The Design Board

Championing sustainability in the architecture and design industry and beyond can help to create a more sustainable future. This episode unpacks the importance of fostering a culture that drives sustainability goals and highlights how we can all become advocates for sustainability. Host Caroline Saba chats with Pablo La Roche , Principal & Sustainable Design Director, CRTKL , Steven South, LEE...

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the demand for commercial real estate as more people work remotely, reducing the need for office space. At the same time, there is a growing demand for housing, especially in urban areas. Host Caroline Saba sits down with Dan Sullivan, Vice President of Kova, Nick Boever, Writer and Editor at Emerald, and Rick Whitney, Vice President of FitzGerald, to discuss the...

Specifying sustainable products in the built environment is an important step in reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. In this episode, host Susan Fernandez is joined by Phanos Hadjikyriakou , Co-Founder and CEO of 2050 Materials , and Ana Rita Martins , Sustainability Senior Associate at Woodalls Design , for a lively discussion on third-party certifications, resources available for designe...

B Corp certification is a third-party certification program offered by B Lab, a non-profit organization. B Corps are for-profit companies that meet rigorous social and environmental standards. Pursuing B Corp certification can be important for several reasons. In this episode, host Tiffany Rafii explores the process behind pursuing B Corp certification with Dave Shove-Brown , co-founder and partne...

Thinking about networking but trying to figure out where to start? Wondering about the value professional organizations have within the architecture and design industry? In this episode, host Caroline Saba chats with Natalie Darham , marketing manager at Urban Atelier Group (UAG) , about the benefits of getting involved with industry organizations and strategies for maximizing the knowledge, resou...

Are Continuing Education Unit (CEU) presentations a relevant sales tool? Listen and learn as host Tiffany Rafii chats with Meredith Campell , research and content development from ThinkLab , and Susan Fernandez , vice president of digital marketing at UpSpring , to explore the value of  CEU presentations and how to leverage them as a sales tool to maximize exposure.  The Design Board, by UpSpring...

 Architects and designers specify billions of dollars in products and materials annually. Bringing a product to market in a way that gets into a designer's consideration set is a complex journey. Tom Buck , owner of the Buck Agency , James Cull , design director at Rottet Studio , and Teddi Guilfoy , senior associate at M Moser , discuss the ecosystem of sales and distribution channels betwee...

When should organizations use paid media, and how do you get the most value out of paid ads? Host Tiffany Rafii is joined by UpSpring’s paid media strategists, Taylor Noffsinger and Maggie Austin , to discuss effective paid media strategies, how paid media and SEO work together, and why continuous monitoring is essential. Tune in to learn how to better understand and implement paid media for your...

An honest, authentic effort toward DEI initiatives requires transparency, accountability, and the notion that as we know better, we will do better. UpSpring's Caroline Saba invites Elsie St. Leger and Shawnasia Black of IIDA NY’s Equity Council to discuss the importance of DEI initiatives and the foundations and roadmaps organizations can put in place to create inclusive environments.  The De...

Can architecture empower people and places? In this episode, UpSpring's Caroline Saba chats with Jared Bradley, President and Founder of The Bradley Projects , where he shares his perspective on what it means to be an architect and how the role of the architect has changed over time. Listen in as we discuss the importance of placemaking through design and the power architecture has to transfo...

What is neurodiversity? In this episode of The Design Board, Tiffany Rafii, CEO of UpSpring , is joined by AJ Paron , EVP + Design Futurist with SANDOW Design Group , to discuss the ins and outs of neurodiversity and why it's important to consider when designing spaces. From our airports to sports arenas and our schools, AJ highlights why we need to accommodate neurodiversity and the strategi...

Men have traditionally dominated the interior design and architecture industries. In this episode, Tiffany Rafii, CEO of UpSpring, is joined by Stacy Shoemaker Rauen and Margaret McMahon to discuss what it means to be a woman in this field. From the beginnings of their careers to now, find out how the industry has evolved, how female designers can network to find mentors and role models, and how w...