If you want to explore urgent topics related to housing and what they can teach us about ourselves and our country, join us here at American Building. Your host, Atif Qadir, Atif Qadir is a licensed architect and entrepreneur, interested in solving big problems through innovation and technology. He has founded two proptech companies and a real estate development firm, building products ranging from software to workforce housing. Through these experiences, he has a unique perspective on the h ...
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Atif Qadir Podcasts
Welcome to Tangents by Out of Architecture, hosted by Silvia Lee. We’re highlighting some of our favorite stories from the amazing people we’ve met along our journey. We will hear how they created a unique career path for themselves from the variety of skills and talents they developed in and out of architecture. Out of Architecture is a career consulting firm started by two Harvard-educated professionals interested in exploring the value of their skills both in and out of the architectural ...
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Atif Qadir joins Silvia on Tangents to explore his journey from architecture to real estate development and tech entrepreneurship. They discuss the evolving nature of careers in the AEC industry, the importance of adaptability, and the benefits of life coaching and mentorship. Atif shares insights on recognizing personal values and the significance…
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Bonus Replay: Improving the Work of a Legend | Part 2
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43:43In the continuation of our conversation with architect Vishaan Chakrabarti, we dive deeper into the philosophy and challenges behind PAU's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame expansion. What emerges is a masterclass in honoring architectural legacy and a candid discussion about building a principled practice. Vishaan reveals PAU's "place needs connection" m…
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Bonus Replay: Improving the Work of a Legend | Part 1
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40:18Four years ago, we sat down with architect and urbanist Vishaan Chakrabarti to explore his vision for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame expansion in Cleveland—then still on the drawing board. Today, that project is under construction, reshaping Cleveland’s lakefront with a bold new cultural landmark. As cranes rise and the tower takes form, our conversa…
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When Jim Somoza first walked through Chelsea Market in 1994, he was blown away by the adaptive reuse concept. Years later, through a series of real estate transactions, Jim met Irwin Cohen, the visionary behind the project. He spent four years as president there, and is now applying those lessons at Industry City, turning 16 abandoned waterfront bu…
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The Ponce City Market Approach to Sustainable Construction
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36:36When visitors walk into the Pottery Barn at 619 Ponce, they often ask about the amazing candle scent filling the space. But the smell isn't a candle at all—it's the building itself. The four-story mass timber structure is built from Southern Yellow Pine that developer Jamestown sourced from their own timber holdings. As Director of Innovation and S…
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Mass Timber and the Future of Sustainable Housing Development
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50:30What if the biggest barrier to carbon-neutral development isn't the technology or the materials, but actually the industry's resistance to change? Most developers know sustainable construction is the future, but translating those ideals into financially viable projects feels impossible when you're faced with premium construction costs and market-ra…
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The Housing Solution Hidden in Plain Sight
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46:33When's the last time you knocked on a stranger's door to ask for something? For most people, the answer is probably never—or at least not since Halloween as a kid. But Cecily King is building Kipling Development this way, sourcing deals by networking in underserved communities and connecting with retiring landlords. Kipling bridges the gap between …
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Why Trailborn is Betting On America’s Drive-To Destinations
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50:40Ben Weinberg and Michael Weiss, childhood friends turned business partners, are threading the needle between nostalgia and innovation with their hospitality ventures Castle Peak Holdings and Trailborn. From the beaches of Wrightsville, North Carolina to the foothills of Rocky Mountain National Park, they’re transforming three-star properties into f…
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What's shaping the future of real estate development? The industry is facing some of its biggest challenges yet: Rising construction costs, tariffs, shifting investment trends, and an evolving residential market redefining how and where we live, work and stay. But with changes comes opportunity. Join us for season four of American Building as we di…
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From Architecture to UX: The Mental Leap That Changed Everything with Redfin's Xinran Ma
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45:54In this engaging episode of "Tangents by Out of Architecture," our guest Xinran Ma shares his inspiring journey from a traditional architecture career to the innovative field of product design at Redfin. Our conversation delves deeply into the mindset shift required for career transition, and the strategies Xinran employed to gain experience and bu…
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From Aerospace to Climate Tech: Leveraging Architecture Skills to Build a Startup with Homeostasis’ Makoto Eyre
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52:50Our guest today is Makoto Eyre, cofounder and CEO of Homeostasis, a climate tech startup transforming CO2 into advanced carbon materials like graphite for lithium-ion batteries. Makoto’s story exemplifies the power of curiosity, resilience, and the ability to leverage architectural skills to navigate bold career transitions. This episode explores h…
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Redefining Success: From Architecture to Web Development with CACI's Danny Rupp
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52:10Danny Rupp (he/him) is a web development team lead who has been lucky enough to work-from-home in Maryland since 2010. With a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Maryland he started his career as an architectural designer, but slowly transitioned on the job into working as a full stack web developer on software for office space…
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Architects' Unique Skills and Their Success in Tech with Ocado Group's Ramesh Pari
51:20
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51:20Our guest today is Ramesh Pari, Head of Design + BIM at Ocado Group. He highlights the importance of pragmatism, lifelong learning, and leveraging architectural skills in new ways. This episode explores the dynamics of tech culture, the benefits of cross-industry skills, and the courage needed to pursue fulfilling career changes. Tune in to gain in…
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Designing a New Path: Transitioning from Architecture to UX with OOA's Adrian Maldonado
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43:09Adrian Maldonado, Career Advisor at Out of Architecture, is a seasoned professional with a background in architecture who made a successful transition into the field of UX design. With a passion for design and a knack for problem-solving, Adrian brings a unique perspective to his role as a lead UX designer. He is dedicated to helping individuals na…
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Navigating Career Transitions and Identity in Architecture with OOA's Jacki Schaefer
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51:15In this episode, Jacki Schaefer shares her journey in architecture, highlighting the challenges faced during her career, the importance of job security, and the impact of curiosity on personal and professional growth. She discusses the value of architecture education in developing critical thinking skills and self-awareness. Jacki emphasizes the ne…
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Get ready for Season 4 of Tangents to kick off in two weeks! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Out of Architecture
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A Passion for Listening, Learning & Helping with OOA's Nate Steinrueck
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55:55Our guest today, Nate Steinrueck, Product Strategist at Outer Labs, shares his journey from studying anthropology to working in architecture and eventually transitioning into the tech industry. He emphasizes the importance of being a good listener, learner, and helper in his work, and how these qualities have shaped his career. Nate also discusses …
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Making Your Own Path In Architecture with Matter's Erin Pellegrino
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45:21On this episode of Tangents, Erin Pellegrino, Principal at Matter, and Co-Founder of Out of Architecture, shares her journey of balancing making and thinking in architecture, leading to a fulfilling and impactful career. From rebellious tomboy to successful architect, she discusses her approach to challenging the status quo and overcoming roadblock…
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Having Confidence in Your Skills and Experiences with Adidas's Jake Rudin
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32:51Our guest today is Jake Rudin, Senior Manager Digital Technologies at Adidas, and Co-Founder of Out of Architecture. In this episode, Jake Rudin discusses his journey from architecture to leading digital innovation at Adidas, emphasizing the importance of confidence in showcasing one's skills in job interviews. He shares insights on translating arc…
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Embracing Passion and Flexibility in Career Choices with your Tangents Host Silvia Lee
57:48
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57:48This week, we switch things up a little bit where where our host Silvia Lee is interviewed by Out of Architecture's very own Jake Rudin! Silvia Lee is the Director of Customer Success at Layer, an adjunct instructor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and the host of this Tangents podcast by Out of Architecture. With a background in architec…
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The Power of Architects as Change Makers with SOM’s Ellen Abraham
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38:46In this Tangents episode, we speak with ELLEN ABRAHAM, Chief Pin Officer at Architect Pins, one of our amazing OOA Advisors and Senior Project Manager and Co-Founder of Equity Design Lab @ SOM. In this episode, Ellen Abraham discusses the power of architects as change makers and the importance of thinking beyond traditional roles in the industry. S…
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Transforming Passion Into Career Growth with OnePlan's Chi Bhatia
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40:55Our guest today is Chi Bhatia, VP of Strategy & Growth at One Plan, a SaaS start-up that builds 2D & 3D technology for events & venues. Chi is also part of the amazing career consultant team at Out of Architecture. Hear Chi share his journey from international student to completing LA’s first NFL stadium to now working at a tech startup providing s…
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Building a Career on Kindness and Positive Connections with Studio Ladder's Sam Anderson
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52:35Sam Anderson is an architectural visualization specialist who has carved out a unique career path beyond traditional practice. Sam shares her journey from pursuing architecture at the University of Texas to realizing her true passion lies in visualization. She discusses her experiences working in various roles, including at architecture firms, Epic…
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Reconstructing Histories through Craft and Community with Jeffrey Yoo Warren
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44:15Jeffrey Yoo Warren, is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and crafter whose work explores themes of cultural heritage, identity, and community. Jeffrey shares his unique journey from studying architecture to finding his calling in artistic practices deeply rooted in historical research and traditional craftsmanship. Through his residency at the …
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Transitioning from Architecture to Experience Design in Advertising with Edelman's Lauren Kimball
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51:49Our guest today, Lauren Kimball, Experience Design Director @ Edelman, shares her journey from architecture to advertising. She emphasizes the importance of being honest and open in client meetings and offers advice for architecture students looking to explore alternative career paths. Lauren also discusses her platform, Find by Design, which showc…
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What It Means When Everybody Wins with William Dodge of p-u-b-l-i-c & A Gang of Three
1:05:23
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1:05:23William Dodge shares his unique career journey, from applying to architecture school multiple times, working as a janitor, and eventually becoming a managing principal at a major architecture firm.He discusses his approach to architecture - creating community-focused spaces rather than just facilitating buildings. William talks about starting his o…
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The Journey from Architecture to Experiential Design with Future Colossal's Jill Shah
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56:49Our guest today, Jill Shah, Production Designer at Future Colossal, shares how she capitalizes on her abilities as a generalist, asserts herself to create opportunities, and harnesses the power of storytelling in design. Highlights: Leverage spatial design skills from architecture in experience design by focusing on technology integration and story…
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Crafting a Career of Impact with P3 Consulting’s Ozzie Gonzalez
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51:08
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51:08In this episode, I spoke with Ozzie Gonzalez, Principal and Owner of P3 Consulting, (people, planet, profit) about his fascinating journey from architecture into environmental consulting. Ozzie has applied his architecture skills to help companies develop sustainability policies and embed social responsibility into their work. We discuss how Ozzie …
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Exploring Design and Storytelling in Animation with Freelance Designer Ben Llewellyn
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40:39Our guest today, Benjamin Llewellyn joins me to share his winding journey from graduating with an architecture degree to becoming a freelance illustrator and background artist for animated television shows. Though architecture and illustration seem different, Benjamin finds his architectural background gives him an edge in creating realistic enviro…
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The Future of Architecture: Shifting Towards Social and Ecological Justice with FAF’s Charlie Edmonds
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48:14Our guest, Charlie Edmonds, Co-Founder of Future Architects Front, calls for collective action to address exploitative practices and envisions a world where architecture prioritizes social needs over capital interests. Charlie is the co-founder of Future Architects Front (FAF), a grassroots organization working to address issues like unpaid overtim…
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From Redlines – Overworked and Undervalued: A Series of Traumatic Experiences In Architecture
1:04:47
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1:04:47We're taking a break from Tangents this week for the holidays so we wanted to share with you the latest episode from Redlines, Out of Architecture's podcast where we dive deeper into the core issues that plague the design profession, and evaluate how they result in everyday conflict, discomfort, and workplace turmoil. You'll hear from Chris (not hi…
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Challenging Traditional Architecture with Intelligent City’s Kristin Slavin
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47:36Ever feel traditional architecture moves too slowly to tackle crises like housing shortages? Our latest guest Kristin set out to transform delivery for faster, quality sustainable housing. Her winding path from design into development, prefab and product led her to a mass timber housing startup reimagining solutions. We cover: Kristin's career from…
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What If We Were The Decision Makers? Creating Impact with Multi-Contextual Design with Duo Development’s Rafael Robles
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54:17
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54:17Our guest today, Rafael Robles, Founder at Duo Development, shares his experiences answering the question for himself of who gets to make the decisions? His journey from real estate, to development, to business strategy consulting led Rafael to found his own innovation studio, Duo, where he practices multi-contextual design, amplifying the impact a…
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Leveraging Design Thinking Beyond Architecture with Brightspot Strategy’s Elliot Felix
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40:33What can you do with an architecture degree besides traditional practice? Is it possible to blend your design skills with other passions? Elliot Felix, Founder and CEO of brightspot Strategy, is an architect turned higher education strategist, shares his journey from architecture school to running his own consulting firm. Elliot talks about how an …
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The Power of Designing Experiences with Odyssey Works’ Abraham Burickson
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45:07In this engrossing discussion, Abraham Burickson elaborates on how his journey in the world of architecture led him to develop the concept of experience design. Having worked in various architecture firms and conducted research, Abraham discovered a gap between the promise of architecture and its practice. From tangible architectural projects to un…
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Bonus: Redlines - Exploitative Visa Practices and Effects on Immigrant Architects
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43:24Bonus Episode! Tangents, meet Redlines - our new podcast by Out of Architecture. This episode shines a light on the withholding of critical information by architecture firms to create an uneven power dynamic as firms hold visa sponsorship over young, foreign workers. Our storyteller this week is Cat - a pseudonym - who shares their personal experie…
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A Passion for Listening, Learning & Helping with Outer Labs' Nate Steinrueck
55:55
55:55
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55:55Our guest today, Nate Steinrueck, Product Strategist at Outer Labs, shares his journey from studying anthropology to working in architecture and eventually transitioning into the tech industry. He emphasizes the importance of being a good listener, learner, and helper in his work, and how these qualities have shaped his career. Nate also discusses …
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Choosing To Follow Happiness with Joyful's Eric Riggsbee
39:09
39:09
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39:09In this Tangents episode, Eric Riggsbee, a project manager at Joyful, shares his unique career path from architecture to the tech industry and back again. He discusses the transferable skills he gained from architecture, such as problem-solving and attention to detail, and how they have helped him succeed in his current role. Eric emphasizes the im…
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Connecting the Dots Through Your Career with Adidas' Jody Broccoli-Hickey
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41:05Jody Broccoli Hickey is a 3D computational designer at Adidas. Jody shares how he leveled up his skills and understanding when making a career switch, and the joy of the creative process strengthened from pursuing opportunities that aligned strongly with his interests. Highlights: The importance of spending time to level up your skills Learning the…
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From Architecture to Exhibit Design, Exploring New Career Paths with Upswell's Ben Feicht
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34:27Our guest today is Ben Feicht, Architect and Exhibit Designer at Upswell. Ben shares how and why he transitioned from architecture to exhibit design, the impact of journaling as a tool for exploration, and the exciting future of technology in design. How journaling can help explore ideas, identify interests and find the right career path Networking…
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The Value Architects Bring Beyond Design with Professor of Earth Sciences Akshay Mehra
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49:49In this Tangents episode we speak with AKSHAY MEHRA, Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington. Akshay's journey from architecture to geosciences highlights the value of curiosity, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration. His experience demonstrates the potential for architects to cont…
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Keith Rand of Mill Creek Residential | The Future of Housing In America
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49:08What does the housing crisis actually entail? To wrap up Season 3 of American Building, I’m joined by Keith Rand, Vice President at Mill Creek Residential, to discuss the main housing production issues Americans face today and different solutions to address them. We look at limitations with local and state government policy and unpack the proposed …
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Embracing Chaos and Authenticity with Architecture Social’s Stephen Drew
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52:27In this Tangents episode we speak with STEPHEN DREW, Founder of the Architecture Social. Through his candid and authentic perspective, we explore the importance of embracing change, selling oneself, and the untapped potential architects possess in various industries. Highlights: The importance of selling oneself and leveraging architectural experti…
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Matt Giammanco of AvalonBay Communities | Thanet Circle in Princeton | Suburbia Part II
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50:24Garden-style apartments offer residents the best of both worlds: green space and lower density living without the upkeep and price tag of a single-family home. In this episode, I trace back to the origins of garden-style apartments and highlight who lives in them now. I also revisit a conversation with developer Matt Giammanco of AvalonBay Communit…
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Arthi Krishnamoorthy of TenBerke | The Princeton Residential Colleges in Princeton | Dormitories, Then and Now
38:38
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38:38Dorm life is a quintessential part of the American university experience, but that wasn’t always the case. In this episode, I outline the history of dormitories and share an edited version of my conversation with Arthi Krishnamoorthy, Senior Principal at TenBerke, to discuss the firm’s residential college project on the Princeton campus. After thre…
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Peter Brosens of Stolar Capital Building | Chatham on Main in Chatham | What is Workforce Housing
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41:41Between the global financial crisis, tanking housing production, and rapid inflation, housing affordability for middle income workers has become increasingly out-of-reach. Workforce housing, a type of unregulated affordable housing, addresses the limitations that professionals like teachers, healthcare providers, and retail clerks are facing when i…
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Andrew Regenstreich, Formerly of Housing and Neighborhood Development Services | Gateway Project in Orange | Nonprofits and Housing
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47:50You can’t have a conversation about affordable housing without acknowledging the impact of rent regulation. Also known as rent control, rent stabilization or rent limits, these coveted units offer occupants a sense of stability by guaranteeing their monthly rent payment won’t skyrocket year after year. So, why is regulated affordable housing so har…
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At The Intersection of Architecture and Food Systems with Stone Barns’ Caitlin Taylor
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52:05On this episode of Tangents, Caitlin Taylor, Architect, Farmer, Food Systems Designer and Managing Director at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, shares her experiences developing a passion and career exploring food systems through an architectural lens. Hear Caitlin’s insights into exploring her interests deeply, finding equally passionate…
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Kirk Mitchell of AKT Designs | North Woodland Street in Englewood | Beyond McMansions
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36:39As the old adage goes, a man's home is his castle. That doesn't mean that every home is a castle or a mansion, but in this day and age, it could very well be a McMansion. In this episode, I explore the history of mansions and how the style has been interpreted by millions of suburban homeowners. I also revisit a conversation I had with Kirk Mitchel…
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