CE Center Podcasts

Ingenhoven Architects has tackled large and sometimes controversial projects over the years, including the Stuttgart Main Station. In this podcast episode, Christoph Ingenhoven, founder of the German firm, discusses the challenges and rewards of public projects that are subject to social opinion and policy. As one of the leading international architects known for a commitment to the ecological and...

Omar Gandhi describes the processes behind a couple of his firm’s projects, including the Peggy’s Cove viewing platform in Nova Scotia and a private residence overlooking the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. He discusses how public projects can stir up controversy, but also create important change that is subsequently recognized by the public. He also explains his process of collaboration, and...

Brent Linden and Chris Brown discuss the origins and philosophy of their craft-based firm and its focus on intimate partnerships. They describe the details behind some of their recent projects, including the Sequitur Wine project in Chehalem Valley, as well as the construction of the Gradient House in Portland, Ore.’s St. Johns neighborhood on the edge of the Willamette River. Linden and Brown, wh...

 Lorcan O’Herlihy has worked on projects from the Louvre to affordable housing, but has always been driven by an interest in art and culture. O’Herlihy discusses his interest in creating works of consequence that take into account political, social and historic contexts in order to help bring about positive social change. The founder of Los Angeles-based Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (LOHA), Herlihy...

Güvenç Özel discusses his trajectory, from working in the architecture office of Frank Gehry to founding his own firm. Throughout his career, the cyber-physical architect has investigated the intersection of digital and physical worlds through an exploration of culture, material, and quantum physics. In this podcast, Özel explains the ideas behind his latest project, Holoflux,” an immersive instal...

Andrew Freear discusses the Rural Studio, an off-campus design-build program of Auburn University’s architecture program. Freear explains how students get a hands-on educational experience through immersive team projects that are intricately linked to an under-served rural population in West Alabama. The program gives students the skills to negotiate projects outside of architectural academia, inc...

Dan Mancina is a professional skateboarder known for being visually impaired. In this podcast, Mancina discusses some of the design elements skateboarders look for, in general, in the built environment in terms of both obstacles and backdrops. He also describes what it was like to go from being a sighted skateboarder to a visually impaired skateboarder, and how that changes the way he thinks about...

Overview:   Jason Frantzen discusses Herzog & de Meuron’s projects around the world, from the UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center in San Francisco to the National Library of Israel. The Switzerland-based firm’s international architectural practice focuses on creating designs that take into account the specifics of place. Landscape, local materials, community culture, surrounding architecture, loc...

Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello at Rael San Fratello   Overview: Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello at Rael San Fratello discuss “disruption” in architecture and their view on the interplay between art and architecture. The Bay Area architects explain their thought-process behind the Teeter-Totter Wall event and provide insight into their material-based practice. They talk about their Eme...

DUST architects Jesus Robles Jr. and Cade Hayes discuss their approach to designing and building in often remote sites in the Southwest. Their desire to work with the natural environment and build relationships with clients sometimes means projects take on a longer timeline. The designers describe their process and approach of utilizing natural materials and explain how artistic vision can blossom...

Chandra Robinson, Principal at Portland-Oregon-based firm Lever, discusses the importance of community engagement in architectural projects. While the firm chooses to pursue projects that will challenge them in the realm of innovative design, Robinson and her team consistently approach their work with broader goals in mind, including the local sourcing of materials and a people-first sensibility b...

In September 2022, the staff and management of Bernheimer Architecture announced that they had organized an architectural union, Architectural Workers United—the first private sector union of architectural professionals in the U.S. In this podcast, Bernheimer architects Andrew Daley and Danielle Tellez explain the success of their campaign, the pros and cons of the process, and the ways in which t...

Kevin Daly of Kevin Daly Architects discusses the Houston Endowment project, a collaboration with Mexico City-based firm Productora. The podcast delves into Daly’s evolution from working with architect Frank Gehry to his current position teaching at UCLA. Daly offers his thoughts on how large, competition-driven projects differ from his small-scale residential projects, and discusses the changing...

In the wake of winning the 2023 AIA Gold Medal, Carol Ross Barney of Ross Barney Architects discusses the design process behind both the Chicago Riverwalk project and the Oklahoma City Federal Building. She explains the importance of design and sustainability in public spheres, the role of mentors, and some of the greatest challenges and learning experiences she’s had in her long, well-renowned ca...

Nabr co-founders Bjarke Ingels, Nick Chim and Roni Bahar join the podcast to discuss the design and development of San Jose’s SoFA One, the changing landscape of the American city, and how the firm aims to provide affordable housing solutions through home ownership. The group discusses how their unique backgrounds play into the solution and discuss their vision for desirable housing that can help...

Annabelle Selldorf, principal at Selldorf Architects, joins the podcast to discuss the process of designing San Diego’s Museum of Contemporary Art, her firm’s work at London National Gallery, and finding her way to architecture through the New York art scene. Throughout this interview, she considers setbacks, proud moments, and the lessons that have helped her navigate the often tricky but rewardi...

Marlon Blackwell joins the podcast to discuss the design process for the Thaden School in Bentonville, building within the context of Northwest Arkansas, and the impact materiality can have on architecture. He specifically addresses his journey into architecture and discusses the qualities he thinks new architects should keep in mind as they navigate place and space.   Learning objectives: 1.    D...

Mark Gardner, a principal at Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects, joins the podcast to discuss designing across cultures, architecture as a social practice, and his non-traditional path to the field. He discusses some of his most formative projects and how what seemed like early setbacks actually turned into strengths once he began practicing.   Learning objectives:   1.    Discuss how understanding a...

Deborah Berke of Deborah Berke Partners joins the podcast to discuss authenticity in architecture, how her work as dean of Yale influences her practice, and the design process for  NXTHVN —an adaptive reuse project for an up-and-coming artist in New Haven, Connecticut. She also discusses the importance of cultivating a good workplace culture in architectural firms, and encouraging students to unde...

Tom Kundig and Steve Grim of Olson Kundig join Greg and Lesa Faulkner of Faulkner Architects to discuss the concept and design of Analog House, collaborating between architecture practices, and building within the pine trees of Truckee, California. They discuss the benefits of working alongside other architects who intimately understand the materials, and who are interested in integrating landscap...

Lately the trend towards sleek contemporary designs has encouraged architects and designers to reevaluate the traditional choices when it comes to windows and doors. While vinyl is the most popular option for windows and doors, and wood remains a “go to” choice when the budget allows, the versatility and strength of aluminum along with some new thermal break technologies have resulted in a changin...

From an environmental perspective, it is widely known that buildings matter. Buildings consume nearly half the energy produced in the United States, use three-quarters of the electricity and account for nearly half of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To engage in reducing a building’s carbon footprint in meaningful ways, you must first understand the methods used to measure the building materia...

One product that has been used extensively overseas is now becoming very popular in the United States as well. Boards or panels made from magnesium oxide (MgO) are showing up on projects across the country to act as a subfloor, sheathing, wall board, or underlayment material. In the process, they are bringing enhanced fire resistance and acoustical performance to many building types, most notably...

Architects have always pushed the limits of what building products can do, and fire rated glazing is no exception. In this podcast, Tim Nass, talks about the projects that have spurred unique & innovative fire rated glazing products to the market. Learning Objectives: Review the history of fire rated glass from wired glass and ceramics to high performing, multi-functional fire rated glazing pr...