Architecture and Innovation

Steven Song, architect and real estate investor. ● Founder of SCAAA, a strategy consulting, planning, and architecture practice with studios in Los Angeles, Seoul, Osaka, and Dallas; ● Also the CEO of Axle Companies, which invests in real estate and social impact businesses; ● Board member of the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles; and ● Board member of SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architec...

David K. Plotkin, AIA and Principal of WDA. David founded and operated his Tucson, Arizona firm, concentrating on envisioning and implementing commercial and residential projects built with environmentally responsible practices. He has also designed and managed projects for firms in New York, Nashville, Chicago, and Los Angeles, including Frank O. Gehry & Associates and Morphosis Architects. W...

Adam Kushner is the founding principal of KUSHNER Studios, an architecture and design practice. His design background stems from his formal education at Rensselaer [B ARCH 1986] and Cornell University [M ARCH 1994]. As a Design Studio Instructor at Cornell, his interest in teaching was nourished, and he remains close to academia. Adam is also a founding partner of  https://www.inhousegroupinc...

For our guest today, we're honored and excited to welcome Hans Baldauf, a fellow of the American Institute of Architects LEED AP and founding Principal at BCV. BCV is an award-winning architecture, interior design, and planning firm with international experience creating beautiful environments. They strive to produce work that is simple, elegant, and timeless. An efficient expression of design tha...

Cass Calder Smith, FAIA and founder  of Calder Smith Architecture + Interiors, is known for high-profile restaurant designs in  San Francisco, California , and  New York City . Cass Calder Smith is dedicated to excellence in architecture and design. Since its inception in 1990, CCS has designed various public and private buildings and interiors for LIVING, WORKING, EATING, and...

Jon de la Cruz, Owner/Principal of award-winning de la Cruz Architecture Interior + Design. Jon creates interiors that are truly unique for each project and each client. Over the past 20 years, Jon has worked with the Bay Area's top design firms, successfully leading projects including  The Battery SF ,  The Cavalier , Marlowe  Carbone  in Las Vegas,  Sadelle’s  in Ne...

Eric Naslund, FAIA and principal at Studio E Architects in San Diego, CA.” Studi E Architects is a twenty-six collaborative led by principals, Eric Naslund, John Sheehan, Mathilda Bialk, and Maxine Ward. Based in San Diego, California, the firm works throughout the Southwestern United States and has built a varied body of work ranging from private residences to affordable housing, mixed-use, civic...

The founder of b9 architects, Bradley is passionate about excellence and service. With a Master of Architecture from Harvard University, he focuses on the intersection of education, policy, design innovation, sustainability and real estate development. Bradley  develops multifamily infill urban projects to enrich the community through walkable, vibrant density. Over the years, he has served a...

Robert Swatt, FAIA and principal of Swatt Miers. Our studio offers architecture, planning, interior design, and facility programming services to individual, corporate, public service, and institutional clients on a wide spectrum of building types. The firm was formed as a merger of two long-established San Francisco Bay Area firms — Swatt Architects and George Miers and Associates — with the goal...

Today we are honored to have Susan Dwyer. Susan is Co CEO at HENDY. She shares insights on the importance of intentional workplace culture and aligning company and employee values. She discusses the challenges of balancing growth and culture while maintaining brand identity, and the impact of the pandemic on workplace design trends. Dwyer emphasizes the importance of having a growth mindset and st...

Brendan Sanchez, AIA and principal of Access Architecture in Vancouver, WA. Access Architecture believes that connections shape who we are and give life purpose. They are committed to exploring how the built environment can foster these connections, whether it is to one another, our environment, history, or community. Furthermore, their purpose also understands that there is an opportunity in ever...

Eric is Partner and CTO of Architect Marketing Institute. The core part of the mission at AMI is to help architects get to “Sunshine Island” where they are paid well and work with clients that understand the value of design. You can find them on the web at:   https://archmarketing.org/

Tyler Suomala is an American designer, educator, and practitioner. He received his Master of Architecture degree from Princeton University School of Architecture where he was an Editor of Pidgin Magazine and the recipient of the Henry Adams AIA Medal. Tyler’s helping 1,000+ architects communicate their unique value and build meaningful relationships at TylerTactics.com and business development at...

Justin Beals is the Co-founder and CEO of Strike Graph. Strike Graph exists so any organization can achieve its cybersecurity goals-painlessly. In particular architecture, engineering and construction firms. They’re committed to make sure security compliance isn’t a roadblock for innovative ideas and growing companies. Cypersecurity is important. Their platform identifies your vulnerabilities and...

Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, Principal at HOK in Chicago and the 2024 and 100th President-elect of the National American Institute of Architects. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Kim is a Chicago-based architect, real estate developer, and educator. Kim also served as the 2019-2020 national president of the National Organization of Minority Architects. You can find her on the web at:  https://www...

Domum, is a Northern California based architectural, design and engineering firm. Rachael Dilbeck, principal is a certified interior designer, CCIDC, and is the Chief Design Officer and Department Head. As licensed Architects in California, Utah and Idaho and many other states they are experienced in multi-family residential, restaurants, bars, breweries, schools, churches, modular constructi...

Minarc, located in Santa Monica, CA, was established by Erla Dögg and Tryggvi in 1999. Recipient of numerous awards, their work of their practice ranges from small-scale renovations to new construction, in residential, commercial and public settings. Each project shares an emphasis on the blurring of distinction between interior and exterior spaces through the exploitation of natural light, creati...

Kevin Stelzer. Kevin is the founding principal of ENFORM Architects and has extensive experience in sustainable design, construction documentation and engineering coordination.  Kevin has participated in some of Canada’s most compelling high-performance projects. Kevin speaks widely on topics of sustainability and architecture and teaches building science at the University of Toronto. He live...

Kevin Bagnall, CEO and Chairman of Atlantic Power and Infrastructure Corporation. Atlantic Power and Infrastructure Corp. provides environmental technologies including converting recycled tire material into proven, sustainable infrastructure products. Its flagship product Flexi®-Pave's resounding strength, flexibility and porous nature which protects from land erosion has led to its use in high pr...

Doug Shapiro is Vice President of Research and Insights at OFS, a sustainable office furniture manufacturer, as well as being a podcast host. Feel free to visit their website at https://ofs.com/

For our guest today, we're honored and excited to welcome Kim Rossall, Balboa Island fine art gallery owner. A gallery with extraordinary artists and stunning collections from around the world. Feel free to visit their website at https://balboaislandgallery.com/

Jeanne Jackson, FAIA. Jeanne is a Principal of VCBO Architecture and has specialized in the design of educational spaces since 1990. She is passionate about creating spaces that offer a stimulating and exciting learning environment and is a pioneer in designing innovative education facilities that have garnered numerous national, regional, and local awards. For more information visit website:&nbsp...

Terry Beaubois, AIA and CEO at BKS Building Knowledge Systems. Terry has also authored a Special Section in the July-August 2022 issue of ARCHITECT magazine, the official publication of the AIA, on advances in software for architects and the approaching technological opportunities for Architects in the near future. You can find them on the web at:  http://www.bksco.com/

Doug Wittnebel, architect, teacher, artist, author, illustrator and designer. Doug is also Faulty lecturer at UC Berkeley (Extension).