CEO & Founder of Leapley Construction, to discuss how their teams are successfully navigating these challenging "lockdown life" times under their leadership. Winn and Leapley also share personal anecdotes from their professional pasts and offer advice for budding leaders hoping to grow their careers in the industry.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

We explore the concept of lifestyle districts and how cities can be designed to be accessible and livable for all on this episode of Gensler’s Design Exchange. 

Are Millennials Really Fueling the Amenities Arms Race|An interview with Peter Armstrong

Millennials may have caused a 31 percent uptick in houseplant sales in 2016, but are they also responsible for the “amenities arms race” happening in urban centers across America? According to Peter Armstrong, Vice President at The Georgetown Company, the answer is simply: no. It turns out that this much hyped generation isn’t so different from their Baby Boomer or Generation X predecessors when it comes to choosing where and how to live, and many Millennials may not even have the disposable income to live in the trendiest areas of town.

Gensler’s Residential Practice Area Leader Phil Esocoff had a conversation with Peter to talk about how amenities in residential apartment spaces can contribute to increased well being across generations, how developers and leasing companies are reimagining what amenities can be, and which amenities will stand the test of time.

Rooftops and gyms and community pools – oh my!

The Washington Post recently reported on a National Apartment Association study that surveyed 100,000 individuals across 35 U.S. states on which amenities in modern apartments provide the highest return on investment for owners and operators, and which are the most popular among tenants in apartment communities. The results found that half of the top 10 offerings centered around bringing people together, favoring smaller units that allow for larger club rooms and common areas.

In Phil’s conversation with Peter, the two discuss how, in fact, communal activities like discounted gym classes within residential buildings and the vibrancy of the neighborhood outside are becoming increasingly attractive amenities for tenants as opposed to more traditional offerings.

Phil: You claim to be an aging millennial… What do you think the future of millennials will be in buildings as they age?

Peter: Oftentimes, when you hear the word millennial used in media, it... feels a bit of a slur, so I'm here to speak on behalf of all of us, that we're not snake people. We're not aliens. We're just the next generation coming down the line. I think there's a lot of obsession in the general media about millennials and their demographics, and their choices, and how that's affecting all facets of our society, culture, and economy.

The building industry is no different, but I think [millennials are] attracted to the same things that we all generally are… There are plenty of buildings in town that everyone thought would have an entirely millennial market, and you have plenty of people in there well beyond their upper 30s that are attracted to living in a great building that has efficient layouts with a high-quality finish. It's not just millennials who like the rooftop experience. It's not just millennials who want a nice gym. I think it's most people in an urban setting, so I don't lose a lot of sleep over whether XYZ project is going to be the coolest, hippest shiny object that's going to attract the millennial.

Phil: Do you think it's more a taste-culture issue? Because I think there are people who like to live in buildings of a certain character and layout and live in certain neighborhoods, and those people could be of any age.

Peter: I think that it's much more driven by cultural factors and a taste preference than it is a pure age and cohort. I think there's a certain type of person who's really attracted to the vibrancy of an urban environment, and... there are certain millennials that like that, and there's certain people that are Generation X and above that like and are attracted to the same experience. It's much more neighborhood-driven, and about what's going on outside the building, in the neighborhood, within six blocks. It's got to work for the person's lifestyle, right? It's got to be convenient to get to and from work. It's got to fit the budget.

I think you're just much better off focusing and making sure that you're building a great product that has the elements that are going to attract all the people that want to be in that environment rather than trying to design a product and obsessing over whether you need a Twitter wall to drive tenant attraction and tenant retention. I think you don't need those types of gimmicks. You just focus on a great building with high-quality, nice finishes in a good location, and you're going to be just fine.

Listen to the full conversation with Phil and Peter now on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher and Libsyn. To learn more about Tim’s work at Legacy New Ventures Consulting, please visit the company's website.

As always, thanks for tuning in!

With the Olympics kicking off on July 23, we’re talking with athletes to discuss how a lifestyle of health and wellbeing can help build up endurance in both the body and mind — positively impacting your workplace productivity and problem-solving abilities in the office. Guests include Errick McAdams, DC-based personal training expert; Madeleine Crippen, Gensler SE Marketing Director and Olympic swimmer; and Brandon Larcom, Gensler's Global Director of Product Development and former National Figure Skating champion and fitness product inventor.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

In today’s episode of the podcast, Gensler’s Transportation & Infrastructure Practice Area Leader David Zaidain speaks with experts from the District Department of Transportation & the Greater Washington Partnership to investigate how D.C. is learning from cities across the country, like Richmond and Seattle, to modernize its bus system and make it a modern mode of public transportation optimized for the future.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, host Gregory Plavcan talks with Gary Strehlke, the Wellbeing Navigator at Steelcase. Gary begins by describing wellbeing hubs at Steelcase as an accessible approach to HR. Rather than the “principal’s office” HR tends to be, a wellbeing hub is an intentional space designed with a holistic approach: a place where employees can address concerns both directly and indirectly related to work. The hubs go beyond basic biometrics and focus on building relationships where employees feel they’ve been heard, have input on their treatment plan, see the actual benefit as they make progress, and want to come back.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

As designers, the pandemic has challenged us to rise to the occasion and create better opportunities for interconnectivity in our future world. Without our physical studios, materials libraries, and in-person teams, our design processes shifted and our sources of inspiration have evolved. Today we’re inviting Gensler DC Design Director Nestor Santa-Cruz back to the podcast to explore how his work process has changed since March and offer insights on how to stay plugged in to find design inspiration even among these challenging times.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Today, our host Brandon Larcom sits down with Gensler experts Chuck Rudalavage, Regional Practice Area Leader for Higher Education, and Emily Fridman, Regional Director for Digital Experience Design, to explore the paradigm shift in the learning experience happening now across the globe. With Chuck's expertise in the physical design of learning facilities and Emily's experience creating meaningful experiences through digital solutions, we break down silos to discuss how educational institutions might embrace both a digital and physical future to offer students a comprehensive and impactful learning experience in a post-COVID world.

An exclusive interview between Jordan Goldstein, Principal and Gensler's Global Director of Design, and our dear client Tim Grisius, Global M&A and Real Estate Officer at Marriott International. Together they discuss Grisius's career; the evolution of Marriott from a root beer stand to the largest hospitality company in the world; the path to recovery for the hospitality industry; Marriott's innovative, new Gensler-designed headquarters; and much more.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Gensler Principal & Global Design Management Leader Jim Williamson interviews IIDA (International Interior Design Association) Executive Vice President & CEO Cheryl Durst to discuss diversity and design in a post-pandemic world. Together they share advice for aspiring designers, thoughts on the future of design, and  best practices to foster the next generation of designers to be more inclusive and diverse.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Lynn University first opened its doors to students in Boca Raton, Fla., over 50 years ago. But before it became what it is today, it was first a private all-women’s school in what was once a sleepy South Florida town. Today, the campus is a vibrant and trailblazing educational institution in a fast-growing urban center. 

The university has been consecutively named among the most innovative and international colleges in the country by U.S. News & World Report and recognized three times as an Apple Distinguished School for its iPad initiative, one of the most extensive tablet-based learning efforts in the country. It was also named a “Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle for Higher Education and recognized on the 2015 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. Its success is due largely to its leadership’s nimble nature, emphasis on community engagement, and research to explore what’s next. 

In recent years, Lynn partnered with Gensler for its Lynn 2020 and 2025 and beyond campus plans. The plans included the construction of new modern, sustainable buildings, like the Mary and Harold Perper Residence Hall and the Christine E. Lynn University Center, and a reorientation of the campus to make it more interconnected and pedestrian-friendly. On today’s episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Gensler Design Director Brian Watson speaks with Lynn University President Kevin M. Ross. Together, they discuss everything from the intricacies of campus master planning to what’s next with the emerging Gen Z student class.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

Experts weigh the opportunities, myths, and challenges of converting increasingly vacant office buildings into much needed housing.

Hot off the heels of this year's Wellbeing Week, we'd like to share with you a few tips we learned from Grace Ogden, a mindfulness meditation teacher with the George Washington University Center for Integrative Medicine, who led our staff through three simple meditations to manage stress. Leading the conversation is Gregory Plavcan, sustainability specialist and Wellbeing Week champion here at Gensler.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Professional sports teams and their staff are flexing their design thinking muscles to find new ways to keep fans buzzing about their brands for longer periods of time. In his interview with Ryan Sickman, Gensler’s Sports Practice Area Leader, Antony Bonavita, Senior Vice President of Facility Operations at Cleveland Cavaliers/Quicken Loans Arena, speaks about his experience in the field of managing fan engagement alongside both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs.

Show Notes: bit.ly/genslerpod

In our 9th workplace survey since the start of the pandemic, Gensler's latest U.S. Workplace Survey contains data collected from more than 2,300 U.S. office workers from October to November 2021. This particular survey digs into both employers' and employees' preferences and expectations for the future, and the opportunities for implementing a series of workplace culture, policy, and design changes that encourage employees to return to in-person work. In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Gensler workplace experts share key findings from the survey and their experience helping clients balance business goals with employee desires and embrace purposeful change for a more meaningful future of work. 

As campuses reopen, possibly in-person for the first time since March of 2020, colleges across the country continue to face challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. But higher education is resilient and evolving — administrators, instructors, and students alike are rethinking its value proposition and what new directions it might take in the future. The experience of students and educators while learning and teaching during the pandemic holds critical considerations for what the future of higher education might look like. In this episode, we explore how we might incorporate the best of virtual learning into physical spaces and blending learning programs in the future.

Trends change fast with the influence of social media, but in architecture and design, a reputation and success is built over time. From glass walls to tables and chairs, chances are Barbara Nolan has helped influence your everyday surroundings. Gensler Director of Product Development Brandon Larcom speaks with Barbara Nolan, founder and principal of the Nolan Brands furniture showroom, today on her experience turning boutique brands into national names for more than 30 years. 

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Colleges and universities have cracked the code to propel cities forward toward the future of education: focus on the campus experience, expand pathways to new careers, and partner with surrounding communities and cities to drive growth. In Arlington, Va., Marymount University has done just that.

In today’s podcast, Duncan Lyons, Design Director at Gensler, is speaking with Matthew Shank, President Emeritus at Marymount University and President of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, and Samantha Baker, Director of Operations at the Ballston Business Improvement District and graduate student at Marymount University, to talk about what makes Marymount a model for the future of higher education in mixed use, urban environments.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

Today, in honor of Earth Week, you’ll hear from Gensler Miami architect and sea level rise expert Ana Benatuil in a fascinating interview with Marilys Nepomechie — Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives & Professor of Architecture in the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts at Florida International University — and Katherine Hagemann — Resilience Program Manager at Miami-Dade County — to discuss strategies coastal cities can consider adopting to combat the challenges of sea level rise.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, we are continuing a conversation around mass timber.

Washington D.C. has experienced great transformation over the past decade. Ten years ago, neighborhoods such as Shaw, the Yards, Union Market, and the Wharf looked vastly different, if they existed at all. Now, these neighborhoods are among the most sought-after zip codes in the city. In today’s episode of the Gensler Design Exchange, Francisco Gonzalez, Gensler D.C. Office Director, sits down with Jeff Barber, Firmwide Design Experience Leader at Gensler, Oliver Carr, CEO of Carr Properties, and Austen Holderness, Chief Development Officer at Carr Properties, to discuss one of D.C.’s most exciting projects in the Union Market neighborhood — Signal House.

In this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange Podcast, we’re discussing the importance of infusing hospitality design into workplaces to turn offices into a destination, rather than an obligation.

As architects and designers meticulously work to transform our workplaces, retail, restaurants, schools, and virtually all places where humans connect in a post-COVID world, each space element has taken on a new sense of purpose and intentionality. Ceilings are certainly no exception. Today, we’re kicking off a three-part series we’ll be hosting with Armstrong that digs into how our organizations are reimagining buildings, spaces, and products to enhance health and wellbeing in our return to the office and shared spaces In our first episode of this series, Janet Pogue McLaurin, a Principal and Global Workplace Research Leader who has been at Gensler for more than 38 years, moderates a conversation between Vic Grizzle, CEO of Armstrong World Industries, and Don Ghent, a Principal and Design Realization Leader at Gensler, about how ceilings are an important part of the holistic approach to design we must take as we reimagine shared spaces in the future.

Hear from Change Management experts on what Change Management is, why it’s important, and how it can be implemented in the workplace.

In today’s podcast episode, Jill Goebel speaks with Nestlé USA’s Head of Corporate Real Estate & Facilities Dawn Striff to discuss the vital role of change management in facilitating the company’s large-scale move and how the new headquarters’ design has impacted the culture, mission, community involvement, and workplace productivity of Nestlé USA.

SHOW NOTES: bit.ly/genslerpod

In a new era of mobility, connectivity is a critical component to a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant region. The Capital Region of Baltimore, MD, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, V.A.  has an immense opportunity to spur regional economic competitiveness and collaboration, build the nation's most inclusive economy, and increase access to affordable housing for millions of residents by focusing on a key transportation asset: the extensive regional rail network. Currently, the region’s commuter rail systems’ lines and operators are segmented by political boundaries, causing simple commutes to nearby destinations to be needlessly cumbersome and inefficient. Gensler, alongside regional interest groups like the Greater Washington Partnership, have sought to re-imagine this system as a unified, connected whole through The Capital Region Rail Vision. Today’s guests have all been involved in the development of the Rail Vision, so we brought them together to discuss how we can work collaboratively to bring it to fruition and grow a stronger, more equitable and well-connected region.