Practice Forward Podcast

V Owen Bush welcomed Pamela Smith, CEO of Twine Architectural Studio, to the Practice Forward podcast to discuss technology, tools, and ideas reshaping architecture, where Pamela Smith shared her background, the evolution of Twine Architectural Studio's specialization in code-driven healthcare architecture, and specific case studies like the Greenwich Village Hospital and a Mother Baby Unit re...

V Owen Bush welcomed Jeannie Bertolaccini to the practice forward podcast, where she discussed Ordiz‑Melby Architects' focus on high document quality, DSA navigation, and community engagement in the steady Central Valley market, noting their firm's use of ArchiCAD and the challenge of hiring staff familiar with it. Jeannie Bertilanchini detailed internal training through OMA University, qu...

V Owen Bush welcomed Bo Sundius, owner of Bunch Design, to the Practice Forward podcast to discuss technology and tools reshaping architecture. Bo Sundius shared Bunch Design's approach to ADU design, focusing on custom, people-first designs and their "doppelganger" process for rebuilding homes after the Altadena fires. Bo Sundius explained that their firm provides a unique service b...

V Owen Bush welcomed Hormuz Batliboi, who shared insights into Batliboi Studio's architectural approach, emphasizing precision and the integration of fine arts and math, as demonstrated in projects like the Brooklyn Heights Loft and their Bed-Stuy Townhouse. They discussed how their experience in larger firms shaped their practice philosophy, balancing rigor with a boutique approach, and highl...

V Owen Bush welcomed Julien Jalbert to Practice Forward, where Julien Jalbert provided an overview of Knickerbocker Group's residential projects in Maine, emphasizing their design-build firm's "one-stop shop" approach for clients. Julien Jalbert discussed their architectural inspirations, the impact of client budgets on design, and the firm's strategic focus on prefab ADUs du...

V Owen Bush welcomed Cole Mears to discuss various themes, including historic overlays, net-zero civic work, and functional firehouses. Cole Mears shared their enjoyment of designing fire stations, noting that fire station owners are decisive and treat projects like their own homes, and discussed the Venice Fire Station Number One project, which also included the City Hall, connected as a civic ca...

V Owen Bush introduced Jeremiah Russell, founder of Rogue Architecture, on the Practice Forward podcast, where Jeremiah discussed his "people-first" and "challenge accepted" design philosophies, emphasizing proactive historic preservation and sustainable design in projects like the Lake View residence and an off-grid house in Guatemala. Jeremiah Russell also shared insights int...

V Owen Bush welcomed Jamaal Siddiqui to the Practice Forward podcast, where Jamaal Siddiqui discussed the evolution and core principles of Yusra Design and Build's "stress-free build method," which integrates design and construction to ensure clarity and accountability for clients. Jamaal Siddiqui highlighted their design philosophy, which blends New England vernacular with Islamic i...

V Owen Bush welcomed Dmitrii Shishov, an architect at OCV Architects, to the Practice Forward podcast to discuss how technology, tools, and ideas are reshaping architecture and how tenants can become co-designers in affordable housing. Dmitrii Shishov shared their background, emphasizing the importance of individuality in housing, and discussed their architectural influences, principles, and the c...

V Owen Bush interviewed Eric Rains, founder of Eric Rains Landscape Architecture, about their career, design philosophy, and various projects. Eric Rains highlighted the significance of their childhood experiences in New Orleans, the importance of restraint and clear communication in design, and the critical role of seasonality in landscape architecture. They also discussed scaling intimacy in lar...

V Owen Bush introduced Omar Clennon, founder of Clennon Design Studio, highlighting the firm's expertise in residential and hospitality spaces, narrative storytelling, adaptive reuse, and sustainability. Omar Clennon detailed the studio's design process, emphasizing narrative storytelling, the integration of beauty, and the use of large-firm practices in a boutique setting to achieve effic...

V Owen Bush introduced David Bois, a partner at Arrowstreet, highlighting the firm's three-decade history and unique approach to architecture, which prioritizes tailoring each project to client needs. David Bois outlined Arrowstreet's philosophy of designing buildings for people, ensuring user enjoyment, and described their decision-making framework that integrates sustainability goals, pa...

V Owen Bush introduced Mark Foster Gage as a renowned architect, author, and thought leader, and they discussed Mark Foster Gage's real resort project, Treyam, located in Saudi Arabia, which features an "otherworldly" design with elevated structures and immersive glass elements. Mark Foster Gage explained his design philosophy, which emphasizes pushing architectural boundaries throug...

V Owen Bush introduced Winka Dubbeldam, a Dutch-born, New York-based architect and founder of Archi-Tectonics, who discussed her firm's "performance over form" ethos, exemplified by projects like the Asian Games Eco Park and their "file-to-factory" approach which integrates regulatory constraints into design. Dubbeldam also shared insights into her architectural education p...

V Owen Bush introduced Desiree Edge (Washington), a multidisciplinary interior designer and founder of Designs By Des Interiors, highlighting her unique approach to creating trauma-informed spaces, and also introduced Scan2Plan as the podcast sponsor. Desiree Edge shared that their design philosophy was deeply inspired by a traumatic house fire they experienced in seventh grade and their father's...

V Owen Bush introduced Ric Stott, founder of Stott Architecture, highlighting his firm's focus on environmentally high-performance design and sustainability, which originated from the 1974 oil embargo. Ric Stott discussed various projects, including the carbon-neutral HGA House and the renovation of the Suffolk Theater, emphasizing the integration of sustainable technologies and innovative constru...

V Owen Bush introduced Madelaine Mayer, founder of Adroit, an interior architecture studio specializing in small space living, highlighting Adroit's commitment to precision and Scandlan's sponsorship as an as-built service. Madelaine Mayer explained her transition from large-scale projects to Adroit, emphasizing her entrepreneurial spirit, the application of BIM rigor to small projects, and her fo...

V Owen Bush and Shawn Hamlin discussed the historical significance of the Capital Region and the ongoing project to restore the Stephen and Harriet Myers residence and develop a cultural center. Shawn Hamlin detailed the design incorporating a historic Dutch barn, sustainable building practices aiming for net-zero energy, and the client's vision for an engaging community space, highlighting challe...

V Owen Bush introduced Adam Dayem, who discussed his teaching at RPI, emphasizing the transition for second-year students from theoretical design to practical architectural problems involving representation conventions and a past adaptive reuse project at St. Mary's Church. Adam Dayem also shared insights on the impact of AI and parametric tools on architectural representation, the balance between...

V Owen Bush and Rahul Shah discussed Tight House's focus on sustainable and energy-efficient residential design, the benefits and challenges of applying passive house principles to both new and existing homes, and the architect's role in considering long-term relevance and human ecology. Rahul Shah emphasized the importance of air tightness, insulation, and mechanical ventilation for comfortable a...

Margaret Schedel, Nick Wang, and Chase Pierson from Lyra introduced their startup focused on revolutionizing sound modeling in space by treating acoustics as a primary design element, using AI to simulate and visualize sound in architectural and engineering models. V Owen Bush and the Lyra team discussed the importance of audio in design, Lyra's unique acoustic scanning and modeling approach utili...

V Owen Bush interviewed Jeff Akerman about Rise Architecture's focus on regulations, technology, and urban redevelopment, including their long-tenured staff and core design philosophy emphasizing function and usability. Jeff Akerman discussed navigating client visions with regulations through education, the challenges and benefits of their in-house scan-to-BIM services and XR tools like Archio and...

V Owen Bush and Adam McCullough discussed Adam McCullough's architectural design work at Ark and Type, highlighting projects like Blue Table Chocolates with its unique ceiling and the adaptive reuse of a warehouse into the Fawn and Fox Salon. Adam McCullough also shared their approach to design, emphasizing "economy of means and density of meaning," and their teaching philosophy at the University...

V Owen Bush interviewed Eugene Colberg of Colberg Architecture, discussing their diverse portfolio with an emphasis on adaptive reuse and contextual design in New York City, including modern bathhouse projects and sustainability initiatives like LEED certification and innovative heating methods. Eugene Colberg highlighted the importance of a generalist approach, the impact of construction on the e...

V Owen Bush introduced Michael Yarinsky from Office of Tangible Space, who discussed their human-centric design philosophy focused on emotional resonance, avoiding trends, and creating meaningful spaces as exemplified in projects like the Brooklyn Museum Cafe and "soft brutalism" residential design. Michael Yarinsky also highlighted their work renovating historic structures, their furniture design...