Working Together

Modern is a Myth

This week on the Brick & Wonder podcast, we are joined by Nigerien architect Mariam Issoufou [https://www.mariamissoufou.com/]. The conversation explores Mariam’s journey into architecture, the assumptions she has challenged along the way, and how her work pushes back on dominant ideas of modernity and progress. Shaped by her contemporary perspective on climate change and post-colonial identity, we discuss why architecture is not neutral, and why meaningful design must respond to economic, cultural, and climatic realities, not just aesthetics. This episode is brought to you by MADERA, specialists in handcrafted wood floors and Seamless Wood Design® solutions.

How To Design Your Life

This week we are joined by Debbie Millman, a graphic designer, podcaster, and the chair and co-founder of the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts. The episode focuses on the theme of designing your life, and Debbie’s unique framework for doing so. We talk about how fear and regret get in the way, and that ultimately, how successful we are depends not only on the goals we set, but whether or not we act or succumb to our fears. After interviewing the world’s leading creatives for 21 years on her podcast, Design Matters, Debbie brings a deep understanding of how to lead a creatively fulfilling life.

Why Architecture Doesn’t Matter (But Should)

This week we are kicking off season three of the podcast with the urbanist and real estate developer Coby Lefkowitz [https://brickandwonder.com/collective/coby-lefkowitz/]. The conversation explores what it would take to develop new housing at scale today, why fashion commands public imagination in ways that real estate and design rarely do, and more. This episode is brought to you by MADERA [https://www.maderasurfaces.com/], specialists in handcrafted wood floors and Seamless Wood Design® solutions.

Matt Berman & Aliya Khan

This week on the Brick & Wonder podcast, our hosts sit down with two design leaders in the hospitality world: Aliya Khan [https://brickandwonder.com/collective/aliya-khan/], Vice President of Global Design Strategy & Product Development at Marriott International [https://www.marriott.com/default.mi?nst=paid&cid=PAI_GLB0004YXD_GLE000D7HH_GLF000TS7E&ppc=ppc&pId=ustbppc&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21365863366&gbraid=0AAAAADilnicxCwqk8S5T6FWPZqDtFiRc0&gclid=Cj0KCQiAosrJBhD0ARIsAHebCNoGMtJyS_QJNrQuOhNg3b-5m_RVqZEXGpfg4lUxsyw0M3A98bJFHkYaApIyEALw_wcB], and Matt Berman [https://www.workshopapd.com/about/team/mdb/], Founding Principal at Workshop/APD [https://www.workshopapd.com/]. Together, they explore their collaboration on the Moxy hotel in Banff, Alberta; the joy of working with open, supportive collaborators; how hospitality design demands flexing brands to meet context; and the unexpected paths that shaped their design careers. This episode is brought to you by Reilly Architectural, known for their custom windows and doors, and Madera, specialists in handcrafted wood floors and Seamless Wood Design® solutions.

Nick Schiffer & James Robb

Today on the Brick & Wonder podcast we sat down with custom home builder and industry thought leader Nick Schiffer [https://www.nsbuilders.com/] and James Robb, co-founder of Madera [https://www.maderasurfaces.com/], specialists in hardwood finishes. Recorded at 45 White Oak [https://www.45whiteoak.com/], an ambitious home Nick has developed and built in Wellesley, Massachusetts, this candid conversation explores how to have challenging conversations with clients, the ups and downs of business ventures that don’t yet pencil, and their goal of productizing their practices to create more seamless client experiences. This episode is brought to you by Reilly Architectural [https://www.reillyarch.com/], known for their custom windows and doors, and Madera [https://www.maderasurfaces.com/], specialists in handcrafted wood floors and Seamless Wood Design® solutions.