ICYMI: COMMENTARY | Architectural Community Responds to Trump’s Executive Order on Federal Design

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen opens with a brief update on the White House’s proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom project, including preservation groups’ calls for a rigorous review process, a December 12, 2025 lawsuit seeking to halt the work, and reporting that a new lead architect has taken over the project in spite of calls from the A&D community to decline the commission.  Then we revisit the original September 3, 2025 commentary by Carrie Meadows, "Architectural Community Responds to Trump’s Executive Order on Federal Design," responding to President Trump’s executive order on federal design. The episode summarizes the American Institute of Architects’ concerns that a mandate favoring classical styles restricts thoughtful design, removes meaningful local feedback, and limits architecture’s ability to reflect modern culture and diverse needs. Drawing on responses from multiple professional organizations, the piece argues for a more democratic, evidence-based, future-forward approach; one that supports community engagement, sustainability, and innovation while respecting architectural heritage.

How are interior designers actually using AI—and what are they afraid of? In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Guy Adam Ailion, co-founder and CEO of Mattoboard, to unpack the company’s new State of AI & Interior Design report. Based on a global survey of designers and architects, the findings reveal a striking paradox: AI adoption is widespread and many designers feel it boosts creativity, yet concerns about homogeneity, plagiarism, bias, and a loss of creative authorship remain. Guy explains why the most experienced designers are often the most optimistic about AI, while young designers report the highest anxiety despite leading in daily usage. He shares practical ways firms can protect their “design DNA,” why the next phase of AI must move from prompts to control and context, and how new tools like Mattoboard’s Design Stream aim to bridge the gap between inspiring visuals and real-world materials, budgets, and codes. The discussion also explores AI’s role in reducing sampling waste, accelerating sustainable material choices, and shifting designers from execution to orchestration in AI-native studios. Whether you’re an AI skeptic, a power user, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a grounded look at how designers can stay in the driver’s seat while harnessing AI to support what Guy calls “the great creative mess” where the magic of design truly happens.

In this In Case You Missed It episode of I Hear Design from interiors+sources, we revisit the article “Transforming Built Environments Through Trauma-Informed Design,” written by Carrie Meadows and originally published on August 12, 2025, on the interiors+sources website. Drawing on guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the work of the Trauma-Informed Design Society, the episode explains what trauma is, why it shows up in every building type—not just healthcare—and how the built environment can either mitigate or magnify its effects. Listeners will learn how trauma-informed design connects to environmental psychology, human-centered design, and biophilic principles; why current codes and professional standards don’t yet address emotional safety; and how designers can bridge that gap in everyday practice. The episode also touches on strategies for talking about trauma with clients, overcoming stakeholder skepticism, and understanding the broader social impact of stress-reducing environments—from academic performance to community violence and incarceration rates.

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.