I Hear Design: the i+s podcast

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.

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+sources website on May 28, 2025. You'll discover how suburban office campuses have evolved from sterile, isolated environments to vibrant, mixed-use hubs that prioritize amenities, community integration, and tenant diversity, driven by modern redevelopment strategies.
Key Highlights from This Episode:
Modern suburban campuses now emphasize amenities like bike shops, pet care, and social spaces to enhance tenant experience and community vibrancy.
The integration of tech, life sciences, and creative tenants fosters innovation and attracts a diverse, thriving workforce within suburban settings.
Designing open, approachable boundaries with retail, F&B, and recreational facilities creates inviting environments that blend public and private uses.
A phased, adaptable approach ensures redevelopment aligns with market demands, allowing for long-term growth and flexibility.
Conversions and placemaking initiatives leverage existing structures, promoting sustainability and community engagement while reducing costs.

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 to launching a multidisciplinary studio that blends architectural precision with interior design’s emotive touch. She unpacks how design can act as an “emotional anchor,” shaping how guests feel, remember, and connect with a space. From cost-effective strategies for creating high-end impact to the importance of grounding projects in local context, Tiffany reveals how thoughtful design choices can transform ordinary places into unforgettable experiences.

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 July 1, 2025. Interior Designer and Principal Jennifer Fleming shares insights into their approach, emphasizing the importance of listening to communities, collaborating with local artists, and integrating cultural narratives into design. By focusing on authenticity and community connection, Rice Fergus Miller crafts environments that resonate deeply with their surroundings and the people they serve.
As you listen to this episode, you'll discover how their projects, such as the Jamestown S’Klallam Healing Clinic and the 7 Cedars Hotel, embody the firm’s commitment to meaningful design that honors identity and fosters a sense of belonging.

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 sensory and cognitive well-being to create spaces where everyone can perform at their best. She shares personal stories, research-backed strategies, and practical steps organizations can take to accommodate neurodiverse employees—ultimately boosting engagement, innovation, and retention.
Tune in to learn:
What neuroinclusive design really means and how it differs from universal design
How small accommodations can have a big impact on performance and well-being
Why empathy, choice, and intentionality are critical in workplace strategy
The business case for neuroinclusive environments