PODCAST · science
Building Green
by Ladina Schöpf
In a world increasingly facing the challenges of climate change, the "Building Green: Tomorrow’s Architecture Today" podcast dives deep into the intersection of architecture, design, urbanism and environmental responsibility. Our mission is to highlight the transformative power of sustainable architecture, not just as a practice but as a catalyst for broader societal change. Through engaging conversations with pioneering architects, urbanists, tech innovators, sociologists, etc. we explore the details of green architectural planning and its impacts across diverse sectors.
Episodes
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#080 - 8 Ideas Every Architect NEEDS to Hear About Sustainability
What if the version of sustainable architecture we talk about isn't the version we actually build? After 80 conversations with architects, engineers, scientists, and urbanists, I revisited the eight moments I haven't been able to stop thinking about. These are the conversations that challenged...
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#079 - Jake Rudin: Can You Build A Sustainable Career In Architecture?
Are architects massively underestimating their value? Jake Rudin, co-founder of Out of Architecture, explains why architects are capable of “almost anything” - yet so many end up trapped in careers that leave them financially and emotionally drained. From being an architect, then working at…
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#078 - Jenny Peysin: Turning 100-Year-Old Homes Into Passive Houses (Without Ruining Them)
What happens when you try to turn a 100-year-old home into a high-performance, sustainable space - without touching the exterior? Many of our cities are filled with buildings that are over a hundred years old. The question is no longer whether we keep them - but how we make them work for the...
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#077 - David Sellers: This Waste Is Turning Into Luxury Homes (And They Are Self-Sufficient)
What if surfboard waste could actually become the construction blocks of the homes we live in? David Sellers didn’t always believe climate change would be something he’d feel in his own lifetime. As an architect in Hawaii, he’d spent years thinking about sustainability as a future problem… Until...
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#076 - Maria Stasevich: I Built My Architecture Career by Just Being Visible
What if the only thing holding you back is… not being visible? In this episode, Maria shares how she went from a student with “not enough knowledge” to building a platform, interviewing real architects, and getting opportunities just by putting her work out there. She talks about why “visibility...
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#075 - Ariane Laxo: The Hidden Psychology Blocking Sustainable Architecture
Why do great designs fail - even when everything is done right? Ariane Laxo, Director of Sustainability at HGA Architects & Engineers, has seen it firsthand: “people take their own customization into a space,” often reshaping even the most well-intended designs. In this conversation, she reveals...
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#074 - Bryn Davidson: The Massive Carbon Footprint Hidden Under Our Cities
What if the most “sustainable” building is still harming the planet? Bryn Davidson has spent the last two decades trying to make buildings better for people and the planet — not just through design, but through the boring-but-powerful stuff most architects avoid: policy, zoning, and building…
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#073 - Isaias Hernandez: How to Talk About Climate So People Actually Listen
How do you go from being rejected by Greenpeace to interviewing the Vice President of the United States? Isaias Hernandez is an environmental influencer who’s built a huge platform by making climate topics feel human, clear, and actually worth paying attention to. You’ll hear how he went from...
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#072 - Ross O'Ceallaigh: Why “Green” Cities Are Making Climate Change Worse
Today’s guest is Ross O’Ceallaigh, and he’s here to ruin the idea that a green city is automatically a good one. In this episode, you’ll hear why perfectly cut grass can be bad for nature, why some cities accidentally kill biodiversity while trying to “save the planet,” and how letting places get…
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#071 - Dr. Eugene Tsui: Why Modern Architecture Is Killing the Planet
What if our buildings could survive earthquakes, floods, and climate change by learning from nature? Dr. Eugene Tssui explains why modern buildings are failing - and how studying creatures like the nearly indestructible tardigrade can lead to safer, stronger, and cleaner architecture. This…
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#070 - Jennifer Snyders: Bamboo Is Not Timber - It Grows Back Faster Than We Build
What if the future of building isn’t cutting forests down - but harvesting a plant that grows back every year? Jennifer Snyders, CEO of House of Bamboo and President of the Bamboo Society of Australia, shares why bamboo is an agricultural crop, (not like timber), how it regenerates itself, and…
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#069 - Winka Dubbeldam: Inside the Olympic Village That Became a Sponge City and China’s Favorite Park - Winka Dubbeldam
Winka is the kind of architect who doesn’t just think in buildings—she thinks in systems, processes, performance, and the future. Trained in the Netherlands, and now leading the architecture studio Archi-Tectonics in the US, she’s spent three decades proving that design and sustainability aren’t...
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#068 - Markus Roselieb: The Doctor Who Quit Medicine to Build With Dirt and Bamboo
Markus Roselieb is a doctor-turned-architect who traded bones for bamboo - and has since built some of the most jaw-dropping natural structures. Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, he creates buildings that go above their function: they connect to the heart. What started as a favor to his wife when…
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#067 - Lucas Posada: How do you sell a dream when the project doesn’t exist yet?
If we’re not trying to find the heart and soul of this project, then who will? After two decades as a sustainable architect in New York, Lucas Posada stepped out of traditional practice to co-lead the New York office of Bloom, one of the world’s leading architectural visualization studios. Today,...
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#066 - Mikael Colville-Andersen: Planting Trees as Medicine in Ukraine’s War Zone
Mikael Colville-Andersen planted trees and built entire parks in the middle of a missile zone… and hundreds of people showed up to help him. Mikael is a Danish urban designer who’s spent the last three years doing something almost unthinkable—building community spaces in the middle of a war zone....
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#065 - Robert Gandia: This Smart System Fixes One of Construction’s Most Expensive Problems
Most buildings are heating water no one’s using and you’re paying for it. Somehow in 2025, we’re still designing bathrooms like it’s 1960 - why? If you’re a developer or an architect, you’ve probably had this thought: Why are we doing the same complicated work on every project, especially for...
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#064 – Armando Uribe: Can Luxury in Tulum Live in Harmony With Nature?
Is it possible to create luxury that doesn't cost the Earth - literally? In this episode, we walk through a home that does exactly that - it’s designed in harmony with the jungle. We dive into the architecture of calm: cross-ventilation, thermal mass, native materials, and a wastewater system...
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#063 – Armando Uribe: From Big-Name Architecture to the Jungle of Tulum and why Slow, Sustainable Building Creates More Value
You know how some people build just houses - and others build entire worlds? My guest today, Armando Uribe, is the kind of person who looked at the real estate game, the flashy renders, the numbers, the concrete - and said, this makes no sense. So he left it all behind, studied sustainable design...
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#062 - Helen Billson: What OMA Taught Me About Pressure, Excellence & Ambition
Can small architecture firms thrive without burning out? Helen Billson spent 15 years at OMA before shifting her focus to helping smaller studios build stronger businesses. From landing projects without a big portfolio to staying profitable without overworking, she shares the mindset shifts that...
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#061 - Sandro Valentino: Rethinking How We Build, Demolish, and Value Architecture
What if the secret to sustainable architecture isn’t technology, but beauty? Architect Sandro Valentino reveals his “three clients” philosophy, the mistakes people make when moving into old buildings, and why Malta’s preeminent architect Richard England says “people know the price of everything,...
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#060 - Jachen Schleich: What Happens When Swiss Green Standards Hit Mexico and Why Mexico’s Timber Industry Is Broken
Swiss architect Jachen Schleich shares how he’s adapting Minergie - Switzerland’s leading green building standard - for Latin America, why most timber buildings in Mexico still rely on imported wood, and what it will take to create a truly local timber industry. From ancient chinampas inspiring…
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#059 - David Leventhal: Luxury Without Guilt - Why Slow & Regenerative Travel Is the Future
What if luxury meant living with nature, not apart from it? If you're an architecture lover or you love traveling, and you’ve ever scrolled through one of the big architecture magazines, I’m sure you’ve seen the image of those incredible bamboo treehouses at Playa Viva in Mexico: iconic…
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#058 - Liz Olivier: $8 Billion of Glamour, Millions of Tons of Waste - Behind the Scenes of the Beauty Industry
Celebrity makeup artist Liz Olivier reveals how beauty became one of the world’s most wasteful industries - and what needs to change. From seaweed packaging to circular design, she shares smart, surprising ways to clean up beauty without losing the glamour. To explore more about Liz Olivier and…
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#057 - Andrew Patterson: This Building Will Last 1,000 Years. Its Carbon Footprint - Less Than One Flight. Why Beauty Is the Key to True Sustainability in Architecture
What if the most sustainable building is also the most beautiful one? New Zealand architect Andrew Patterson shares how ancient villages, earthquake rubble, and cliffside cottages have shaped his belief that buildings should belong to the land. He explains why true sustainability starts with…
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#056 - Justin Den Herder: Mass Timber Is Not Always the Answer - What Engineers Get Wrong And Why Hyper-Optimized Buildings Might Fail the Future
What can trees teach us about better buildings and better cities? In this episode, structural engineer Justin Dan Herder shares why “hyper-optimized” buildings aren’t always the smartest choice, and why saving old structures can often be the most sustainable move. He explains how mass timber can...
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#055 - Derek Hoeferlin: Adapting to Rising Seas: Smarter, Softer Solutions Than Concrete Walls
When you think of rivers, you probably don’t think of architects. But Derek Hoeferlin has made it his life’s work to prove why you should. As an architect, chair of Landscape Architecture, and author of Way Beyond Bigness, Derek advocates for a radical shift in how we design with water—not…
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#054 - Aishwarya & Karina: Third Places: The Secret Cure to Loneliness in Cities
Ever wondered what makes a city truly great to live in—or why some places feel safer than others at night? In this episode, urban designers Karina and Aiswarya unpack how cities affect our everyday lives, from safety and loneliness to mobility and community connection. You'll hear why simply...
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MOMENT 1 - The Mind Blowing Story Behind This Carbon Fiber Chair - John Hamilton
What if your chair could last for generations and never end up in a landfill? THIS MOMENT IS A HIGHLIGHT FROM EPISODE #040.John Hamilton is the kind of designer who sees beyond just the object - he sees the story, the connection, and the legacy it can create. From his work with groundbreaking...
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#053 - William Dodge: Design That Hits Harder Than a Billion-Dollar Eco City
What if the greenest building isn’t the one with the best tech - but the one people love the most? Award-winning designer William Dodge shares the story behind a powerful $50K flood memorial that’s changing how the world sees sustainability. It’s built on the same site where his childhood friend...
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#052 - Ankita Chachra: Playgrounds are Burning: Why Urban Design Must Change Now
If you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, you already know: cities were not built with you in mind. One third of all city trips are for caregiving - so why are we still designing cities around commuting? Ankita Chachra has spent her career asking questions like this - and designing better...
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#051 - Caplow Manzano: Miami’s Modern Luxury - Inside the World’s First WELL-Certified Home: Flood-Resistant, Healthy, and Smart
What if your home could outsmart floods, reduce energy bills, and make you healthier - all at once? Architect Nathalie Manzano walks us through the world’s first WELL-certified house in Miami, built for 100-year floods and designed to be fully taken apart, not torn down. This isn’t your typical...
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#050 - Caplow Manzano: Redefining Luxury - How to Build a House That Lasts 100 Years, Without Making You Sick
If you're careful about what you eat, why not care about what your house is made of? Nathalie and Ted didn’t just build a house - they created a whole new way of thinking. Instead of following the usual short-term approach that’s common in South Florida, they decided to do the opposite. Nathalie...
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#049 - David Augé: The Shocking Truth About Sustainability: It's Not About Saving the Planet. Lessons from Bees and Locusts, and Why Finding Your 'Why' Is the Only Path to a Sustainable Future
Our future depends on how we organize society. The question is: are we getting it right? David Auge argues that we’ve been looking at it all wrong. In his book “Man’s Search for Sustainability”, he explores how honeybees and desert locusts - two extreme insect societies - hold surprising lessons...
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#048 - Sheena Zhang: This Autodesk Experiment Changed Everything About Carbon Reporting - How Good Architects Make Bad Carbon Decisions (Without Knowing)
Why did six top firms get six very different answers - to be exact they varied by 34% - when measuring the same building’s carbon footprint? Most architects want to design sustainable buildings, but the reality is - sustainability tools are often complicated, expensive, or come into the process…
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#047 - Karl Feldman: How to Spot Greenwashing and Win Clients With Proof. Don’t Market Sustainability - Sell What Clients Actually Care About
This one shift in how you talk about your business could bring in massive growth. Karl Feldman explains how. He helps architecture, engineering, and consulting firms turn their expertise into real business growth. As a managing partner at Hinge Marketing, he uses research - not guesswork - to…
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#046 - Ethnie Xu: How AI is Changing Architecture (And Why Universities Are Banning It) - Bridging AI, Architecture & Real Estate for a Smarter Future
Could AI and modular design be the future of architecture? In this episode, we sit down with Ethnie Xu, an architect and real estate expert, to explore how technology, sustainability, and business intersect in the built world. From surviving a devastating earthquake at age 10 to designing...
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#045 - Blaine Brownell (Top Materials Expert): FORGET EXTERNAL BATTERIES - The ‘Concrete Foundation’ Could Replace Your Tesla Powerwall more
Can buildings store electricity like a battery? Blaine Brownell is a leading voice in sustainable architecture and material innovation, with a career spanning over 20 years. Starting as an architect in Seattle during the rise of the LEED green building movement, he transitioned to academia, where...
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#044 - Zak Kostura: Al vs. Architects-Who Designs the Future?
Can AI design a better, greener future? Zak Kostura is the leader of the innovative team using AI and genetic algorithms to rethink sustainable architecture and urban planning at Arup. From designing New York’s NRDC headquarters with 3,000+ net-zero options, to optimizing entire transportation...
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#043 - Scott Kelly & David Salamon: Future-Proofing Architecture—Beyond Net Zero
How can we design buildings centered only minimize environmental harm, but actively contribute to better world? That's exactly the mission of Re:Vision Architecture. Architects Scott Kelly and David Salamon reveal why true sustainability isn’t just about adding solar panels—it’s about designing...
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#042 - Vivian Loftness: Why Modern Buildings Are Suffocating Us
Why are so many buildings designed to shut out nature instead of working with it? Vivian Loftness has spent 50 years advancing sustainable architecture, focusing on climate-responsive design, energy efficiency, and healthier buildings. Her career began during the first energy crisis, leading her…
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#041 - Lee Stewart: The Triple C Framework Your Business Needs to Turn Climate Challenges into Wins
What if sustainability wasn’t just about saving the planet - but also the key to growing a successful business? Best-selling author of “How to Build Sustainability into Your Business Strategy”, Lee Stewart has helped major companies turn climate challenges into business opportunities. From…
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#040 - John Hamilton: Designing Timeless Furniture with Innovative Materials Like Carbon Fiber, Making Packaging with Mushrooms and How AI is Changing Design
What if your chair could last for generations and never end up in a landfill? John Hamilton is the kind of designer who sees beyond just the object - he sees the story, the connection, and the legacy it can create. From his work with groundbreaking materials like carbon fiber and mycelium…
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#039 - Alfonso Hernandez: How Gensler Uses AI & Data to Build Greener Cities
How can technology help us design buildings that stand the test of time? 🌍 Alfonso Hernandez is Sustainability Director at Gensler, the world’s largest architectural firm, where he focuses on decarbonization, resilience, and future-proofing buildings. Using computational tools like energy…
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#038 - Vinciane Albrecht & Anne Carcelen: The Power of Timber in Sustainable Architecture
Could the cities of tomorrow thrive by reimagining the structures of today? Vinciane Albrecht talks about the mass timber buildings designed by her partner Anne Carcelen in France, showcasing their approach to sustainability and design. Together, they’ve developed concepts like hybrid city and...
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#037 - Scott Bishop: What’s The Secret To Designing Homes That Work With Nature, Not Against It? What Every Architect Should Know About Human Ecology.
Is your garden harming or helping the environment? Landscape architect Scott Bishop, founder of Bishop Land Design, uncovers why green roofs are so important, how microforests and de-lawning can revolutionize biodiversity, and what we can all do - even in small ways - to improve our…
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#036 - James Andrews: The Science Behind Homes That Heal
How can the spaces we live in shape our mental health and well-being? Architect James Andrews shares how he teamed up with IKEA to design a tiny home that helps people recover from trauma and homelessness. Discover how architecture can heal, boost wellness, and challenge what we think we know…
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#035 - Shay Kurzinski: Why Cutting Trees Could Actually Help Fight Climate Change
Can wood really replace steel and concrete in skyscrapers? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, Shay Kurzinski, Assistant Professor of Construction Management at Roger Williams University, talks about everything we need to know about the game-changing potential of mass timber. From its...
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#034 - Laia Bonet: How Restoring Nature Can Save Cities from Floods and Rising Seas
What can we learn from communities and ecosystems to create greener, safer cities? In this episode, Laia Bonet shares her inspiring journey from designing buildings in Switzerland to tackling climate resilience challenges across Africa. After moving to Cameroon and later Nairobi to work with...
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#033 - Christiane Conrads: The Real Impact of ESG on Buildings, Cities, and Sustainability
What if real estate could help save the planet? 🌎 In this episode, Christiane Conrads, PwC's Global Real Estate ESG leader, joins the conversation to share how sustainability is influencing the future of buildings and cities. From her background in environmental law to leading global ESG...
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#032 - Paul Paterson: The Carbon Challenge - Why Leed Platinum Isn’t Enough and How to Close the Performance Gap
Can sustainable buildings actually save you money? Paul Paterson, founder of Elevation Sustainable Building Solutions, explains how energy-efficient designs don’t have to cost more - and can even reduce both, building and operational expenses. With decades of experience in engineering and...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
In a world increasingly facing the challenges of climate change, the "Building Green: Tomorrow’s Architecture Today" podcast dives deep into the intersection of architecture, design, urbanism and environmental responsibility. Our mission is to highlight the transformative power of sustainable architecture, not just as a practice but as a catalyst for broader societal change. Through engaging conversations with pioneering architects, urbanists, tech innovators, sociologists, etc. we explore the details of green architectural planning and its impacts across diverse sectors.
HOSTED BY
Ladina Schöpf
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Building Green have?
Building Green currently has 81 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Building Green about?
In a world increasingly facing the challenges of climate change, the "Building Green: Tomorrow’s Architecture Today" podcast dives deep into the intersection of architecture, design, urbanism and environmental responsibility. Our mission is to highlight the transformative power of sustainable...
How often does Building Green release new episodes?
Building Green has 81 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to Building Green on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Building Green?
Building Green is created and hosted by Ladina Schöpf.
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