Podcast
Design Makes Everything Better | by Breakhouse
Hosted by Breakhouse · EN
Conversations about design, architecture, and industry. By Breakhouse, a Canadian strategic design firm. breakhouse.ca/podcast
New episodes a couple times per month.
podcast@breakhouse.ca
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
015 - Doug Doucet | From Contractor to Visionary: Scaling Relationship-Driven Businesses
Jan 500:52:39Tap to summarizeVince sits down with Doug Doucet, founder of Doucet Developments and RCS Construction, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, trust, and what it really takes to build a company that lasts. Doug reflects on nearly three decades of building a vertically integrated development and construction business in Atlantic Canada, one rooted not in aggressive bidding or short-term wins, but in long-term relationships, accountability, and culture. From navigating the realities of RFPs and public tenders to scaling past growth ceilings, Doug shares hard-earned lessons about why trust consistently outperforms price, why good people matter more than perfect systems, and how leadership evolves as organizations grow. The conversation moves fluidly between personal stories, business strategy, and practical insights covering everything from succession planning and EOS (Traction), to stress management, philanthropy, affordable housing, and the responsibility leaders carry to the people who work for them. At its core, this episode is about designing a business and a life that creates value well beyond the balance sheet.
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014 - Charbel Daniel | Adding Life to Years: Rethinking How We Care for Our Seniors
Nov 601:15:05Tap to summarizeVince speaks with Charbel Daniel, CEO of Northwood, about how leadership, culture and design thinking can reshape continuing care. Charbel shares his unconventional journey from studying physics and working as a paramedic to leading Atlantic Canada’s largest not-for-profit in senior care, emphasizing first-principle thinking, empathy and organizational culture as tools for transformation. Together they explore how thoughtful design of buildings, systems, and values can help seniors “add life to their years,” redefine aging in community, and create workplaces where compassion drives performance.
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013 - Andy Fillmore | Building Halifax: Balancing Growth, the Housing Crisis and Heritage
Aug 1101:03:16Tap to summarizeVince interviews Andy Fillmore, Mayor of Halifax. In conversation: Halifax’s distinct identity, its rapid growth, and the pressing challenges of the housing crisis. Drawing on his career path from architecture and urban planning in the United States to serving as a Member of Parliament, Andy offers a broad perspective on city-building. Together, they explore strategies for sustainable development that balance heritage preservation with modernization, while considering the cultural, economic, and political forces shaping Halifax’s future.
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012 - Jason Shannon I Creating Luxury Retirement Living Communities
Apr 17, 202501:07:50Tap to summarizeVincent interviews Jason Shannon, President at Shannex. In conversation: Origin of the family business, challenges and opportunities in the industry of building retirement living communities. Perspectives on leadership, the design process, decision making and the future of Shannex. Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent van den Brink, President + Architect, Breakhouse Inc. Guest: Jason Shannon Announcer: Danielle Pottier Producers: Keke Beatz and Arthur Comeau
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011 - Architect Brian Mackay-Lyons | A Tale of Two Villages
Mar 30, 202301:22:48Tap to summarizeVincent interviews Brian Mackay-Lyons Founder of Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects. In conversation: Approaches to design, challenges of the profession, building a career, life as an architect and the future of the MLS Architects Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc.Guests: Brian Mackay-LyonsAnnouncer: Danielle Pottier, Senior Architect, Breakhouse, Inc.Producer: Arthur Comeau, Tide School.
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010 - Creating memorable experiences I interview with Chef Anthony Walsh and Marco Gucciardi
Feb 10, 202300:40:22Tap to summarizeVincent interviews Chef Anthony Walsh and Marco Gucciardi from Oliver & Bonacini and Freehand Hospitality. In conversation: Creating and running a restaurant, challenges and opportunities in the business and perspectives on their new group of restaurants in Halifax Nova Scotia. Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc. Guests: Anthony Walsh, Marco Gucciardi Announcer: Danielle Pottier, Senior Architect, Breakhouse, Inc. Producer: Arthur Comeau, Tide School.
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009 - The Optimism of Architecture? | Interview with Dalhousie Architecture Students
Aug 1, 202200:55:46Tap to summarizeVincent interviews six students studying architecture. Colby Rice, Logan Hawkes, Cody Gaulton, Holly Mills, Mark Mackinnon and Cesar Basillo. In this conversation: the challenges of being a student today, priorities of a practice, finding a work life balance, fear and excitement of the future and more. Transcript and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/9 Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc. Guests: Colby Rice, Logan Hawkes, Cody Gaulton, Holly Mills, Mark Mackinnon and Cesar Basillo Announcer: Danielle Pottier, Senior Architect, Breakhouse, Inc. Producer: Arthur Comeau, Tide School.
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008 - The culture of an office | Interview with Bruce Kuwabara
May 20, 202200:23:13Tap to summarizeVincent interviews Bruce Kuwabara: Bruce Kuwabara is a founding partner of KPMB Architects and the Chair of the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. In this conversation: how to grow an office and maintain its culture, drawing and the design process, value of and more. Transcript, mood board examples, and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/8 Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc. Guest: Bruce Kuwabara, Architect, a founding partner of KPMB Architects and the Chair of the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal. Announcer: Danielle Pottier, Senior Architect, Breakhouse, Inc. Producer: Arthur Comeau, Tide School.
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007 - Self-Branding and Expression By Design | Interview with Musemo Handahu
Aug 9, 202100:50:11Tap to summarizeVincent interviews Musemo Handahu, digital content creator, writer, style guru, and Tedx speaker. In this conversation: Design, brand, and self-identity; the daily grind and creative process of a digital content creator; self-expression and brand alignment decisions, and much more. Transcript, mood board examples, and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/7 Learn more about Musemo Handahu at misslionhunter.com and follow her on Instagram @misslionhunter Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc. Guest: Musemo Handahu (@misslionhunter) Announcer: Danielle Pottier, Senior Architect, Breakhouse, Inc. Producer: Brenden Sommerhalder, Director, Analytics + Integration, Breakhouse, Inc. Production Assistant: Jamie White, Manager, Social Media, Breakhouse, Inc. Theme music: Ghettosocks
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006.2 - How to Build a Better Architect | Interview with Christine Macy (Part 2)
Jun 14, 202100:36:25Tap to summarizeVincent continues his interview with Christine Macy, architect, researcher, and former Dean of Architecture at Dalhousie University. In Part 2 of this conversation: the future of architectural education, importance of physicality in design and building, and advice for students and leaders about bringing life experience to your work. Transcript and show notes: breakhouse.ca/podcast/6.2 Learn more about Christine Macy at her faculty page. Get in touch: podcast@breakhouse.ca Host: Vincent Van den Brink, Architect + Partner, Breakhouse, Inc. Guest: Christine Macy, Architect, Researcher, and former Dean of Architecture at Dalhousie University Announcer: Danielle Pottier, Senior Architect, Breakhouse, Inc. Producer: Brenden Sommerhalder, Director, Analytics + Integration, Breakhouse, Inc. Production Assistant: Jamie White, Manager, Social Media, Breakhouse, Inc. Theme music: Ghettosocks
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