Podcast
Alternative Design
Hosted by Kimball International · EN
We want to help designers of space think like futurists so we can become makers of a better future.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Reading Between the Lives
Apr 2000:33:06Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat if you could borrow a person the same way you borrow a book? In this episode, we sit down with Human Library founder Ronni Abergel to explore the simple but radical idea that the best way to fight prejudice isn't through debate, but through conversation, and how the spaces we design either make that possible or get in the way. https://humanlibrary.org/
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The Quad's Oldest Residents
Aug 1900:23:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat if aging wasn’t about slowing down, but about redefining oneself and embracing new opportunities? In this episode, we explore an innovative approach to campus design that brings generations together, creating vibrant communities where education inspires lifelong growth and self-discovery.We talk with Alejandro Giraldo, Principal and Senior Living practice leader at Perkins Eastman, about a growing trend that’s quietly reshaping higher ed and senior living alike: older adults moving into student housing. As colleges face enrollment declines and empty dorms — and seniors seek more connected, enriching places to age — a new kind of community is emerging. One where dining halls, libraries, and lecture halls become shared spaces for lifelong learning and intergenerational exchange. Alejandro unpacks what it takes to design for this overlap, and why bringing seniors to campus might just breathe new life into both aging and academia.https://www.perkinseastman.com/people/alejandro-giraldo/
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Data Is the New Daylight
Jul 1500:28:42Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat if the next game-changing amenity in office design isn’t a rooftop lounge or wellness room—but data? In this episode, we talk with Peter Choi, Design Principal at HOK, who challenges us to rethink the very systems that power our built environment. As AI, edge computing, and digital speed reshape how we live and work, Choi makes a compelling case for treating data infrastructure like we treat daylight—essential, embedded, and experience-defining.We explore how this invisible layer could unlock new design opportunities, from reinventing Class B buildings to enabling more responsive, human-centered workplaces. If buildings are stories we tell about our values, then this conversation asks: what does it mean to design for a world where connection is everything? It’s a provocative look at the future of placemaking in the digital age.
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Happy Happens Here
Jun 1700:54:05Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWe all know what joy feels like, but what does it mean to design for it? In Episode 34 of the Alternative Design Podcast, we sit down with Ron Swidler, CEO of The Gettys Group, to uncover how joy can transform from a simple emotion into a powerful design objective in hospitality spaces. We explore the elements that create sensory delight and surprise, such as color, play, and technology, and discuss how even the most sophisticated environments can invite smiles, spark wonder, and elevate everyday experiences.Inspired by Ingrid Fetell Lee’s book "Joyful" and the immersive HD Expo booth it brought to life, Ron shares his insights on balancing elegance with whimsy, personalization with spontaneity, and strategy with pure human delight. Whether you're designing a five-star resort or a budget-friendly boutique, this episode will remind you that joy isn't just a vibe—it's a tool.
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The Case for Trauma Informed Everything
May 13, 202500:31:52Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn a world that's increasingly anxious, overstimulated, and surprisingly less colorful, the need for calming and supportive space design has never been greater. Episode 33 of the Alternative Design Podcast examines the essential role of trauma-informed design in public spaces. Host Kaelynn Reid sits down with Rebecca Fairman, Chief Design Officer at Flip4Good, to explore how small, intentional design choices—such as texture, layout, and color—can help regulate the nervous system and minimize trauma triggers. Flip4Good’s work in transitional housing offers a powerful case study: by bringing warmth, safety, and personalization into spaces where people are rebuilding their lives, they’re proving that good design is a public health intervention, not a luxury. When the design of a space has the power to calm, support, and restore us, it shouldn't be the exception—it should be the standard.
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Form Follows Fiction
Apr 15, 202500:24:26Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat if the key to unlocking employee engagement wasn’t stricter policies or trendier perks—but better storytelling? In this episode of Alternative Design, we’re joined by Alvin Oei, Senior Manager of Retail Creative at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, to explore how the magic of retail design can be a blueprint for reimagining the workplace. From immersive store environments to experience-driven brand spaces, Alvin shares how treating employees like valued guests—rather than just workers—can lead to more meaningful connections, inspired creativity, and better business outcomes.
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Home as Your Healing Partner
Mar 17, 202500:47:31Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHealthcare isn’t just something that happens in hospitals—it’s happening in our homes, whether we realize it or not. But what if home wasn’t just a backdrop for health, but an active partner in healing?In this episode, Dr. Andrew Boozary—Founding Executive Director of University Health Network’s Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine—discusses the Dunn House project, a first-of-its-kind initiative where a hospital campus is prescribing permanent housing as part of patient care. Because without a stable home, how can someone truly get better? Meanwhile, Dr. Upali Nanda, EVP and Global Sector Director of Innovation at HKS, shares how her team is using VR to immerse designers in the lived experiences of real patients, revealing the unseen barriers to health inside the home.Together, we’ll explore how housing, healthcare, and design are colliding in ways that could reshape the built environment—and why it’s time for designers across all disciplines to start thinking about home in a whole new way.HKS Home as Health Hub Idea LabDunn House Social Medicine Project
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Crafting Destinations by Design: Pod(cast) in a Pod
Oct 30, 202400:31:48Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Episode 30 of the Alternative Design podcast, we discuss the evolving role of amenity spaces in workplace, education, and healthcare. Recorded live from Fulton Market Design Days in Chicago and the Healthcare Design Conference in Indianapolis, the episode features voices from diverse backgrounds, including designers, architects, and end users. The episode highlights the importance of creating functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing environments that support collaboration, wellness, and community engagement. Guests emphasize the holistic needs of people, whether through hospitality-inspired offices, respite spaces in schools, or personalized spaces in hospitals, underlining how thoughtful design can transform lives.Read the blog, Designing Amenity Spaces that Fuel Human Potential. Watch the panel, Alternative Conversations: Crafting Destinations by Design with Lifestyle Amenities.
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Crafting Destinations by Design: A Panel Discussion
Oct 17, 202400:42:24Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore the critical role of amenity spaces in shaping modern workplace environments, especially in the post-pandemic era. Join our expert panelists—Nick from Stanford, Lily Diego from Gensler, and Brian Berthold from Cushman Wakefield—as they delve into how thoughtfully designed amenities foster human connection, engagement, and wellbeing. Discover the evolving dynamics of hybrid work models, the significance of flexible and modular designs, and the integration of hospitality elements and advanced technologies like AI. Learn about creating vibrant, experiential zones that support diverse working styles and employee satisfaction, highlighted by case studies from Michigan Central District and other innovative workplaces. Whether focusing on collaboration or personal comfort, this episode reveals strategic insights for crafting purpose-driven environments that balance professional and lifestyle needs.Read the blog, How Lifestyle Amenities Can Deliver the Future of Workplace.
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Serious Play: Gaming for Global Good
May 1, 202400:23:04Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSerious Play: Gaming for Global Good goes into the future of game-based learning and education, exploring the potential of games to drive community engagement and global change. Manuela Colombo, Executive Director at Livelab, discusses using games to empower communities to discover their collective power and find solutions for real-world challenges. The episode highlights the impact of game-based learning and the unique approach of the X Journey game. It explores the intersection of gamification, education, student activism, and community engagement, providing a perspective on the future of learning environments and the importance of collaborative gaming in solving regional challenges and fostering intergenerational learning communities. The episode also addresses the challenges in implementing innovative approaches in education, emphasizing how games can be a powerful tool for driving positive change on a global scale.Read the blog, Game-Changers – Spaces for Gamified Problem Solving.Livelab websiteFor donationsMore about the NGOMore about Live Lab games> https://www.instagram.com/jornadax/
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