Welcome to The Anti-Architect Podcast. I’m your host Christian Giordano. As the president and owner of design firm Mancini Duffy, I’m driven by a quest for learning and radically changing the industry through tech-first innovation. With this podcast, I’m
In this episode, Christian sits down with Jeff Echols, Senior Advisor and the Head of Marketing at Shadow Partners. Jeff is on a mission to change the way AEC firms do business. He leverages 30 years of experience working in, starting, and managing firms to help drive innovation in the business of architecture and AEC adjacent industries. Jeff hosts the Build Your Brand podcast, the live-stream show Context & Clarity LIVE, and the daily short-form podcast Shadow Shorts. A prolific speaker, Jeff has shared his experience and thought leadership. Jeff's speaking clients have included private companies, local governments, colleges and universities, and industry organizations like, the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), American Institute of Architects (AIA), Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Professional Services Management Journal (PSMJ), and Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). https://shadowpartners.co/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Stephen Perkins, Partner at HotelStudio. Stephen is an American Architect and Designer, leading the way in creating story-driven, experiential hospitality and entertainment spaces. His design prowess is exemplified in the hundreds of luxury hotels, resorts, cultural, leisure, and retail destinations that he has designed over the course of his 45-year career. His innovation and leadership in the field has been recognized by Hospitality Design Magazine's Platinum Circle Award and his elevation to the International Society of Hospitality Consultants, a global society of the world's leading hospitality authorities. https://www.thehotelstudio.com/about-us https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Marc Spector, FAIA, CEO and Owner of SPECTOR Companies. Marc applies his core cultural principles to the business of architecture, creating value for design excellence and the profession. Marc's influential business model is built on creating impactful life spaces regardless of project constraints and typology, cultivation of client and team relationships into friendships, growth in new markets and services, and continual advancement of design innovation hand-in-hand with profitable business practices. Leading a diverse team of professionals in the various practices in the country and worldwide, Marc advances creative and technical strategies in the various practices over the firm's 57-year lifespan. Sustainability, carbon neutrality, and passive and net zero design and construction principles are now indigenous in the firm's cultural DNA. Marc is an Emmy Award Winner for NBC's hit show "George To The Rescue" and has appeared on The Daily Show with John Stewart. https://spectorcompanies.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Bradford Perkins, FAIA, co-founder of Perkins Eastman with Mary-Jean Eastman, FAIA. He has built a career that spans 50 years and includes projects in more than 30 countries. Brad's grandfather Dwight Heald Perkins, FAIA, who founded Perkins, Fellows and Hamilton in 1894, and Brad's father, Lawrence Bradford Perkins, FAIA, who co-founded Perkins + Will in 1935, inspired Brad to focus on design that enhances the quality of life. Throughout his career, Brad has directed major projects in all of Perkins Eastman's key practice areas, serving as Principal in Charge of work around the world ranging from small projects for non-profit organizations and senior living communities to major healthcare facilities, large-scale mixed-use developments, education and research campuses, and even master plans for new cities. Author of nine books and more than 100 articles covering all aspects of architecture and design, Brad has lectured at more than 20 colleges and universities and currently serves on the faculty of Cornell's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. Brad deeply believes that the built environment can improve people's lives, wherever they are in the world. https://perkinseastman.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Paul J. Massey, CEO of B6 Real Estate Advisors, which provides commercial real estate owners and stakeholders with a next-generation experience to optimize their investments through territory-specific investment sales. You might recognize Paul's name from the well-known Massey Knakal Realty Services, a company he founded with his colleague Robert Knakal whom he met at CBRE (and previous guest here on The Anti-Architect Podcast – Episode 40). The company became the New York metropolitan area's dominant commercial investment sales brokerage firm, with over 225 employees serving more than 200,000 property owners. https://b6realestateadvisors.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/#podcast
In this episode, Christian sits down with Mark Zweig, Chairman and Founder of Zweig Group. Mark is best known as the leading expert in management for the architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental industries for four decades. Zweig Group has been on the Inc 500/5000 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies three times. Mark's other company, Mark Zweig, Inc., is an award-winning design/build/development firm that was named to the Inc 5000 list in 2014. Since 2005, Mark has been Entrepreneur-in-Residence teaching entrepreneurship at The Sam M. Walton College of Business at The University of Arkansas. https://zweiggroup.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with John "Ozzie" Nelson Jr., Chairman and CEO of NELSON Worldwide. In 1987, Ozzie entered his father's 15-person interior design firm. Over the following years, he expanded the firm's core design business with emerging technologies and consulting capabilities to create a compelling service delivery platform for large corporate clients. Since Ozzie became CEO in 2003, the firm has executed more than 40 mergers/acquisitions, taking NELSON from #37 in the industry to “Top 10” with growth of more than 500 percent. In 2019 The Zweig Letter identified NELSON as the second “Fastest Growing AE Firm” based on percentage growth. https://www.nelsonworldwide.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with James Scesa, the Founder and Managing Principal of WRK^LNK Consulting. A talent management and recruiting firm, Jim and his team connect top AEC industry talent with the right opportunity and the right companies throughout the U.S. Born out of the pandemic, WRK^LNK has taken a transformative approach to supporting their clients facing modern-day employer and employee relationship challenges. With an out-of-the-box approach to consulting, WRK^LNK goes beyond traditional staffing and recruiting. With nearly 20 years of experience, Jim and his team provide services for the AEC industry surrounding firm efficiencies, outsourcing profitability, strategic business, and expansion growth.
In this episode, Christian sits down with Mark Beal, a Gen Z expert and full-time professor of practice in public relations in the Rutgers University School of Communication & Information. For more than 25 years, Mark Beal served as a public relations practitioner and marketer for one of the nation's leading consumer PR agencies for leading companies like the Olympic Games, Super Bowl, World Series, US Open Tennis, and The Rolling Stones. It was Mark's Rutgers students who inspired him to author his first book in 2017, 101 Lessons They Never Taught You In College. Mark's ongoing primary research of Gen Z has led to keynote speeches to the American Marketing Association, Association of National Advertisers (ANA), and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He has written several books about Gen Z which have led to invitations from conferences, corporations, brands, agencies, universities, industry associations, and pro sports leagues and teams for Mark to deliver keynote speeches featuring his Gen Z research and insights. Mark's new book, ZEO: Introducing Gen Z, The New Generation Of Leaders, is available on Amazon. www.markbealspeaks.com https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Eva Hagberg, author, historian, and educator. In addition to being the Studio Director for Loebach Designs, she is the author of WHEN EERO MET HIS MATCH: ALINE LOUCHHEIM SAARINEN AND THE MAKING OF AN ARCHITECT (Princeton University Press) and the critically acclaimed memoir HOW TO BE LOVED (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Eva has published widely on design and architecture in publications like the New York Times, Metropolis, The Architect's Newspaper, and more. She has degrees in architecture from Princeton University and UC Berkeley, and a PhD in Visual and Narrative Culture from UC Berkeley. https://www.evahagberg.com/ https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691206677/when-eero-met-his-match https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this special joint podcast episode with Building Conversations Podcast, “TSX Broadway: Raising History in Times Square,” key TSX Broadway project team members join Christian to reflect on the once-in-a-lifetime project — including lifting the historic Palace Theatre 30 feet in the air. TSX Broadway, located at 1568 Broadway, is being transformed into an unprecedented, entertainment-driven destination that will redefine how people engage with Times Square. Guided by the vision of L&L Holdings, Maefield Development, Fortress Investment Group, and The Nederlander Organization, some of the brightest minds in design, construction, and engineering have been working together. Leading the design and construction of this ambitious project are design firm Mancini Duffy and construction management firm Pavarini McGovern, an STO Building Group company. Christian and Jason Vesuvio, Vice President of Pavarini McGovern and first-time host of the Building Conversations Podcast, teamed up to co-host and discuss this monumental achievement with a handful of the visionaries who made the engineering feat a success. Featuring insights from Bill Mandara Jr., CEO of Mancini, Tony Mazzo, President of Urban Foundation/Engineering, Benjamin Alper, Associate Principal of Severud Associates, and Joe Levi, Project Manager at Pavarini McGovern, and co-hosted by Christian and Jason, this episode covers the who, what, when, and why of TSX Broadway's iconic theater lift, as well as what's next for the team as construction continues. https://tsxbroadway.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-conversations/id1467818603
In this episode, Christian sits down with Bob Knakal, Chairman of NY Investment Sales with JLL Capital Markets. Bob started his real estate career in 1984 and is responsible for selling over 2,222 buildings to date (generally considered the highest total ever for a single broker in New York) and over $20.4 billion in sales. Bob was Chairman and Founding Partner of Massey Knakal Realty Services, New York's #1 building sales firm. In addition, he was ranked the top originating investment sales broker at Cushman & Wakefield globally in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Bob joined JLL Capital Markets in September 2018. Since 2009, Bob has written a weekly column on the New York City Real Estate Market called Concrete Thoughts for the Commercial Observer.
In this episode, Christian sits down with Pascale Sablan, FAIA, the founder of Beyond the Built Environment and a senior associate at Adjaye Associates. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked on a variety of projects around the world. Pascale is the 315th living African American woman registered architect in the U.S. She is an activist architect who works to advance architecture for the betterment of society, bringing visibility and voice to the issues concerning women and BIPOC designers. Beyond the Built Environment is an organization positioned to address the inequitable disparities in architecture. Sablan was awarded the 2021 AIA Whitney M. Young. Jr. Award for her advocacy efforts and ascended to the AIA College of Fellows, the youngest African American to reach that honor. In 2023, she will be the President-Elect of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), the fifth woman to hold this leadership position. She is also a member of the 2022 AIA National Secretary's Advisory Committee. www.beyondthebuilt.com
In this episode, Christian sits down with Ken Patel, Founder and Chairman of EV Hotel. With 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ken is also the Founder and Chairman of EV Smart, EV Human, EVHG, and Hospitality 360 Live. He is a visionary who believes the hospitality industry needs a significant overhaul. His goal is to revolutionize the hospitality industry with technological innovations to create centric experiences for guests and employees. https://evaihotels.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Fred Buscaglia, Managing Director of JLL Project and Development Services. With over 30 years of experience, Fred provides executive oversight for construction and project management, specifically for large-scale corporate real estate projects in the finance, insurance, and law sectors. His expertise on the client side is valuable to understanding the intricacies of operations and construction management across a broad spectrum of industries. He's worked with notable clients, including Conde Nast, MetLife, Raymond James., and Carlyle Capital. In addition, Buscaglia is the Founding Member of ORPM Alliance, which was created during the pandemic to educate CRE professionals about the value of hiring an Owner's Representative. https://www.us.jll.com/ www.theantiarchitect.com
In this episode, Christian sits down with David Supple, CEO of New England Design & Construction (NEDC), an award-winning, full-service architectural design-build firm. Over the past 17 years, David has built NEDC into a dynamic and cutting-edge multi-million-dollar creative firm. He is a passionate advocate of the client benefits of full-service design-build and a proponent of the true role of the architect throughout history as master builder. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are woven into the ethos of the NEDC's mission and the spaces the firm creates. Innovators at the forefront of sustainable luxury design, NEDC reimagines what is possible, transforming the dreams of its clients into spaces that surpass expectations and enhance their quality of life. https://www.nedesignbuild.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Noelle Via Borda, Senior Program Manager, Workplace Design at Adobe. Noelle is a key team member on Adobe's Global Workplace Experience team. She is dedicated to creating a stellar employee experience and designing policy, process, experience, and environment for a digital-first future. She is an NCIDQ and LEED accredited professional and loves having built a career designing for diverse markets worldwide. In addition, she has a background in literature, writing, and journalism, which has shaped her approach to projects and programs, basing them on research and data-driven decisions, storytelling, and transparent communication. https://www.adobe.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Roger Krulak, president and founder of FullStack Modular. For over 35 years, Roger has brought innovation to the construction and development sides of the real estate business. Founded in 2016, FullStack Modular uses advanced technologies for building design and high-rise modular construction. The company's current pipeline includes hundreds of thousands of buildable square feet in the hospitality, multifamily, and student housing sectors. Roger received the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award in 2014 for his work on creating a high-rise modular process. As a leader in innovation, Roger is a frequent speaker at top design schools and universities, including MIT, Harvard, and Yale. https://www.fullstackmodular.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with James Donaghy, STO Building Group's (STOBG) Executive Chairman. A dynamic and creative leader, Jim personifies the entrepreneurial spirit that is a hallmark of STOBG. He plays a key leadership role in setting the organization's strategic direction and spearheads innovation within the firm to better serve clients and provide more opportunities for employees. When he is not taking on the role of project principal for some of the firm's high-profile pursuits, projects, and accounts, he typically works alongside the management teams on strategic plans to ensure a sustainable growth plan for STOBG. https://stobuildinggroup.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Steven Lang, President and CEO of dancker. In 1997, he joined the dynamic organization, having held various leadership positions at the firm before taking the helm. Steve has a customer-centric philosophy and has developed a clear, strategic blueprint to build a strong, sustainable market leadership position for the nearly 200-year-old commercial interiors organization. The company manages commercial interiors projects for its Fortune 500 clients nationally and has almost doubled in size in the last several years. Dancker was named among the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in New Jersey. In 2016, Steve was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in New Jersey. https://www.dancker.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Thomas Gluck and Peter Gluck, principals at GLUCK+ in New York City. Named by Fast Company as one of the top 10 most innovative companies in architecture, GLUCK+ is recognized for architect-led design-build: single-source responsibility with architects leading the building process. For over 40 years, the practice has committed to pushing the boundaries of design with real-world expertise to craft bold and conceptually unique architecture throughout the United States. https://gluckplus.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Farida Abu-Bakare, the director of global practice at the award-winning architecture, urban design, and planning firm WXY. For more than a decade, she has worked throughout North America and Africa to build an extensive portfolio, including aviation, culture, healthcare, higher education, justice, residential, science, and technology projects. In addition, Farida is the emeritus Community Affairs Director of Atlanta's NOMA Chapter (National Organization of Minority Architects), whose mission is to champion diversity within the design profession. Her work with NOMA led her to co-found BAIDA (Black Architects and Interior Designers Association). This Canadian non-profit organization promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession of architecture and interior design. Farida is also passionate about contributing to the future of the profession in Canada and serves on the provincial self-governing body, the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), as an elected OAA Council member on a three-year term (2021-2023). https://www.wxystudio.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Omar Ramirez. He is the founder of Affordances, an experience consultancy that helps companies strategize and solve problems while focusing on what matters most: the real people behind the scenes. Previously Omar worked for Dropbox, Atlassian, Netflix, and most recently Miro. Rooted in design thinking, Omar is motivated by the belief that nothing exists that can't be improved on or made to be more human-centered. https://www.linkedin.com/company/affordances/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/oramirezfelipe/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Jim Smith of Feld Real Estate and Omnicom. He is a long-time Mancini client and outspoken industry legend. Jim was one of the original employees of IA | Interior Architects, a global firm of architects, designers, strategists, and specialists founded in 1984. Over the last few decades, he worked in all aspects of the profession, from architecture to real estate to the end-user. Jim recently retired and is onto the next phase of his life enjoying well-deserved time to relax. https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Robert Israel. He is the Executive Vice President of L&L Holding Company where he leads and directs all aspects of the TSX Broadway project developments design and construction activities, including all decisions as it relates to execution and team development. We talk in-depth about the TSX Broadway project - one of the most complex projects in NYC! Prior to L&L Holding Company, Robert served as Project Director for RFR Holding, where he led all aspects of the historic conversion of five former warehouse buildings. They were transformed into one million square feet of retail and office space in DUMBO Heights, Brooklyn. Robert also served as Alliance Director, within the Northeast Region of Global Corporate Services, with roles leading the Morgan Stanley and Hertz accounts directing teams of up to 250 FTEs. https://www.ll-holding.com/ https://tsxbroadway.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Brian Esposito, the Founder, and CEO of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises (EIE). With over 20 years of experience in high-profile executive roles involving complex business challenges and high-stakes decisions, EIE currently has 75+ entities within it and over 150 joint ventures around the world. Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to any team with his drive, ethics, and passion for connecting executives around the globe. With a technique that he has spent years perfecting, Brian connects the right people at the right time. An award-winning serial entrepreneur and business leader, he is a core part of the innovative team building Nodle, the world's largest wireless network and ecosystem of connected devices. https://eie.rocks/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Doug LaLone, engineer, patent attorney, and partner at Fishman Stewart PLLC, a premier specialty law firm celebrating 25 years in intellectual property law. Doug has prosecuted and defended over 100 intellectual property suits in federal and state courts. His cases covered, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition, domain name, non-compete, and copyright infringement claims. Doug has served as a judge for the Crain's Detroit Business M&A Awards and as president of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) – Detroit. https://fishstewip.com https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Liz Burow, founder of Thinky Space, an insights and innovation practice working at the intersection of human-centered design and architecture. Liz is a 2020 LinkedIn Top Voice, a global leader in design strategy, and former vice president of client insights & product innovation at WeWork. Liz is an expert facilitator, communicator, and educator, frequently writing and speaking on design research and the future of work. She has published in the Harvard Business Review and is a visiting speaker at MIT, Harvard Business School, and the University of Michigan. She's also a visiting professor in design thinking at Cornell University, Parsons School of Design, and the University of Minnesota. https://thinkyspace.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Christopher Voss, Founder & CEO of The Black Swan Group, the world's #1 negotiation coach, and bestselling author of Never Split the Difference. Chris has saved countless lives of hostages around the globe, some of which you will hear today, others remain top secret. With 24 years of experience at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Chris was the former FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator. During his tenure in the Bureau, he was trained in the art of negotiation by not only the FBI but also Scotland Yard and Harvard Law School. During his career, he was allowed the opportunity to represent the U.S. Government at the G8 as an expert in kidnapping. He has used his expertise in international crises and high-stakes negotiations to develop a unique program and team that applies these proven techniques to the business world. Chris was a member of the New York City Joint Terrorist Task Force for 14 years. He was the case agent on cases like TERRSTOP (the Blind Sheikh Case – Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman) and the TWA Flight 800 catastrophe; he also negotiated the surrender of the first hostage taker to give up in the Chase Manhattan bank robbery. https://www.blackswanltd.com/home https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Evelyn Lee, FAIA, the first senior experience designer at Slack Technologies and the founder of the Practice of Architecture. Lee seamlessly integrates her business and architecture background with a qualitative and quantitative focus to build better experiences for employees, clients, and guests. She is also the co-host of the Practice Disrupted Podcast. Evelyn has received numerous industry awards, including 2016's 40 Under 40 award for Building Design + Construction and the 2014 AIA National Young Architects Award. In addition, she currently serves as the first-ever female Treasurer to the AIA National Board in 2020-2021. https://slack.com/ https://practiceofarchitecture.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/practice-disrupted-with-evelyn-lee-and-jenen-chastain/id1518820081 https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Jeffrey Bershad, CEO of Phillip Jeffries. For over 40 years, the family business has grown to be one of the largest and most respected wallcovering companies globally, operating in New Jersey, London, and Singapore. Jeffrey's father, Eric, founded the company in 1976 with ten grasscloths and an inspiring entrepreneurial drive. Today, Phillip Jeffries remains a family-owned and operated company, with Jeffrey and his brother, Philip, at the helm. Phillip Jeffries aims to be socially responsible, planting trees for every order (more than 200,000 trees have been planted). The company's success is driven by ground-breaking design and an obsession for best-in-class customer service. https://www.phillipjeffries.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Danei Cesario of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), and WALLEN + daub. She is the 333rd Black woman in American history to earn her architectural license. Danei is an internationally licensed architect, project manager, and public speaker at SOM, leading dynamic mixed-use development, healthcare, and wellness projects. Her experience working in diverse, global environments has yielded speaking engagements at the United Nations, SXSW, Royal Institute of British Architects, and New York Building Congress. In addition, she served as Chair of AIA New York's Diversity & Inclusion Committee for five years. Danei is dedicated to fostering mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership among the diverse design community as they navigate their careers within architecture and beyond. She founded WALLEN + daub (an educational resource) to expand on these principles. https://www.wallendaub.com/ https://www.som.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Arthur Metzler, founder, president, and CEO of AMA Consulting Engineers, a professional design engineering firm headquartered in New York City with regional offices in Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, and Madison, NJ. Arthur is a licensed professional engineer in 44 states. AMA's core business is the design of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for commercial office buildings. AMA is world-renowned for designing high-tech media facilities, including NFL Media, NBCUniversal, ABC, FOX News, PGA Tour Golf Channel, CNN, HBO, and Spotify. Recently, Arthur was asked by the Vatican in Rome to design Pope Francis' ‘Communications Hub' in a 400+-year-old building off St. Peter's Square. https://amapc.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Catherine Leidersdorff, CEO of Architectural Flooring Resource (AFR), a certified M/WBE. A quintessential entrepreneur, she also serves as an officer in her other businesses, Architectural Concrete Polishing, and Catskill Provisions. Cathy's career in the construction-flooring industry has spanned 35 years. She was recognized by the Clinton Foundation, which tapped her to mentor other M/WBE small businesses. AFR's clients extend to nationally known corporations like IPG, Bank of New York Mellon, Carnegie Hall, and JPMorgan Chase. http://afrny.com/ https://www.catskillprovisions.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Jack Ossa, the founder of Ossa Studio and host of The Power of Design Podcast. Personally driven to improve people's experience of life applying design principles to become a better version of themselves and grow their teams, businesses, and profits. With an architecture degree, Jack immigrated from Colombia, South America, to Charlotte, NC, in 2001. Loaded with drive and determination to pursue his dreams, Jack embarked on a journey of self-improvement and positive thinking while becoming a skilled technical architect and design strategist. His mission in life is to empower people to pursue their dreams through the power of design and use entrepreneurship as a platform to explore the intersection of business, creativity, culture, and diversity to become a catalyst for positive transformation. https://www.ossastudio.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Christine Williamson, who has spent her career in building science forensics, discovering why buildings fail, and working with owners, architects, and builders to remedy the problems. Her new construction consulting helps architects use building science not only to mitigate the risk of failure but also to help them make their projects as energy-efficient as they are beautiful. In addition, she is the founder of the Instagram account @BuildingScienceFightClub, an educational project that teaches architects about building science and construction. She graduated from Princeton University and studied at Boston Architectural College before completing her Master's of Architecture at New School of Architecture + Design. She is a member and past chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee 1.12, Moisture Management in Buildings. Christine is a frequent lecturer on building science at universities, conferences, and professional associations and serves as a guest critic for architecture school studio reviews. www.christine-williamson.com www.buildingsciencefightclub.com https://theantiarchitect.com/
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Christian is honored to launch a special episode because on September 11, 2001, Mancini's office was completely destroyed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The office was on the 21st and 22nd floors of 2 World Trade, the South Tower. Christian sits down with Mancini's former Chairman and CEO, Anthony Schirripa, FAIA, and Edward C. Kemper Award recipient, to hear his story of that day, and how the firm survived and recovered from this tragedy. Thanks to Tony's leadership, no one from Mancini lost their life. Tony shares his story of real resilience rebuilding the firm after it was completely destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. He speaks of Ralph Mancini, the firm's clients, the generosity of their profession, and complete strangers. The Mancini office was up and running again in only five days with people working in temporary office space donated from J.P. Morgan Chase and KPMG. Mancini is making a donation to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, which honors the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. Please never forget. https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Christopher Walsh, one of the country's top residential real estate agents. He is a real estate mogul who recently left his traditional brokerage company to join eXp Realty, the fastest growing residential real estate brokerage by geography and agent count in North America - and the only real estate brokerage licensed in all 50 states. In 2003, Chris decided to pursue real estate and he quickly revolutionized the industry. His leadership in the industry is informed by his strong relationships combined with his innovative business approach https://therealestateleader.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Samantha Josaphat-Medina, RA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED, a Brooklyn-based architect, interior designer, and the founder of STUDIO 397 Architecture. Samantha founded her architecture and design firm in 2017 and named it STUDIO 397 after her accomplishment of becoming the 397th African American female architect achieving licensure in the US. STUDIO 397 Architecture provides all types of design from residential to commercial and explores how to harmoniously blur the boundaries between architecture, interiors, product design, and fashion. Samantha was inducted into the inaugural class of Forbes Next 1000 spotlighting intrepid entrepreneurs on their way to success, as well as received the Tribune Award from the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation for her commitment to advancing women in the building profession. https://www.studio397architecture.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Julia Gamolina, who is dedicated to the built environment and the visibility and advancement of the women who shape it. Julia is the founder and editor-in-chief of the online magazine Madame Architect. She is also the director of strategy at Trahan Architects, a global architecture firm rooted in New Orleans and New York, where she focuses on new business and brand development. Thus far, Madame Architect has told the stories of over 250 architects and designers, as well as CEOs, publicists, journalists, business strategists, counsel, and more. Julia was named one of Apartment Therapy's Design Changemakers; she received the Special Citation from AIANY for her work with Madame Architect. She was also honored as one of Professional Women in Construction's "20 Under 40". In addition, she has served on juries for the 2019 World Architecture Festival and the DNA Paris Design Awards. https://www.madamearchitect.org/ https://trahanarchitects.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Michael Gerazounis, P.E., LEED AP, the founding principal of MG Engineering D.P.C., established in 1991. Twenty-nine years later, his company has grown to 200 people. To service the firm's national clients, besides New York, he is professionally licensed in 30 additional states, as well as the District of Columbia. https://www.mgedpc.net/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Christopher Burke, senior director at Gardiner & Theobald, Inc. As one of Gardiner & Theobald's senior leaders, Christopher has leveraged his background in civil engineering and construction management to advise and lead the development of several large-scale complex projects, including the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park, Little Island (formerly Pier 55), the Woolworth Building conversion, the repositioning of 28 Liberty (formerly One Chase Manhattan Plaza), and the renovation and repositioning of the iconic Carlyle Hotel. https://www.gardiner.com/us/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Jabbrrbox co-founders Jeremy Jennings and Brian Hackathorn. For over 20 years, Brian has been building, designing, and creating dynamic residential, hospitality, and commercial space, focusing on technology companies with clients like Shutterstock, Mashable, and Dropbox. Jeremy is a seasoned executive turned entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in the fashion retail and commercial interiors industries. https://www.jabbrrbox.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Jean Chandler, who provides senior design leadership for Vocon's New York office. She is an interiors expert specializing in unique and creative solutions for a wide range of industries. Her idea of a successful project revolves around early client involvement during the visioning and programming phase of work, resulting in personalized, one-of-a-kind spaces centered around her client's business drivers. https://www.vocon.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Ted Maziejka, LEED® AP, Allied AIA, who has actively managed architectural and engineering firms for more than 40 years, and provides consulting to the architectural, engineering, and contracting industry. Having worked on strategic planning with over 100 firms, Ted has been able to bring best practices in planning to all of his clients. https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Lance Amato of Canoa. As head of compliance and part of the founding team of Canoa, his experience is diverse within the areas of interior design and architecture, practicing throughout the nation. Most recently, he spent 13 years at Vocon's New York office, where he acted as principal and managed a team of 60 architects and designers working with corporate clients such as Hines, RXR, Compass, and WeWork. https://www.canoa.supply/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Pedro Loureiro of Nomad Framing, the leading turnkey framing contractor servicing the high-density multifamily market in NJ, NY, and PA. As President of Nomad Framing, Pedro has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry and has been part of every task imaginable in the framing process. He began his career as a Laborer at the age of 18 for All-tech, Inc. a National Housing Quality award-winning framing contractor. After years of honing his skills as a Carpenter, Foreman, and the Director of Production for All-tech, in 2014, Pedro became its President. As the housing market changed, he and his business partner pivoted to open Nomad Framing and its affiliated companies to handle the high-density market. The new Nomad Companies have continued to exceed industry standards by forming strong professional partnerships based on integrity, ingenuity, and reliability. These characteristics, along with a strong commitment to quality and safety, have enabled Pedro and his company to become one of the most recognized and respected names in framing. https://www.framingthefuture.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Dena Prastos, a licensed architect who holds a graduate degree in Civil Engineering. She has led projects around the world directing infrastructure construction, marine engineering, and the design of waterfront architecture. This experience has given her the tools to navigate the firm's diverse client work with her unique expertise. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, she has a deep-rooted appreciation for nature and mankind's ability to design, build, and create infrastructure in some of the world's toughest conditions. Indigo River, a woman-owned business enterprise, is led by Dena and focuses on architectural design solutions at the water's edge. http://www.indigoriver.com/ http://www.tms-waterfront.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Kevin Gold of VVA. With over 28 years of architectural and project management experience, and a veteran of VVA for over 16 years, Kevin has completed some of the largest, most complex technology, financial services, education, residential, retail and law firm projects for VVA. He maintains an active position directly managing consultant and construction teams while ensuring schedule, budget, and value goals are met. Prior to joining VVA, Kevin worked as an Architect and Project Manager for such prestigious clients as DoubleClick, Cadwalader, Pillsbury Winthrop, Jones Day, Chase Manhattan Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Bankers Trust. He has held positions with prominent Architectural firms including Butler Rogers Baskett, The Phillips Group US/UK, and Rafael Vinoly Architects. https://www.vvallc.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
In this episode, Christian sits down with Yann de Rochefort, a New York-based restaurateur, husband, father of two boys, and the founder/CEO of Boqueria. He embraced his entrepreneurial spirit, love affair with Spain, and passion for design in 2006, when he opened Boqueria's flagship restaurant in NYC's Flatiron neighborhood. Fifteen years later, Boqueria has become an east coast institution, with seven locations spread throughout Manhattan, Washington D.C., and Chicago. https://boqueriarestaurant.com/ https://theantiarchitect.com/
This episode is a bit different from the normal format at The Anti-Architect Podcast. Normally, the podcast takes a critical look at how architects work with their clients and, in turn, how clients view architects. In this episode, Christian is joined by his four partners at Mancini Duffy: William Mandara (CEO), Scott Harrell (Principal), Bolanle Williams-Olley (CFO), and Jessica Mann-Amato (Principal), who own the 100+ year-old tech-first architecture and design firm. Mancini is a New York City institution for architecture firms; back in the day, Mancini was known for corporate interiors for professional services companies, law firms, and financial institutions. When Christian joined Mancini in 2012, the concept behind his arrival was to bring the firm into the next generation in terms of projects, leadership, and culture. Years later, Mancini has grown, had some big wins, made some big mistakes, survived a global pandemic, and Christian's four partners have been like family. They are in this together. They love what they do, they share a common purpose, and they are a true partnership. In a sense, they chose each other and for anyone listening to this, choosing your partners in business is a key component to your happiness and a key component to making a great company culture. www.manciniduffy.com https://theantiarchitect.com/