Hidden in Plain Sight: Why Your “Safe” Isn’t Safe – And the Rise of the Secret Room – Ep 128 with Steve Humble

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Robert Bean, founder of Impact Creative Studio, to explore how storytelling can transform the way we design—and experience—the built environment. From his early career as a commercial pilot to helping architects communicate purpose through film, Robert shares a deeply personal journey into creativity, connection, and meaning.Together, they unpack the power of “character-driven storytelling” and why human emotion—not technical specs—is what truly resonates with clients. The conversation dives into neuroscience, trust, and how the spaces we design can shape health, behavior, and community. Through real-world examples, Robert reveals how authentic stories can cut through greenwashing and inspire lasting impact.This episode challenges us to rethink how we communicate design—and why it matters more than ever.More About Robert BeanRobert Bean is the co-founder of IMPACT, a character-driven storytelling agency helping wellness, design, and hospitality brands uncover the deeper narrative behind their work. A former Airbus commercial pilot, Robert left a dream career in aviation to pursue a more meaningful path, one rooted in beauty, truth, and connection. Today, he brings his systems thinking and storytelling intuition to brands, helping them close the gap between who they are and how they’re seen. His work as a filmmaker has earned multiple awards worldwide for documentary and brand storytelling, and his approach blends precision, strategy, and soul in equal measure.CONTACT:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsbean/       https://www.instagram.com/impactfulstorytelling/ www.impact.eco  Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski steps into the world of hidden passageways, vault doors, and high-security safe rooms with Steve Humble, founder of Creative Home Engineering. What begins as a childhood fascination with spy movies evolves into a fascinating deep dive into camouflage, forced-entry protection, and the engineering behind secret doors that truly disappear.Steve shares how his background in mechanical engineering, robotics, and home automation led him to build thousands of custom security solutions for everyone from CEOs to royal clients. The conversation explores panic rooms, bullet-resistant materials, EMP protection, and the surprising vulnerabilities of traditional safes. But beyond the intrigue, this episode reveals a powerful design insight: great security isn’t just about strength—it’s about thoughtful integration, precision, and architectural harmony that protects what matters most.More About Steve HumbleSteve Humble grew up in cities around the world as the son of a pilot in the US air force. In 2003 he graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University. Steve started his engineering career in aerospace at Honeywell's military turbine engines division and later at the Boeing aircraft company. He went on to design both home automation systems and robotic surgical lasers before starting his own security engineering firm at the age of only 26. He founded Creative Home Engineering in 2003 and has a 10,600 square foot facility based in Ariz. The company specializes in the design and fabrication of motorized hidden passageways and covert high-security vault doors. With more than 20 years of experience and 5,000 unique secret passageways under his belt, Steve's top-secret client list is a veritable who's-who of high-profile business executives, heads-of-state, celebrities, pro-athletes, and ordinary security-minded home owners all around the globe. He also started the Hidden Door Store, a more affordable option for the person that likes to DIY.  To learn more, hiddenpassageway.com or hiddendoorstore.com.Contact:https://www.facebook.com/CreativeHomeEngineeringhttps://www.instagram.com/hidden_passageway/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes Jon Phillips, CEO of PhillComm Global for a fascinating real-world look at what happens when daylighting science moves from theory into daily life. After years of working in a dark, screen-filled workspace, John redesigned his home studio and office around advanced daylighting—transforming the way he works, creates music, and experiences the workday.Joe and John explore how controlled, diffused daylight can eliminate glare, reduce heat, and replace the harsh fatigue of artificial lighting with balanced, full-spectrum illumination. The conversation dives into the science behind managing sunlight, the surprising role of translucent glazing in privacy and acoustic control, and how thoughtfully designed daylight can boost productivity, creativity, and well-being.From home studios to schools and workplaces, this episode shows how better light can fundamentally reshape the spaces where we live and work—and how experiencing it firsthand can change everything.More About Jon PhillipsTo comeContact:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonlindsayphillips/ https://www.phillcommglobal.org/ https://x.com/phillcomm?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/phillcomm/?hl=en  Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Richard Williams, Senior Architect Development Manager at VELUX, for an energizing and deeply thoughtful conversation about daylight, design, and the future of healthy housing. Drawing on more than 30 years with the company, Richard shares how his early hands-on training in building science shaped his passion for craftsmanship, performance, and people-centered architecture.Together, they explore why the “fifth façade” — the roof — may be the most important surface of all, how natural daylight from above outperforms vertical glazing, and why ventilation is critical to occupant well-being. The conversation also tackles urban density, renovation of aging housing stock, climate resilience, and the urgent need to build homes for purpose — not just profit. This episode is a powerful reminder that great buildings start with one thing: people.More About Richard WilliamsRichard Williams’ passion for architecture gave him significant insight into the design, specification, and project planning of a wide range of projects throughout the Cotswolds, where he worked within several architectural practices as an Architectural Technician.He joined VELUX Company Ltd more than 30 years ago, and in his current role as Senior Architectural Development Manager, Richard Williams collaborates with colleagues across multiple countries, sharing industry insights and strengthening ongoing relationships within the architectural community.Contact:https://hdawards.org/ https://hdawards.org/living-places/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/velux_yesterday-we-were-proud-to-celebrate-participants-activity-7369674420702969856-wief?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAIRKIMBpAPsGNrXCmSGc8zj03bLKRHa1oM Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Dr. Helia Taheri, Research and Insights Lead at Arcadis, for an inspiring deep dive into human-centric design, evidence-based practice, and the future of our cities. Born and raised in Iran and now working in the U.S., Helia shares how her artistic upbringing, architectural training, and PhD research shaped her mission to bridge design and behavioral science.From retail prototypes to global workplace research, she explores how culture, climate, and community shape the way we experience buildings. The conversation also tackles post-occupancy evaluation, data gaps in architecture, and her passion for creating walkable, connected cities. This episode is a powerful call to measure our impact, design with intention, and build flexible spaces that truly serve human needs.More About Dr. Helia TaheriDr. Helia Taheri is an award-winning mixed-methods researcher with 8+ years of experience in strategizing and conducting human-centric research in multidisciplinary teams to have a positive impact on people, the planet, and business. She considers herself a pollinator between different fields of architecture, human behavior, and sustainability and commits to bridging the gap between industry and academia.  Helia has a passion for learning and distributing knowledge and is actively engaged in presenting at conferences and publishing articles that connect the latest research with practice. She is a guest lecturer at universities such as Carnegie Mellon, USC, and Portland State University and a mentor to increase awareness among younger researchers about their important role in achieving data-driven design in architecture. Helia has a Ph.D. in human-centric research from North Carolina State University, an M.S. in Sustainability, and a B.Arch. in Architectural Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran.CONTACT:https://www.arcadis.com/en-us/insights/blog/united-states/helia-taheri/2024/arcadiss-approach-to-post-occupancy-evaluationhttps://www.arcadis.com/en-us/insights/blog/united-states/helia-taheri/2024/how-can-data-driven-strategies-support-the-evolution-of-Workplace-design https://www.linkedin.com/in/heliataheri/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes back writer, editor, and design thinker Lila Allen for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation on design, storytelling, and what it means to live well. Since her last appearance, Lila has launched Wrong House—a bold new digital publication that embraces design with “guts,” mixing historic perspective, experimental formats, and everyday reality.From curating ghost stories and celebrating found furniture to exploring the soulful connections we form with our spaces, Lila shares how constraints and authenticity can unlock creativity. She also opens up about her move to the Hudson Valley, the influence of her museum roots, and why "wrong" can often be so right in design.This episode is a rich exploration of emotional design, creative risk-taking, and the power of spaces to linger in our memory.More About Lila AllenLila Allen is the founder and editor in chief of Wrong House, a monthly design publication launched in September 2025. She has previously held senior editorial roles at Architectural Digest, where she led AD PRO, the site’s membership-based trade vertical, and Metropolis, where she was managing editor and shaped coverage across print and digital platforms. Today, outside of Wrong House, she runs an independent practice supporting architects, designers, and cultural organizations with brand storytelling, messaging strategy, and editorial direction, while continuing to write for leading design press. Lila holds a master’s degree in Design Research, Writing & Criticism from the School of Visual Arts, where she received the Paula Rhodes Memorial Award and the Monotype Scholarship for Excellence in Design Criticism. Her bylines include The New York Times, Interior Design, Architectural Digest, and The Architect’s Newspaper. She is currently at work on a design monograph for Monacelli, forthcoming in Fall 2026.Contact:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lila-allen-5513ba12/lila-allen.com  Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with award-winning architect Scott Gustafson of Harley Ellis Devereaux for a fascinating look at the intersection of science, sustainability, and beautiful design. As a leader in the Science and Advanced Manufacturing sector, Scott shares how labs and factories—often overlooked in architectural discourse—can become inspiring, human-centered spaces.From incorporating skylights into precision manufacturing plants to leveraging mass timber for rapid construction and biophilic impact, Scott reveals how even the most technical buildings can promote wellness, retention, and resilience. He also opens up about his love for Scandinavian modernism, his teaching role at Lawrence Technological University, and why architecture should be built to last, not follow trends.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes that great design belongs everywhere—even on the factory floor.More About Scott GustafsonScott Gustafson is an architect living and working in the Detroit metro area. He works for HED, an integrated architecture and engineering firm founded in Detroit in the early 1900s.Originally from outside Chicago, Scott studied architecture at Kansas State University from 1994 to 1999. It was his uncle—also an architect and a KSU alumnus—who inspired him to pursue the same path.After earning his degree, Scott gained diverse professional experience by working in Arizona, Colorado, and California. His time with small and medium-sized firms in those states exposed him to a wide range of project types and professional practice styles.Since relocating to Michigan in 2017, Scott has contributed significantly to the architectural community. He has served on the Michigan Board of Architects, taught part-time at Lawrence Technological University, and held leadership roles—including vice-president, president, and past president—in the Huron Valley chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He also served on his local planning commission. Each of these roles has allowed him to apply his architectural skills in meaningful ways that benefit the community.Scott’s passion lies in creating buildings and spaces that engage all of the human senses. He believes that since people spend so much of their lives in designed environments, both indoors and out, those spaces should uplift rather than diminish the human experience. Poor lighting, jarring sounds, uncomfortable furniture, unattractive signage, and cheap materials can all erode a person’s sense of well-being and dignity. Scott strives to design environments that make people feel comfortable, welcomed, cared for, and loved—spaces where they can do their best work, build meaningful relationships, and feel at peace.He is a registered architect in the states of Arizona, California, and Michigan, as well as in the countries of Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden.Contact:https://hed.co/https://www.instagram.com/hedadvances/https://www.instagram.com/scottmbgustafson/https://www.threads.com/@scottmbgustafsonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmbgustafson/Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes a true visionary—renowned architect Alison Brooks—for another unforgettable conversation. From her early inspirations in Ontario to leading one of the UK’s most acclaimed practices, Alison continues to redefine contemporary architecture with generosity, light, and deep-rooted humanism.In this episode, she expands on her award-winning housing innovations, the cultural power of home, and why beauty and craftsmanship still matter in a world obsessed with energy codes. Alison unpacks how deeper windows, thoughtful proportions, and sculptural forms can reconnect us to light, sky, and one another.Whether she’s revitalizing historic social housing or shaping Oxford’s iconic Cohen Quad, Alison insists that every space tells a story—and that great architecture should always elevate the human experience. This visit is rich with insight you won’t want to miss.More About Alison BrooksAlison Brooks is one of the UK’s most highly awarded and internationally acclaimed architects. Since founding her practice in 1996 she has emerged as one of the UK's most inventive architects with works encompassing urban design and housing, higher education buildings, private houses and public buildings for the arts. She is the only UK architect to have received all the RIBA’s most prestigious architectural awards: the Stirling Prize, the Manser Medal (twice) and the Stephen Lawrence Prize. Alison Brooks has contributed to architectural education for over fifteen years as External Examiner for University of Central London, University of Bath, University of Lincoln and the Architectural Association. In 2018 Alison was appointed as the John T. Dunlop Design Critic in Architecture at Harvard GSD. Alison is currently the Gensler Visiting Critic at Cornell’s AAP School and was awarded the Bethune Award by the University at Buffalo.Contact:https://www.instagram.com/alisonbrooksarchitects/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/alison-brooks-architects-ltd/ https://x.com/alisonbrooksarchttps://www.facebook.com/AlisonBrooksArc Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski heads to the tropics for a vibrant conversation with architect Peter Sandiford of Habitat Designs in Barbados. From a young age, Peter knew he was destined to design spaces—and today, he's doing just that, blending tropical vernacular traditions with modern functionality. In this episode, Peter shares how Caribbean architecture prioritizes airflow, light, and outdoor living, while also contending with climate change and hurricane resilience. He dives into the tensions between modernist trends and the rich, textured legacy of Barbadian design, why so many homes are “missing the mark,” and how better building choices can make all the difference for comfort and health. You’ll also hear about Peter’s award-winning work revitalizing historic structures and his philosophy of architecture as energy in motion. If you're passionate about design with soul, you won’t want to miss this one.More About Peter SandifordPeter Sandiford was born in Barbados and was educated at the Christ Church Foundation School and the Barbados Community College where he received his Associate Degree in Science. He continued his studies at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he received his Diploma in Engineering. He further went on to the Technical University of Nova Scotia (now known as Dalhousie University) where he gained his Bachelor of Environmental Designs Studies degree and his Master of Architecture degree. He joined the practice of architect Ian Morrison in 1997 prior to forming his own architectural practice, Habitats Architectural Designs, which was incorporated in the year 2000.Mr. Sandiford is a registered Architect in Barbados and a full member of the Barbados Institute of Architects (BIA) who has worked on numerous projects on the island and in the region including high-end residential homes, luxury villas, commercial buildings and hotels. His personal approach to design blends the principals of the eastern philosophy of Feng Shui, the architectural vernacular of the Caribbean and a high level of attention to detail.In 2012 Mr. Sandiford won the Barbados National Trust award for the “Historical Restoration to a pre WWII Residence”. This is where his affection for historic restoration was conceived. As a result of this new drive for heritage preservation, Mr. Sandiford gladly took on another mid 19th Century restoration project, this time along the famous Hastings Main Road, which was completed in 2014. This building won the 5 Star Award at the International Property Awards, in 2015, for best “Commercial Renovation/Redevelopment” in the Americas.When asked about the key to his success after 15 years Mr. Sandiford responds by saying “I hope to be able to continue providing my clients a professional service with a personal touch which results in project that is of a high quality.”Contact:https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-sandiford-m-arch-b-e-d-s-bia-arb-47197619/?originalSubdomain=bbhttps://www.habitatsdesigns.com/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd

This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski welcomes construction curator Monika Zasada for a fresh and empowering take on how we build homes—and how we should. With decades of experience as a general contractor turned “curator,” Monika breaks down why the traditional construction process is broken, how competitive bidding fails homeowners, and what it really takes to create a joyful, healthy, and lasting home. From the pitfalls of unrealistic design expectations to the emotional intensity of building projects, she shares her collaborative, client-first method that turns renovation horror stories into well-orchestrated action films. You’ll hear why she says “no” to ego-driven architects, how lighting impacts mental health, and what makes a project truly sustainable. If you’ve ever planned—or dreamed—of building your own home, this episode is essential listening.More About Monika ZasadaAs the world’s only home construction curator, utilizing my 25-year experience, Monika helps homeowners make their renovation and building projects a success (instead of the usual horror story of evaporating money, nervous breakdowns as well as questionable quality and never-ending construction). Contact:https://www.instagram.com/de_mazing_/www.linkedin.com/in/monikazconstructionexpertWhere To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd