11 episodes

Chris Novelli, AIA - Owner and Principal architect of n3 architecture based out of Hopedale, Massachusetts discusses the challenges, opportunities and success stories of developing projects in smaller Cities and suburban New England downtown locations. In the Empty Lots Podcast, Chris Novelli will discuss projects that he has worked on, research and historical data as well as interviewing passionate developers and business owners who seek to not just make a profit but to use their developments as a catalyst in transforming their cities into vibrant communities. The Empty Lots Podcast is for Developers, Business Owners, Architects, Engineers, Urban Designers, City Planners and anyone who is passionate or curious about how they can transform their city.

Empty Lots Chris Novelli

    • Arts

Chris Novelli, AIA - Owner and Principal architect of n3 architecture based out of Hopedale, Massachusetts discusses the challenges, opportunities and success stories of developing projects in smaller Cities and suburban New England downtown locations. In the Empty Lots Podcast, Chris Novelli will discuss projects that he has worked on, research and historical data as well as interviewing passionate developers and business owners who seek to not just make a profit but to use their developments as a catalyst in transforming their cities into vibrant communities. The Empty Lots Podcast is for Developers, Business Owners, Architects, Engineers, Urban Designers, City Planners and anyone who is passionate or curious about how they can transform their city.

    EL 011: Trish Settles - Developing a Strong Regional Plan

    EL 011: Trish Settles - Developing a Strong Regional Plan

    Empty Lots 011:
    Today I speak with Trish Settles, Planner and Deputy Director of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission. Trish and I discuss the differences between local, town wide masterplans and regional masterplans. We also discuss some of the things that make for a thriving community.

    You can read more about the work that Trish and her team does on the CMRPC Website


    Visit the Empty Lots Podcast for more information

    Follow Empty Lots Podcast on Social Media:
    Twitter
    Instagram

    If you are an architect or architecture student, you need to be part of the EntreArchitect Community - visit the resources for architects page of the n3 architecture website for more information

    Intro and Outro music by Purple Planet Music
    https://www.purple-planet.com


    To learn more about the architecture of Chris Novelli of n3 architecture visit the following links:
    n3 architecture Website
    n3 architecture Instagram
    n3 architecture Twitter

    • 59 min
    EL 010: Too Much Parking

    EL 010: Too Much Parking

    Empty Lots 010:
    Your Town or City has a parking problem - and the problem is, there is way too much.

    People are like broken records every time a new project is proposed, complaining about traffic and parking and how there isn't going to be enough parking. But these people have absolutely no clue what they are talking about. On top of that most city or town planners and local zoning ordinances set their parking requirements off of engineering manuals that are based on maximum or peak volume and not average. This is why you see so many half full or quarter full parking lots at stores, restaurants or office buildings.

    Surface parking lots bring in less tax revenue than buildings and when your town increases the amount of surface parking required it is essentially decreasing the amount of revenue that it can generate.

    Designing towns and cities for the automobile create far less desirable places and the more cities and towns do this the worse off they will be. You want to make your town or city a nice place that attracts businesses and visitors - well you need to plan and design around the human scale at the pedestrian level. More parking will only make your problems worse.


    Visit the Empty Lots Podcast for more information

    Follow Empty Lots Podcast on Social Media:
    Twitter
    Instagram

    If you are an architect or architecture student, you need to be part of the EntreArchitect Community - visit the resources for architects page of the n3 architecture website for more information

    Intro and Outro music by Purple Planet Music
    https://www.purple-planet.com


    To learn more about the architecture of Chris Novelli of n3 architecture visit the following links:
    n3 architecture Website
    n3 architecture Instagram
    n3 architecture Twitter

    • 23 min
    EL 009: What it Takes to Transform a City with Raymond Mariano

    EL 009: What it Takes to Transform a City with Raymond Mariano

    Empty Lots 009:
    Today I am speaking with Raymond Mariano who is a former 4 term Mayor of Worcester, Raymond has also served 10 terms on the Worcester City Council, 2 terms on the Worcester School Committee, and also held the position of Executive Director for the Worcester Housing Authority. Currently, Raymond is an opinion columnist for the Sunday Telegram and Gazette newspaper.

    The former mayor will be discussing what it takes to transform a city and will guide us through the history of Worcester and the key moves and projects that started the transformation from a crime, filled city of vacant buildings to a vibrant community where people want to be.

    You can read Raymond's recent article discussing the transformation of the Main South District of Worcester by clicking on this link. 


    Visit the Empty Lots Podcast for more information

    Follow Empty Lots Podcast on Social Media:
    Twitter
    Instagram

    If you are an architect or architecture student, you need to be part of the EntreArchitect Community - visit the resources for architects page of the n3 architecture website for more information

    Intro and Outro music by Purple Planet Music
    https://www.purple-planet.com


    To learn more about the architecture of Chris Novelli of n3 architecture visit the following links:
    n3 architecture Website
    n3 architecture Instagram
    n3 architecture Twitter

    • 45 min
    EL 008: Innovative Cities with Isra Banks

    EL 008: Innovative Cities with Isra Banks

    Empty Lots 008:
    Today I am speaking with Isra Banks, Architect, Educator, Researcher about Innovative Cities, Diversity and Inclusion in Urban Planning, Creating Healthy Environments, Technology and more.

    Isra will tell us about her YouTube Channel that focuses on having conversations with people around creating Innovative Cities.

    Links:
    Isra's Architecture Firm - Trivek Architects
    Isra's YouTube Channel - Innovative Cities



    Visit the Empty Lots Podcast for more information

    Follow Empty Lots Podcast on Social Media:
    Twitter
    Instagram

    If you are an architect or architecture student, you need to be part of the EntreArchitect Community - visit the resources for architects page of the n3 architecture website for more information

    Intro and Outro music by Purple Planet Music
    https://www.purple-planet.com


    To learn more about the architecture of Chris Novelli of n3 architecture visit the following links:
    n3 architecture Website
    n3 architecture Instagram
    n3 architecture Twitter

    • 46 min
    EL 007: The Most Endangered Buildings in Worcester - with Deborah Packard of Preservation Worcester

    EL 007: The Most Endangered Buildings in Worcester - with Deborah Packard of Preservation Worcester

    Empty Lots 007:
    Today I am speaking with Deborah Packard, executive director of Preservation Worcester.

    Deborah will discuss the action and advocacy efforts that Preservation Worcester is undertaking as well as discuss the organizations educational and community events.

    We will also discuss the buildings listed on Preservation Worcester's 2021 List of Most Endangered Buildings as well as the success stories from buildings which appeared on previous lists.

    Deborah will share insights that will help you if you are taking on a preservation project.

    Links:
    Preservation Worcester Website
    2021 List of Most Endangered Buildings

    Visit the Empty Lots Podcast for more information

    Follow Empty Lots Podcast on Social Media:
    Twitter
    Instagram

    If you are an architect or architecture student, you need to be part of the EntreArchitect Community - visit the resources for architects page of the n3 architecture website for more information

    Intro and Outro music by Purple Planet Music
    https://www.purple-planet.com


    To learn more about the architecture of Chris Novelli of n3 architecture visit the following links:
    n3 architecture Website
    n3 architecture Instagram
    n3 architecture Twitter

    • 53 min
    EL 006: Developing and Reviving Underserved and Neglected Communities with Mark Rengel of the Menkiti Group

    EL 006: Developing and Reviving Underserved and Neglected Communities with Mark Rengel of the Menkiti Group

    Empty Lots 006:
    Today we speak with Mark Rengel, architect and vice president of development for the Menkiti Group. Mark will be discussing the Menkiti Groups work in the Washington D.C. area as well as their work in Worcester, MA.

    Mark will discuss the strategies that the Menkiti Group uses to develop longstanding relationships in the community and how they are able to revive undersevered and neglected communities piece by piece.

    Links:
    Menkiti Group Website
    Website for the Chatham Lofts project in Worcester, MA


    Visit the Empty Lots Podcast for more information

    Follow Empty Lots Podcast on Social Media:
    Twitter
    Instagram

    If you are an architect or architecture student, you need to be part of the EntreArchitect Community - visit the resources for architects page of the n3 architecture website for more information

    Intro and Outro music by Purple Planet Music
    https://www.purple-planet.com


    To learn more about the architecture of Chris Novelli of n3 architecture visit the following links:
    n3 architecture Website
    n3 architecture Instagram
    n3 architecture Twitter

    • 48 min

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