I Hear Design

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I Hear Design is your source for interior design and architecture news, interviews and opinions.

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© Albert Vecerka/ESTO, courtesy RKTB
Exterior view of new affordable multifamily project at dusk.
RKTB Architects’ Peter Bafitis and Alex Brito join the I Hear Design podcast to unpack the affordable housing shortage, the policy and financing barriers slowing multifamily development...
June 8, 2026
ID 169690727 | America © Sean Pavone | Dreamstime.com
The Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois. A boat cruises down the river between the tall skyscrapers.
Joined by Steve Kooy and Anthony Serge from BIFMA, Lauren Brant explores how wellness, modularity, emotional performance, and experiential lighting are shaping Chicago Design ...
June 3, 2026
Courtesy of Robert Deitchler | Gensler
Worker in glass-walled office that shows the continuity of Dreamwall displays in the corridor
This episode explores how immersive experiences are transforming commercial interiors from mere novelties into strategic tools for brand engagement, emphasizing authenticity, ...
June 1, 2026
Courtesy of Luoman | Getty Images
Busy retail district at night.
Greg Lyon of Nadel Architecture explains why the future of retail and mixed-use design is less about transactions and more about experience, dining, authenticity, and the creation...
May 25, 2026
Photo by Par Bengtsson, Par Creatives
Open pavilion constructed of steel, wood, and stone with seated visitors, with gardens and greenery in the background.
In this episode, SHM Architects’ Nicholas McWhirter explores how pavilions and community spaces can translate architectural precedent, respond to landscape and support resilience...
May 18, 2026
Courtesy of ASID | © Eric Laignel
Woman standing in front of material samples shelving in ASID materials library.
Kenn Busch and Jon Strassner preview Destination NeoCon and the ReWritten pop-up, exploring why materiality, circularity, embodied carbon and better sustainability storytelling...
May 11, 2026
Courtesy of Fernando Gomes
Outdoor courtyard with a variety of seating and tables.
This ICYMI episode explores how Swan Dive Design Studio transformed an 88,000-square-foot big-box shell into Relish Food Hall + Pickleball, a lively adaptive reuse project that...
May 4, 2026
Courtesy of Canva
A hand holds swatches of textiles set on a table.
Textiles are doing more than ever—and it’s changing how we design. In this episode of Product Talk, Lauren Brant explores how high-performance fabrics are tackling acoustics, ...
April 29, 2026
Courtesy of Giorgio Pasini | Getty Images
Hand holding a glass orb with tall building covered in green plants.
In this Earth Month episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen examines the widening gap between sustainability rhetoric and building performance—exploring why resilience,...
April 27, 2026
Courtesy of SeventyFour | Getty Images
Black man standing beside seated Caucasian young adult woman, both collaborating over open notebook at modern office desk, architectural models and laptop visible on workspace
This episode explores how mentorship influences emerging designers, emphasizing the importance of soft skills like communication and teamwork alongside technical knowledge to ...
April 20, 2026
Courtesy of Nate Sheets Photography
Lounge area inside the KPKC women's soccer stadium designed by Generator Studio.
This episode explores how Christina Franklin transformed her interiors practice from a one-person operation into a strategic, integrated team, emphasizing purpose, standards, ...
April 13, 2026
Image courtesy of Construction Specialties
Treatment center lounge area for visitors and staffs with lounge seating and wood wall paneling.
Based on the latest insights from interiors+sources, this episode examines how designers can align facility type, therapy models, social space planning, and privacy considerations...
April 6, 2026
Kenn Busch
Multi-colored and textured laminate samples mounted on wall for trade show exhibit.
This episode explores how material intelligence is transforming product specification in architecture and design, emphasizing chemistry, lifecycle impacts, and responsible sourcing...
April 1, 2026
Rendering courtesy of Mancini
3D rendering of aerial view of Hualapai tribe building in Phoenix, AZ
In Part 2 of I Hear Design’s Mobility + Place mini-series, Mancini’s Hannah Hackathorn and Benjamin Ayers talk about designing for rapid growth in Phoenix where extreme heat, ...
March 30, 2026
Courtesy of Vera Chitaeva | Getty Images
A variety of building material samples including glass, stone, tile, wood and laminates.
A new look at AIA’s 2024 Materials Pledge findings reveals where firms are advancing material health and climate goals, where social equity still lags, and what comes next for...
March 23, 2026
Courtesy of Mancini
Woman standing at reception desk at the Lufthansa airlines lounge talking to receptionist with bar area in the background.
In Part 1 of I Hear Design’s Mobility + Place mini-series, Mancini aviation leader John Anthal explains how airports can improve wayfinding, comfort, local identity, and operational...
March 16, 2026
Courtesy of Noko LTD | Getty images
Two business people talking at table surrounded by plants.
In this ICYMI episode of I Hear Design, we revisit ASID’s 2026 Trends Outlook, which examines how interior designers are responding to shifting expectations around health, adaptability...
March 9, 2026
Courtesy of Studio RYS
Natural stone bar with stools and dramatic lighting fixture overhead in the AC Hotel by Marriott in Washington, DC..
Studio RYS principals Lisa Haude and Bhavini Hardev join Robert Nieminen to kick off Women’s History Month for a conversation on modern leadership in AEC—what progress deserves...
March 2, 2026
ID 315460617 © Paradee Paradee | Dreamstime.com
Circular economy and sustainability strategies concept. The sustainable solutions for reducing waste. The sustainable solutions for reducing waste and maximizing the use of resources, reduce, reuse, recycle, use of natural resources.
This podcast episode explores the key elements that make a product truly worthy of specification, emphasizing transparency, certifications, and sustainability metrics to support...
Feb. 25, 2026
Courtesy of Robert Benson Photography
Hallway with glass wall showing fashion mannequins in foreground with staircase and glass wall with students walking in background.
In this episode, you'd hear how Radford University’s Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity consolidates arts, health sciences, learning, and research into a shared...
Feb. 23, 2026
Courtesy of Will Ellis
Large, open lounge and cafe are in modern office with lounge seating, area rugs and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Vocon’s Sophie Bidek explains how teams can protect design intent by using real-time cost feedback, prioritizing high-impact “moments,” and building flexible, wellness-supportive...
Feb. 16, 2026
Image courtesy of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
Northeastern University employee dining area shows exposed ceiling infrastructure, gray toned flooring, and natural wood-look accents
This episode explores how thoughtful workplace amenities can serve as a key differentiator in attracting and retaining talent, emphasizing experience over mere features like coffee...
Feb. 10, 2026
Courtesy of Sanjeri | Getty Images
Older man talking with younger woman in mentorship role looking over blueprints in bright office.
This episode explores how hybrid work and AI are transforming design studio culture, emphasizing the importance of mentorship as a two-way, empathetic partnership that supports...
Feb. 2, 2026
Yakim19 ID 140817941 © Yakim19 | Dreamstime.com
Geometric figures of acoustic panels of different shapes and colors. Acoustic panels on a gray spotted background.
Lauren Brant explores the significance of engagement data in understanding what designers focus on, providing a glimpse into the future of commercial design and how data-driven...
Jan. 28, 2026