I Hear Design: the i+s podcast

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 development. Published on August 27, 2025, on the interiors+sources website, the piece explores how a mass-timber pavilion, biophilic strategies, and a flexible lab chassis support cross-disciplinary work in FoodTech, HealthTech, and CyberTech. Tune in to hear why this project matters for designers: the building ties architectural choices to measurable collaboration, talent attraction, and community impact—offering a blueprint for research environments that are as people-centric as they are technically advanced.

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 personas, and storytelling guide the design process—and why “hackability,” flexibility, and hybrid work are redefining what products must do.
The discussion covers sustainability and circularity standards that are changing manufacturer partnerships, the role of emerging technologies in personalizing spaces, and how sensory experiences can strengthen culture and wellbeing. Larcom also offers practical advice for brands looking to collaborate with design firms more effectively and shares what he’s watching next in workplace product innovation.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Gensler’s Research & Insights
Bulo Monica lounge chair by Gensler

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. 3, 2025, and why it’s drawing pushback across the A&D community. You’ll hear a concise overview of the order’s call for classical styles, a quick history lesson on the 1962 “Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture,” and how groups like AIA, ASLA, the BSA, and the Society of Architectural Historians are responding. The episode explores what’s at stake for community input, design innovation, and sustainability in federal projects—grounded with examples like the U.S. Tax Court and the rebuilt Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building—and closes with an editorial perspective on keeping civic architecture democratic, evidence-based, and future-forward.

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 explore how decades of its workplace research are shaping the future of work.
Smith shares insights into designing offices that balance privacy with collaboration, support equitable hybrid meetings, and harness the power of AI. He also discusses how sustainability, neurodiversity, and well-being are redefining what a successful workplace looks like. Plus, we look ahead to the next decade and how space will adapt to new technologies and workstyles yet to emerge.
Whether you’re an architect, designer, or workplace strategist, this conversation will change the way you think about the office—and its role in building community, culture, and creativity.

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 workplace design—covering choice and zoning, sensory load management, predictable wayfinding, user control/personalization, and biophilic design—along with expert perspective from HOK’s Kay Sargent and Tom Polucci. Listen in for a concise guide you can share with clients and project teams looking to make workplace environments more inclusive and effective for all.
In this episode, you'll discover:
How to use choice-based zoning (focus, collaboration, retreat) so people can pick environments that match their cognitive needs.
Practical ways to reduce sensory load—lighting, acoustics, materials, and tech—to minimize fatigue and distraction.
Predictable wayfinding tactics (clear sightlines, landmarks, iconography) that lower anxiety and improve navigation.
Why user control and personalization (adjustable lighting, seating, tools) boost comfort, autonomy, and performance.
How biophilic cues (views, textures, rhythms) can calm the nervous system and support sustained attention.
The business case: fewer disruptions, higher engagement, broader talent access—including neurodivergent employees.
Quick-start pilot ideas and metrics to test changes fast and measure impact (utilization, focus time, satisfaction).

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 of waste and shares insights from industry experts, including highlights from Swatchbox’s groundbreaking Second Life Samples program. Listeners will also learn about cutting-edge biomaterials like kelp-based foam and pineapple-leaf leather substitutes that could change the future of design. Discover practical strategies for reducing waste, embracing circular design principles, and rethinking sustainability in your own projects.

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 belonging for occupants. Adapted from the article, "Art in Interiors: Why Integrate Local Culture Into Commercial Spaces?" written by Rose Morrison and published on the interiors+sources website on June 18, 2025, this episode highlights strategies designers can use now, including:
How to engage local communities and makers
Integrating art with architecture rather than adding it last
Source regionally to support sustainability goals
Consider sensory-friendly choices that make spaces more inclusive
Along the way, we visit examples from retail, hospitality, healthcare, government, and education—from joyful neighborhood murals to mission-driven installations—that show art’s power to connect people, culture, and purpose inside the built environment.

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 Informed Design Society, to explore the growing movement of trauma-informed design. They discuss the science behind stress and the built environment, the importance of designing with fidelity, and how research, consulting, and education are advancing the field. Listeners will gain insights into how trauma-informed principles can be applied across sectors—from schools and healthcare to workplaces and community spaces—to create environments that improve health, safety, and overall well-being. Whether you’re an architect, designer, educator, or advocate, this conversation offers a roadmap for transforming design into a force for resilience and care.
Interested in learning more? Purchase a copy of Roche and Cowart's new book, Trauma-Informed Design, here.

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’ll discover how intentional design with wallcoverings supports the core principles of salutogenesis—the science of designing environments that promote health.
Listeners will learn:
How wallcoverings enhance the Sense of Coherence by making environments feel comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful, and why that matters for our mental and emotional resilience.
The ways thoughtful wallcovering design—through color zoning, visual patterns, or signage—can simplify navigation, reduce cognitive load, and bring clarity to complex interiors like schools, hospitals, and offices.
How innovations in material performance—acoustic textures, antimicrobial and low-glare finishes, stain-resistant or moisture-regulating surfaces—make wallcoverings not only comforting but highly functional and maintainable.
The deep connection between meaning and design: how biophilic motifs, natural textures, or custom visuals can reflect cultural identity, storytelling, and values—turning walls into healing, human-centered narratives.
Emerging trends in sustainable and health-oriented design: recyclable and low-VOC substrates, GREENGUARD or Cradle-to-Cradle certifications, smart surfaces that resist bacteria or absorb sound, and digitally customizable art that brings purpose and place into every wall.
Whether you're a designer, builder, educator, healthcare professional, or wellness-curious listener, this episode offers new insights into how wallcoverings can transform spaces into nurturing environments. Tune in to reimagine what your walls can do.

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 Perkins&Will, about their unique collaborative dynamic.
From navigating cultural and generational differences to leading teams through conflict with grace, Koko and Nirmala unpack how their complementary strengths create a “work marriage” that benefits colleagues, clients, and the design process itself. They also explore the evolving role of project managers, common misconceptions about the profession, and the importance of modeling open communication for younger staff.
Listeners will come away with practical strategies for:
Building trust and respect among diverse project teams
Embracing “creative abrasion” as a driver of innovation
Leading by example to foster collaboration across generations
Navigating conflict with empathy and resilience
Whether you’re managing projects, leading teams, or simply curious about the human side of design leadership, this episode offers a candid look at how partnership can elevate both process and product.