This month’s Convo By Design Icon Registry inductee is architect, Peter Pennoyer, FAIA who shares his lifelong passion for architecture, tracing its roots to his upbringing in New York City and the rich urban fabric that shaped his design philosophy. From classical influences to modern interventions, in this conversation recorded in 2021, Pennoyer discusses how context, history, and creativity inform his work across New York, Miami, and beyond. This episode offers a rare glimpse into Pennoyer’s process, highlighting how tradition and innovation coexist in his projects.
In this episode, Pennoyer explores the balance between respecting historic streetscapes and embracing contemporary design, sharing insights on notable projects including French modern townhouses in Manhattan, Adirondack retreats, and reimagined New England homes. Listeners will hear about his approach to materials, light, and functionality, as well as the lessons learned from urban and natural environments. From small creative spaces to sweeping estates, Pennoyer reveals how architecture can feel both inevitable and personal.
Show Topics / Outline:
Early Influences
Growing up in NYC, next to an architect’s modernized Victorian townhouse.
Father’s role on the Art Commission (Design Review Commission) and early exposure to civic architecture.
Walking through the Metropolitan Museum during new wing constructions and its impact.
Philosophy of Context and Streetscape
Importance of buildings as parts of streets rather than standalone monuments.
Learning from historic architecture and urban fabric.
Balancing preservation with creative reinterpretation.
Firm Origins and Approach
Founding Peter Pennoyer Architects in 1990, NYC and Miami.
Learning along the way; responding to each commission individually.
Miami as a freer design environment vs. New York’s strict urban constraints.
Design Inspirations and Innovation
Interest in unusual historic ideas, color, and modern adaptation (e.g., Adirondack home with vibrant red windows).
Classical architecture as a living, evolving language.
Integrating modern functionality with traditional forms.
Key Projects
Adirondacks Retreat: Rustic materials, vibrant accents, blending modern and traditional.
French Modern Townhouse, Upper East Side: Maximizing light in a constrained footprint; stair design, flow, and functionality.
New England House: Rebuilding a landmarked site with respect to site and history.
Fifth Avenue Maisonette: Reimagining space for luxury, comfort, and personal lifestyle integration.
Architecture and Society
Lessons from pandemics and historical health-driven design.
Flexibility in modern living: home and work blending, privacy, and adaptability.
The balance of aesthetics, comfort, and livability in contemporary classical design.
Process and Collaboration
Importance of team and long-term partnerships in shaping projects.
Working with interior designers and artisans to achieve cohesive spaces.
Creative problem-solving under structural, site, and regulatory constraints.
Beyond the Sketchbook: Mastering the Business of Design with Industry Leaders. Esteemed practitioners Keith Granet, Grant Kirkpatrick, Tom Stringer, and Louis Taylor share candid insights into the origin stories, critical business skills, and forward-looking strategies necessary to build and sustain a successful design practice.
Moderated by Cheryl Durst (EVP and CEO of IIDA), the panel focused on the transition from being a talented designer to running a thriving, resilient business, covering genesis, operations, talent management, branding, and future-proofing.
Origin Stories and Industry Appreciation:
The panelists shared diverse paths into design. Some were drawn in early (Grant and Tom), while others arrived via finance and business consulting (Keith and Louis).
Louis Taylor (Finance, SchappacherWhite) noted that, coming from auditing various industries, design is “absolutely the best industry to work in by far.”
The 80/20 Rule of Entrepreneurship:
A critical takeaway for design professionals is understanding that running a firm is primarily a business function. Keith Granet and Grant Kirkpatrick stressed that the time split is often 70–80% focused on business (HR, finance, marketing, systems) and only 20–30% on actual design work.
Keith Granet (Granet and Associates, Leaders of Design) emphasized that good systems and data tracking (like a monthly “executive summary” of financials) are “freeing” and allow for greater creativity by alleviating stress over payroll and rent.
Infrastructure and Skill Development:
Hire Your Weaknesses: The consensus was to surround yourself with great consultants (finance, PR, marketing) and “hire your weaknesses” to empower the principal designer to focus on their “highest and best use.”
Future Talent Gap: Louis Taylor noted that junior staff coming out of school often require significant training in “soft skills” (people skills, professional email etiquette, presentation, listening) to bridge the gap between conceptual learning and the real-world practice.
Branding and Storytelling:
Effective messaging must be authentic and focus on an idea bigger than the work itself.
Grant Kirkpatrick (KAA Design Group) detailed their use of “The Five Whys” to articulate a vision, which for his firm is the belief that “design elevates the human spirit.”
Tom Stringer (Tom Stringer Design Partners) built his brand around his personal value of adventure, which attracts clients who are “kindred spirits.” He emphasized that design is predicated on building trust over multiple generations.
Future Proofing and Resilience:
AI and Technology: The panelists recognized AI as a powerful, unavoidable tool that will alleviate mundane tasks and enhance existing work, though it also presents a significant challenge (“scares the shit out of us,” noted Keith). Firms must embrace it.
* **Talent Retention:** **Institutional knowledge** is key to longevity. Firms are focusing on creating exceptional workspaces, competitive benefits (like sabbatical programs), and internal culture to recruit and **retain the best talent.**
* **Mentorship:** Mentoring should be a fundamental part of a firm’s **culture**, not a forced, rigid program. It is essential at all career stages, providing wisdom and long-term connections that help owners stay agile and resourceful.
The design industry has changed more in the past five years than in the previous two decades. In this episode, Amy Courtney and I unpack how technology, social media, and shifting client expectations have transformed the way designers work, communicate, and create. From in-person collaboration to photography, craftsmanship, and professional credibility, the conversation explores what it really means to practice design today.
A candid discussion about design after 2020, the rise of digital culture, evolving client behavior, and why experience still matters more than visibility.
I sat down with designer Amy Courtney and together, we are going to examine how dramatically the design industry has shifted since 2020—and what those changes mean for designers, clients, and the creative process itself. What began as a necessity during the pandemic has evolved into a permanent shift in how projects are managed, communicated, and perceived.
The conversation opens with how in-person collaboration has largely been replaced by screens, emails, and digital presentations. While technology has made certain aspects of design more efficient, it has also introduced new challenges: endless email threads, over-reliance on links and screenshots, and a growing disconnect between how spaces are discussed and how they are actually experienced. Both speakers reflect on the loss of face-to-face interaction and how it has altered everything from client relationships to decision-making.
From there, the discussion moves into how design has become more visible—and more misunderstood—than ever before. With social media and image-driven platforms shaping expectations, clients often arrive with highly specific visual references but little understanding of how those ideas translate into real-world construction. The conversation explores how designers now spend much of their time educating clients, explaining limitations, and helping them understand the difference between inspiration and execution.
Photography plays a major role in this shift. Where designers once photographed only select projects, today’s market pressures encourage constant documentation. The episode unpacks the financial and creative cost of professional photography, the tension between editorial standards and reality, and how images can sometimes misrepresent how spaces actually function. The discussion also touches on how publication expectations and sponsorships can influence what gets shown—and what gets left out.
Another central theme is the difference between designers and tastemakers. Courtney and I examine how social platforms have blurred professional lines, allowing anyone with a strong aesthetic to claim authority. We discuss the growing confusion this creates for clients and the importance of experience, education, and technical understanding in producing successful projects. While inspiration is everywhere, execution still requires training, judgment, and accountability.
The episode also dives into the influence of upbringing and mentorship. From growing up around construction and craftsmanship to learning directly from tradespeople, the conversation highlights how hands-on experience shapes a designer’s confidence and decision-making. This background, combined with curiosity and respect for process, becomes the foundation for meaningful work.
The conversation closes with a reflection on credibility, creativity, and the responsibility designers have to guide clients honestly. In a culture driven by speed and visibility, the episode argues for a return to thoughtful process, clear communication, and design rooted in real-world understanding.
How design practice has changed since 2020
The impact of remote work and screen-based communication
Photography, social media, and shifting industry expectations
The difference between designers and tastemakers
Client education and managing unrealistic inspiration
The value of construction knowledge and hands-on experience
Navigating publication standards and editorial pressure
Why credibility and process still matter
Design has never been more visible—or more misunderstood. As technology reshapes how people engage with spaces and professionals, the role of the designer has become both more complex and more essential. This episode makes the case for slowing down, valuing experience, and remembering that great design is built on knowledge, intention, and trust—not algorithms or aesthetics alone.
Design is more than aesthetics—it’s about understanding how people live, move, and connect with their spaces. In this episode, Kristin Mullen and I explore how sourcing, observation, and thoughtful decision-making shape interiors that feel authentic and functional. From Round Top to kitchen design to client relationships, the conversation reveals why the best work begins with listening and ends with purpose.
A thoughtful conversation on antiques, design philosophy, client trust, and why the most successful spaces are built on intention rather than trends. You are going to hear from designer Kristin Mullen. We’re exploring the deeper thinking behind successful interior design—where process, perspective, and human behavior matter as much as aesthetics. The conversation opens with a discussion of the Round Top Antiques Show, which Kristin describes as an essential destination for designers seeking character, craftsmanship, and pieces with history. While digital sourcing has its place, both agree that nothing replaces the experience of seeing and understanding objects in person. Round Top, in particular, offers an immersive environment that encourages discovery, education, and creative connection.
From there, the conversation turns inward, examining how a designer’s background and worldview shape their approach. Kristin shares how her early training in speech and language pathology sharpened her ability to read clients, recognize unspoken preferences, and interpret behavior—skills that now inform every project she takes on. That sensitivity, paired with her passion for antiques, results in spaces that feel layered, personal, and grounded in story rather than surface-level trends.
A central theme throughout the episode is redefining what “value” means in design. Josh and Kristin challenge the idea that good design is about price or status. Instead, they discuss how meaningful spaces come from clarity, intention, and thoughtful editing. The role of the designer, they explain, is often to simplify—helping clients focus on what truly matters and guiding them away from choices that don’t support how they actually live.
The conversation naturally moves into kitchens, where function and behavior intersect most clearly. From layout and stone selection to lighting and storage, Josh and Kristin explore how small decisions can dramatically affect daily life. They discuss the importance of planning for real habits rather than idealized ones, and how photographic trends often misrepresent how spaces are actually used. The evolution of kitchen design, they note, reflects broader changes in how homes function as multi-use environments.
The episode also touches on the business and sourcing side of design. Kristin shares insights into working with European antiques and the growing challenges presented by tariffs and shipping costs. Josh adds perspective on the potential return to small-scale, locally made craftsmanship, suggesting that the industry may be entering a period where quality, story, and intention carry more weight than volume or speed.
Throughout the conversation, one idea remains consistent: strong design is rooted in trust. Open communication, clear expectations, and honest dialogue between designer and client create better outcomes for everyone involved. When people feel heard and understood, the results are spaces that not only look good—but function beautifully over time. You are going to hear all about it, right after this.
Great design isn’t about excess or trends—it’s about intention, understanding, and care. When designers take the time to observe how people truly live and guide them through thoughtful decisions, the result is a space that feels authentic, functional, and deeply personal. This episode makes the case for slowing down, asking better questions, and designing with purpose at the center.
Late last year, I moderated an event hosted by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home with the goal of breaking down kitchen desires and needs of todays well informed and demanding design clients. You would think this is an easy conversation to have. I assembled an all star cast of design and architecture talent for an incredible conversation. One that you might want to save and re-listen every now and then.
Late last year, I moderated an event hosted by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home with the goal of breaking down kitchen desires and needs of todays well informed and demanding design clients. You would think this is an easy conversation to have. I assembled an all star cast of design and architecture talent for an incredible conversation. One that you might want to save and re-listen every now and then.
At Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home in Torrance, leading architects, designers, and industry specialists gathered to examine how pandemic-era shifts, rising client expectations, and rapid product innovation are reshaping the future of kitchens and baths. Their insights reveal an industry moving beyond trend talk toward highly personalized, wellness-driven, and performance-first design.
The kitchen is no longer just a workspace, and the primary bath is no longer just a retreat. Over the past five years, these rooms have become emotional anchors, wellness centers, hospitality zones, tech platforms, and reflections of how people believe they should live. At Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home in Torrance, a cross-section of the industry’s leading voices came together to discuss how the profession is adapting—and what clients now expect designers to deliver.
For Sayler Design Studio founder Beth Sayler (https://saylorstudio.com), the shift is rooted in emotion. After years of pandemic-related uncertainty, material shortages, and insurance-driven rebuilds, clients want spaces that feel personal, restorative, and meaningful. Her projects now lean into “experience design,” where primary suites might include refrigeration drawers, espresso stations, integrated audio, and hospitality-level details. Her biggest tool is expectation-setting—helping clients redefine what’s realistic, what’s essential, and what will ultimately make them feel at home again.
Architect Luis Escalera of LMD Architecture Studio (https://www.lmdarchitecturestudio.com) experiences the evolution through the lens of constraints. Small lots, stricter codes, and the ongoing battle between mandated electrification and client cooking preferences require tight onboarding, detailed questionnaires, and careful translation of desires to built form. The modern kitchen triangle now includes the deck, yard, and pool—one interconnected lifestyle zone that must function as a unified system.
For Jessica Nicastro Design (https://www.jessicanicastrodesign.com), the challenge is volatility. Pricing, tariffs, and supply chains remain inconsistent, making early builder involvement essential. Her firm works to recalibrate what clients think they want—often shaped by social media—into spaces appropriate to the home, lifestyle, and budget. Transparency and trust have become the designer’s most valuable currency.
At Laney LA (https://www.laney.la), designer Michelle Her sees a growing demand for wellness integration: whole-home RO systems, chromotherapy, therapeutic water pressure, and recovery spaces designed with the same rigor once reserved for kitchens. Their philosophy—“the best idea wins”—creates an environment where architecture, interiors, and engineering collaborate fluidly to support elevated living.
Representing the host venue, Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home (https://www.pacificsales.com) showcased the power of specialized knowledge. Trade leaders Verzine Hovasapyan and Juan Pantoja describe a client landscape with no single standard—making customization and education critical. Manufacturer immersion programs ensure staff can guide clients through increasingly complex appliances and smarter home ecosystems, offering a level of service no online retailer can match.
Designer Shanna Shryne of Shanna Shryne Design (https://www.shannashryne.com) emphasized lifestyle-first programming. Outdoor kitchens, in particular, require multi-disciplinary collaboration—interiors, landscape architecture, and systems integration—to achieve unified performance. Complexity, she argues, demands partnership rather than lone-wolf generalists.
Finally, RHG Architecture + Design founder Rachel Grachowski (https://www.rhgdesign.com) and Hudson Home Interior Design principal Shelly Hudson (https://www.hudsonhomeinteriors.com) highlighted biophilia, natural light, and personalized ergonomics as the next frontiers. From adjustable counter heights to dedicated recovery rooms, the home is becoming a hybrid of spa, laboratory, and living space.
Taken together, their perspectives reveal a profession not following trends but redefining standards—one kitchen, one bath, one wellness ecosystem at a time.
Design After Disruption: How We Live Now—and Why Process Matters More Than Ever
The pandemic didn’t just change where we work—it redefined how we live, gather, and experience our homes. In this episode, designers and industry experts explore how COVID accelerated shifts in lifestyle, technology, and client expectations, forcing a fundamental rethink of residential design. From wellness and personalization to process and trust, this conversation reveals why great design today begins long before materials are selected.
A wide-ranging conversation about how post-pandemic living reshaped residential design, why understanding behavior matters more than trends, and how slowing the process leads to better, more meaningful homes.
Today, we examine the profound shift in how people relate to their homes—and how designers have had to evolve in response. What began as a temporary adjustment during the pandemic became a lasting transformation: homes turned into offices, classrooms, social hubs, and sanctuaries, often all at once.
As a result, clients now arrive more informed, more opinionated, and more influenced by social media than ever before. But with that access comes confusion. The conversation explores how designers increasingly serve as educators and translators—helping clients filter inspiration, understand trade-offs, and make decisions rooted in how they actually live rather than how a space looks online.
The discussion moves beyond aesthetics into behavior: how families gather, how kitchens function, how storage works, and how subtle design decisions impact daily life. From kitchen planning and furniture layout to the psychology of comfort and the importance of workflow, the episode highlights why the smallest details often matter most.
A central theme emerges around process. Thoughtful design requires slowing down, asking better questions, and resisting the pressure for instant gratification. Whether it’s understanding how a family entertains, how they cook, or how they want to feel in their home, the best outcomes come from listening first—and designing second.
1. Life After COVID: A Permanent Shift
How the pandemic changed expectations around home design
The rise of multifunctional spaces
Why the home is now both personal and professional
2. Social Media’s Influence on Design Culture
The upside and downside of endless inspiration
Why clients arrive more informed—but often overwhelmed
Separating aspiration from practicality
3. Designing for Real Life
Understanding how people actually use their homes
Why square footage means nothing without function
Designing for habits, not hypotheticals
4. The Role of the Designer Has Changed
From decorator to strategist
Educating clients through experience and data
Acting as a guide through complex decisions
5. The Importance of the Kickoff Process
Why the first conversations matter most
Learning how clients live before proposing solutions
Creating clarity through dialogue, not questionnaires
6. Kitchens as Behavioral Maps
Storage, workflow, and daily rituals
Why drawers often matter more than appliances
Designing around how people actually cook and gather
7. Slowing the Process to Improve Outcomes
Resisting the urge for instant answers
Why design is both art and structured process
Helping clients avoid regret through thoughtful planning
8. Trust, Education & Long-Term Value
Helping clients understand what they don’t yet know
Using experience and precedent to guide decisions
Designing homes that evolve with the people in them
Great design isn’t about trends, finishes, or fast decisions—it’s about understanding people and tailoring functional design to their lifestyle. This episode reinforces a simple truth: when designers take the time to listen, observe, and educate, the result is not just a better-looking home, but one that truly supports the lives lived inside it.
Let me start with a disclaimer—this isn’t a political editorial. It’s a conversation about ideas. Lessons from business, design, culture, and philosophy that might help us grow—individually and collectively. And if you disagree, email me at ConvoByDesign@Outlook.com. I welcome the debate.
As this year closes, I’m feeling a mix of frustration and optimism. This moment feels chaotic—as does most of life lately—which is why I often end the show with, “rise above the chaos.” We can’t eliminate it, but we can manage what’s within our control. The Stoics told us that long ago: focus on what you can control, release what you can’t, act with virtue, and let obstacles sharpen resilience. This essay is about taking back even a small amount of control through the work we do and the spaces we shape.
The Problem with Trend-Driven Design
This year, phrases and hashtags flew faster than ever—Quiet Luxury, Brat Green, Fridgescaping, Millennial Grey. Much like the “big, beautiful bill” language we’ve all heard tossed around in political discourse, design’s buzzwords can distract from what actually matters. They generate attention, not meaning. They look good on social media, not necessarily in the lived experience of a home, workplace, or public square.
So instead of centering our design conversations around fleeting edits, let’s pivot toward the global innovations that are transforming the built world in ways that truly matter.
Across the globe, designers, architects, and researchers are developing ideas that transcend buzz. These are the concepts with longevity—the ones shaping smart, resilient, human-centered spaces:
Biophilic Design, rooted in the work of Edward O. Wilson, Erich Fromm, and Japanese shinrin-yoku, continues to reframe our relationship with nature.
Net-Zero Architecture, pioneered in Canada, Germany, and Australia, redefines building performance through projects like Seattle’s Bullitt Center and Colorado’s RMI Innovation Center.
Smart Homes and Invisible Tech, building on early Asian innovation, hiding circuitry and functionality behind seamless design powered by Apple, Google, and Amazon ecosystems.
Prefab and Modular Construction, originally exemplified by structures like the Crystal Palace and the Sydney Opera House, now reimagined by firms such as Plant Prefab.
Passive House Design, born in Germany but rapidly shaping U.S. projects in California, New York, and the Pacific Northwest.
And the list goes on:
Self-Healing Concrete by Hendrik Marius Jonkers
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi by Frank Gehry
Bët-bi Museum in Senegal by Mariam Issoufou
Powerhouse Parramatta in Australia
Pujiang Viewing Platform in China by MVRDV
Landscape and biophilic approaches—Wabi-Sabi gardening, edimental gardens, climate-adaptive landscapes, and indoor biophilia—are redefining how we engage with natural systems in daily life.
Even infrastructure has become a site of innovation:
CopenHill/Amager Bakke, Denmark’s waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope
Urban Sequoias by SOM—skyscrapers designed as carbon sinks
3D-printed timber in Germany, Finland, and France
This is the work that deserves our attention—not the color of the week on TikTok.
Rethinking the Shelter Space
For years I described architecture as a language, design as a dialect, and landscape as the narrative. Mies van der Rohe famously introduced the concept of architecture as language. It caught on, and then the bandwagon effect took over. But today, the metaphor feels insufficient—especially for the shelter space, where people spend their lives, raise families, work, heal, and age.
The shelter space isn’t like a retail store or restaurant, where design is often intended for those who pass through briefly while the people who labor there navigate the leftover space. The shelter space must serve those who inhabit it deeply and continuously. And that shifts the conversation.
Design begins with the usual questions—purpose, function, users, goals, budget. But these questions don’t define design. They only outline it. There is no universal purpose of architecture or design, no single philosophy, no singular “right” answer. The shelter space varies as widely as the people living within it.
So instead of treating architecture and design as technical processes, we should approach them philosophically.
A Philosophical Framework for Design
Stoicism offers clarity:
Accept that budget overruns and changes will occur. Respect the expertise of the designer you hired. Invest in authenticity rather than dupes. Create environments that support health—clean air, clean water, noise reduction, resilience.
Utilitarianism reminds us that choices have consequences. If the design decisions you make are based on influencer content instead of expertise, the result is no surprise.
And now, a new framework is emerging that could transform our shared spaces entirely.
Sensorial Urbanism: Designing the City We Actually Feel
One of the most compelling movements emerging globally is Sensorial Urbanism—a shift from focusing on how the city looks to how it feels. It’s neuroscience, phenomenology, and inclusive design rolled into a multi-sensory toolkit.
Five Key Sensory Principles
Soundscaping
Water features masking traffic. Acoustic pavilions. Designed sound gardens.
Paris’ Le Cylindre Sonore. Soundscape parks in Barcelona and Berlin.
Smellscaping
Native flowers, herbs, and aromatic trees restoring identity—especially critical after disasters like wildfires.
Kate McLean’s smellwalks map a city’s olfactory signature.
Tactile Design
Materials that invite touch and respond to temperature—stone, wood, water—connecting inhabitants to place.
Visual Quietness
Reducing signage and visual clutter, as seen in Drachten, Netherlands, creates calmer, more intuitive environments.
Multisensory Inclusivity
Design that accommodates neurodiversity, PTSD, aging, and accessibility through tactile paving, sound buffers, and scent markers.
Why It Matters
Because cities didn’t always feel this overwhelming.
Because design wasn’t always rushed.
Because quality of life shouldn’t be compromised for aesthetics.
Sensorial Urbanism reconnects us with spaces that are restorative, intuitive, and emotionally resonant. A city is not just a picture—it is an experience.
The Takeaway for 2026
Rising Above the Chaos: Lessons from 2025 for a Smarter 2026
HED (3-sentence summary):
As 2025 closes, the design and architecture world has experienced unprecedented chaos and rapid trend cycles. In this episode, Soundman reflects on lessons from business, culture, and global innovation, emphasizing resilience, purposeful design, and human-centered spaces. From Stoic philosophy to sensorial urbanism, this conversation offers guidance for navigating the next year with clarity and intentionality.
DEK (Expanded description):
Twenty twenty-five tested the design industry’s patience, creativity, and adaptability. In this reflective episode, we explore the pitfalls of trend-driven design, the enduring value of service, and the innovations shaping architecture globally — from net-zero buildings to multisensory urbanism. With examples ranging from TimberTech decking to Pacific Sales’ trade programs, we examine how designers can reclaim control, prioritize meaningful work, and create spaces that heal, inspire, and endure. A philosophical lens, practical insights, and actionable guidance make this a must-listen for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Outline of Show Topics:
Introduction & Context
Reflection on the chaotic year of 2025 in design and architecture.
Disclaimer: this is a philosophical conversation, not a political editorial.
Invitation for audience engagement via email.
Trends vs. Meaningful Design
Critique of buzzwords like “quiet luxury” and “millennial gray bookshelf wealth.”
Emphasis on global innovation over social media-driven trends.
The gap between American design influence and international innovation.
Global Innovations in Architecture & Design
Biophilic design and its philosophical roots.
Net-zero buildings: Bullitt Center (Seattle), RMI Innovation Center (Colorado).
Smart homes, modular construction, and passive house adoption in the U.S. vs. abroad.
Focus on Service & Professional Support
Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home: Pro Rewards program and exceptional service.
TimberTech: innovation in sustainable synthetic decking.
Importance of performance, durability, and client-focused solutions.
Philosophical Approach to Design
Architecture as experience, not just a visual language.
Stoicism, utilitarianism, and mindfulness applied to design.
Sensorial urbanism: engaging all five senses in public and private spaces.
Emerging Global Examples of Innovation
Self-healing concrete (Henrik Marius Junkers), Copenhill (Denmark).
Returning to performance, resilience, and quality of life.
Practical guidance for designers in all regions, including overlooked U.S. markets.
Closing Reflections & New Year Outlook
Encouragement to rise above chaos and focus on what can be controlled.
Goals for 2026: intentional, human-centered, and innovative design.
Call to action: share, subscribe, and engage with Convo by Design.
Sponsor Mentions & Callouts
Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home
TimberTech
Design Hardware
If you enjoyed this long-form essay, share it with a friend. Subscribe to Convo By Design, follow @convoxdesign on Instagram, and send your thoughts to ConvoByDesign@Outlook.com.
Thank you to TimberTech, The AZEK Company, Pacific Sales, Best Buy, and Design Hardware for supporting over 650 episodes and making Convo By Design the longest running podcast of it’s kind!
Architecture is evolving faster than ever, especially in healthcare, where design intersects with technology, patient experience, and operational efficiency. In this episode, principals Rebecca MacDonald and Kyle Basilius of Parkin Architects discuss the changing landscape of hospital design, from universal versus private healthcare systems to the integration of AI and robotics. Discover how architecture shapes outcomes for patients, families, and staff, while anticipating the healthcare challenges of tomorrow.
Join us for a deep dive into the world of healthcare architecture with Parkin Architects. Rebecca McDonald and Kyle Basilius share insights from decades of experience designing hospitals across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. From flexible master planning and lifespan considerations to advanced lighting, patient control systems, and automated logistics, they reveal how design can directly impact health, wellness, and operational efficiency. We explore how emerging technologies like AI, remote diagnostics, and robotics are beginning to influence design decisions and operational planning, creating safer, more adaptive, and human-focused healthcare environments.
Whether you’re interested in the philosophy of design, future-proofing healthcare infrastructure, or the intersection of technology and empathy, this conversation highlights the practical and visionary approaches shaping hospitals today.
Talking Points:
Introduction & Context
Host sets the stage: the evolution of architecture in healthcare, AI, and technology in shelter and commercial spaces.
Brief MIT course on AI and machine learning as inspiration for the discussion.
Guest Introductions
Rebecca McDonald: 12 years at Parkin Architects, focus on healthcare planning, personal motivation from family experiences in healthcare.
Kyle Basilius: Design and planning across the U.S., Denmark, and Canada; current principal overseeing cancer hospital design, philosophy of integrating empathy into architecture.
Healthcare Systems & Design Philosophy
Comparison: Single-payer/universal healthcare vs. two-payer U.S. system.
Operational implications: access, staff wellness, patient and family experience.
Budgeting and stewardship of public funds in large-scale projects.
Hospital Lifespan & Flexibility
Typical hospital lifecycle: 50 years; planning for technological and programmatic changes.
Importance of flexible core and shell design to accommodate renovations, evolving patient care, and technology integration.
Master planning: phased renewals, mixed-use inpatient and outpatient strategies.
Technology & AI in Healthcare Design
AI as a tool for operational efficiency and patient care improvement.
Automation: AGVs and AMRs for logistics and staff support.
Potential for remote surgeries, telemedicine, and hub-and-spoke care models.
Emergency Department Design
Throughput and triage-focused planning: neighborhood-style zones for low, high, and trauma acuity patients.
Mental health challenges and patient volume impacts on design.
Opportunities for tech integration to improve patient flow and staff experience.
Lighting & Environmental Control
LED and circadian lighting systems for patient comfort, sleep, and recovery.
Flexibility and control for staff and patients.
Integration with intuitive interfaces to improve operational workflow and care delivery.
Staff Wellbeing & Operational Efficiency
Reducing injury through thoughtful design and automation.
Leveraging AI and technology to improve staff retention and productivity.
Supporting patient-centered care while optimizing building operations.
The Future of Healthcare Architecture
Planning for technological advances, flexible programming, and patient-focused design.
Anticipating evolving care delivery models, population growth, and community needs.
Emphasis on human-centered design as the core of architectural innovation.
Closing Thoughts
Key takeaways: design is as much about the people using the space as it is about the physical structures.
The evolving role of technology and AI as supportive tools rather than replacements.
Thank you Rebecca, thank you Kyle and everyone at Parkin Architects for craft special places with purpose.
Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your podcasts. And continue the conversation on Instagram @convo x design with an “x”. Keep those emails coming with guest suggestions, show ideas and locations where you’d like to see the show. Convo by design at outlook.com.
Thank you to my partner sponsors, TimberTech, The AZEK Company, Pacific Sales, Best Buy, and Design Hardware for supporting the publication of over 650 episodes and over 3,000,000 streams, downloads and making Convo By Design the longest running podcast of its kind. These companies support the shelter industry so give them an opportunity on your next project. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, be well, stay focused and rise about the chaos. -CXD
From Halifax to the four Maritime provinces, Stil James founders share how timeless design, regional sensibilities, and entrepreneurial grit shape their work and new cabinetry brand, Loran. There’s a kind of quiet confidence in the design work coming out of Canada’s Maritime provinces—projects that don’t chase trends but instead reflect the rhythm of life shaped by weather, culture, and community. In this episode of Convo By Design, I’m talking with the founders of Stil James, a Halifax-based design studio that embodies this spirit of regional purpose. Their approach blends design restraint with deep practicality, and their new cabinetry brand, Loran, takes that philosophy even further.
In this episode, we explore how two designers are navigating generational shifts in lifestyle, climate challenges, and a conservative market while building a business rooted in curiosity, learning, and partnership. From kitchens and mudrooms to cabinetry and color palettes, they reveal what it means to design for both function and future in Atlantic Canada.
We talked about how the pandemic reshaped design thinking in the Maritimes—how open spaces replaced formal dining rooms, and how designers are reimagining older homes to suit how families actually live. The team at Stil James described the region’s unique relationship with design: working “ten to fifteen years behind the trends” not as a limitation, but as an advantage that allows for timelessness and reflection. They draw more inspiration from Europe than North America, taking cues from craftsmanship, heritage, and texture rather than fleeting style cycles.
Our conversation moved into climate resiliency—a constant design driver in Atlantic Canada, where homes must withstand everything from coastal winds to heavy snowfall. Mudrooms become essential transitional spaces, designed for the reality of shifting weather and active family life. Clients are increasingly focused on systems, materials, and sustainable practices that ensure their homes can adapt with the climate.
We also discussed how lifelong learning has become central to the Stil James ethos. They encourage their team to attend design shows, seek global perspectives through digital tools, and value soft skills—resilience, empathy, and curiosity—just as highly as formal training.
Then came Loran, their new cabinetry venture, born out of a clear market need for design-forward millwork in Halifax. Partnering with an Ontario-based manufacturer allows them to maintain quality and scale while keeping exclusivity within the Maritimes. Loren’s mission extends beyond their own design projects, serving other designers and homeowners seeking elevated cabinetry built with longevity in mind.
Show Topics
Shifts in design philosophy post-2020
Retrofitting Maritime homes for modern living
Working “behind the trends” as an advantage
Designing for climate resiliency and functional living
Building a culture of curiosity and continuous learning
Launching Loren: a cabinetry company for the Maritimes
Rejecting color trend cycles for timeless design
Entrepreneurship, partnership, and the business of expansion
The dynamics of collaboration and shared creative leadership
We closed with a conversation about color and timelessness—how they resist seasonal trend reports and instead design for relevance over the next decade or more. They balance enduring finishes with accents that allow for evolution and personal expression.
Entrepreneurship runs deep in their story, both having grown up in business-minded families. Their partnership was forged during the pandemic, when shared values and complementary strengths—operations and development—created a foundation of trust that continues to shape their design practice and the growing Loren brand.
This conversation is about more than design. It’s about purpose, perseverance, and how regional context can inspire innovation rather than restrict it. And that is coming up, right after this.
Thank you, Natalie and Victoria for taking the time to speak with me and sharing for sharing your insight.
Thank you for listening. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend or colleague who loves design and architecture like you do, subscribe to Convo By Design wherever you get your podcasts. And continue the conversation on Instagram @convo x design with an “x”. Keep those emails coming with guest suggestions, show ideas and locations where you’d like to see the show. Convo by design at outlook.com.
Thank you to my partner sponsors, TimberTech, The AZEK Company, Pacific Sales, Best Buy, LOME-AI and Design Hardware for supporting the publication of over 650 episodes and over 3,000,000 streams, downloads and making Convo By Design the longest running podcast of its kind. These companies support the shelter industry so give them an opportunity on your next project. Thanks again for listening. Until next time, be well, stay focused and rise about the chaos. -CXD
California native Sue Firestone reflects on five decades of creativity, resilience, and reinvention—from Malibu’s fires to Montecito’s rebirth, from model homes to hospitality design, and from Disney resorts to her namesake product lines.SFA Design founder Sue Firestone to explore how her lifelong relationship with nature, her passion for authenticity, and her intuitive approach to design continue to shape California’s aesthetic identity. From building one of the largest model home merchandising firms in the country to collaborating with Disney and launching her own collections, Firestone shares how creative intuition, empathy, and mentorship have guided her through the shifting tides of design and business.
The Convo By Design Icon Registry is presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy company. Pacific Sales is comprised of long time professionals who love design and architecture as much as you do. Which is why it is so fitting that they present this recognition of some of the worlds greatest design talent every month here on Convo By Design. You are going to hear all about hit, right after this.
Show Topics:
Origins of a Designer: Growing up in Malibu, studying pottery, and finding her way into interior design.
California’s Resilient Spirit: Reflections on natural disasters, community recovery, and the role of design in rebuilding.
Design as a Learned Craft: Why intuition helps, but practice, empathy, and listening are key to mastering the art.
From Model Homes to Hospitality: Building a design empire through flexibility, storytelling, and collaboration.
Inside the Disney Experience: Working under Michael Eisner, defining narrative-driven environments, and lessons in leadership.
Letting Go of Control: How to scale creativity—mentoring, trusting teams, and avoiding micromanagement.
The California Look: Organic, sustainable, and casual-luxury living as an enduring influence.
Product Design & Legacy: Transitioning from client work to her own branded lines with Kravet and A. Rudin.
Business of Design: How retail and social media shifted client behavior—and why great design still requires professionals.
The Next Generation: Why designers must remain storytellers, environmentalists, and lifelong learners.
This wraps up another episode of the Convo By Design Icon Registry. A celebration and recognition of a true master in the art of design and the mastery of all that encompasses in the pursuit of making better the lives of those they serve. And, giving back along the way. Thank you, Sue..
Thanks for listening to Convo By Design. Thank you to my partner sponsors, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home for presenting the Convo By Design Icon Registry and Convo By Design partner sponsors, TimberTech and Design Hardware. And thank you for taking the time to listen. I couldn’t do this without you, wouldn’t want to. I hope this show helps you stay motivated, inspired and focused so you can rise above the chaos. -CXD
