SISTOSAYS

Sisto Martello

A podcast about New York City Development, Zoning, Code and Construction

  1. 4d ago

    NYC Sustainability's Impact of Local Law 97 | Patrick Beesley | Runwise | Sisto Says Eps# 124

    Local Law 97 is one of the most significant pieces of legislation to hit New York City building owners in a long time — and if you haven't figured out your compliance plan yet, the clock is ticking. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Patrick Beesley, Director of Partnerships at Runwise, to break down what LL97 actually means for the people running buildings in this city. Patrick walks through how smart building technology is helping owners reduce carbon emissions, cut energy costs, and stay ahead of the law's escalating requirements — without the kind of capital-heavy overhaul most people assume is necessary. It's a practical, boots-on-the-ground conversation about sustainability in New York City and what the path to compliance really looks like. Whether you own a building, manage one, or work in the construction and real estate space, this episode is worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.

  2. Jul 16

    Preservation of Landmarks in NYC | Angel Ayon | Ayon Studio Architects | Eps# 123

    New York City's landmarks tell the story of who we are, and keeping them standing takes a lot more than nostalgia. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Angel Ayón, Principal of AYON Studio, an award-winning architect and preservationist who has spent over 26 years dedicated to saving and enhancing some of New York's most significant historic buildings. From his work on the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to community advocacy in Harlem, Angel brings a rare combination of technical expertise and genuine passion for the built environment. He and Sisto dig into what landmark preservation really looks like in practice, the regulatory process, the challenges, and why it matters for the future of our city. If you work in construction, architecture, or real estate in New York, this one is worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.

  3. Jul 14

    Facade Restoration Part 2: The Real Cost of Delays | Matthew Jaworski | Brend Restoration | Eps #122

    Matthew Jaworski of Brent Restoration is back for round two, and Sisto and Matthew picked up right where they left off. This time they get into the mechanics of a facade project from start to finish — what actually triggers the work, how an unsafe condition or a five-year cycle gets things moving, and why your building's insurance and ability to borrow money can hinge on the state of your envelope. They spend a lot of time on the single biggest source of delay that Matthew sees on his jobs: neighbor licensing agreements. If you've ever wondered why a sidewalk shed goes up before anyone's even talking about the actual scope of work, this is the episode that explains it. They also get into how the products have changed — terracotta, membranes, sealants, roofing — and why Matthew's take is that most failures aren't about the product at all, it's about the installation. Plus a look at where technology and AI are (and aren't) changing the trade, and why soft costs on a project have crept up so much over the years. If you're a building owner, property manager, or anyone who touches facade and envelope work, this one's packed with the kind of detail you won't get anywhere else. Thanks for watching. Subscribe for more conversations like this one, and drop your questions for Matthew in the comments.

  4. Jul 13

    Facades, FISP & the Fight for Rigger Safety | Matthew Jaworski | Brend Restoration | Eps #121

    For decades, the people actually doing facade and rigging work in New York City had no voice in how it was regulated. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto talks with Matthew Jaworski, owner of Brend Restoration, Shelter Rock Safety, and a founding member of the NYC Special Riggers Association, about what changed that. They cover the evolution of Local Law 10 and 11, how the Department of Buildings works with trade organizations today, the shift from visual inspections to drones and rope access, and why some of the smartest safety reforms, like eliminating dangerous standoff brackets, only happened once tradespeople were finally in the room. If you want to understand how New York balances regulation, safety, and getting the work done, this conversation is worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments.

  5. Jul 10

    40 Years of NYC Construction & Mentoring the Next Generation | Bob Zirkel | EW Howell | Eps#120

    If you want to understand how NYC construction really works, you talk to someone who's lived it. In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto sits down with Bob Zirkel, Vice President at EW Howell — one of New York's most respected general contractors — for a conversation worth having. Bob has been in the industry for over 40 years, starting on the ground as a superintendent and working his way up. They discuss how much this city and this business have changed, what it takes to build in New York today, and how to bring the next generation of project managers up the right way. Whether you're already in construction or just curious about what it takes to build in one of the most complex cities in the world, this one's worth your time. Watch, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments.

  6. Jul 9

    NYC Refrigerants Rules | Anthony Brannan | Metro Mechanical | Sisto Says Eps #119

    NYC's Refrigerant Rules: What HVAC Contractors & Building Owners Need to Know If you're in the building industry in New York, you've probably been hearing a lot about the refrigerant regulations, and honestly, it can be a lot to sort through. Sisto Martello invited Anthony Brannan, Owner of Metro Mechanical, to help make sense of it all. Anthony knows this stuff inside and out, and had a really honest conversation about what the rules mean for HVAC systems, what contractors are dealing with on the ground, and what building owners should be thinking about. Give it a watch, and if you've got questions or you're dealing with this on a project, drop them in the comments.

  7. May 20

    The Land Use Process is Changing in NYC | Nicole Campo | Eps#118

    In this episode of Sisto Says, Sisto has a conversation with Nicole Campo, AICP, Senior Advisor in Land Use Planning and WEDG at Langan — a nationally recognized engineering and environmental consulting firm. With deep roots in New York City's planning landscape, Nicole brings a rare combination of regulatory expertise, hands-on project experience, and a forward-looking perspective on where the city is headed. Nicole walks us through her background in land use planning, how she found her way into the field, and what it means to advise on some of NYC's most complex development and sustainability challenges. From navigating ULURP and zoning variances to understanding the evolving role of environmental and green design standards, Nicole offers insight into the layers that make land use in New York City unlike anywhere else. The conversation explores how the regulatory environment is shifting — driven by housing demands, climate resilience initiatives, and a city administration pushing for faster, smarter growth. Nicole shares her take on where the opportunities lie, the friction points that still slow projects down, and what planners, developers, and owners should be paying attention to right now. Whether you're in real estate, development, architecture, engineering, or just trying to understand how New York City actually gets built — this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Listen now and subscribe!

  8. May 13

    Building Design 2147's Future | Josephina Lazri | Design 2147, Ltd. | Eps#116

    In this episode, I speak with Josephina, JOJO, Lazri of Design2147, Ltd. about what she is doing with the future of Design2147. Listen now and subscribe!

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About

A podcast about New York City Development, Zoning, Code and Construction

Information

  • Creator
    Sisto Martello
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    117
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SISTOSAYS
  • Show Website
    SISTOSAYS