Most Podern Podcast

How can we make our habitats more sustainable? Architectural and energy designer, Liz Hauver dives into the world of energy-efficient design. She shares her journey into the field, breaks down the fundamentals of Passive House architecture, and highlights why energy modeling should be a core part of architectural education. Liz explores the cost and challenges of Passive House certification, the c...

Jared Friedman, a Computational Product Manager at Walter P Moore, joins Most Podern to discuss the challenges and opportunities of incorporating embodied carbon calculations into the design process. The conversation discusses It emphasizes the importance of starting early in design, how to handle inevitable uncertainties, and the outsize role that data plays in delivering a sustainable building p...

Daniel McDermott, a greenhouse gas accounting expert, joins MoPo to dive into his career in sustainability and the challenges companies face in reducing their carbon footprint. From the importance of accurate data and standardized reporting to the role of ESG auditors and breakthrough technologies like carbon air capture, Dan sheds light on the critical steps needed to track, trend, and tackle emi...

What are sustainability and ESG and how do they fit into the incentive structures that shape the built environment? Grey Lee. an Sustainability and ESG Specialist at S&P Global and instructor at Harvard, joins Most Podern as we dive into the critical differences between sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and how they impact our daily lives. We explore the role of E...

In Season 4 of the Most Podern Podcast, we focus on the urgent need for sustainable buildings amid growing housing and infrastructure demands and the need to upgrade existing structures. Our guests discuss how data and technology can improve building performance, as well as the challenges and opportunities of green building practices. We cover key themes such as the impact of inflation on sustaina...

Is the Olympics worth it? Alex is on the ground in Paris to find out. From the mind-boggling logistics to the uncertain impact on host cities, we dive deep into the world of the Summer Games. We dissect the spectacle, the spending, and the legacy of this global event. Are the Olympics a celebration of humanity or a colossal waste of resources? Chapters 00:00 The Olympics: A Moment of Glory for Ath...

Is it possible to balance economic growth with environmental protection? Can we learn from international examples like China's sponge city movement? Join us as we navigate the complexities of urban sustainability. In this deep dive episode, we tackle the complex issue of urban sustainability. From New York City's aggressive emissions reduction goals to Boston's carrot-and-stick approac...

What is the impact of sea level rise on coastal cities and what strategies are we implementing to address this issue? We explore the challenges faced by cities like Boston and New York, the role of design and policy in mitigating the effects of sea level rise, and the need for both individual and collective action. Our discussion highlights the importance of considering future risks and making inf...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of development and uncover what it takes to become a developer. We start by exploring the roots of development, the essential skills needed, and the various development models that shape the industry. Traditionally, developers acquire land, oversee design and permits, and eventually sell or rent their projects for profit. However, there's a shift to...

On this episode of our podcast, we dive into the world of sustainable building design with Dr. Irmak Turan, a trailblazer in sustainability and resilience. Discover how integrating sustainability into your projects from the get-go can transform energy efficiency, materials usage, and even enhance occupant well-being. Dr. Turan sheds light on key certifications like LEED and WELL that set the stage...

How does mushrooms have to do with sustainable materials? In this Episode, Brian Lee, a principal research scientist at Autodesk, introduces his research on low carbon materials. We learn about mycelium composites and how it can be used as a sustainable and carbon-negative material for building facades. Brian teaches us about the role of research in driving innovation and sustainability at Autodes...

Step into the world of cutting-edge real estate with our latest episode featuring Yair, an architect-turned-data scientist who's reshaping the industry at Hines. We explore the fascinating journey from drafting tables to data analytics, and discover how this unique perspective is transforming urban landscapes. Yair shares his obsession with converting offices into housing, a timely topic in to...

Yasushi Sakai is a researcher, artist, and architect that lives in the computer terminal. In this conversation, Yasushi explains his journey from being an architect to his current research at MIT's Media Lab. He discusses his time working in architecture firms and his involvement in digital design divisions. He reflects on the limitations of parametric design tools like Rhino and Grasshopper i...

What is design worth and can its value even be measured? The authors of the forthcoming book, Value of Design: Creating Agency Through Data-Driven Insights , join Most Podern to state that it can be and discuss the importance of design in the built environment and its impact on society. They aim to bridge the gap between design and finance, and quantify the value of design in terms of its impact o...

De Peter Yi joins Most Podern to talk about his work in addressing the built environment through a design research approach to architectural practice. As an ⁠Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University of Cincinnati⁠ , and founder of  ⁠Rebuild Collective⁠ , an architectural research and design studio, Peter’s practice addresses ways in which architectural and urban design plays a role in...

Season 3 of the Most Podern Podcast focuses on design research in the built environment, ranging from innovative ways to address real estate finance, sustainability, policy, civic and engagement. In this season preview, your hosts Libo, Minkoo, and Alex explore how knowledge is created, disseminated, and applied in the industry and introduce the guests, topics, themes, and insights from the season...

In another in between episode, we explore the question of what makes a good building. We touch on the importance of context, the challenges of building in urban environments, and the impact of building materials and technologies. We explore the importance of light, air, and ceilings in creating a pleasant environment. Our next season on the topic of Research is dropping next week! Chapters 00:00 I...

The Sphere in Las Vegas is a unique and captivating building that has gained viral attention. It is a giant LED screen and a building in one, displaying dynamic and immersive content. It has quickly become a symbol of Las Vegas and its entertainment culture. In this episode, we discuss the Sphere's impact on the built environment and its place in the prioritization of spectacle and entertainme...

In this conversation, we explore the challenges of running an architecture business. Why architects are reluctant to view their practice as a business and the stigma associated with prioritizing profit. We dive into the intersection of architecture and entrepreneurship, how architects can become developers and create their own projects. We discuss the business side of architecture and the importan...

In this conversation, we explore the definitions of work, career, and job, and how they differ from each other. We discuss the importance of finding work that aligns with one's values and provides a sense of fulfillment. What is the role of office culture and politics in work satisfaction, and how it can it vary across different industries and regions? Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Work 08:14 W...

Have you wondered how the buildings you live, work, learn, and play in actually get created? Libo, Minkoo, and Alex break down the process of making a building and who is involved - who allows it, who pays for it, who designs, and who builds it. The group breaks down how it all comes together and starts to get at the important challenges and opportunities that the process enables. 00:00 Introducti...

Brandon Hall, architect and founder of BHA in Chicago, discusses his career journey and experiences in the field of architecture. He shares how his early interest in building and design led him to pursue a career in architecture that saw him work across continents for some of the most recognized firms in the world. Brandon reflects on his own education and training, and the lessons he continues to...

Can design training translate to technological innovation? Zach Soflin, architect turned tech entrepreneur joins Most Podern to discuss his journey from studio to startup. Zach discusses his path from being an architect to building Layer, a transformative software for the building industry, that tackles the unique challenges of working with spatial data. Zach shares how he first became interested...

Evan Smith is Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Highland Park Technologies, a company focused on developing automated and cost effective ways to retrofit our built environment. As a licensed general contractor, creator, developer, and serial entrepreneur, shares his career journey moving through various roles and organizations to shape the world around us. The discussion touches on creati...

Evan Wiskup, founder of Wiskup Architecture and co-founder of Neighbor, shares his unique perspective as both an architect and a real estate developer. He discusses his early interest in design and architecture, his intentionality when studying and practicing architecture, and his transition into real estate development. Evan emphasizes the importance of finding fulfillment in one's work throu...