Category Archives: Interview

WestEdge Wednesday Part Eight | 648 | Enduring Modernism: A Retrospective with Marmol Radziner

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The Accidental Empire: Marmol Radziner on Preservation, Prefab, and Fighting the Tyranny of the Nimby. Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner discuss the 36-year evolution of their design-build firm, tracing its roots in a student co-op to becoming a leader in modern residential architecture, restoration, and the urgent need for sustainable urban density in Los Angeles.

The conversation features Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner, co-founders of Marmol Radziner, detailing the firm’s history, their design philosophy, and their views on the current state of preservation and sustainability in LA.

  • Origin Story and The Return to Modernism:
    • The co-founders met as students at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, living in “The Ark,” a condemned co-op. This environment of free rein to alter the building foreshadowed their later design-build approach.
    • They founded their firm in 1989 during the “dying days of postmodernism,” quickly committing to the modernist ideal of clarity, reduction, and the connection between design and craft (Bauhaus).
    • They attribute the firm’s early success to aligning with the eventual return to California modernism, driven by its rich history in the region.
  • Milestone Projects and Preservation:
    • The first major flag-planting project was the Gutentag Studio (a small, pure concrete block and cedar studio), followed by the new Ward Residence.
    • Their watershed moment in preservation was the Kaufmann House restoration (1993) in Palm Springs. At the time, there was virtually no industry for modern restoration, forcing the firm to develop the roadmap for approaching these aging buildings.
    • They view restorations as “classrooms” that inform their new work, maintaining a healthy split of one-third restoration and two-thirds new construction.
  • Preservation Today: The Fetish vs. Functionality:
    • Marmol and Radziner argue they are often at odds with the preservation community because they believe historic properties must evolve to remain functional and relevant, cautioning against a “fetish” that prevents necessary change.
    • They criticize the current situation where every modern building is deemed “sacred,” citing the contentious, successful fight to demolish the Barry Building on San Vicente as an example of overreach where the building’s significance did not rise to the level requiring preservation.
  • The Problem of Scale (“McModerns”) and Efficiency:
    • They express concern over the proliferation of “McModerns” and elephantine houses, driven by high property values and the pressure to “max out the buildable area” on a site.
    • They emphasize that their modern perspective is less about style and more about the fundamental importance of connection—internal open plans and connecting the home to the landscape and exterior rhythm of nature (a concept that is lost when properties are overbuilt).
  • Sustainability and the Nimby Problem:
    • While California leads the country in robust, fire-resilient, and energy-efficient building codes (which have been a success), they gave the state’s housing policy an “F.”
    • Leo Marmol asserted that the greenest thing the city can do is densify and allow more housing in the urban core, calling out the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) mentality as the primary political failure that forces sprawl and long commutes.
  • The Return to Prefabrication (Prefab 2.0):
    • Marmol Radziner initially experimented with prefab from 2004–2012 but stopped after the 2008 crash.
    • They are now returning to prefabrication—Prefab 2.0—as a response to the current “crisis of construction costs” and the need for quick, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions, particularly for fire rebuilds in Altadena and the Palisades.
  • Design-Build Practice Scale:
    • The firm combines Architecture, Construction Services (design-build), Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design under one roof.
    • They support their construction services with their own dedicated cabinet shop and metal shop in El Segundo, allowing for control over craft and execution.
  • Fire Resilience and Landscape:
    • The fires are affecting landscape rules, particularly regarding Zone Zero (the 0–5 feet immediately surrounding the building). They argue against the extreme position of “no planting” in Zone Zero, believing the right, well-irrigated planting can help against embers, which they identify as the biggest culprit in mass fires, more so than direct flame.
    • Home hardening (sealing every vulnerability) is considered the single most important factor, with modern energy codes being an accidental but highly effective form of fire hardening.

CEDIA Expo & CIX – The Ride Along: Part Four | 647 | Jason McGraw, Dale Sandberg & Jim Garrett

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This week on the show, you’re going to ride along with me from the incredibly comfortable and stylish VW ID.Buzz, which served as the mobile podcast studio at CEDIA Expo / CIX this September in Denver, Colorado. Were going back for more conversations from the show.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) is the global trade association for home technology professionals, specializing in smart home, automation, audio-visual, networking, and integrated systems. Its mission is to advance the home technology industry through education, certification, advocacy, and networking. Members include integrators, designers, manufacturers, and consultants who shape the connected environments we live and work in.


CEDIA Expo is the industry’s largest annual event for residential technology professionals. With hundreds of exhibitors, educational sessions, live demos, and global networking opportunities, it’s where new ideas and innovations in smart home and AV integration take center stage.

The Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX), co-located with CEDIA Expo, focuses on commercial integration technologies—from conferencing and IT infrastructure to building automation and emerging AV solutions—bringing together commercial integrators, IT pros, designers, and tech managers.

Jason McGraw | Group VP and Show Director, CEDIA Expo / CIX

  • Scope of the Show: McGraw details the scale of CEDIA Expo 2025, featuring over 350 exhibitors and immersive demo rooms that showcase integrated audio, video, and control systems.
  • Integration Meets Design: Discussion centers on the critical partnership between integrators and the design-build community (interior designers, architects, builders). McGraw emphasizes that technology—ranging from AI and energy management to lighting—must be a foundational element of the design process, not an afterthought.
  • The Business Case: Designers are encouraged to view integrators as essential trade partners, similar to electricians or plumbers, to better service clients and protect home networks.

Dale Sandberg | Product Manager for Electronics, Sonance

  • Aesthetic Performance: Sandberg discusses Sonance’s philosophy that sound should support the design of a space rather than dominate it. The focus is on blending high-fidelity performance with discreet aesthetics.
  • New Innovations: Highlights include the compact UA Series amplifiers designed to fit behind displays or in tight spaces, and the integration of professional-grade Blaze Audio amplifiers into the Sonance family.
  • Outdoor Living: The conversation covers the growing trend of outdoor entertainment, where amplifiers and speakers are used to create immersive environments in backyards and outdoor kitchens.

Jim Garrett | Senior Director of Product Strategy, Harman Luxury Audio Group

  • Hidden Technology: Garrett addresses the challenge of eliminating “wall acne” through invisible speakers and design-integrated solutions that do not compromise acoustic performance.
  • Pandemic Influence: The discussion explores how the pandemic shifted focus toward outdoor living and unconventional entertainment spaces, including garages and multi-generational gaming setups.
  • Brand Portfolio: Insights into the product strategies for Harman’s luxury brands—JBL, Revel, Mark Levinson, and JBL Synthesis—and the importance of gathering direct feedback from integrators to drive R&D.

Links & Resources

Show Topics & Outline

  • CEDIA Expo 2025 Snapshot
    • Denver, Colorado Convention Center
    • 350+ exhibiting brands, 100+ conference sessions, 115 manufacturer trainings
    • Demo rooms showcasing integrated audio, video, and control systems
  • The Wave Effect of Trade Shows
    • Innovation as unseen currents shaping the industry
    • Ideas incubated at CEDIA spreading across markets and returning as trends
  • Integration Meets Design
    • Town hall insights with CEDIA’s Daryl Friedman & NKBA’s Bill Darcy
    • Bridging integrators with interior designers, kitchen & bath professionals, and architects
    • Untapped opportunities in collaborative smart home projects
  • Technology as a Design Driver
    • AI, energy management, lighting trends, and seamless AV systems
    • Why technology must be discussed at the start of design projects
    • Case studies: motorized shades, outdoor AV, invisible speakers, custom veneers
  • Outdoor Living & Luxury Spaces
    • Kitchens and backyards as multi-hundred-thousand-dollar investments
    • Expanding living spaces through technology
    • Luxury demo rooms and high-performance home theaters
  • Why Designers Should Be Here
    • Missing out on competitive advantages without CEDIA exposure
    • Seeing products in person vs. static web images
    • Real examples of design-centric AV solutions and invisible tech
  • The Business Case
    • Designers need integrators just as they need electricians, plumbers, and fabricators
    • Protecting networks and ensuring cybersecurity in the home
    • Service and maintenance as part of the client experience
  • Looking Forward
    • Progress and serendipity at trade shows
    • Extending collaboration with KBIS and IBS (Orlando, 2026)
    • Building lasting bridges between integrators and designers

Links & Resources

  • CEDIA Expo
  • Commercial Integrator Expo
  • NKBA – National Kitchen & Bath Association
  • KBIS – Kitchen & Bath Industry Show

Dale Sandberg on Sonance, New Electronics, and Designing for Sonic + Aesthetic Experience

Dale Sandberg, new Product Manager for Electronics at Sonance, shares how the company is blending high-fidelity performance with discreet design solutions, introducing amplifiers and loudspeakers that elevate both sonic and aesthetic experiences in residential and commercial spaces.

At his first CEDIA Expo, Dale highlights Sonance’s latest innovations, from compact UA Series amplifiers designed to disappear behind displays to Blaze Audio’s professional-grade amplifiers now integrated into the Sonance family. With a philosophy that sound should enhance the design of a space rather than dominate it, Sonance is shaping how integrators and designers deliver immersive, comfortable experiences both indoors and out.

  • Guest: Dale Sandberg, Product Manager for Electronics, Sonance.
  • Background: from pro audio to Sonance, less than one year with the company.
  • Context: first CEDIA Expo experience, excitement about Sonance’s direction.

New Product Highlights

  • Loudspeakers
    • High Output Series (professional side).
    • Wedge speaker for outdoor/architectural blending.
    • Re-engineered Power Pipe subwoofers for stronger low-end performance.
  • UA Series Amplifiers
    • Compact two-channel models (UA-125, ARC-enabled versions).
    • Mountable behind TVs, under tables, or in tight spaces.
    • Features T-slots for stacking/mounting other gear.
    • Energy-efficient design with minimal heat output.
  • Blaze Audio Amplifiers
    • Sonance acquisition of Blaze Audio brand (Pascal, Denmark).
    • Range from 60W per channel up to 400W bridged.
    • Full DSP capability, rack-mountable, UL-rated.
    • Outdoor applications via weather-rated cases.

Design & Integration Perspective

  • Compact electronics give designers freedom to hide gear while maintaining performance.
  • Balancing performance and aesthetics: sound follows the design, not the other way around.
  • Example: background music at parties that fills space without overwhelming conversation.
  • Outdoor living trend: amplifiers and speakers enabling outdoor kitchens, theaters, and entertainment spaces.

Company Ethos & Philosophy

  • Mission: deliver complete audio solutions—amplification, processing, and speakers.
  • Philosophy: the sonic experience should support the aesthetic experience of a home or space.
  • Growth vision: expand residential dominance while building commercial presence.
  • Takeaway: not just about volume—it’s about creating the right experience.

Jim Garrett | Harman Luxury Audio

Jim Garrett on Harman’s Audio Innovations, Hidden Tech, and Pandemic-Inspired Entertainment

Jim Garrett, Senior Director of Product Strategy and Planning at Harman Luxury Audio Group, shares how the company balances high-performance audio with design aesthetics, explores emerging opportunities in outdoor and unconventional home entertainment, and highlights why integrator feedback is vital to shaping future products.

From invisible speakers to immersive home cinema solutions, Jim Garrett takes listeners behind the scenes of Harman’s engineering and R&D process, discussing product development for brands like JBL, Revel, Synthesis, and Mark Levinson. He explains how the pandemic inspired new entertainment spaces, how technology can be seamlessly integrated into interiors, and why CEDIA Expo remains an essential hub for innovation, collaboration, and awareness in the custom electronics industry.

  • Guest: Jim Garrett, Senior Director of Product Strategy & Planning, Harman Luxury Audio Group.
  • Role: Oversees product roadmap, development direction, and exhibition strategy.
  • Context: Recorded in Volkswagen ID.Buzz at CEDIA Expo 2025.

CEDIA Expo 2025 Overview

  • Largest booth shared with parent company Samsung.
  • Opportunity to engage integrators directly and gather actionable feedback.
  • Importance of listening to installation professionals to improve products.

Product Strategy and Brand Focus

  • Harman Luxury Audio Group brands: JBL, JBL Synthesis, Revel, Mark Levinson.
  • Focus at Expo: JBL Synthesis for home cinema and immersive audio.
  • Solutions include invisible speakers, wall/ceiling installations, and custom home audio products.

Balancing Performance and Aesthetics

  • Challenge: high-performance products that are visually unobtrusive.
  • Goal: eliminate “wall acne” with invisible or design-integrated speakers.
  • Inspiration drawn from evolution in lighting design to minimize visual clutter.

Engineering and R&D

  • Harman’s science-based approach: performance must meet visual and acoustic demands.
  • Innovation includes weatherproof outdoor speakers and displays for bright sunlight.
  • Teams challenged to create high-fidelity systems that integrate seamlessly into homes.

Expanding Entertainment Spaces

  • Pandemic influence: growth of outdoor living and unconventional entertainment areas.
  • Multi-generational engagement: home theaters, garages, patios, bathrooms, and gaming setups.
  • Flexibility of audio/video systems allows new experiences across the home.

Integration and Awareness

  • Educating interior designers, architects, and end users about hidden tech.
  • Raising awareness of capabilities beyond audio: lighting, shades, HVAC, security integration.
  • Emphasis on simplifying life at home while elevating performance and experience.

KBIS Series Part One | Beyond the Price Tag: Defining Luxury in Appliances & Design

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Luxury can be expensive, but it can also be subtle, practical, or deeply personal. Sometimes it’s about choice, sometimes restraint, sometimes the way a space or product simply works better for you. Through thoughtful discussion, the episode examines how luxury shows up in appliances and design—through performance, comfort, longevity, and everyday ease—and why it resonates differently for everyone over time

This nuanced conversation explores the evolving meaning of luxury through multiple industry perspectives, featuring Devoree Axelrod, General Manager at AJ Madison, alongside industry expert Jill Cohen, Editor-in-Chief, Luxe Interiors + Design.

KBIS Podcast Studio Resources:

KBIS

AJ Madison

NKBA

LUXE Interiors + Design

SubZero, Wolf & Cove

SKS | Signature Kitchen Suite

Hearth & Home Technologies

Kitchen365

Green Forrest Cabinetry

Midea

Luxury Isn’t a Price Point. It’s a Performance Standard.

At the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show 2026, leaders from AJ Madison and Luxe Interiors + Design reframing luxury as durability, intentionality, and the ability of design to support how people actually live.

The word “luxury” has become one of the most overused—and least defined—terms in the design industry. At KBIS 2026, a live conversation featuring Devoree Axelrod, General Manager of AJ Madison, and Jill Cohen, Editor in Chief of Luxe Interiors + Design, set out to recalibrate its meaning. What emerged was less about price and more about performance, longevity, and intent.

For decades, luxury was shorthand for premium brands, higher costs, and visual distinction. Today, that definition is insufficient. The modern homeowner isn’t simply buying a product; they’re investing in how their home supports their routines, relationships, and future. Luxury, in this context, becomes the elimination of friction. It’s the appliance that performs reliably every day. It’s the kitchen designed around how a family actually cooks and gathers. It’s the confidence that decisions made today will still make sense twenty years from now.

Cohen shared findings from Luxe’s upcoming national survey of 1,000 leading architects, designers, and builders, confirming that the kitchen remains the single most important area of homeowner investment. More significantly, appliances are often the first and most consequential decisions made in the design process. They establish the spatial, technical, and functional framework around which everything else follows.

Axelrod reinforced this from her vantage point inside one of the country’s largest appliance retailers. Appliance selection determines infrastructure—electrical loads, ventilation, plumbing, and spatial relationships—making it foundational rather than decorative. When clients prioritize performance and usability first, the rest of the design aligns more effectively, both functionally and financially.

The conversation also addressed the persistent myth of the fixed budget. In reality, budgets are fluid, shaped as much by emotion as by arithmetic. Homeowners may begin with a number in mind, but that number evolves as priorities clarify. The role of the designer and appliance advisor becomes essential: helping clients distinguish between what serves their lives and what merely satisfies aspiration.

This shift is evident in how kitchens are expanding beyond their traditional boundaries. Secondary prep kitchens, beverage stations, outdoor kitchens, coffee bars, and integrated refrigeration throughout the home reflect a broader redefinition of convenience. These are not excesses for their own sake; they are extensions of daily life, driven by multigenerational living, remote work, and a deeper integration between hospitality and residential design.

Perhaps most telling was the reframing of luxury itself. Neither Axelrod nor Cohen defined it by brand name. Instead, luxury was described as ease, time, and permanence. It is waking up and having what you need within reach. It is durability that eliminates the need for replacement. It is thoughtful planning that prevents regret.

In this light, luxury is not what something costs. It is what something enables.

And increasingly, what it enables is a home that works—quietly, reliably, and seamlessly—in service of the people who live there.

Luxury is the measurable outcome of thoughtful design—where performance, longevity, and relevance align to support the way people actually live.

  • Luxury is the removal of friction from daily life.
  • Luxury is durability aligned with intent.
  • Luxury is design that continues to perform long after the purchase is forgotten.
  • Luxury is confidence—in function, longevity, and fit.
  • Luxury is not what you spend. It’s what you never have to rethink.

The Kitchen as the Primary Investment

  • The kitchen remains the #1 homeowner investment nationwide.
  • Homeowners are willing to exceed budget in the kitchen more than any other space.
  • The kitchen is the most public and social room in the home.
  • It represents identity: “I’m a cook,” “I entertain,” “I host.”
  • Food equals memory; appliances enable those memories.

Appliance-First Design Strategy

  • Appliances determine electrical, ventilation, plumbing, and layout requirements.
  • Major appliance decisions must precede cabinetry and finish selections.
  • Early appliance specification prevents costly redesigns.
  • Designers increasingly plan around cooking infrastructure first.
  • Professional appliance advisors play a key role in product education and innovation updates.

Budget Realities & Psychology

  • Budgets are rarely fixed; they are often unstated or misunderstood.
  • Clients frequently establish budgets before fully understanding what they want.
  • Designers must define the intersection of “want” and “need.”
  • Stretching budget in the kitchen feels justified because it is essential.
  • Strategic trade-offs are common (invest in cooking, scale back secondary items).
  • Transparency and cost clarity are critical in today’s climate.
  • Surprises—especially tariff or pricing shocks—undermine trust.
  • Professional designers protect clients from unrealistic expectations and long-term regret.

The Expanding Kitchen Ecosystem

  • Kitchens are no longer singular spaces—they expand throughout the home.
  • Secondary kitchens (sculleries, prep kitchens, butler’s pantries) are rising.
  • Beverage centers, bars, and wine storage are increasingly common.
  • Coffee stations and en-suite kitchenettes are viewed as lifestyle enhancements.
  • Outdoor kitchens are now expected in many markets.
  • Refrigeration appears in bathrooms (skincare), offices, and guest suites.
  • Multigenerational living drives multi-kitchen design.
  • Post-COVID entertaining shifted bar culture into the home.

Lifestyle-Driven Design Trends

  • Hospitality influences residential expectations.
  • Convenience and personalization outweigh pure status signaling.
  • Aging in place is shaping appliance planning (drawer refrigeration, wall ovens).
  • Durability is increasingly valued over trend-based aesthetics.
  • Remote work drives integrated kitchenettes and beverage access in home offices.
  • Multiple laundry setups reflect modern household logistics.

Status vs. Practicality

  • Status still influences resale-driven decisions in some cases.
  • However, emotional connection tends to be with category (cooking, entertaining) rather than brand alone.
  • Longevity and service reliability often justify premium selections.
  • Magazine-driven or editorial glamour exists—but practical function ultimately wins.

Role of the Professional Designer

  • Designers provide budget discipline and scope management.
  • They help clients make decisions faster, reducing cost creep.
  • They balance aspiration with feasibility.
  • Professional oversight protects long-term value.
  • Design is positioned not as a privilege, but as a necessity.

Market & Cultural Influences

  • COVID permanently shifted how homes are used.
  • Entertaining moved inward; bar and pizza oven sales spiked.
  • Multigenerational living increased spatial complexity.
  • Social media informs but can distort expectations.
  • Consumers increasingly research via reviews and digital channels.
  • Clients are more cautious amid economic and tariff uncertainty.

Guiding Principle

  • “Proper planning prevents poor performance.”
  • Early, honest, and intentional planning reduces regret.
  • Design is both a desire business and a service industry.
  • The goal is not excess—it is alignment between space and life.

CXD Icon Registry February 2026 | 646 | Christine Anderson – In Memoriam

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The chill is still in the air as winter prepares to give way to spring. That time of year, depending on where in the world you happen to be, nature is beginning to remind us about the magic of renewal in small but familiar ways. We are reminded that the more things change, renewal is possible. Today’s Icon Registry episode celebrates our newest inductee, and those who have listened to the show for a while know her, and even though she left this world a few years ago, her spirit endures.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Christine Anderson was a SoCal based publicist with a dedication to her clients, friends and colleagues rarely seen anymore. I had the opportunity to work with Christine on many occasions and she hosted the show more than any other guest show. You might even recall her hosting the ICON Registry episode featuring Woodson & Rummerfield. 

This is Christine’s well deserved induction into the registry. What you are about to hear is Christine’s conversation with Dora Epstein Jones Dr. Dora Epstein Jones is a prominent architectural theorist, educator, and administrator known for her rigorous interrogation of the discipline’s boundaries. She is currently a Professor of Practice at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, having joined the faculty in Fall 2023.

The Convo By Design Icon Registry is presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home, a Best Buy company and avid supporters of the design community. They help designers become the very best version of their professional selves through advocacy, educational opportunities and professional support. 

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 Christine for your many years of friendship, partnership and collaboration, you are truly missed. 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, Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home,TimberTech & Shelter Republic. 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

Building for the Next Century: Resilience, The Net Zero Trailer, and “Green Shoots” of Sustainable Architecture | 644 | Susan Heinking from Pepper Construction

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Architecture education is often romanticized as a pursuit of pure creativity, but in reality, it serves as a masterclass in grit. The studio environment, characterized by sleepless nights and public critiques, builds a specific kind of resilience necessary for navigating a risk-averse industry. While sectors like lighting have undergone rapid technological revolutions—moving from incandescent to LED in a decade—commercial construction moves at the speed of a massive vessel, slowed by liability concerns and ingrained methods.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

This hesitation, however, is slowly giving way to data-driven sustainability. The industry has shifted from making purely economic arguments for energy efficiency to focusing on human health and wellness, a transition accelerated by the pandemic. Tools like the Healthy Materials Database now allow teams to bypass greenwashing, using empirical data to guide tradespeople who might otherwise resist new specifications. By framing material changes as collaborative problem-solving rather than top-down mandates, the industry can bridge the gap between high-concept design and practical application.

Nowhere is this practical application more evident than in the “Net Zero Trailer” project. Born from a desire to improve job site dignity and efficiency, this ten-week experiment successfully merged Passive House standards with trailer manufacturing. It proved that construction environments do not have to be uncomfortable energy hogs; they can be solar-powered hubs of productivity. This experiment serves as a microcosm for the industry’s broader challenge: how to scale innovation. Whether adapting to the massive energy demands of data centers or designing schools with a 100-year operational lifespan, the future of building requires looking beyond current codes. It demands a “green shoots” mentality where structures are designed not just for immediate occupancy, but for climate resilience and flexibility across generations.

  • The Hedgehog Concept: A framework from the book Good to Great focusing on the intersection of passion, talent, and economic engines.
  • USGBC & Healthy Materials: Susan discusses her work with the U.S. Green Building Council and managing a database of over 2,500 sustainable building products.
  • The Net Zero Trailer: Pepper Construction’s experiment to create a solar-powered, Passive House-standard job site trailer in under 10 weeks.
  • Trade Education & AGC: How general contractors are collaborating to educate tradespeople on green building methods and carbon tracking.
  • Climate Risk & 100-Year Buildings: The shift toward designing K-12 schools and community structures to withstand climate changes and serve communities for a century or more.

Thanks for listening to Convo By Design, 13 years, over 700 episodes and 3 million downloads and listens to the show!

WestEdge Wednesday Part Six | 643 | Rebuilding LA: Resilience, Innovation and Design for the Future

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The Phoenix Effect: Designers and Architects Lead the Innovative Rebuild of Fire-Impacted LA. An impassioned panel featuring William Hefner, Jamie Rummerfield, and Gwen Sukeena discusses architectural preservation, fire-resilient design, and community-driven efforts to shape a more thoughtful, resilient Los Angeles in the wake of the devastating wildfires.

The panel, moderated by Kelly Phillips Badal (Los Angeles Editor for Luxe Interiors and Design), focused on the challenges and innovative opportunities arising from the need to rebuild communities—specifically Altadena and the Palisades—after the recent devastating wildfires. The core themes were architectural preservation, fire-resilient building, and community collaboration.

  • The Power of Preservation and Moving Homes (Gwen Sukeena):
    • Interior designer Gwen Sukeena shared her deeply personal and compelling story of losing her own Altadena home to the fire and, determined to avoid building a “soulless” new structure, decided to save and move a 1910 Craftsman bungalow marked for demolition.
    • The process was grueling, taking less than three months and costing approximately $400,000 (including move, deconstruction, and foundation work), saving about one-third of the cost of a new build.
    • A significant finding revealed the house was originally built by the Milwaukee Building Company (later Meyer and Holler), known for iconic LA structures like Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Egyptian Theater.
    • Regulatory Advantage: Moving a pre-existing home allows it to be considered a remodel, exempting it from current Title 24 energy codes, which saves costs but requires creative fireproofing solutions (e.g., underneath shingles).
  • Architectural Legacy and Community-Driven Guides (Jamie Rummerfield):
    • Designer Jamie Rummerfield, co-founder of Save Iconic Architecture (SIA), detailed the initial community response and the need to combat “soulless box” tract homes during the speedy rebuild phase.
    • In collaboration with the Design Leadership Network (DLN), SIA created a pattern language book called the Golden California Pattern Book.
    • This field guide documents and celebrates the distinct eras that shaped Southern California living (Spanish Revival, Colonial Revival, California Modern, Cali Card), serving as a free resource for the public to understand and reference authentic regional design.
    • The initiative launched recently at a town hall and is available online as The New California Classics.
  • Fire Resilience and Replicating Character (William Hefner):
    • Architect William Hefner (Studio William Hefner), a fifth-generation Californian, emphasized the goal of building fire-resilient structures that still maintain the character clients lost.
    • His firm contributed plans to Case Study 2.0, focusing on variety, constructability, and designing for fire resistance using modern materials.
    • Solutions involve deep dives into materiality, such as using fiberglass-reinforced concrete that mimics subtle wood texture without serving as kindling, and designing eaves that do not trap embers.
    • He detailed a client who, after losing their 20-year-old California Italian Mediterranean Revival house, insisted on rebuilding it exactly as it was, underscoring how architecture is key to identity and emotional recovery.
  • Concerns and Future Outlook:
    • Panelists expressed concern about the upcoming explosion of building activity leading to opportunism (“land grabs,” unchecked development) and a lack of mindfulness regarding neighborhood character and streetscapes.
    • The creative community’s response has been impressive, with architects and designers creating resources like the Foothill Catalog (in Altadena) and the New California Classics to provide high-quality, approachable options for rebuilding.

WestEdge Wednesday Part Four | 639 | Designing for Disaster: Intelligent Design for a Resilient Southern California

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Rebuilding After the Fire: How Designers, Architects & Community Leaders Are Reimagining Livability in Southern California A panel of architects, designers, sustainability experts, and community advocates explore what the 2025 Palisades and Altadena fires taught us about resilience, materiality, community loss, rebuilding timelines, economic displacement, and the future of Southern California living. Moderated by Adam Hunter.

The 2025 Palisades and Altadena fires delivered a historic and deeply personal shock to Southern California communities, reshaping not only homes but expectations for safety, materiality, and resilience. In this WestEdge Wednesday conversation moderated by Adam Hunter, the panel digs into both the physical and emotional layers of rebuilding.

Architect Richard Manion contextualizes the fires as a “perfect storm”—a wind-driven event functioning like a flamethrower—requiring a more holistic approach to resilient construction. Sarah Malek Barney highlights the risks of long-standing industry shortcuts in material selection and emphasizes the renewed value of fire-resistant, performance-proven products. Marcella Oliver outlines actionable guidance from USGBC California and the Net Zero Accelerator, underscoring vetted building strategies and digital-twin modeling as essential tools for community education.

Stacy Munich brings forward the human consequences: underinsurance, temporary housing, and the emotional weight of rebuilding while navigating uncertainty. She explores prefab/precision-built housing as a potential solution for families priced out of traditional custom rebuilding. Todd Paolillo expands on the challenge of unifying a large number of well-intentioned contributors across agencies, nonprofits, and design sectors—and why true leadership must emerge to align them.

Throughout the discussion, key themes emerge:

  • Holistic resilience (materials, landscape, climate risk, embers, structural vulnerabilities)
  • Community cohesion vs. community erosion
  • Education gaps for homeowners suddenly forced into complex architectural decisions
  • Economic realities shaping who can return and who is pushed out
  • Long rebuilding timelines and the risk of “enthusiasm fatigue,” as Adam Hunter notes
  • Avoiding both prefab monotony and hyper-luxury displacement in the Alphabet Streets

The panel collectively reinforces a core message: rebuilding isn’t simply architecture—it’s long-term community-making. And it requires every discipline to show up.

PARTICIPANTS & WEB LINKS

(Links provided to official homepages or primary professional sites)

Adam Hunter — Moderator
https://adamhunterinc.com

Richard Manion, Architect

Architecture for the 21st Century

Sarah Malek Barney – Band Design
https://www.bandd.com

Stacy Munich – Stacy Munich Interiors
https://www.stacymunichinteriors.com

Todd Paolillo – CCA Design Group
https://www.ccadesigngroup.com

Marcella Oliver – USGBC California
https://www.usgbc.org
(Net Zero Accelerator) https://netzeroaccelerator.org

I. Opening Context

  • Adam Hunter describes his own displacement in the Palisades fires
  • Acknowledgment of community members who lost homes and businesses

II. Materiality & Rebuilding After Fire

  • Shortcut culture in residential construction (Sarah)
  • Fire-resistant materials, embers, and construction techniques (Richard)
  • The “flamethrower” dynamic of the 2025 event

III. Community-Scale Impacts

  • Rebuilding as a multi-block, multi-stakeholder challenge (Marcella)
  • Community cohesion among displaced residents (Stacy)
  • Education gaps for homeowners suddenly navigating design/architectural choices

IV. Leadership & Coordination

  • Who should be leading discussions?
  • The role of USGBC California and the Net Zero Accelerator (Marcella)
  • Design community mobilization & town halls (Todd)

V. Economics, Insurance & Rebuilding Pathways

  • Underinsurance and cost prohibitions (Stacy)
  • Prefab/precision-built options
  • Avoiding both tract-home rebuilding and ultra-luxury exclusivity (Richard, Adam)

VI. Visualization & Future Planning

  • Digital twins for community workshops
  • Landscape resilience
  • Neighborhood-scale guidelines

VII. Psychological & Long-Term Impacts

  • Rebuilding fatigue
  • Multi-year rebuilding timeline (10+ years)
  • Keeping optimism and community support alive (Adam)

Translating Design in a Chaotic Market, A Shifting Landscape in Focus 2026 | 637 | Forces Shaping the Industry

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This program explores the collision of tariffs, sustainability, design business acumen and shifting client expectations, offering a roadmap for navigating the volatility of the 2026 design landscape. Recorded live at Design Hardware in Los Angeles, I gathered a panel of industry leaders to dissect the economic and social forces shaping interior design as we head into 2026. Featuring Eva Hughes (Black House Beige), Shelly Sandoval (The Lauzon Collective), Rachel Grachowski (RHG Architecture), and Priya Vij (Hapny Home), the conversation confronts the “chaos” of the current market—from tariff-induced supply chain disruptions to the critical shortage of skilled labor.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

The discussion pivots from the technical challenges of “designing for disaster” and uninsurability to the creative opportunities found in circular economies and intentional sourcing. The panelists argue for a shift away from “fast fashion” interiors toward a “friendliness” of durability, prioritizing materials that pass the “grandparent test” of longevity. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes that in a volatile market, the most valuable currencies are transparency, deep vendor relationships, and educating clients on the true cost of craftsmanship.

  • The “Friendliness” of Durability: A move toward “legacy” materials—like solid brass hardware and high-quality hardwood—that age gracefully and avoid the landfill, countering the disposable nature of current trends.
  • Supply Chain as Design Driver: How tariffs and stock volatility are forcing firms to adopt “high-low” budgeting and pre-purchase models (buying and storing materials early) to protect projects from price surges.
  • Designing for Disaster: The reality of rebuilding in fire-prone zones (like Altadena and the Palisades) is driving a demand for non-toxic, fire-resistant materials and a “circular economy” approach where building products can return to the earth safely.
  • The Labor Crisis: A candid look at the “graying” of the trades; as master craftsmen retire without a new generation to replace them, the industry faces a loss of institutional knowledge and execution capability.
  • Intentionality Over “Modern”: The panel discusses abandoning vague buzzwords like “wellness” and “modern” in favor of deep-dive mood boarding and psychological profiling to align client expectations with reality.

Resources

Thank you, Eva, Rachel, Shelly and Priya for taking the time to share your thoughts. Thank you to my incredible partner sponsors; Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, TimberTech and Best Buy. Their sponsorship of Convo By Design allows me to seek out sublime design, stories from beyond the work itself and showcase unique personalities chasing new ideas and changing the way we think about design and architecture.. And present it to you so please give them an opportunity on your next project.

Thank you for listening and sharing this journey of ours. 2026 marks thirteen years of constant publication of the podcast with over 700 interviews and three million downloads, streams, and listens.  Please keep those guest suggestions coming as well as thoughts about where you would like the show to record live. Convo By Design at Outlook and on Instagram, Convo X Design, with an “X”.

Thanks again for listening, until next time, be well, focused and driven so you can rise above the chaos. -CXD

CXD Icon Registry January 2026 | 636 | Peter Pennoyer, FAIA

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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.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

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:

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.

Links & References:

  • Peter Pennoyer Architects – Official Website
  • Adirondack Long Barn Project
  • Upper East Side French Modern Townhouse
  • New England Landmark House Rebuild
  • Fifth Avenue Maisonette

WestEdge Wednesday Part Three | 635 | Planting Roots: Future Proof Your Design Business

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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.