How to Build an Interiors Team From Scratch with Christina Franklin

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode, we revisit an interiors+sources article titled, "From Classroom to Career: The People Who Shape a Designer's Path," about the vital role mentorship plays in shaping the next generation of designers. While formal education builds technical knowledge, this conversation highlights why soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management are often what determine early-career success. Drawing on insights from leaders at ASID, //3877, and FCA, the episode examines how mentorship can strengthen confidence, create meaningful professional connections, and help emerging designers navigate the path from classroom to career.

What does it take to build an interiors team from scratch and make it a true strategic partner to architecture, not a “finishes at the end” function? In this episode of I Hear Design, we sit down with Christina Franklin, Partner and Director of Interior Design at Generator Studio in Kansas City. Christina shares what it was like joining as a team of one and how she established the foundations that allowed an interiors practice to scale, which included defining a clear point of view, clarifying the scope of ownership, and embedding interiors into the design process from day one. We also talk about what “hospitality-forward design” really means beyond buzzwords (translating it into tangible decisions like arrival sequence, lighting, and emotional resonance instead), plus the tools and standards that help maintain quality as a team grows. Christina also offers a candid take on AI as an early-stage ideation tool, how to gauge whether a team is truly healthy, and the leadership shift she calls out most: learning to release control and build trust.

Behavioral health facility design requires more than durable materials and safety protocols—it calls for spaces that actively support healing, dignity, and positive patient experiences. In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode, we revisit a recent interiors+sources article exploring the foundational principles designers need to understand before planning these complex environments. This episode looks at how treatment types, therapy methods, social dynamics, and levels of patient privacy shape design decisions from the outset. It also explores why safety and therapeutic outcomes are not competing priorities, but closely connected ones, and how thoughtful interior planning can help create environments that are both protective and humane.

In this episode of Product Talk, host Lauren Brant speaks with sustainability journalist and material expert Kenn Busch about the growing importance of material intelligence in product specification. As more architecture and design firms begin collecting materials data through initiatives like the American Institute of Architects Materials Pledge, designers are gaining new insight into how products impact human health, climate, and the built environment. But carbon metrics only tell part of the story. Together, Brant and Busch explore how chemistry, lifecycle thinking, and responsible sourcing—especially when it comes to forests and wood products—are shaping the future of sustainable specification in the A&D industry. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why “material intelligence” is becoming essential in product specification—and how designers can move beyond trends to evaluate products through chemistry, lifecycle impacts, and human health. What the latest data from the American Institute of Architects Materials Pledge reveals about how architecture and design firms are collecting materials data—and where the industry still has work to do. How forests and responsibly sourced wood products fit into the future of sustainable design, and the role designers play in communicating their value through the materials they choose to specify.

What does it mean to design for place in a desert city shaped by rapid growth, rising heat, and shifting expectations around how people live and move? In Part 2 of I Hear Design’s Mobility + Place mini-series, Robert Nieminen speaks with Hannah Hackathorn and Benjamin Ayers of Mancini’s Phoenix office about the realities of designing in and for the desert. In this conversation, we explore how architects and designers are responding to extreme heat with layered strategies for shade, landscape, airflow, and thermal comfort, while also rethinking water use, sustainability, and the role of regional identity in a fast-evolving metro area. Hackathorn and Ayers discuss why climate-responsive design must begin with fundamentals like building orientation, form, and site planning; how outdoor transitions can become more humane and usable; and why authentic design for place goes beyond desert aesthetics to reflect culture, community, and long-term livability. They also look at the promise of mixed-use development, adaptive reuse, and greater density as Phoenix continues to grow. In this episode, you'll discover: How designing for extreme heat goes beyond HVAC to include shade, building orientation, airflow, landscape, and transitional spaces between indoors and outdoors. Why thermal comfort in desert environments is as much about human experience and movement as it is about technical performance. How water awareness shapes architecture through landscape choices, low-water fixtures, and the idea that in the desert, water strategy is design strategy. Why authentic regional design should respond to climate, culture, community, and construction realities—not just rely on stereotypical desert aesthetics. What fast-growing cities like Phoenix can teach designers everywhere about resilience, density, mixed-use development, and creating more walkable, livable communities. How sustainability conversations with clients are shifting from certification and image toward long-term value, performance, and return on investment. Why adaptive reuse and district-scale thinking may play a bigger role in shaping the future of desert cities than standalone buildings alone.

What does AIA’s latest Materials Pledge report reveal about the future of material selection in design? In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read episode, we revisit an article recently published on the interiors+sources website titled, "AIA's Materials Pledge Report Reveals Progress—and What Comes Next." Listen in as we explore where firms are making measurable progress in human and climate health, how project-level data is shaping healthier procurement strategies, and why social health, equity, client education, and reclaimed materials remain important frontiers for the industry.

Airports are among the most complex public environments designers have to shape—high-traffic, high-stress spaces where operational efficiency and human experience must work together seamlessly. In this episode of I Hear Design, we kick off the first installment of the two-part "Mobility + Place" mini-series with John Anthal, who leads Mancini’s aviation sector. Anthal discusses how airport design has evolved in recent years to focus more intentionally on passenger comfort, intuitive wayfinding, seamless security, thoughtful lounge experiences, and a stronger sense of place. The conversation also explores how airports are increasingly functioning like mini cities, with integrated hospitality, transportation, and commercial offerings, while still needing to feel curated, welcoming, and distinct to their location. Along the way, Anthal shares practical insights that apply far beyond aviation, offering lessons for architects and designers working on any high-traffic, user-centered environment.

In this ICYMI article-read episode of I Hear Design, we revisit an article titled, “ASID’s 2026 Trends Outlook: Designing for Resilience, Dignity, and Long-Term Impact” written by staff writer and editor Lauren Brant, originally published by interiors+sources. Based on ASID’s 2026 Trends Outlook Report, the article explores how interior designers are being called to lead through disruption by creating spaces that support wellness, flexibility, independence, and long-term value. It also looks at demographic shifts driving demand for more adaptable living environments, the purposeful return of maximalism, and the sustainability questions raised by AI and other high-performance technologies.

To commemorate Women’s History Month, in this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen speaks with Studio RYS principals Lisa Haude and Bhavini Hardev about what women’s leadership looks like in today’s AEC industry—and what still needs to change. Lisa and Bhavini discuss progress worth celebrating, including more women stepping into leadership and reshaping collaboration, while also naming persistent gaps: credibility and visibility challenges, mentorship access, toxic “always-on” expectations, and the stark reality of pay inequity. The conversation explores what “principal-level leadership” means beyond hierarchy, such as showing up with empathy, building psychological safety, mentoring with intention, and learning through real project context. The guests also share how their complementary backgrounds in interior design and architecture help break down discipline silos, and how Studio RYS’s recent rebrand reflects an evolution toward a fully integrated practice rooted in storytelling through design. The episode closes with practical advice for emerging and mid-career women aiming for leadership roles in the next phase of their careers.

The Anatomy of a Spec-Worthy Product dives into what really makes a product worthy of specification—beyond surface-level aesthetics and marketing claims. Host Lauren Brant breaks down the essential elements designers and architects need to evaluate today’s products, from certifications and documentation to material transparency, digital spec tools, and embodied carbon. Drawing on reporting from interiors+sources, this episode explores how tools from Mohawk Group, Fitwel, and sustainability leadership from MillerKnoll are helping specifiers make smarter, lower-impact decisions. You’ll also hear insights on carbon reduction from Rutgers University, learn how manufacturers like Shaw Industries are approaching circularity, and unpack why certifications from organizations such as Forest Stewardship Council and GREENGUARD can be both helpful—and complicated. Plus, Lauren shares practical red flags designers shouldn’t ignore, and why “not a molecule more than needed” has become a powerful lens for purposeful product design. Whether you’re specifying furniture, finishes, or fixtures, this episode is your guide to choosing products that support performance, transparency, and planetary health—because great design doesn’t stop at aesthetics. It lives in the details.