Once Upon a Project

How do you modernize a historic institution without losing the traditions that give it meaning? AJ Paron speaks with designer Dan Mazzarini of Mazzarini & Co. about rethinking spaces at the Harvard Club of New York for a new generation of members. What began as a food and beverage project evolved into a larger design challenge: creating places for working, gathering and connection while respec...

What happens when you don’t just design a building, but rethink how people experience an entire place? AJ Paron speaks with Bill Mandara of Mancini Duffy about TSX Broadway, the ambitious Times Square project that brings architecture, entertainment, hospitality and historic preservation together under one roof. They explore the extraordinary challenge of raising the landmark Palace Theatre 30 feet...

How do you bring a historic hotel back to life without losing the character that made it special in the first place? AJ Paron speaks with Valentina Castellon of DLR Group about the transformation of The Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, where a 130-year history became the starting point for a new hospitality experience. They explore how the team uncovered original architectural details, embraced the ho...

How do you design a workplace that's ready for constant change? AJ Paron speaks with Karen Marie Stonely, founding principal of SPAN Architecture, about how her firm has reimagined its studio through decades of disruption, from 9/11 and the pandemic to the rise of AI. Together, they explore how flexibility, biophilic design, and a culture of continuous adaptation have shaped a workplace where coll...

What makes an office worth coming back to? This episode explores Roivant's first purpose-built New York headquarters at Penn One, designed to foster connection, collaboration and culture for a hybrid workforce. AJ Paron speaks with Sommer Schauer of Perkins&Will about transforming the workplace into a destination through a dramatic central hub, hospitality-inspired amenities, flexible gatherin...

What does it mean to design a workplace that cares for caregivers? This episode explores Northwestern Medicine’s Faculty Office Center in Chicago, a restorative environment created to support physician wellbeing through biophilic design, flexible workspaces, and hospitality-inspired amenities. Mark Hirons of CannonDesign and Jill from Northwestern Medicine discuss how the project is redefining the...

What does equity look like in the hybrid workplace? In this episode, AJ Paron speaks with Alivia Stalnaker and Alexis Kim of SmithGroup about reimagining AlixPartners’ Chicago office for a post-pandemic reality shaped by flexibility, wellbeing, and connection. The team shares how equitable access to daylight, amenities, technology, and varied work settings informed a hospitality-inspired workplace...

What if the workplace felt more like a hotel, a community hub, or even home? In this episode, we unpack the design strategy behind Sanofi’s headquarters; an environment built on choice, inclusivity, and connection. Whitney Eveler discusses how materiality, sensory cues, and spatial variety drive productivity and belonging. The project offers a compelling blueprint for the future of work. This seas...

When design begins with the full spectrum of human experience, it has the power to create spaces where everyone can thrive. Recorded live at NeoCon, AJ welcomes Shannon Crider Langley, Frances Phillips, and artist Caroline Zimbalist for a conversation about Shaw Contract’s Design For All movement and the ideas shaping the future of inclusive design. Together, they explore how a research initiative...

Michael Ford, “The Hip Hop Architect,” explores his collaboration with Momentum, blending influences from music, architecture, and community into expressive textile and wallcovering design. This episode is presented by Momentum and recorded in the NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND. Thank you to our Lounge sponsor, Unika Vaev, and partners: B+N, DARRAN, Framery, Momentum, and UpSpring. See...

When a space is designed to heal both body and spirit, it becomes more than a building, it becomes a catalyst for change. In the season four finale, AJ welcomes Lily Diego and Michael Schur to share the story behind the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's Wellness in Detroit. Together, they explore how thoughtful environments can empower individuals, support families, and inspire hope through every...

When a loved one’s health challenge sparks a professional mission, design takes on new meaning. In this episode, AJ welcomes Erin McDannald, CEO of Elevated, to explore how biohacking principles are reshaping the modern workplace. From clean air and thermal comfort to the subtle influence of lighting and CO₂ levels, Erin shares how her personal journey inspired a new way of thinking about wellness...

Is it possible to design cities that actively promote human wellness? Yes, and to find out how, host AJ Paron speaks with Stefano Tronci, Asia Pacific sustainability leader at SOM, about strategies for embedding health and sustainability into the built environment. From biophilic design and air quality to holistic spatial planning, Stefano shares how his team collaborates with developers, engineer...

How can design fuel healing and transform lives before a single brick is laid? Host AJ Paron explores a groundbreaking wellbeing initiative aimed at curing congestive heart failure. This unique collaboration brings together a design firm, a healthcare system, and an organization devoted to happiness. Joined by Nancy O’Brien of Experience Happiness and Deanna Hokanson, who worked with Hennepin Heal...

What if hospitals could heal without exposing patients to harmful toxins? In this episode of Once Upon a Project, host AJ Paron sits down with sustainability provocateur (and stand-up comic) Eric Corey Freed of CannonDesign to explore radical new approaches to the built environment. From designing a toxin-free hospital to leveraging neuro-architecture and assumptions mapping, Eric shares how quest...

How can designers protect their creativity while thriving in a fast-paced, high-pressure industry? Recorded live at NeoCon 2025, host AJ Paron sits down with a panel of experts from Shaw Contract to explore the vital topic of creative wellness in design. Together, Shannon Crider Langley, Kaley Decker, and Ashley Olson share practical tools and strategies for preventing burnout, sustaining passion,...

Take a journey to the mountains with architect Michael Upwall and builder Gary Hill. Together, they explore their collaborative process in designing the stunning Pinnacle Sky home in Park City Utah. From their first project to the intricacies of constructing modern homes in harsh mountain environments, Michael and Gary share stories, challenges, and their unique bond. Passion, and effective commun...

Recorded live at the NeoCon Podcast Lounge, AJ is joined by Bryan Ballegeer, Vice President of Education for KI, and Jason Lazarz, KI's A&D Market Lead. Together the group explores the transformative power of well-designed educational environments. Learn about KI's inspiring Classroom Furniture Giveaway program, which empowers teachers and students to create dream classrooms tailored to divers...

Sensory design expert Russell Jones sits with AJ to explore the fascinating world of multisensory design in the built environment. Learn how Russell and his team transformed the iconic John Lewis & Partners department store into a testbed for sensory innovation, balancing the needs of neurodiverse visitors, enhancing brand experience, and creating environments that are both immersive and inclu...

Explore the powerful connection between design and neuroscience with Suchi Reddy an NYC based architect, designer, and artist. Discover how design can influence our emotions, well-being, and human connection through compelling stories and innovative projects. Suchi shares her journey from architectural practice to art installations at Salone del Mobile and discusses the groundbreaking work in neur...

Dive into the world of color with one of host AJ Paron’s design heroes, Laura Guido-Clark. Laura discusses the psychology of color, its impact on our lives, and how her company, Love Good Color, leverages this knowledge to transform spaces. Learn about her inspiring work with Project ColorCorps, where she brings vibrant transformations to underserved communities, creating environments that reflect...

An expert in inclusive environments, Steve Orfield, President at Orfield Laboratories, Inc., offered up the quietest room in the world to record this episode. Host AJ Paron and Steve discuss their collaboration on a groundbreaking project for Fraser, Minnesota’s leading autism treatment provider, focusing on creating scientifically designed, peaceful spaces for individuals with autism. Discover ho...

Wild, ambitious projects can be done — or they can be epic. Neil Ferrier, founder of the design firm Discommon , chose the latter when his team took on the ultimate challenge: designing and installing a 48-foot-long sculpture of the Concorde, suspended inside a London restaurant. Ferrier shares what it took to bring his firm’s largest project — in both size and scope — to life. The intricate feat...

AJ Paron sits down with designer Yinka Ilori at Neocon! They discuss Yinka’s vibrant, joyful, and award-winning collaboration with Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering, his journey from furniture design to becoming an acclaimed multidisciplinary artist, and how his Nigerian heritage influences his use of bold colors and patterns. Yinka shares insights into his creative process and the importance of...

This is a special edition episode! We're joined by Gene Wilson, the Vice President of Merchandising and Vendor Management at Room & Board. Explore a groundbreaking initiative in sustainable design as we learn how Room & Board, a pioneering American furniture company, transforms discarded wood into stunning heirloom furniture through their Urban Wood Project. Discover how this line of produ...