TheSquare

In this episode of The Square, we chat with Hilton Carter, an inspiring figure who masterfully blends creativity with cultivation.  Broadcasted from the Oasis Plant Shop in Oak Cliff, Hilton shares his journey from filmmaker to plant enthusiast, discussing his influences like the films 'Do The Right Thing' and 'The Shining.'  Hilton's story is a compelling blend of art and botany, from his first p...

Join host Bryan Greene for a lively journey into the craft of interior design at Corgan. Nicole Cain and Abby Valliere trace their paths from early inspirations to firm leadership, revealing how clear client visioning, “this or that” kick-off drills, and clever cost-versus-wow decisions turn blank plans into spaces people love.  They unpack the realities of ground-up work and adaptive reuse, share...

What happens when a desert‑born dreamer discovers the secrets of living buildings? Join host Bryan Greene on The Square as he sits down with Dr. Eiman Graiz, Echo’s resident sustainability wizard. From her childhood in Jordan to a doctorate in digital fabrication, Eiman’s story is packed with resilience, radical curiosity, and a vision for architecture that breathes. Hear how termite mounds inspir...

In this episode of TheSquare, we sit down with Gabriel Oros and Callea McGehee to explore how design shapes both spaces and lives. From their early sparks of inspiration to solving real-world challenges in airports and hospitals, they unpack what it means to design with empathy, intention, and impact. We dive into topics like daylighting, acoustics, the psychology of wayfinding, and how trust - an...

In this episode of TheSquare, Brandon Carmichael and architect James Adams delve into the intersection of architecture and gangster films. They discuss how key architectural settings contribute to storytelling in classic gangster movies like The Untouchables and The Departed, and evaluate the recent film Alto Nights. The pair also explores tropes common to the gangster genre, dissects pivotal scen...

In this insightful episode, Brandon Carmichael and James Adams explore two films selected by their senior producer, Adam Fly, focusing on themes of architecture, emotion, and societal reflections. Dive into the contrasting yet intriguing worlds of "Equals" (2015) and "The Great Beauty" (2013), and discover how architecture subtly enhances their storytelling. Join this engaging conversation that bl...

Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of adaptive reuse with James Adams. Learn how existing buildings like ancient warehouses and mid-century offices are converted into modern apartments, office spaces, and more. Understand the distinctions among renovations, repositioning, and adaptive reuse, and explore case studies like the 2401 Cedar Springs project, the John Deere warehouse, and mor...

In this episode of TheSquare, we visit Keeley Elementary in Garland ISD for a special conversation with Steve Hulsey, recently retired President from Corgan. Steve reflects on his 35-year career, sharing how he first got into architecture and how his journey led him to designing educational spaces. Keeley Elementary holds a unique place in his heart—it was the first school project he worked on fro...

In this special episode of TheSquare, we continue our series exploring the intersection of architecture and film. We dive into The Brutalist, a three-hour cinematic odyssey that captures the power, tension, and artistry of design. With our first-ever guest in the Architecture & Film segment, Barak Epstein of the historic Texas Theatre, we discuss what makes this film a compelling portrait of a...

This week on The Square, we’re back with our annual tradition: unpacking two iconic films through a design lens. What do "Die Hard" and "It’s a Wonderful Life" have in common? At first glance, maybe not much—one’s a high-octane action flick, the other a sentimental holiday classic. But dive deeper with us, and you’ll find surprising parallels in their themes, characters, and even architectural set...

Award-winning architect and designer Umesh Kelkar, Project Designer II in the Aviation Studio, spills on his Summer Design Competition-winning project, "Deep Rooted Ellum." Intended to revitalize the district in the Southeast Dalla neighborhood, Unmesh's vision for a vibrant mixed-use development on the Southeast side of Dallas garnered critical acclaim from the Urban Land Institute and AIA Dallas...

In this special 100th episode of The Square, the MediaLab sits down in a tell-all discussion about its humble beginnings and transformation into a state-of-the-art broadcast production studio.  Tune in as John Higgs, Brandon Carmichael, Luke Boney, Adam Flaa, and former Creative Director Jeff Hoferer banter about the incredible evolution over the past 30 years.  You won't want to miss the foibles...

In this episode, Unmesh Kelkar, a project designer in Corgan’s Aviation Studio, takes us through New York, Berlin, Paris, and Barcelona to explore some of the most visited and iconic privately owned public spaces (POPS) in the world. Funded through Corgan’s Explore program, which encourages architects and designers to travel to destinations of their choice and immerse themselves in the study of ar...

The news is full of stories about global warming, climate change, and water and food scarcity, but what can we do to curtail the alarming statistics?  In this fourth episode of our series on water conservation, we dive into some of the innovative solutions to these ever-growing problems—from adaptive water reuse, vertical farming, and building smart cities and buildings to changing consumer behavi...

Rising sea water, sinking cities, and extreme weather events are causing water shortages in our cities and regions. In this third part of our series examining water conservation, Varun Kohli and Samantha Flores join Arron Aaron Tartakovsky, named a 2023 World Economic Forum Top Innovator, to explore solutions to these global conditions.  Tune in as we examine how cities worldwide—like Singapore, I...

This week’s episode is the second part of a four-part series that explores sustainable solutions for reducing water usage in the built environment. Join us as Varun Kohli and Samantha Flores of Corgan sit down with CEO of Epic Cleantec, Aaron Tartakovsky, to discuss how countries around the world are facing heat islands, sinking cities, water scarcity, mass immigration, and disease due to dwindlin...

“Water, water, everywhere, not any drop to drink.” The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge  Climate change, extreme weather conditions, and consumer behavior all contribute to water scarcity, regional inundation, and nuisance flooding. As architects, designing the urban environment around water infrastructure is becoming increasingly crucial for the future of our water supply. ...

So often, our focus is on what we see; acoustic design addresses what we hear, or more often, what we don't hear, says Jason Mirise, the firm’s go-to for acoustical design. As our Senior Specialist for Acoustical Design, Jason gets excited when he can elevate the performance of a space by delivering quality acoustics. In this episode, Jason discusses how acoustic design considers materiality choic...

The future of architecture computation is here and designers who embrace the emerging technology can make their job faster and easier, says Project Specialist and UTA Professor Sakshi Sharma. Although computational programs may seem daunting at first, the advantages are unlimited, and learning the software is easier than one may think.   Join us for this episode of The Square and see why college s...

In this episode, our favorite film critic and architect, James Adams, Vice President of the Commercial Studio, delves into four iconic movies and deconstructs how AI and architecture relate to some of the greatest sci-fi movies ever. Discover how AI supplants human emotion and connection in the science fiction genre and explore how set design, color, symbolism, and visual effects reflect the relat...

Finding a parking space in downtown Dallas is often a daunting and frustrating experience. In this episode, we meet Carolyn Glenn, Senior Associate of the Commercial Studio, to discuss the new parking garage at 700 Jackson Street commissioned by Dallas County to offer jurors and city employees convenient access to parking. However, far from a normal garage, this unique design provides retail space...

In this week’s episode of The Square, Corgan’s HR Director Halima McWilliams sits down with Executive Vice President & CEO of the International Interior Design Associate (IIDA), Cheryl Durst. Educator, trailblazer, futurist, and first African American woman to be inducted in the Industry Hall of Fame, Cheryl discusses freedom of the imagination and how the seed of design starts with “thinking....

Superheroes, crumbling buildings, mega monsters, and sci-fi movies; visual effects make everything you can imagine real. In this episode, Colin Campbell, visual effects expert for more than 50 feature films and Chair of the Visual Effects Society, elaborates on the history and evolution of VFX and what we can expect from this technology in the future. Virtual reality and special effects can create...

In this week’s episode of TheSquare, architect Gabriel Oros introduces his new series, “What’s the Hold-Up?” where he discusses how designers can embrace new trends and advances in architecture design. In this inaugural interview, he invites Mahdi Alkhami, Design Researcher IV of Hugo and expert in high-performing sustainable design, to explain the advantages of green roofs and their positive impa...

What are Technical Design Services? The nuts and bolts behind design architecture. Corgan’s in-house specialty Technical Design team troubleshoots problems and brings practicality, wisdom, and processes to fulfill the architect’s vision. In this episode, Chris Johnson, Principal and Director of Technical Design Services, discusses the how and why behind checking spec drawings to maintain consisten...