Architectural ingenuity meets sustainability.

In this episode of Mastering the Art of Success, host Debbi DiMaggio sits down with New York–based architect Kevin Kennon (also searched as “Kevin Kennan” and "Paul Kevin Kennon"), founder and CEO of Beyond Zero DDC, Inc., to explore zero-carbon luxury eco-resorts, tall-slender towers, and the art of designing with—rather than against—nature. Kennon (United Architects finalist for the World Trade Center competition, with works in the MoMA collection) unpacks the engineering behind tall, slender buildings; how helical piles create light-footprint structures on rugged terrain; and the human-centric details that separate a “very good” hotel from a truly great one.

We also touch on projects such as Barclays’ North American HQ, the Rodin Museum in Seoul, award-winning Bloomingdale’s retail work, and why service design is the hidden engine of hospitality.

Top Takeaways

Design with the land, not against it: Why elevating structures on helical piles reduces earthwork, risk, and long-term maintenance—especially on cliffs and steep sites.

Tall-slender towers 101: How engineering + architecture collaborate to make ultra-slim skyscrapers safe and elegant.

Sustainability as standard: Zero-carbon thinking isn’t a trend for Kennon—it’s part of the architect’s core toolkit.

Hospitality that hums: The subtle service systems (and spatial planning) that make luxury hotels feel effortless.

Distributed practice and AI: Lessons from remote collaboration and how technology is reshaping the profession.

Closing thoughts and next steps If this inspired you, subscribe and hit the 🔔 so you don’t miss new episodes: real stories, real strategies, real success.

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How to Connect / Work With Kevin

Connect on LinkedIn: Search for “Paul Kevin Kennon” (he appears as Paul Kevin on LinkedIn) or “Kevin Kennon” to find him quickly.

Beyond Zero DDC, Inc.: Specializing in zero-carbon luxury eco-resorts and light-footprint residential/hospitality projects.

About the Guest Kevin Kennon is an internationally recognized architect with 40+ years of work in sustainable, innovative design.

Founder and CEO of Beyond Zero DDC, Inc.; United Architects finalist (WTC); projects in MoMA’s permanent collection; 40+ international awards; lecturer at institutions including Yale and Columbia; expertise spans adaptive reuse, urban planning, and large-scale developments.

About the Host

Debbi DiMaggio is a real estate leader, author, and host of Mastering the Art of Success, exploring the intersection of design, lifestyle, and high performance.

What part of Kevin’s approach surprised you most—helical piles, slender-tower engineering, or the service design behind great hotels?

Tell us below!

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Kevin Kennon, Kevin Kennan, Beyond Zero DDC, zero-carbon architecture, sustainable architecture, eco resorts, wilderness hotels, helical piles, tall slender towers, World Trade Center competition, MoMA architecture, Barclays HQ, Rodin Museum Seoul, Bloomingdale’s design, hospitality design, hotel operations, architecture podcast, Debbi DiMaggio, Mastering the Art of Success

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