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Nicky Wetzelberger and Rhys Farrow, the owners behind The Hidden Box House, join Breck and Three Squared architectural designer Bryce Cox to chat about the process of bringing their lakeside home to life! Located in a private cove at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, this custom container home blends modern design right into a steep, wooded hillside. We discuss the realities of building off-grid and on steep topography, from the financial logic of creating a family legacy home supported by short-term Airbnb rental revenue to the multi-year process of finding contractors willing to work on waterfront sites. Rhys and Nicky share candid details on structural engineering triumphs, installing custom interior features, and what it’s like to see digital concepts turn into a real-life dream home. Episode Highlights: Rhys and Nicky’s multiple year journey to bring the Hidden Box House to life.Navigating steep hillside topography and working with the right contractors.Short-term rental revenue to offset construction costs.Bryce’s perspective as a designer watching the house’s progress.Managing structural engineering hurdles.The critical importance of on-site walk-throughs.Resources: View the full Show Notes.Follow the Hidden Box House on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.Check out the Hidden Box House website for early rental booking!Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

We’re joined by Robert Linn, AICP, Director of Planning & Analysis at the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) and fellow alumnus of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Larson Center for Leadership. In this episode we take an in-depth examination of public land management, urban planning, and the operational realities of overseeing a public inventory of over 55,000 parcels. Rob provides crucial historical context on the consolidation of municipal property holdings following Detroit's bankruptcy, detailing the DLBA’s strategic evolution from blight elimination to proactive land stewardship and urban revitalization.  Our conversation addresses the systemic challenges facing contemporary infill housing development, distinguishing between legally buildable sites and economically viable real estate.  Episode Highlights: Who is Robert Linn, AICP, and what does he do with the Detroit Land Bank Authority?Best practices for handling vacant lots in Detroit.What are the standards for developers purchasing DLBA lots?Why is building in Detroit so expensive??Uncovering hidden costs in utilities, site prep, and permitting.Streamlining coordination between agencies for faster residential approvals.Legally buildable vs. economically buildable.The new pre-development pilot.Resources: View the full Show Notes.Breck’s case study - “Building the Cochrane Home”Connect with Rob Linn on Linkedin.Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

As rents skyrocket and homeownership moves out of reach for millions, young adults and city dwellers are facing an unprecedented loneliness epidemic. Co-living and community-focused high-density housing is becoming a fundamental necessity rather than just a temporary design trend. We explore how smart architectural design balances the delicate trade-off between private acoustics and shared community spaces. We also break down how developers and cities can adapt zoning to make co-living both financially viable and human-centered. Episode Highlights: Property ownership is changing.Rent costs and loneliness are both skyrocketing.America has stripped away natural community touchpoints—and how we bring them back.Ensuring private retreats within shared spaces.How co-living models allow developers to maximize yield while lowering renter costs.Cochrane Commons & community land trusts.Resources: View the full Show Notes.Check your carbon footprint.Learn more about Cochrane Commons.Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

We step back this week to celebrate Detroit’s world-renowned legacy of innovation, collaboration, and pride. From being globally recognized as the "Motor City" to leading the nation in creative design culture, Detroit continues to push boundaries across housing, manufacturing, equity, and urban development. We break down what it truly means to be a UNESCO Creative City, the incredible mission of Design Core Detroit, and how Three Squared Inc. is carrying that standard forward through sustainable building practices aligned with UN Development Goals. Plus, we share a sneak peek into our upcoming 2026 Detroit Month of Design event: "Detroit’s Evolving Neighborhoods: Innovation within Mixed-Use Developments." Episode Highlights: How Detroit’s culture of grit and collaboration fuels ongoing urban innovation.Detroit as the only US City of Design and how its 8 cultural pillars drive housing, equity, and manufacturing.How Design Core Detroit empowers creative entrepreneurs.United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development GoalsTSI’s Detroit Month of Design event!Resources: View the full Show Notes.View the Sustainable UN development goals.RSVP to Three Squared’s Detroit Month of Design 2026 session!  Address: Three Squared, Inc., 2541 Trumbull, Detroit, MIReady to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

How do we fix the broken permit process and actually make building houses fun again?  We sit down with Zachary D. Miller, AIA, NCARB—a Cleveland-based registered architect and Plan Examiner for the City of Cleveland's Building and Housing Department. Having worked on both sides of the drawing board, Zachary brings a uniquely practical perspective on what it really takes to move a project from a cool concept to a fully permitted build. We dive deep into the importance of city departments working as a unified team, why traditional construction remains the "safe" default, and how cities like Cleveland are modernizing their review processes to support innovative building methods like modular and "industrialized units." Episode Highlights: How and why do we need to make it easier to build? How the industrial revolution led to housing expansion in the midwest.Permitting reform process in Cleveland.Creating clear paths to move smoothly through the system.Building is fun!Housing is an assembly of details.How do we go beyond cool concepts and actually make a model that works?Deregulation of the system to give some more ownership to the builder!! Resources: View the full Show Notes. Head over to Zachary’s website to explore more, and connect with him on Instagram and LinkedIn. Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

We are joined by Luis Antonio Uribegan (Design Think Tank) and Antje Steinmuller (University of Michigan) to break down a radical new vision for homeownership: Personal Apportion Dwellings, or P[A]D Instead of buying a rigid, permanent building, what if you owned the individual modular components of your home and slotted them into empty commercial shells? We discuss the concept of "Open Building," why there's still resistance to manufactured housing, and how ultra-modular flexibility can give people true agency over where and how they live. Episode Highlights: What is a P[A]D? (Personal Apportion Dwellings Explained).Owning the Partikles™, not the shell.Turning empty commercial office buildings into high-density housing.The "Open Building" Approach & Sharing Expensive Infrastructure.Why is America still resistant to manufactured housing?Financial breakdown and the future of portable living.Resources: View the full Show Notes.Head over to P[A]D’s website to explore more, and connect with them on Instagram and LinkedIn.Connect with on Design Think Tank on LinkedIn and learn more at their website.Connect with Antje Steinmuller on LinkedInConnect with Luis Antonio Uribegan on LinkedIn.Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

We dive deep into the future of construction: Design for Deconstruction (DfD) and the Circular Economy. Instead of swinging wrecking balls and dumping tons of waste into landfills, what if we designed buildings to be taken apart, repurposed, and regenerated? Jill and Leslie break down how Three Squared is challenging convention. We discuss the perks of DfD for developers to real-world examples like preserving historic barns and panelized core systems. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of Mass Timber funding, navigating regulatory hurdles, and why "material passports" could completely change the USA building industry. Episode Highlights: Why should we be designing buildings to be taken apart and reused, not dumped in landfills?How "Design for Deconstruction" (DfD) increases long-term profits for developers.Navigating the financial proformas, US funding hurdles, and regulatory gaps.What is a "material passport”? Lessons from historic barn preservation to panelized core systems built for easy repair.View the full show notes for Episode 83. Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

Welcome back to the Innovative Real Estate Podcast! In this episode, we are pulling back the curtain on one of our most exciting developments yet: Cochrane Commons. We dive deep into the background of this project, exploring its planned social impact, community amenities, and how we are designing dynamic new retail and live/work spaces just steps away from major city landmarks. We also discuss a massive industry shift: our pivot to Mass Timber construction. We break down exactly what Mass Timber is, how its sustainability benefits stack up against traditional building typologies, and the surprising science behind its fire resistance and acoustic properties. Plus, we highlight the incredible research coming out of Michigan State University, look to Europe's advanced forestry practices for inspiration, and confront the industry’s resistance to changing legacy construction methodologies. Tune in to see how we are building for longevity and the economy of scale! Episode Highlights The community vision and social impact behind Cochrane Commons.What is Mass Timber? Benefits vs. traditional construction.The surprising science of Mass Timber's fire resistance.Michigan State University’s groundbreaking Mass Timber research.Overcoming the industry’s resistance to changing building methods. View the full Show Notes for episode 82. Learn more about Cochrane Commons HERE. Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

Welcome to another episode of the Innovative Real Estate Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Zackery Belanger, the visionary founder of the acoustic studio Umbel. Zack brings a wealth of unique educational and hands-on experience to the table, reshaping how we think about the relationship between physical structures and the soundscapes they create. We dive deep into the fascinating world of architectural acoustics, exploring everything from the historical origins of the field to modern-day applications like the use of recycled foam for superior sound design at Detroit’s own El Club. Zack breaks down the complex elements of architecture, the truth about how materials like glass interact with sound, and practical methods for reducing sound travel in your own home. We also explore the importance of testing systems post-construction and how relentless curiosity drives true innovation in building design. Episode Highlights: Zack Belanger’s work with Umbel. The intersection of architecture and sound.Designing El Club’s superior acoustics with recycled foam.The truth about glass as an acoustic absorber.Actionable methods for reducing sound travel at home.Why testing systems post-construction is a game-changer. View the full Show Notes for Episode 81. To learn more about Umbel, head over to their website, and connect with Zack on LinkedIn: Check out Acoustic Ornament HERE.  Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

Welcome to our brand new mini-series called Duke it Out with DeShawn Wilson of Duke Investments where we sit down with our Development Associate, DeShawn! This series is dedicated to expanding on conversations DeShawn runs into through meeting with Detroit contractors, investors, and innovators. In this first installment, we are diving into the process of developing on Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) properties.  We cover the complete development process from initial property selection through final certificate of occupancy, including key challenges like high property taxes, first right of lien requirements, and the importance of Neighborhood Enterprise Zones for tax benefits. We also explain why the role of architects is so important in the development process. Episode Highlights: Purchasing parcels from the DLBA.Neighborhood Enterprise Zones (NEZ).Navigating Detroit property taxes.Important due diligence steps. Specific considerations for Veterans.View the full Show Notes for episode 80. To learn more about Duke Investments, head over to their website, and connect with DeShawn on Instagram. Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

In the Season 2 premiere of Innovative Real Estate, the Three Squared team explores Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield’s ambitious initiative to deliver 1,000 new single-family homes across the city over the next four years. Drawing from firsthand experience developing housing projects in Detroit, we dive into the realities of navigating permitting, infrastructure, land development, tax incentives, and affordable housing initiatives within the city’s evolving development landscape. We also reflect on the broader impact of architecture, planning, and development in shaping sustainable communities throughout Detroit. Episode Highlights: Mayor Mary Sheffield’s housing initiativesDetroit’s plan to build 1,000 single-family homesThe reality of Detroit’s permitting processWhy “builder-ready plans” aren’t the full solutionInfrastructure, taxes, and utility challenges developers faceThe importance of Neighborhood Enterprise Zones (NEZ)Affordable housing funding and the Housing Trust FundMultifamily housing vs. long-term neighborhood growthHow architecture and development can strengthen communitiesView the full show notes for Episode 79 HERE. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch the show! Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome back a very special guest, J.T. King, the founder of Royal Developments. J.T. joins us to discuss the recently completed Innovative Housing Showcase in Fort Wayne, a groundbreaking project that highlights four cutting-edge building typologies.  Throughout the conversation, J.T. shares his experience of simultaneously managing the development of four unique projects, and he offers insight into the collaborative efforts that made the showcase a reality. He also talks about the incredible support from the city of Fort Wayne and how building the right team played a central role in the project’s success. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Recap of the Innovative Housing Showcase Why good relationships with your municipality matter Implementing economy of scale with new building typologies The next project for the Royal Developments teamLink to full show notes  Learn more about J.T. and the work he and Royal Developments are doing at the links below: Website Instagram  Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

If you have been following along for a while then you know TSI's very own Director of Design, Breck Crandell has been on a journey of building his own home here in the city of Detroit. In this episode Breck shares his thoughts about the journey a month post completion. Breck shares insights into what it was like to not only design, but to also build his own home, what lessons he learned from the process, and most importantly, how this experience has made him a better architect. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Total timeline and cost to build Favorite memories from the build How does this home change housing options in Detroit? What it was like having Mayor Duggan tour the home? Who would benefit most from this type of design? Learn more about the Cochrane Home Learn more about Houm Link to full show notes Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

In this episode, we sit down with Jill Ferrari, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Renovare Development, to explore her journey in real estate development and the unique perspective women bring to the industry. From overcoming the 2007 financial crisis to building social impact equity projects, Jill shares insights on how women can thrive in a male-dominated field and make lasting change in communities. We discuss the origin of Renovare, how it grew out of Jill’s passion for problem-solving, and how her company is reshaping the way we think about community-driven real estate. Jill also dives into the obstacles she's navigated over the years and how she's been able to stay resilient. Additionally Jill reflects on the crucial role women play in evaluating the "quality and value of place"—a perspective that Jill believes makes women great real estate developers. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Jill Ferrari's story and why she started Renovare Why do women make great real estate developersAdvice for breaking into the industry Why we need to invest in social impact projects Full show notes Supplementary links to today's episode: Renovare Links: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn Women's Sustainable Development Initiative    Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.

This past summer TSI's very own Jill Ramirez had the opportunity to travel to Finland and attend a mass timber conference and workshop.  Mass timber is an innovative and eco friendly building material that has been gaining popularity in Europe that last decade or so and is not starting to be implemented in the United States thanks to collaboration between US and european policymakers, tradespeople, and architects.  In this episode we sit down with Jill to talk about what she learned during her time in Finland and what were her key takeaways for implementing this alternative building material in a variety of projects.  Jill also explains the environmental impact of mass timber, and how the process of sourcing the material helps manage forests rather than harm them.  Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  What is mass timberWhy the United States started using it soonerHow it's sourced and the environmental impactMass timber's fire retention What projects make the most sense to use mass timber Supplementary Links: Michigan State Mass Timber  Sterling Solutions Ready to move forward with your project? Contact us here and we will put you in contact with the right member of our team. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on new project releases, trainings, and more.