The Building Culture Podcast

Justin Mares, founder of Kettle and Fire and Perfect Keto, dives deep into the alarming state of the US food and health systems. He discusses how big food corporations exploit our instincts, creating addictive products that jeopardize our well-being. The conversation addresses nutrient depletion in crops and soil, the challenges of sustainable farming, and the crucial need for trust in health information. Justin emphasizes the importance of individual and community action to revamp health priorities, urging listeners to advocate for a system that champions human flourishing.

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.

I met Philippe Block while studying historic masonry structures in Spain last summer. He presented his work and I was blown away. He is a pioneering structural engineer who, as part of his research group Block Research Group, is inventing the future of sustainable construction by blending old knowledge and precedent with new technology, materials and innovation. He's BUILDING off of thousands of years of architectural innovation and deepening our knowledge of how structures really work, with stunning results. And what makes it so impressive is he isn't just doing this in a research lab somewhere--though that is where the ideas are refined--he's implementing them in the real world. Not only is that very difficult to do, overcoming all the obstacles, it also takes a tremendous amount of courage. When I say "the building industry is broken," as I often do, what Phillipe is doing is part of the solution--he's part of pioneering and inventing the future that doesn't exist yet. Enjoy! Sign up for my bimonthly newsletter ⁠here⁠ to learn more! PHILLIPE'S BIO Philippe Block is a full professor of Architecture and Structures and head of the Institute of Technology in Architecture (ITA) at ETH Zurich, where he co-leads the Block Research Group (BRG) with Dr. Tom Van Mele. He studied architecture and structural engineering at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, where he earned his PhD in 2009. The BRG develops sustainable and circular construction solutions through the advancement of computational structural design and innovation in digital fabrication and construction. Specific expertise includes computational form finding, discrete masonry, graphic statics, architectural and structural geometry, digital fabrication and construction, and open-source computation. Philippe and Tom translate their research into practice, with the consultancy Foreign Engineering and the ETH spin-off VAULTED. Most significant is the development of the Rippmann Floor System (RFS), a low-carbon-footprint, fully circular prefabricated concrete floor solution CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Problem Statement 03:10 Three Tenets: Strength through Geometry, Material Effectiveness, and Circular Construction 09:02 Comparison of Concrete and Steel Floor Systems 17:36 The Rippman Floor System 27:29 Combining Architecture and Engineering 32:19 Thinness and Prefabrication of the Rippman Floor System 38:59 Rediscovering Structural Form and Graphic Statics 50:24 Opportunities to Learn Graphic Statics 51:28 Integration of Graphic Statics in Projects 52:21 Opportunities for Self-Education 52:48 New Master of Advanced Studies in Structural Computation 53:17 Focus on Outreach and Education 54:34 The Importance of Open Source and Collaboration 56:29 Graphic Statics as a Tool for Engineering 59:19 The Maturity of Tools for Arch Structures 01:01:16 Challenges in Accepting New Approaches 01:04:07 The Urgency of Innovation in Construction 01:06:35 The Excitement of Discovering and Learning 01:07:47 Following Philippe Block's Work RESOURCESBlock Research GroupVaulted Unreinforced Concrete Floor SystemBRG Githup Compass ResourcesBook on Graphic Statics: Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures. Book on Guastavino Vaulting by John Ochsendorf MIT's Morningside Academy For Design w/ John Ochsendorf: Phillipe Block Lecture - ETH Zurich, Block Research Group Phillipe Block Lecture - Stone Skins: New Masonry Shells Armadillo Vault Phillipe Block on Linked InCONNECT 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

Today I interview Ruben Hassan, a Dutch podcaster and founder of the Aesthetic City podcast. Ruben shares his journey from being an engineer to becoming a full-time podcaster and filmmaker. We discuss the state of construction and development in the Netherlands and the importance of creating beautiful and sustainable built environments. We also explore the day-to-day life in the Netherlands, including transportation, education, and the value of beauty in society. The conversation covers various themes related to the built environment, society, and culture. Some of the key takeaways include the importance of prioritizing people and their well-being in urban planning and design, the need to address environmental and health issues alongside climate change, the tension between tradition and modernity, the role of institutions in shaping the world, and the emergence of countercultures as a response to societal challenges. We also touch on the Dutch farming protests and the value of different perspectives in shaping the built environment. TAKEAWAYS - Ruben Hassan transitioned from being an engineer to a full-time podcaster and filmmaker, focusing on improving the built environment. - The Aesthetic City podcast aims to foster the creation of beauty and true sustainability in architecture and urbanism. - Dutch cities prioritize local, timeless, traditional, and human-centered design principles and traditions. - The Netherlands has a more gentle density approach to urban planning, with cities consisting of mostly five-story buildings. - The Dutch value the ordinary and find beauty in the simple, everyday things. - Day-to-day life in the Netherlands includes a strong emphasis on cycling, integrated neighborhoods, and a sense of community. - Beauty is not just a nice-to-have, but an essential aspect of creating livable and sustainable cities. - The Dutch approach to architecture and urbanism is influenced by their history of religious tolerance, distributed wealth, and residential neighborhoods. Prioritize people and their well-being in urban planning and design. - Address environmental and health issues alongside climate change. - Recognize the tension between tradition and modernity. - Consider the role of institutions in shaping the world. - Acknowledge the emergence of countercultures as a response to societal challenges. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction 03:02 - Transitioning to a New Chapter in Life 05:21 - The Issues with Construction and Development 08:24 - Dutch Cities and the Built Environment 09:47 - Urban Planning in the Netherlands vs. the United States 14:28 - The Importance of Building Places People Want to Go 16:08 - Day-to-Day Life in the Netherlands 21:36 - The Height and Density of Dutch Cities 24:09 - The Cultural Heritage of Dutch Cities 30:40 - The Value and Importance of Beauty 38:36 - Perspectives of Older and Younger Generations 44:48 - The Dutch Farmers' Protests 47:27 - The Nitrogen Issue and Farming Practices 48:31 - Government Actions and Public Opinion 50:16 - Tyranny and Populism 51:45 - Disconnect Between Elites and Regular People 53:32 - The Dark Side of Modernity 55:10 - Tradition and Innovation 55:49 - Hope for Change and Paradigm Shift 59:45 - Upcoming Plans and Trip to the US 01:03:31 - Recommended Cities in the Netherlands 01:07:03 - Dutch Perception of Americans RESOURCES 1. Recommended Book: North Atlantic Cities by Charles Duff 2. Recommend Video: Why Beauty Matters by Roger Scruton 3. Painting: The Little Streets by Vermeer 4. Examples of some wonderful NEW humanist cities: Cayala, Guatemala and Le Plessis-Robinson outside of Paris. 5. Recommended Dutch Cities: Utrecht, Leiden, Amersfoort, Harlem CONNECT WITH RUBEN - Website - Cayala Video - Le Plessis Video - Summer School CONNECT WITH AUSTIN https://linktr.ee/austintunnell https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/

Today, I have friend and colleague Thomas Dougherty on the podcast. Last year Tom joined the Building Culture team as our lead Urban Designer. He studied architecture and urban design at Notre Dame and focused on inner block development and has become known as the "alley-guy" for his expertise in creating spaces in these areas. It's a great conversation focused on the centralization of capital in real estate and how that affects decision making, how we prioritize profits over people and most importantly what we can do differently to try and solve these issues. We chat about smaller scale development and the creation of smaller grained places that are essential for vibrant communities, as well as how our current infrastructure is unsustainable financially and how we will see the effects in the next few decades. We discuss infill development, local investment and rethinking the way we raise capital, and finally we dive into the potential for infill development like creating streets as spaces that can really create beautiful, wonderful places. People really can be enriching forces on our built environment and are capable of immense good and immense beauty- hope you enjoy the conversation! TAKEAWAYS - The centralization of capital in real estate development leads to decisions that prioritize maximum returns over human flourishing. - Smaller-scale development and the creation of smaller grained places are essential for building vibrant communities. - Current infrastructure is unsustainable and requires financial innovation to address its high costs. - Financing new urbanist projects is challenging due to the changing landscape of real estate finance. - Infill development offers opportunities for incremental growth and the revitalization of existing communities. - Local investment empowers individuals and strengthens communities. - Capital plays a significant role in shaping development and should be aligned with the values of creating human-scaled places. - Recognizing the potential of infill development and building streets as public spaces can create inviting and reflective environments. REFERENCES https://ioncommunity.com/ CONNECT WITH THOMAS DOUGHERTY https://www.innerblock.org/about CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ https://www.tiktok.com/@buildingculture CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell https://linktr.ee/austintunnell https://playbook.buildingculture.com/p/ready-fire-aim CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:04 Becoming Known as the Alley Guy 05:01 The Concept of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 07:08 The Potential of Alleys for ADUs 09:05 The American Alley Hidden Resource 12:26 The Impact of Experiencing Human Scale 19:34 Reimagining Suburbs as Villages and Market Towns 30:04 The Limitations of Subdivisions 33:37 The Importance of Language and Advocacy 38:32 Empowering Individuals in Shaping the Built Environment 39:31 The Centralization of Capital 41:25 The Importance of Small-Scale Development 43:20 The Unsustainability of Current Infrastructure 45:52 The Need for Financial Innovation 47:23 The Difficulty of Financing New Urbanist Projects 50:15 The Potential of Infill Development 52:20 The Power of Local Investment 55:51 The Role of Capital in Development 57:19 Recognizing the Opportunities in Infill Development 59:52 Building Streets as Public Spaces

I'm thrilled to have Coby Lefkowitz on the show today. Coby is an urbanist, real estate developer, writer, and consultant based in New York, and I would add, all around optimist. I've been following him on X for several years, and while it was our first conversation it felt like we had known each other much longer. We are saving the technical conversation on building and development for a time down the road, and today we really focused on the culture around building well and the obstacles that come with it. We both share this idea, in a lot of ways, that the best is just ahead if we can align our beliefs as a culture. TAKEAWAYS: - Urbanism and planning play a crucial role in creating beautiful and sustainable cities. - It is important to dream and not settle for utilitarian outcomes in city building. - A cultural shift towards more thoughtful and human-centered city building is needed. - Dopamine plays a significant role in motivation and addiction, and understanding its effects can help us make better choices. - Finding beauty in the ordinary and embracing everyday simplicity can enhance our appreciation of our surroundings. - Background buildings, when designed with quality and simplicity, can provide a strong foundation for vibrant communities. - Tradition and innovation are not mutually exclusive; tradition represents proven innovation that has stood the test of time. - Architecture has the power to shape our experiences and create intrigue and stimulation in our surroundings. - Small actions, such as adding potted plants or personal touches, can transform and benefit streets and communities. - Overcoming fatalism and embracing choice can empower individuals to shape their communities and create meaningful change. - Despite the challenges we face, history shows that humanity has the ability to rise to the occasion and find solutions. - Optimism and a proactive mindset are essential for creating a better future. CONNECT WITH COBY: Twitter https://cobylefkowitz.com COBY'S FAVORITES: * Habits: Daily gym & reading * Top Podcasts: - Basketball theme - Nick's NBA podcast * Books: - Welcome to Your World: Sarah Williams Goldhagen - The School of Llife: An Emotional Education CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Background 04:30 The Importance of Urbanism and Planning 08:08 The Need to Dream and Overcoming Barriers 17:33 The Cost of Development and the Value of Design 25:00 The Culture of Consumption and the Importance of Good 29:35 The Challenges of Financing and the Need for Coherent Vision 35:24 The Importance of Conversations and Understanding Perspectives 41:11 The Cultural Shift Needed for Sustainable Development 42:04 The Dopamine Effect and Addiction 43:26 The Value of Everyday Beauty 47:12 The Role of Background Buildings 50:12 The Balance Between Tradition and Innovation 53:07 The Impact of Architecture on Experience 56:20 The Importance of Restraint and Punctuation in Design 57:49 The Power of Small Actions in Shaping Communities 01:03:06 Overcoming Fatalism and Embracing Choice 01:05:32 The Value of Tradition and the Potential for Change 01:10:01 The Impact of Individual Actions on Shaping Places 01:14:01 The Journey of Making a Difference 01:18:36 The Progress and Hope in Urban Planning 01:22:19 Introduction and Background 01:23:04 Interest in Architecture and Urban Planning 01:24:27 Books That Have Changed the Way Coby Thinks 01:25:36 Inspiring Trips and Observations on the Built Environment 01:31:25 Philadelphia as an Example of Urban Planning 01:33:40 Optimism for the Future 01:36:25 Closing Remarks CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ https://www.tiktok.com/@buildingculture CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Building Culture Playbook Building Culture Instagram