Las Catalinas might be the most beautiful town built in the 21st century.  And my guest today, Sara Bega, has stewarded its evolution as Town Architect for a decade.  Las Catalinas is a car-free, kid-friendly, multi-generational community in Costa Rica. Their goal is to create a pedestrian-first environment that maximizes kid freedom and allows for independent exploration and discovery. The town is built on 20% of the 1200-acre site, with a mix of houses, flats, hotels, and shops.  We discuss Sara’s professional journey, and the principles and practices behind developing such a stunningly beautiful and human neighborhood that serves as an inspiration and example for what is possible today.   If you do anything today, just click on this link so you can see the town.  It stands as a testament to the beauty humans can cultivate when they set their mind to it: Beach Town in Guanacaste, Costa Rica | Las Catalinas (lascatalinascr.com) TAKEAWAYS Creating a car-free, kid-friendly community allows for independent exploration and fosters curiosity and connection with nature. A pedestrian-first environment benefits not only children but also adults and families, creating a sense of community and connection. Las Catalinas is a successful example of a car-free community, with a mix of houses, flats, hotels, and shops built on a 1200-acre site. The community achieves car-free living through walkability, valet services, and emergency vehicle access. The town architect's role is to oversee the design and planning of the community, ensuring a balance between privacy, walkability, and optimized views. Creating a sustainable and adaptable community requires prioritizing human experience and connection. Designing a walkable town with a mix of residential and commercial spaces fosters a sense of community. The legal structure of a town should allow for flexibility and adaptability over time. Trust in human intelligence and the ability to solve problems is crucial for the success of a community. Creating a sense of place involves considering the local climate, using natural materials, and designing for the long term. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Las Catalinas 09:46 Creating a Kid-Friendly Community 27:56 Shifting Conversations and Culture 39:48 Solving for Walkability, Privacy, and Optimized Views 42:16 Reversing and Backing into Codes and Legal Structure 45:17 Creating a Clear Legal Structure for Ownership and Responsibility 50:10 Treating a Town as a Town 55:38 Balancing Prevention and Allowing the Best to Happen 01:00:37 Guiding a Town's Growth and Adaptation 01:06:21 Allowing a Town to Grow and Change 01:10:56 Creating Timeless and Sustainable Architecture 01:19:19 Approaching Life with Courage CONNECT WITH SARA & SHOW RESOURCES Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/begadesignstudio/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarabega/ Las Catalinas: https://www.lascatalinascr.com/ Notre Dame School of Architecture: https://architecture.nd.edu/ CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL Newsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell SPONSORS Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/ One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/

Today I get to speak with Alan Pullman, founder of Studio One Eleven, an architecture, urban design and landscape architecture practice focused on human scaled, mixed-use infill projects.  They have a truly impressive portfolio of work.  I love their “practice themes” which I think will resonate with many of you: housing for all, building community + place, renewing the public realm, 21st century mobility, and equitable practice. I was truly inspired by this conversation with Alan, particularly around the community integration and engagement they cultivate in their office.  He intentionally moved the practice out of their “ivory tower” and down into the heart of the community, sharing their office space with artists and facilitating all kinds of community-wide events and workshops.  It’s given me vision for how I want Building Culture to evolve. Alan and his team work closely with developers around the country looking to do difficult and messy – but meaningful – infill projects.  They relish the mess.  And, between running a sizeable practice and doing some of their own development projects, I was extremely impressed with Alan’s practical approach (you know, understanding that the economics have to work to do the project!).  They strike the right balance between idealism + pragmatism to actually pull off incredible projects, and keep people at the center of what they do and why they do it. I hope you find this episode as inspiring as I did!   TAKEAWAYS Reinvesting in cities and putting people at the center of architecture and urban design is crucial for creating meaningful and impactful spaces. Studio One Eleven specializes in infill development, mixed-use projects, and adaptive reuse, focusing on creating places for people and collaborating with developers and public-private partnerships. Affordable housing development is complex and requires specialized knowledge and collaboration with various funding sources, such as state, city, and federal programs. Collaboration and agility are essential in the design process, allowing for co-creation with clients and the ability to adapt to changing needs and circumstances. Studio One Eleven focuses on incremental development and creating human-scale cities. The firm has transformed their own office into a community space, hosting events, workshops, and an artist-in-residence program. They are passionate about creating places for people and breaking away from the traditional, car-centric approach to city planning CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:57 Studio One Eleven: Focusing on Infill Development and Community Impact 06:04 The Evolution of Studio Eleven: From Large Retail Projects to Community Impact 19:14 Challenges and Opportunities in Affordable Housing Development 32:41 Collaboration and Agility: Keys to Successful Design and Development 37:29 Incremental Development and Human-Scale Cities 38:56 The Financialization of Architecture and Cities 39:23 Curating the Right Mix of Tenants 43:10 Transforming Their Office into a Community Space 48:36 Building Connections and Social Capital 53:28 Creating Places for People 01:05:33 Optimism for the Future and Opportunities for Progress CONTACT ALAN & STUDIO ONE ELEVEN Website: https://studio-111.com/ https://www.instagram.com/studiooneeleven/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-pullman-06197159 https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-one-eleven https://www.facebook.com/studioneleven/ CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL Newsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell PODCAST SPONSORS Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/ One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/

I had the opportunity to speak with Bobby Fijan today, who sometimes refers to himself as the Bill James of floorplans.  His focus?  Building apartments for families – and helping others do it too.  He’s a developer, entrepreneur and consultant.   We discuss the lack of family-friendly apartment buildings and the impact on loneliness and community, and how we need to make cities and apartment buildings more family friendly.  We touch on the importance of amenities and spaces that are suitable for children, how floorplans make having even one young child very uncomfortable (thereby incentivizing people to move out), and how to make your next apartment or multi-family project more suitable for families and dynamic living conditions.  Check it out! TAKEAWAYS The current design of apartment buildings caters to a narrow demographic of high-income singles and couples, neglecting the needs of families. The lack of family-friendly apartment buildings contributes to feelings of loneliness and disconnection in urban areas. Apartment buildings should prioritize amenities and spaces that are suitable for children and families, such as toddler rooms and playgrounds. Floor plans should be designed with families in mind, with more bedrooms and more spaces to accommodate children. There is a need for more apartment buildings that are specifically designed to meet the needs of families. To make apartments more family-friendly, consider allocating more space to living areas and smaller bedrooms and closets. Adding an extra room, such as a nursery or a home office, can provide privacy and a dedicated workspace for parents. Differentiating between spaces and creating additional rooms can enhance the functionality and appeal of apartment designs. Design choices, such as the ratio of living room width to bedroom width and the presence of walk-in closets, can impact rent prices. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Narrow Demographic of Apartment Buildings 05:19 Connecting Loneliness to Moving and Multifamily Buildings 13:18 Challenges in Apartment Design for Families 16:38 Importance of Amenities and Spaces for Families 24:45 Designing Floor Plans for Families 25:56 Designing Family-Friendly Apartments 29:17 The Importance of Additional Rooms 43:35 Optimizing Design Choices for Higher Rent Prices CONNECT WITH BOBBY https://x.com/bobbyfijan https://www.tailorbird.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/fijan/ CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell https://playbook.buildingculture.com/

Trilith is a newly built (and growing) walkable community located next to Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.  It is one of the most successful TNDs and New Urbanists communities in the country.   Rob Parker, as President, leads a team of designers, architects, planners and builders in creating the 235 acre master-planned residential and mixed use development.  Rob is a transformational leader with a focus on people, and has extensive experience in town building, commercial and retail development, music entertainment, non-profit leadership, marketing, branding and capital development. This episode is a must for developers, investors, planners, architects, engineers or city officials interested in creating more walkable, mixed-use, people-first places.  Hear directly from someone who has actually done it successfully, and learn about the keys to success, as well as some of the pitfalls.  Trilith is built on the principles of new urbanism, with a focus on walkability, sustainability, and a deep sense of community. The vision of Trilith is to create a town for creatives, artists, storytellers, and makers, where everyone feels loved, served, inspired, and connected. The community is designed to promote longer, better, and happier lives for its residents. Trilith is a successful example of a people-centered, walkable community that prioritizes sustainability and quality of life.  TAKEAWAYS Trilith is a walkable community in Atlanta, Georgia, built on the principles of new urbanism. The community is designed to promote longer, better, and happier lives for its residents. Trillith is focused on creating a sense of community and connection among its residents. The community is committed to sustainability and has implemented practices such as geothermal heating and cooling and the preservation of green spaces. Trilith is a people-centered, walkable community that prioritizes sustainability and quality of life. The development focuses on creating smaller footprint, energy-efficient homes and incorporates sustainable technologies like geothermal energy and solar power. Trilith emphasizes the importance of community and mental health, offering enrichment activities and a progressive school. The financing of the project involved patient capital and partnerships with builders and investors. The success of Trilith has led to increased property values and a positive impact on the surrounding area. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Trilith and Rob Parker 03:01 Creating a Walkable Community for Creatives 07:47 Promoting Longer, Better, and Happier Lives 14:42 Fostering a Sense of Community and Connection 18:08 The Freedom of Living in a Walkable Environment 20:29 The Impact of COVID-19 on Trilith 29:05 The Importance of Sharing the Vision 37:48 Commitment to Sustainability and Green Practices 40:02 Creating a Sustainable and Walkable Community 41:30 Incorporating Sustainable Technologies in Home Design 44:20 Prioritizing Community and Mental Health 49:48 The Financing and Partnerships Behind Trillith's Success 55:23 The Positive Impact of Trilith on Property Values and the Surrounding Area CONNECT WITH ROB & TRILITH Rob's Linked In Trilith's Real Estate Instagram Trilith's Foundation Instagram Trilith's Facebook Home Website: Trilith Town Website: Town at Trilith Variety Article on Trilith CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell https://playbook.buildingculture.com/

In part 2 Justin Mares and I discuss the broken food and health systems in the US and the need to prioritize human flourishing. We get into the weaponization of our instincts by companies that produce addictive food, the importance of fixing our environment and food system, and the role of human health in the built environment. Justin shares his experience in the health industry and highlights the misalignment of incentives in the food and healthcare industries.  We touch on the lack of trust in traditional institutions and the challenges of following dietary guidelines. Justin talks about nutrient density in crops, the depletion of nutrients in soil, the impact of food processing on nutrient density, and the potential consequences for human health. We also delve into the challenges of scaling sustainable farming practices and the role of government and corporations in addressing health and environmental issues. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the need for individual and community action to create positive change. Takeaways The food and health systems in the US are profoundly broken and need to be fixed to promote human flourishing. Companies are weaponizing our instincts to create addictive and profitable food products. Fixing the environment, food system, and built environment is crucial for improving human health. There is a lack of trust in traditional institutions and their ability to provide accurate health advice. The misalignment of incentives in the food and healthcare industries hinders progress in promoting human health. Nutrient density in crops is influenced by the nutrients in the soil, and over time, the depletion of nutrients in the soil has led to less nutrient-dense crops. Food processing can further reduce nutrient density, and the consumption of processed foods may lead to nutrient deficiencies and cravings for specific nutrients. Scaling sustainable farming practices, such as regenerative agriculture, can help improve soil health and nutrient density in crops. Government regulations and policies play a role in shaping the food system, but individual and community action is also necessary to create positive change. Addressing health and environmental issues requires a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of various factors, including food production, human health, and environmental sustainability. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment 00:57 Weaponizing Instincts: The Addictive Food Industry 06:22 Misaligned Incentives in the Food and Healthcare Industries 08:16 The Broken Healthcare Industry 19:19 The Debate on Veganism and Vegetarianism 25:12 Sponsor Acknowledgment and Nutrient Deficiencies in Food 26:41 The Impact of Soil Depletion on Nutrient Density in Crops 29:07 The Nutrient Decay Curve and the Role of Food Processing 34:29 Challenges and Potential of Scaling Sustainable Farming Practices 36:25 Government and Corporate Responsibility in Addressing Health and Environmental Issues 43:00 The Need for Individual and Community Action CONNECT WITH JUSTIN Justin’s Substack: ⁠The Next | Justin Mares | Substack⁠ Twitter: ⁠Justin Mares (@jwmares) / X⁠ Kettle and Fire: ⁠https://www.kettleandfire.com/⁠ Surely Non-Alcoholic Wines: ⁠https://www.drinksurely.com/⁠ Perfect Keto: ⁠https://perfectketo.com/⁠ Truemed: https://www.truemed.com/ RECS Book Rec: ⁠Formerly Known as Food⁠ Book Rec: ⁠The End of Craving⁠ Book Rec: ⁠Gangs of America⁠ CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE ⁠https://www.buildingculture.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/build_culture⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/⁠ CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL ⁠https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell⁠ ⁠https://playbook.buildingculture.com/

Entrepreneur Justin Mares discusses starting Kettle and Fire with a landing page, promoting a healthy food system, and critiquing FDA failures. Contrasting US and EU food regulations, he addresses chronic diseases in America, emphasizing the link between physical and mental health for a better future.

I got the chance to chat with Andy Boenau today, who sometimes refers to himself as a Plangineer, with a background in urban planning and engineering.  We chat about the flaws in traffic engineering and the need for a different approach to the built environment.  Andy is passionate about questioning established norms and finding shared interests to drive positive change. He advocates for the need for critical thinking and curiosity in industries that often prioritize conformity.  TAKEAWAYS Traffic engineering often prioritizes efficiency and speed over the needs and well-being of communities. Questioning established norms and finding shared interests can lead to positive change in the built environment. Critical thinking and curiosity are essential in industries that tend to prioritize conformity. Reforming parking and zoning regulations can lead to more vibrant and diverse communities. Unhealthy infrastructure has negative consequences on physical and mental health. Creating a connected network of bike lanes is crucial for promoting cycling as a mode of transportation. Public opinion plays a significant role in shaping infrastructure decisions. There is a need for a shift in urban planning and design to prioritize human well-being. Andy Boenau is working on a documentary on healthy infrastructure and a book on public opinion. CHAPTERS 00:00 Rethinking Traffic Engineering 09:26 The Power of Social Media 35:02 Driving Positive Change 39:30 Creating Vibrant and Diverse Communities 39:59 The Impact of Unhealthy Infrastructure 45:15 Physical Health Consequences of Car Crashes 49:19 Trauma of Walking on Certain Streets 54:54 Dancing as a Mental Health Solution 01:05:51 Creating a Connected Network of Bike Lanes 01:12:06 Upcoming Projects: Documentary and Book CONNECT WITH ANDY Website & Blog: https://www.urbanismspeakeasy.com/ https://x.com/Boenau https://www.linkedin.com/in/boenau/ Documentary: White Collar Epidemic: Infrastructure Is Crumbling Our Minds & Bodies - Film and Storytelling | Seed&Spark (seedandspark.com) CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell https://playbook.buildingculture.com/

Micah is the founder of Monumental Labs, one of the most exciting companies in the architecture and construction industry right now.  It blends humanistic values with tech – much like Apple did to revolutionize the computer industry in the 80’s. His company is building robotic stone carving factories to unleash a renaissance in art and architecture, using robots to create sculptures, architectural pieces, and more. The goal is to bring costs down, unleash creativity, empower people, and to once again build great architecture that will be standing in 500 years. You can see why I’m so excited to talk to him!  We at Building Culture will absolutely be partnering with him on upcoming projects. The use of robots and AI in stone carving raises philosophical and ethical implications, which we discuss.  It’s worth noting the company is working with artists, architects, and stone masons to create these works of art, and is actually bringing people, that is, humans, INTO the trade of stone carving, and creating entirely new forms of artwork not possible before. Enjoy! Takeaways • Monumental Labs is using robots and AI to revolutionize the art and architecture industry by automating the stone carving process. • The use of robots allows for the creation of highly ornate buildings and sculptures that would be too labor-intensive to create by hand. • The company works with artists, architects, and stone carvers, offering new possibilities for creativity and innovation. • While the use of robots and AI raises philosophical and ethical questions, it also opens up new avenues for artistic expression and pushes the boundaries of what is possible. Technology can help preserve traditional craftsmanship and keep the knowledge and skills of handcrafting alive. • Stone carving can provide more job opportunities for artists and allow them to develop their own art while making a living. • There is a debate between copying great works of art and creating original pieces, but both have their place in the art world. • Architecture gains meaning and value when it is thoughtful about its viewers and users, and when it gives back to the community. • The future of architecture may involve a return to building with stone, using AI and robotics to manufacture custom details and reduce costs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Monumental Labs and the Use of Robots in Stone Carving 03:48 Automating the Stone Carving Process for Highly Ornate Buildings 06:14 Scaling Up and Making Stone Carving More Efficient 11:28 The Role of Hand Carving in Art and Architecture 23:13 Balancing Craftsmanship and Automation in Stone Carving 29:03 The Role of Artists as Inventors and Innovators 33:23 The Future of AI in Art and Architecture 35:16 Preserving Traditional Craftsmanship 38:09 The Debate: Copying vs Creating 41:23 The Meaning and Value of Architecture 56:12 The Future of Architecture: Building with Stone and AI CONNECT WITH MICAH Twitter: https://x.com/mspringut Twitter: https://x.com/Monumental_Labs Website: https://www.monumentallabs.co/ CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell https://playbook.buildingculture.com/

In this episode I get to chat with Matt Dean of Dean & Co, an award-winning agency that we at Building Culture hired to collaborate on our Townsend project, an urban infill, mixed-use neighborhood breaking ground later this year (2024).  While out of LA, he made a trip to Oklahoma City in the middle of our collaboration, and it was awesome to get to meet and chat in person! After trying several routes, we simply weren’t on the same page with the other marketing companies we tried (we tried several!).  Not their fault, it just wasn’t a good fit.  Then we met Matt and his team, and wow, they understood what we were trying to do.  They shared our values, and just happened to be in marketing rather than building.  It was such a fun collaboration. In this conversation we discuss the importance of building authentic brands, connecting with customers and target audiences, finding your tribe and building long term relationships based on shared values and goals. And of course, we conclude with a discussion on AI and the future of marketing and social media. Matt is amazing, as well as his whole team, and if you are in the business, I highly recommend you reach out on your next project.  Check out his website here: https://www.deancostudio.com/ TAKEAWAYS Building authentic brands involves understanding the target audience and delivering on brand promises over time. Long-term relationships and collaborations based on shared values and goals are key to success. Aspiration plays a significant role in people's lives, and brands can help enhance their experiences and fulfill their aspirations. Delivering on brand promises and maintaining authenticity are crucial for building lasting connections with customers. Aspiration is not limited to achieving great success, but can also be about living a happy life doing what you love. Everyday experiences, simple relationships, and human connection are important aspects of aspiration and the built environment. Authenticity is crucial in branding and commercial real estate, as people are seeking genuine connections and experiences. AI and social media have their place, but human connection and emotion cannot be replaced. The future of the built environment is moving towards caring about people, human well-being, and creating spaces that enhance lives. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Format 08:09 Working with Good People and Building Authentic Collaborations 15:32 Creating Authentic Brands and Delivering on Promises 32:22 Understanding the Target Audience and Their Aspirations 38:59 The Beauty of Everyday Life and Human Connection 47:30 The Role of AI and the Future of Human Connection CONNECT WITH MATT Website: https://www.deancostudio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkle_/ Agency IG: https://www.instagram.com/deancostudio/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-dean-deanco/ Agency LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dean-co/   CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/  CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell https://playbook.buildingculture.com/

Devon Zuegel, a software engineer with a passion for urbanism and housing, discusses her vision for Esmeralda, a people-centered town blending TND and Chautauqua principles. They explore experimental urban planning, tech MVP model in neighborhoods, and the importance of individual agency in shaping communities.