ICYMI: HGA Completes Innovative 144,000 sq-ft Research Facility at University of Arkansas

How often do you think about the air your projects are asking people to breathe? In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen unpacks why indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a frontline design issue—from post-pandemic health concerns and wildfire smoke to rising expectations for healthier workplaces. Unpacking insights from articles published in interiors+sources and BUILDINGS, along with recent research, Robert walks through breakthrough initiatives like ARPA-H’s BREATHE program and Mayo Clinic’s HAIQU project, as well as the new Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air launched at the United Nations, and explains what they mean for architects, interior designers, and facilities professionals. You’ll learn practical strategies for improving IAQ across planning, building systems, interiors, and existing building retrofits along with real-world scenarios and key questions to bring to your next client meeting. If you’re looking to connect wellness, resilience, and performance in your projects, this episode is your IAQ playbook.

In this In Case You Missed It episode of I Hear Design, we revisit Jennifer Kenson’s feature, “Beyond Aesthetics: Biophilic Design & Neuroscience in Healthcare Spaces,” originally published on i+s. You’ll hear how biophilic design in healthcare goes far beyond adding plants or wood tones—it taps into neuroscience and concepts like the “collective unconscious” and prospect-refuge theory to reduce stress responses, support healing, and improve staff well-being. Through the Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care Clinic case study, the episode explores how natural light, organic forms, intuitive wayfinding, and carefully planned staff respite areas can make a space feel genuinely restorative, not clinical. If you’re an interior designer or architect working in healthcare—or simply interested in evidence-based, human-centered environments—you’ll come away with practical ideas and a stronger language for advocating biophilic strategies with clients: from layout moves that calm the nervous system to materials and lighting decisions that support both patients and care teams over the long term.

The hospitality market is recalibrating, and design teams are adapting accordingly. In this episode, Jill Cole, President of Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates (CMCA), returns to the I Hear Design podcast to unpack what’s changed since her last guest appearance in 2023: financing slowdowns and the rise of limited-service/extended-stay, why experiential design still wins, and how the hotel lobby is evolving into a multifunctional “community living room.” Cole and host Robert Niemienen discuss everything from pet-friendly planning, the realities of renovating while open (logistics, phasing, and guest experience), and tech shifts like wireless lighting and powering furniture without trenching slabs. She also shares approaches to authentic locality and storytelling—from Venice Beach streetscapes to JW Marriott Houston’s adaptive reuse narrative—and weighs the tension between one-off luxury concepts and big-brand standardization. Whether you’re designing a boutique retreat or refreshing a flagship, you’ll leave with practical ways to connect place, operations, and guest delight.

On this article-read episode, we spotlight the University of Arkansas’s new Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I³R)—a 144,000-sq-ft hub designed by HGA (with Hufft) to accelerate convergent research and regional economic development. Published on August 27, 2025, on the interiors+sources website, the piece explores how a mass-timber pavilion, biophilic strategies, and a flexible lab chassis support cross-disciplinary work in FoodTech, HealthTech, and CyberTech. Tune in to hear why this project matters for designers: the building ties architectural choices to measurable collaboration, talent attraction, and community impact—offering a blueprint for research environments that are as people-centric as they are technically advanced.

In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen talks with Brandon Larcom, Global Director of Product Development at Gensler, about the strategy behind today’s most effective workplace products. Larcom unpacks how research, user personas, and storytelling guide the design process—and why “hackability,” flexibility, and hybrid work are redefining what products must do. The discussion covers sustainability and circularity standards that are changing manufacturer partnerships, the role of emerging technologies in personalizing spaces, and how sensory experiences can strengthen culture and wellbeing. Larcom also offers practical advice for brands looking to collaborate with design firms more effectively and shares what he’s watching next in workplace product innovation. Resources mentioned in this episode: Gensler’s Research & Insights Bulo Monica lounge chair by Gensler

In this ICYMI article-read, i+s Editor-in-Chief Carrie Meadows unpacks the renewed federal design directive from her article, “Architectural Community Responds to Trump's Executive Order on Federal Design,” originally published on Sept. 3, 2025, and why it’s drawing pushback across the A&D community. You’ll hear a concise overview of the order’s call for classical styles, a quick history lesson on the 1962 “Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture,” and how groups like AIA, ASLA, the BSA, and the Society of Architectural Historians are responding. The episode explores what’s at stake for community input, design innovation, and sustainability in federal projects—grounded with examples like the U.S. Tax Court and the rebuilt Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building—and closes with an editorial perspective on keeping civic architecture democratic, evidence-based, and future-forward.

The workplace is evolving faster than ever—and the office must evolve with it. In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Allan W. Smith, President of the Americas and Chief Product Officer at Steelcase, to explore how decades of its workplace research are shaping the future of work. Smith shares insights into designing offices that balance privacy with collaboration, support equitable hybrid meetings, and harness the power of AI. He also discusses how sustainability, neurodiversity, and well-being are redefining what a successful workplace looks like. Plus, we look ahead to the next decade and how space will adapt to new technologies and workstyles yet to emerge. Whether you’re an architect, designer, or workplace strategist, this conversation will change the way you think about the office—and its role in building community, culture, and creativity.

This is an ICYMI article-read episode of I Hear Design, adapted from our i+s feature “Designing for Every Mind: 5 Ways to Build Neuroinclusive Workplaces.” You’ll hear five practical, research-informed strategies for neuroinclusive workplace design—covering choice and zoning, sensory load management, predictable wayfinding, user control/personalization, and biophilic design—along with expert perspective from HOK’s Kay Sargent and Tom Polucci. Listen in for a concise guide you can share with clients and project teams looking to make workplace environments more inclusive and effective for all. In this episode, you'll discover: How to use choice-based zoning (focus, collaboration, retreat) so people can pick environments that match their cognitive needs. Practical ways to reduce sensory load—lighting, acoustics, materials, and tech—to minimize fatigue and distraction. Predictable wayfinding tactics (clear sightlines, landmarks, iconography) that lower anxiety and improve navigation. Why user control and personalization (adjustable lighting, seating, tools) boost comfort, autonomy, and performance. How biophilic cues (views, textures, rhythms) can calm the nervous system and support sustained attention. The business case: fewer disruptions, higher engagement, broader talent access—including neurodivergent employees. Quick-start pilot ideas and metrics to test changes fast and measure impact (utilization, focus time, satisfaction).

Waste in the interior design industry is more than an inconvenience—it’s a systemic challenge that affects every stage of a project, from material sampling to tenant turnover. In this episode, host Robert Nieminen examines the root causes of waste and shares insights from industry experts, including highlights from Swatchbox’s groundbreaking Second Life Samples program. Listeners will also learn about cutting-edge biomaterials like kelp-based foam and pineapple-leaf leather substitutes that could change the future of design. Discover practical strategies for reducing waste, embracing circular design principles, and rethinking sustainability in your own projects.

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read, we explore how thoughtfully curated artwork can do far more than simply “decorate” a space. It can help anchor brand identity, support wayfinding, and even deepen a sense of place and belonging for occupants. Adapted from the article, "Art in Interiors: Why Integrate Local Culture Into Commercial Spaces?" written by Rose Morrison and published on the interiors+sources website on June 18, 2025, this episode highlights strategies designers can use now, including: How to engage local communities and makers Integrating art with architecture rather than adding it last Source regionally to support sustainability goals Consider sensory-friendly choices that make spaces more inclusive Along the way, we visit examples from retail, hospitality, healthcare, government, and education—from joyful neighborhood murals to mission-driven installations—that show art’s power to connect people, culture, and purpose inside the built environment.