Elizabeth Diller is a partner and co-founder of Diller Scofidio + Renfro where she’s worked on a range of buildings including New York’s The Shed, the Highline, and an expansion of MoMA. Since 1981, the studio’s practices has spanned architecture, urban design, installation art, multi-media performance, digital media, and print, all of which is featured in their new monograph Architecture, Not Architecture. In this conversation, Jarrett and Elizabeth talk about the evolution of her practice and approach to architecture, thinking about design both as problem solving and cultural production, and how a generation of paper architects changed the field. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm/265-elizabeth-diller. 
— 
If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us on Substack! surfacepodcast.substack.com

Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin are the founders of Formafantasma, a research-driven design studio based in Milan and Rotterdam that investigates the ecological, historical, political, and social forces shaping the discipline of design. In this conversation, Jarrett talks with Andrea and Simone about the role of research in their studio, moving between critical investigations and commercial commissions, and how the studio is trying to redefine the role of design today.

Nicolay Boyadjiev is an architect and creative director based between Copenhagen, Sofia and Mexico City. He is the Director of the Practice Lab at re:arc institute, where he oversees research, strategy and new explorations prototyping alternatives models for philanthropy in architecture. Previously, he was Co-Director of Strelka Institute’s influential design-research program in Moscow. In this conversation, Jarrett and Nicolay talk about his work at re:arc, new forms of funding architectural projects, and thinking about philanthropy as a design project.

Jack Murphy is the executive editor of The Architect’s Newspaper. He studied architecture at MIT and Rice University and previously edited PLAT Journal and Cite, the publication of the Rice Design Alliance. In this episode, Jarrett and Jack talk about the history of The Architect’s Newspaper, the value of printed publications, and the relationship between design practice and design publishing. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm/262-jack-murphy. 
— 
If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us on Substack! surfacepodcast.substack.com

Gregory Wessner is the Executive Director of the National Academy of Design, the New York-based non-profit founded in 1825 that promotes art and architecture in America through exhibition, education, and research. Before joining the National Academy, Gregory served as executive director of Open House New York, and in a variety of roles at the Architectural League of New York. In this episode, Jarrett and Gregory talk about the structure of the National Academy and how it serves artists and architects as it approaches its 200th anniversary, the changing definitions of design, and the value of non-profits in architecture and design media. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm/261-gregory-wessner. 
— For the month of December, we're offering a year of our paid newsletter for 20% off. Sign up at surfacepodcast.substack.com to get bonus content each month and help support the show!

Noemi Biasetton is a design researcher, writer, and editor whose work focuses on design cultures and visual representation within the social and political dimension. She is the author of Superstorm: Design and Politics in the Age of Information, which was published earlier this year. In this episode, Jarrett and Noemi reflect on the design and media of the 2024 election, the changing roles of design in political discourse, and the increasingly complicated overlap of politics, media, and communication design. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm/260-noemi-biasetton. —
 If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us on Substack and get bonus content, transcripts, and our monthly newsletter! surfacepodcast.substack.com

Federica Sofia Zambeletti is an architect, researcher, and storyteller. She’s the founder and managing director of KoozArch, a digital platform and research studio that explores architecture beyond the limits of the build form, which she founded in 2014 while she was a student at the Architectural Association. In this conversation, Jarrett and Federica talk about the origins and evolution of KoozArch, the state of architecture media, and the role of conversation in design discourse. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm/259-federica-sofia-zambeletti. 
— 
If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us on Substack to get bonus content each month! surfacepodcast.substack.com

Petra Blaisse is the founder of Inside Outside, an Amsterdam-based design studio that focuses on textiles, interior design, gardens, and landscapes. Known for her long-running collaborations with OMA, Petra began her career in 1978 at the Stedelijk Museum in the department of Applied Arts. A new book on the studio’s work, Art Applied, was released earlier this year. In this conversation, Jarrett and Petra talk about the differences between design and applied arts, the role of collaboration in her practice, and what she learned about herself in helping to put this new book together. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm/258-petra-blaise. 
— 
If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us on Substack and get bonus content, transcripts, and our monthly newsletter! www.patreon.com/surfacepodcast

Lesley-Ann Noel is a designer, researcher, and educator. She’s the author of Design Social Change and a co-editor of The Black Experience in Design. Earlier this year, Lesley-Ann was appointed the dean of design at OCAD University and she previously taught at North Carolina State University, Tulane University, Stanford University, and the University of the West Indies. In this conversation, Jarrett and Lesley-Ann talk about the role of design in social change, the value of utopian and abolitionist thinking, and the relationship between designed objects and cultural transformation. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm/257-lesley-ann-noel. 
— Sign up for our monthly newsletter for design news, updates from past guests, and book roundups. Paid subscribers get bonus interviews each month: surfacepodcast.substack.com

Taylor Levy and Che-Wei Wang are the founders of the art and design studio CW&T. Founded in 2009, CW&T has produced human-scaled objects like pens, clocks, and tape dispensers engineered to last multiple generations as well interactive software, art installations, and more. In 2022, they were the recipients of the 2022 National Design Award for product design from Cooper Hewitt. In this conversation, Jarrett talks with Taylor and Che-Wei about the role of experimentation in their design process, the overlap of physical and digital design, and the challenges with staying independent. Links from this episode can be found at scratchingthesurface.fm/256-taylor-levy-che-wei-wang. 
— 
If you enjoy the show, please consider joining our Substack for bonus content and a free monthly newsletter: surfacepodcast.substack.com