Bringing Malls Back from the Dead

Bringing Malls Back from the Dead

On the season one finale of Radically Polished, Jason and Rob tackle the not-so-shocking reality that America’s malls are on life support, and it's going to take more than an Auntie Anne's to keep them alive. The way forward? "De-malling” these retail dinosaurs out of the stone age, and transforming them into mixed-use hubs where you can do yoga, listen to smooth-jazz, walk your dog with an iced matcha in hand, and gather around a firepit - all in what used to be a Sears parking lot. Through stories of brutally honest client meetings and half-empty malls clinging to relevance, they're making one thing clear: people don’t hate shopping, they hate boring retail boxes. The future belongs to places with energy, experiences, and actual humans sticking around longer than 20 minutes; because your local mall deserves better than becoming a Spirit Halloween.

Demystifying Construction Administration

On this episode of Radically Polished, Jason Shepard and construction veteran Terry Dopp dismantle the myth that architecture ends at drawings, and expose why Construction Administration is a real make-or-break phase of a project. In a world where 100 RFIs turn into 600, contractors build from the wrong sheets, accessibility issues get buried behind drywall, and schedule pressures try to bulldoze good decisions, a top-notch CA team is a necessity. Terry brings boots-on-the-ground insight into why CA doesn't come down to a checkbox or paperwork; it’s proactive problem-solving, code enforcement, team alignment, and occasionally saying the hard “no” that protects everyone’s investment. From embedding CA into design early, to training the next generation instead of recycling burned-out PMs, this episode makes one thing clear: great buildings don’t happen by accident, they’re defended into existence.   Check out more of our work here: www.dwelldesignstudio.com [http://www.dwelldesignstudio.com]

The Senior Housing Tsunami

This ain't your grandpa's old folks home! Dwell's CMO Rob Snyder and Senior Housing Expert Chris Van Kley take a tour through the world of senior housing, covering everything from 55+ communities and memory care to intergenerational campuses, zoning quirks, robot waiters, and why developers love seniors. Join in as they unpack the looming 'silver tsunami', and imagine a future where Senior Housing means upgrading, not settling for less. Out with bingo, in with the future!

Creating Timeless Designs

How do you design a building that looks great today and 50 years from now? Rob Snyder sits down with TJ Reed, one of our designers here at Dwell Design Studio to talk about what makes a building truly last, beyond the budgets and gimmicks. They're diving into client collaboration, design trends, material choices, and the secrets to making every corner beautiful. Plus, a little homework for design lovers (or you could just get back to scrolling Instagram like everyone else). Like what you hear? Subscribe so you don't miss an episode, or head to our website to see more of the awesome stuff we're making: https://www.dwelldesignstudio.com/ [https://www.dwelldesignstudio.com/]

Residential Developers are from Mars, Retail Developers are from Venus

Residential and Retail developers might be from different planets, but give a skilled mixed-use architect the controls, and suddenly everyone's orbit aligns. Join Jason Shepard and Rob Snyder as they dive into balancing the dynamic between these two very different kinds of clients. From parking strategies to pedestrian pathways, wrap projects to high-rises, they break down the secrets to creating great developments for both tenants and shoppers - while also giving your residential and retail clients exactly what they need. If you’re looking to bring out the best of both worlds for your mixed-use development, this episode is your blueprint for success.