I Hear Design: the i+s podcast
Arts
About
The team at interiors+sources settle in to discuss recent news, interviews, and reviews in more depth than any other source.
Episodes
- ICYMI: When Architecture Listens: Community Spaces Shaped By History And Land
In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode of the I Hear Design podcast, we revisit an article by Nicholas McWhirter , AIA, NCARB, design principal and studio head at SHM Architects , on what it means for architecture to truly listen. T…
- Why Material Intelligence Matters at NeoCon and Chicago Design Week 2026 with Jon Strassner and Kenn Busch
As Chicago Design Week 2026 approaches, the conversation around commercial interiors is expanding beyond product launches and showroom trends at NeoCon and Design Days to focus more deeply on the materials that shape our built environments…
- ICYMI: Swan Dive Design Studio Transforms a Sam’s Club into a Community Hub and Pickleball Destination
In this In Case You Missed It episode of the I Hear Design podcast, we revisit an interiors+sources article by Janelle Penny on Relish Food Hall + Pickleball, an 88,000-square-foot adaptive reuse project in Louisville, Colorado, designed b…
- Product Talk | The Future of Textiles: Why Soft is Power
Textiles are no longer just a finishing touch—they’re a high-performance design solution. In this episode of Product Talk , Lauren Brant explores how textiles are shaping acoustics, wellness, and sustainability while influencing how people…
- Earth Month 2026: What the Sustainability Conversation Gets Right (and Wrong) with Robert Nieminen
What does sustainable design actually look like when you strip away the rhetoric? In this Earth Month episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen takes a thoughtful (and at times provocative) look at the state of the sustainability con…
- ICYMI: From Classroom to Career: The People Who Shape a Designer’s Path
In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode, we revisit an interiors+sources article titled, " From Classroom to Career: The People Who Shape a Designer's Path ," about the vital role mentorship plays in shaping the next generation of de…
- How to Build an Interiors Team From Scratch with Christina Franklin
What does it take to build an interiors team from scratch and make it a true strategic partner to architecture, not a “finishes at the end” function? In this episode of I Hear Design , we sit down with Christina Franklin, Partner and Direc…
- ICYMI: Behavioral Health Facility Design: Begin By Balancing Safety, Dignity, and Therapeutic Outcomes
Behavioral health facility design requires more than durable materials and safety protocols—it calls for spaces that actively support healing, dignity, and positive patient experiences. In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode, we rev…
- Product Talk | Material Intelligence: Why the Future of Product Specification Goes Beyond Carbon with Kenn Busch
In this episode of Product Talk , host Lauren Brant speaks with sustainability journalist and material expert Kenn Busch about the growing importance of material intelligence in product specification. As more architecture and design firms…
- Mobility + Place (Part 2): Designing for the Desert with Ben Ayers and Hannah Hackathorn
What does it mean to design for place in a desert city shaped by rapid growth, rising heat, and shifting expectations around how people live and move? In Part 2 of I Hear Design ’s Mobility + Place mini-series, Robert Nieminen speaks with…
- ICYMI: AIA’s Materials Pledge Report Reveals Progress—and What Comes Next
What does AIA’s latest Materials Pledge report reveal about the future of material selection in design? In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read episode, we revisit an article recently published on the interiors+sources website t…
- Mobility + Place (Part 1): Designing for the Passenger Experience with John Anthal
Airports are among the most complex public environments designers have to shape—high-traffic, high-stress spaces where operational efficiency and human experience must work together seamlessly. In this episode of I Hear Design , we kick of…
- ICYMI: ASID’s 2026 Trends Outlook: Designing for Resilience, Dignity, and Long-Term Impact
In this ICYMI article-read episode of I Hear Design , we revisit an article titled, “ ASID’s 2026 Trends Outlook: Designing for Resilience, Dignity, and Long-Term Impact ” written by staff writer and editor Lauren Brant, originally publish…
- Women’s History Month: Redefining Leadership in Architecture and Interiors with Bhavini Hardev and Lisa Haude
To commemorate Women’s History Month , in this episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen speaks with Studio RYS principals Lisa Haude and Bhavini Hardev about what women’s leadership looks like in today’s AEC industry—and what still…
- Product Talk | The Anatomy of a Spec-Worthy Product
The Anatomy of a Spec-Worthy Product dives into what really makes a product worthy of specification—beyond surface-level aesthetics and marketing claims. Host Lauren Brant breaks down the essential elements designers and architects need to…
- ICYMI: Radford University’s Artis Center Unites Health Sciences and the Arts in a Flexible, Student-Centered Hub
In this ICYMI article-read episode of I Hear Design , we explore Radford University’s Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity, an interdisciplinary, student-centered hub that brings the health sciences and the arts under one ro…
- Budget-Conscious Workplace Design: Fewer Surprises & Better Decisions with Sophie Bidek
When clients say they need a project to be “budget-conscious,” what do they actually mean—and how can design teams respond without sacrificing creativity? In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Sophie Bidek,…
- ICYMI: Designing Workplace Amenities: Create Experiences That Attract and Retain Talent
With hybrid work raising expectations for the office, which is now judged against the comfort and convenience of home, organizations are increasingly prioritizing better amenities and services for their workplaces. In this In Case You Miss…
- Mentorship in the AI Era: How IIDA NY Is Building Stronger Pathways for Emerging Designers With Elisabeth Mejia and Paridhi Chawla
Emerging designers are stepping into a profession that looks nothing like what many were trained for—hybrid work has changed studio culture, and AI is accelerating everything from ideation to expectations. In this episode of I Hear Design,…
- Product Talk | From Clicks to Specs: What Product Engagement Data Tells Us About 2026
In this episode of Product Talk, host Lauren Brant explores what product engagement data reveals about the way designers are thinking, clicking, and ultimately specifying for the year ahead. Drawing on real behavior from the interiors+sour…
- ICYMI: The Art and Science of Acoustics: Enhancing Space Functionality and Privacy
As both a science and an art, acoustics can make or break the way a space functions. In this ICYMI article-read episode based on " The Art and Science of Acoustics ," by Armstrong's Kenneth Wood, published on the interiors+sources website…
- Future-Fitting Cities: Inside Gensler’s 2026 Design Forecast With Jordan Goldstein and Elizabeth Brink
In this episode of I Hear Design , Gensler’s co-CEO’s Jordan Goldstein and Elizabeth Brink sit down with host Robert Nieminen to explore the firm’s 2026 Design Forecast and what it means for the future of the built environment. They discus…
- ICYMI: Microbiome Architecture: A New Frontier in Commercial and Institutional Interior Design
In this ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) article-read episode of I Hear Design , we explore “microbiome architecture,” a next-step evolution of biophilic design that intentionally integrates plants and their microbiomes into commercial and in…
- Stewardship in Action: What “Values-Driven” Design Really Means With Phil Harrison and Lindsey Peckinpaugh
What does it really look like when a design firm leads with values, not simply as a slogan, but as an operating system? In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen talks with Perkins&Will Principal and CEO, Phil Harrison, and Li…
- Editors' Cut: interiors+sources Staff Break Down 2025’s People’s Choice Project Winners
What do interiors+sources readers value most right now, and what does that reveal about where commercial interiors are heading next? In this year-end Editors’ Cut episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen is joined by interiors+source…
- Product Talk | Lauren Brant’s Most-Viewed Product Picks of 2025
Welcome to the debut of Product Talk, a new monthly series on the I Hear Design podcast hosted by Lauren Brant. In this first annual roundup episode, Lauren shares the top five most-viewed Product Picks of 2025, chosen by your clicks on th…
- Acoustic Lighting for “Quiet Luxury”: How Design Choices Shape the Guest Experience with Jason Bird
Industrial designer and Luxxbox founder Jason Bird joins I Hear Design to unpack the design side of acoustic lighting—how soft materials, fixture geometry, surface area, and above-table placement can absorb chatter, clarify zones, and elev…
- ICYMI: COMMENTARY | Architectural Community Responds to Trump’s Executive Order on Federal Design
In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen opens with a brief update on the White House’s proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom project, including preservation groups’ calls for a rigor…
- How AI Is Rewriting Design: Inside the State of AI & Interior Design Report with Guy Ailion
How are interior designers actually using AI—and what are they afraid of? In this episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen sits down with Guy Adam Ailion, co-founder and CEO of Mattoboard , to unpack the company’s new State of AI &…
- ICYMI: Transforming Built Environments Through Trauma-Informed Design
In this In Case You Missed It episode of I Hear Design from interiors+sources , we revisit the article “ Transforming Built Environments Through Trauma-Informed Design ,” written by Carrie Meadows and originally published on August 12, 202…
- How Architects and Designers Can Lead on Indoor Air Quality with Robert Nieminen
How often do you think about the air your projects are asking people to breathe? In this episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen unpacks why indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a frontline design issue—from post-pandemic health con…
- ICYMI: Beyond Aesthetics: Biophilic Design & Neuroscience in Healthcare Spaces
In this In Case You Missed It episode of I Hear Design, we revisit Jennifer Kenson’s feature, “ Beyond Aesthetics: Biophilic Design & Neuroscience in Healthcare Spaces ,” originally published on i+s. You’ll hear how biophilic design in hea…
- Inside Hospitality’s Reset: Place-Making, Storytelling, and Powering the Lobby Experience with Jill Cole
The hospitality market is recalibrating, and design teams are adapting accordingly. In this episode, Jill Cole, President of Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates (CMCA), returns to the I Hear Design podcast to unpack what’s changed since he…
- ICYMI: HGA Completes Innovative 144,000 sq-ft Research Facility at University of Arkansas
On this article-read episode, we spotlight the University of Arkansas’s new Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I³R)—a 144,000-sq-ft hub designed by HGA (with Hufft) to accelerate convergent research and regional economic deve…
- Storytelling, Hybrid Work, and the Future of Workplace Products with Gensler’s Brandon Larcom
In this episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen talks with Brandon Larcom, Global Director of Product Development at Gensler , about the strategy behind today’s most effective workplace products. Larcom unpacks how research, user p…
- ICYMI: Architectural Community Responds to Trump’s Executive Order on Federal Design
In this ICYMI article-read, i+s Editor-in-Chief Carrie Meadows unpacks the renewed federal design directive from her article, “ Architectural Community Responds to Trump's Executive Order on Federal Design ,” originally published on Sept.…
- AI, Hybrid Collaboration, and the Next Evolution of the Office with Steelcase’s Allan Smith
The workplace is evolving faster than ever—and the office must evolve with it. In this episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen sits down with Allan W. Smith, President of the Americas and Chief Product Officer at Steelcase , to exp…
- ICYMI: Designing for Every Mind: 5 Ways to Build Neuroinclusive Workplaces
This is an ICYMI article-read episode of I Hear Design , adapted from our i+s feature “ Designing for Every Mind: 5 Ways to Build Neuroinclusive Workplaces .” You’ll hear five practical, research-informed strategies for neuroinclusive work…
- Breaking the Cycle: Tackling Waste and Building a Circular Future for Interior Design with Robert Nieminen
Waste in the interior design industry is more than an inconvenience—it’s a systemic challenge that affects every stage of a project, from material sampling to tenant turnover. In this episode, host Robert Nieminen examines the root causes…
- ICYMI: Art in Interiors: Why Integrate Local Culture Into Commercial Spaces?
In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read, we explore how thoughtfully curated artwork can do far more than simply “decorate” a space. It can help anchor brand identity, support wayfinding, and even deepen a sense of place and bel…
- Designing for Healing: How Trauma-Informed Design Transforms Spaces and Lives with Christine Cowart and Janet Roche
What if the spaces we design could actively reduce stress and promote healing? In this episode of I Hear Design, interiors+sources Editor-in-Chief Carrie Meadows sits down with Janet Roche and Christine Cowart, co-founders of the Trauma In…
- ICYMI: The Power of Wallcoverings in Creating Salutogenic Spaces
In this ICYMI episode of I Hear Design , we spotlight a compelling article by Heidi Lapka published on the i+s website on May 28, 2025, that explores how wallcoverings can do far more than beautify; they can actively foster well-being. You…
- The Power of Partnership: How Perkins&Will Project Managers Build Trust, Balance, and Better Design with Koko Nomura and Nirmala Srinivasa
What makes a strong project management partnership—and how does it transform the way design projects unfold? In this episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen speaks with Koko Nomura and Nirmala Srinivasa, senior project managers at…
- ICYMI: Transforming Suburban Office Campuses for the Future: Five Key Strategies
Listen in to this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read episode in which we revisit a story titled, " Transforming Suburban Office Campuses for the Future: Five Key Strategies ," written by Dayita Kumar and published on the interiors+…
- Design as an Emotional Anchor: Creating Hospitality Spaces That Truly Connect with Tiffany Woodsen
In this episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen sits down with Tiffany Woodsen, founder of INK+ORO , to discuss the power of emotionally resonant hospitality design. Tiffany shares her journey from residential and nightclub design…
- ICYMI: How Rice Fergus Miller Creates Culturally Rooted Hospitality Spaces
In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read episode, we revisit an article titled, " How Rice Fergus Miller Creates Culturally Rooted Hospitality Spaces ," written by Allison Lampo and published on the interiors+sources website on J…
- The Science Behind Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces with HOK’s Kay Sargent
In this episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen sits down with Kay Sargent of HOK to discuss her groundbreaking book, Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces . Kay explains how neuroinclusive design goes beyond accessibility, tackling…
- ICYMI: HALL Park Hotel in Frisco: Modern Design, Natural Comfort, & Luxury Amenities
Discover the HALL Park Hotel in Frisco, Texas, a property that blends modern architecture with natural materials, soft curves, and biophilic design for a warm, elegant guest experience in this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read. Ba…
- Fighting the Fakes: Why Original Design Still Matters with Buster + Punch Founder Massimo Buster Minale
The design world is facing a crisis of authenticity as cheap knock-off products continue to flood the market and threaten the profitability of original design work. In this compelling episode of I Hear Design , host Robert Nieminen sits do…
- ICYMI: Commercial Materials Industry Moves Closer to Scalable Biomaterials Solutions
In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read, we revisit an article published on the interiors+sources website titled, " Commercial Materials Industry Moves Closer to Scalable Biomaterials Solutions ," on April 22, 2025, written by K…