CE Center Podcasts CE Center Podcast

In 1998, co-founders Joshua Aidlin and David Darling joined forces in a small woodshop studio crafting furniture. As that partnership grew, they took their approach to sensible and functional design to their work-a-day jobs as architects. Eventually joining forces and launching their own design firm, Aidlin Darling Design in San Francisco, they found a way to take their ethos and approach to custom furniture design to large scale projects. This podcast excavates the many layers and nuances Aidlin and Darling employ to integrate biophilic design, all the human senses and sustainable design into high-profile projects. Their approach to each project is client and site specific, and includes open communication among clients, consultants, fabricators, and builders to achieve innovative, unexpected results. From projects like the AIA Center for Design in San Francisco, to the University of Virginia Contemplative Sciences Center, Aidlin and Darling practice an architecture of restraint that has a focus on nature, coupled with sensorial engagement of occupants.Learning Objectives:* Describe the inspirational approach to design of Aidlin and Darling.* Explain how Aidlin and Darling reached out to the local art community to elevate the AIA Center for Design project.* Discuss the deliberate intention of incorporating biophilic design into the UVA Contemplative Sciences Center.* List the ways that Aidlin and Darling believe the next wave of architects can be cultivated and encouraged to pursue a career in design. Credits: 0.5 AIA LU/HSWSpeaker: Aaron Prinz 

A completely remote team is an oddity for architecture firms. However, even before the lock-downs of Covid, the architecture firm The Ranch Mine, based in Arizona, embraced the concept to build a dream team of designers. Cavin Costello joins the podcast this time to discuss developing the First Phoenix Green Construction Code project, designing for visionary real estate developers, and creating unique homes for trailblazing homeowners across the U.S. Winners of six national awards including the HGTV Designer of the Year contest in 2019 and 2023, The Ranch Mine continues to expand the reach of their firm domestically and globally through a spirit of entrepreneurism and single-minded customer relationships. Learning Objectives:1.    Examine some of the challenges and best practices of having a fully remote architecture firm.2.    Discuss the process of creating custom homes on unique sites that satisfy both the client’s needs and the architect’s vision.3.    Describe the approach The Ranch Mine takes to understand the unique building processes, budgets, and schedules when working in different regions in the U.S.4.    Describe how the spirit of entrepreneurism has helped The Ranch Mine grow as a business while maintaining creative integrity.Credits: 0.5 AIA LU/HSWSpeaker: Aaron Prinz

UP Studio architect and founding partner John Patrick Wineberry joins the podcast to discuss the gentle and comfortable approach UP Studio employs to guide clients to an understanding of complex design theories. While high profile projects like the house from the Netflix feature film “Leave The World Behind” may draw attention to Up Studio, their minimalist designs and close working relationships with clients are the bedrock inspiration for this successful studio. Learning Objectives:* Describe the overall philosophy that Wineberry incorporated into the creation of Up Studio.* Explain the how integrating natural environment, specifically the following the path of the Sun, helped create client satisfaction in the Open Corner House.* Discuss the process of with working with Netflix during the production of the film “Leave The World Behind”.* Describe the overall experience Wineberry navigated as an architect seeing their project featured in a major motion picture. Credits: 0.5 AIA LU/HSWSpeaker: Aaron Prinz

Greg Faulkner joins the podcast to discuss their approach to incorporating existing elements into design. Greg Faulkner formed Faulkner Architects in 1998 to pursue the making of highly crafted, site sensitive places. With a strong commitment to the quality of every project, Faulkner’s portfolio is an extensive collection of innovative and environmentally sensitive homes. This podcast explores the path Faulkner takes to be sensitive to client concerns while also incorporating the dreams and goals of the client. Respect and reputation allow Faulkner to enjoy repeat projects for clients that make up a third of the work. Evolution of the design through construction is an integral part of the process. From Ottawa to Noe Valley, Faulkner’s work speaks for itself. Learning Objectives:* Describe the overall philosophy that Faulkner follows to incorporate design with existing elements.* Explain the how building with fireproof and fire-resistant materials is part Faulkner’s “common sense” approach to resilient design.* Discuss the project goals and challenges associated with achieving Net Zero Energy status of the Miner Road Project.* List the challenges associated with the design and construction of Net Zero Energy homes, and how Faulkner successfully completed the Miner Road Project. Credits: 0.5 AIA LU/HSWSpeaker: Aaron Prinz

In contemporary building design, the significance of sound control has never been more pronounced. A fundamental grasp of acoustical terminology and the principles of sound transmission is crucial for designing wall partitions to align with project specific performance goals adhere to code requirements and align with industry standards. This podcast, hosted by Alex Bachrach, welcomes Scott Hughes CSI, CDT, the Atlantic and northeast region construction design manager for National Gypsum Company, as well as Chad Goodman, FCSI, CDT, CCPR, and Lead Green Associate, and the Central and Midwest Region Construction Design Manager for National Gypsum Company. This conversation covers the basics managing and controlling sound through thoughtful partition design and explores key concepts and strategies for improving a walls sound transmission class (STC) rating. Learning Objectives:1.    Examine key acoustical concepts and terminology such as sound transmission class STC, decibels, Hertz, and frequency.2.    Explore how sound is transmitted through wall partitions.3.    Review code requirements and industry guidelines for sound transmission between adjacent spaces4.    Learn 6 concepts that can influence the STC rating of a wall assembly.5.    Investigate product options and formulate design strategies to achieve STC performance criteria. Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSWSpeaker: Alex Bachrach 

Arguably one of the most iconic structures on the West Coast, the Space Needle defines the Seattle skyline. When the private owners decided to embark on a major renovation, they tapped local group Olson Kundig to lead the project. This podcast invites design principal Alan Maskin, and project architect, Blair Payson to discuss their approach to the project, challenges, and the process of working closely with the City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board (LPB), local architecture historians and preservationists, a surviving original Space Needle structural engineer, and the community to be consistent with the original design intent and respect the character defining features of the Space Needle. Learning Objectives:* Describe the basic history of the construction of the original Space Needle.* Explain some of the challenges Olson Kundig encountered when designing the iconic structure.* Discuss how working with a private ownership helped enhance and expand the design opportunities in the retrofit project.* Characterize the general attitude of the public before, during, and after the retrofit project. Credits: 0.5 AIA LU/HSWSpeaker: Aaron Prinz