Advertise on podcast: Alternative Design

Send us a text What 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/

Send us a text What 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.

Send us a text We 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.

Send us a text In 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.

Send us a text What 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.

Send us a text Healthcare 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 Lab Dunn House Social Medicine Project    

Send us a text In 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. 

Send us a text In 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.

Send us a text Serious 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 website For donations More about the NGO More about Live Lab games> https://www.instagram.com/jornadax/

Send us a text Kimball International proudly hosted Alternative Conversations: Attracting the New Higher Ed Learner, drawing together a panel of designers and industry leaders to discuss the future of academia. Against the backdrop of an ever-evolving educational landscape, the discussion illuminated key insights shaping the direction of higher education. Listen to this episode for the highlights of the conversation that promise to inform and inspire designers and educational leaders alike. Read the blog, Four Insights Shaping the Landscape of Higher Education. Watch the panel recording, Alternative Conversations: Attracting the New Higher Ed Learner.  Click on the following link to claim your CEU credits (AIA/HSW, IDCEC/HSW): https://www.ceuevents.com/online-audio-courses/kimball_international/attracting_the_new_higher_ed

Send us a text Get ready for the launch of Alternative Design, a groundbreaking multimedia platform that empowers designers to become catalysts for positive change. Through thought-provoking podcasts, blog articles, immersive videos, and conversations, Alternative Design showcases the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in design, sustainability, technology, and social responsibility. We feature interviews with industry leaders, visionaries, and change-makers who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible and shaping the future of design. Alternative Design is your go-to destination for staying ahead of the curve and making a positive difference. Join us as we launch Alternative Design, your gateway to a world of possibilities in design and beyond. Check out the Alternative Design blog.

Send us a text Join us as we explore the landscape of lifelong learning and the evolution of educational spaces. Heather McGowan, future-of-work strategist, keynote speaker, thought leader, researcher, and author, leads us through a paradigm shift away from a linear model of learning and career paths toward a lifestyle characterized by perpetual growth and adaptability. This “Live. Work. Learn.” lifestyle will feature learning that is lifelong and personalized to the student and will change the way both classrooms and public spaces are designed. Read the blog, From Classrooms to Lifelong Journeys. Heather's Website:  https://heathermcgowan.com/  Heather's YouTube Channel of Talk Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@heatheremcgowan/videos

Send us a text Welcome to Season 4 of the Alternative Design podcast! Join us as we envision a future where education seamlessly integrates into daily life. Explore the changes that will reshape how we live, work, and learn, from AI mentors guiding task prioritization to children testing different aspects of the corporate experience while still in school. In the year 2030, colleges and businesses come together to connect students to potential employers and mentors within their field of interest and ensure educational programs create job-ready graduates. Discover how popular campus spaces may be reimagined as libraries are transformed into immersive technology upskilling centers and outdated dormitories are reconfigured into hotels aimed at guests participating in “micro-sabbaticals”. Education will extend beyond classrooms and learning will take place in unlikely places. Listen in to witness the emergence of a new era of lifelong learning, where education is everywhere, all at once. Read the blog, Education in 2030: Four Forecasts Shaping the Future of Learning.

Send us a text A brand new season of Alternative Design is dropping March 6th on the Future of Education. We're discussing what the latest global trends mean for the future of education and why it matters to creatives who will be designing learning environments! The season will, of course, include a forecast of what we think the education industry could look like by 2028 and include topics like lifelong learning, climate change, corporate upskilling, gamified curriculum, and everyday activism. We'll have innovators, thought leaders, educators, and fellow futurists help us focus on what's next and how your education projects can be more "future-ready". Come shape the future with us! Check out the Alternative Design blog.

Send us a text Welcome to the season finale episode of the Alternative Design podcast. In "Sitting is the New Side Hustle," we reveal our forecast for the Future of Work in 2030. We explore a world where furniture coordinates everything from personal data collection to generating extra income from energy-producing surfaces. Join us as we delve into the seamless integration of work and life, where values and purpose hold more significance than a paycheck. Employees thrive in a world where access is valued over ownership, leading to innovative co-ownership and new subscription models. Discover how the role of the designer will evolve to include "placemaking" of environments found within and beyond traditional office spaces. Stick around after the forecast as we provide 5 practical takeaways for designers to implement today, shaping a better future! Read the blog, Sitting is the New Side Hustle: The Future of Work in 2030. Read the blog and watch the video, The Workplace in 2030: 5 Trends to Watch.