Design Makes Everything Better | by Breakhouse

Vince sits down with Doug Doucet, founder of Doucet Developments and RCS Construction, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, trust, and what it really takes to build a company that lasts. Doug reflects on nearly three decades of building a vertically integrated development and construction business in Atlantic Canada, one rooted not in aggressive bidding or short-term wins, but in long...

Vince speaks with Charbel Daniel, CEO of Northwood, about how leadership, culture and design thinking can reshape continuing care. Charbel shares his unconventional journey from studying physics and working as a paramedic to leading Atlantic Canada’s largest not-for-profit in senior care, emphasizing first-principle thinking, empathy and organizational culture as tools for transformation. Together...

Vince interviews Andy Fillmore, Mayor of Halifax. In conversation: Halifax’s distinct identity, its rapid growth, and the pressing challenges of the housing crisis. Drawing on his career path from architecture and urban planning in the United States to serving as a Member of Parliament, Andy offers a broad perspective on city-building. Together, they explore strategies for sustainable development...

Vincent interviews Jason Shannon, President at Shannex.  In conversation: Origin of the family business, challenges and opportunities in the industry of building retirement living communities. Perspectives on leadership, the design process, decision making and the future of Shannex. Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent van den Brink, President + Architect, Breakhouse Inc. Guest: Jason...

Vincent interviews Brian Mackay-Lyons Founder of Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects. In conversation: Approaches to design, challenges of the profession, building a career, life as an architect and the future of the MLS Architects Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc. Guests: Brian Mackay-LyonsAnnouncer: Danielle Pottier, Senior Arch...

Vincent interviews Chef Anthony Walsh and Marco Gucciardi from Oliver & Bonacini and Freehand Hospitality. In conversation: Creating and running a restaurant, challenges and opportunities in the business and perspectives on their new group of restaurants in Halifax Nova Scotia. Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc. Guests: Anthony Wa...

Vincent interviews six students studying architecture. Colby Rice, Logan Hawkes, Cody Gaulton, Holly Mills, Mark Mackinnon and Cesar Basillo. In this conversation: the challenges of being a student today, priorities of a practice, finding a work life balance, fear and excitement of the future and more. Transcript and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/9 Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vin...

Vincent interviews Bruce Kuwabara: Bruce Kuwabara is a founding partner of KPMB Architects and the Chair of the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. In this conversation: how to grow an office and maintain its culture, drawing and the design process, value of and more. Transcript, mood board examples, and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/8 Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincen...

Vincent interviews Musemo Handahu, digital content creator, writer, style guru, and Tedx speaker. In this conversation: Design, brand, and self-identity; the daily grind and creative process of a digital content creator; self-expression and brand alignment decisions, and much more. Transcript, mood board examples, and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/7 Learn more about Musemo Handahu at misslionh...

Vincent continues his interview with Christine Macy, architect, researcher, and former Dean of Architecture at Dalhousie University. In Part 2 of this conversation: the future of architectural education, importance of physicality in design and building, and advice for students and leaders about bringing life experience to your work. Transcript and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/6.2 Learn more a...

Vincent interviews Christine Macy, architect, researcher, and former Dean of Architecture at Dalhousie University. In Part 1 of this conversation: food, landscapes, monuments, and festivals as community identity makers, ideas of land ownership and use, integrating professional points of view to see a bigger whole, and more. Transcript and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/6.1 Learn more about Chri...

Vincent interviews Mike Savage, a president of the World Energy Cities Partnership, Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership member, and mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality. In this conversation: Leadership through collaboration, influencing sustainable development with policy and incentives, and the ongoing effort to make Halifax the most inclusive, entrepreneurial, and livable city it can be. Transc...

A roundtable chat with Jane Wright, founder of Jane's on the Common restaurant and Jane's Catering and Events, along with your host Vincent and Breakhouse partner Peter Wuensch. In this conversation: the magic of a successful restaurant, the oversized importance of space and experience design in hospitality, and the go-and-get-it attitude and work ethic of the woman who made it happen. Transcript...

A second part of Vincent's interview with Omar Gandhi, of Omar Gandhi Architect. In this conversation: Architects' responsibility to a community; how life and work are connected; designing through landscape; and, of course, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Transcript and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/3.2 Learn more about Omar Gandhi Architect at https://omargandhi.com/ Get in touch: podcast@bre...

Vincent interviews Omar Gandhi, founder of the accomplished Canadian design firm Omar Gandhi Architect. OGA was recently announced winner of the major New Waterfront Arts District Design Competition in Halifax. In this conversation: Building through landscape, design as a method, the relationship with a project through its lifecycle, the impact of successes and awards in the industry, and the futu...

Vincent interviews Tareq Hadhad, founder and CEO of Peace By Chocolate: a Syrian-owned, Nova Scotia-based chocolate company. They discuss Tareq and his family’s decision to leave Syria as refugees for Canada, the role of philanthropy in business, and the power of an authentic story to build an impactful brand. Transcript and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/2 Learn more about Peace By Chocolate a...

Vincent interviews David Wex of Urban Capital Property Group. They discuss architecture as product, business and development, condo design, and insights from real estate development projects. Transcript and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/1 Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc. Guest: David Wex, Partner, Urban Capital Property Grou...