American Building hosted by Michael Graves Architecture: Recent Episodes
Atif
American Building is a podcast series sponsored by Michael Graves Architecture & Design, headlined by Atif Z. Qadir, AIA, and hosted at the Warehouse, the home of the late Michael Graves in Princeton, New Jersey.
With his unique perspective as both architect and developer, Atif interviews accomplished individuals who tell the stories of American buildings that they have designed and/or developed. His guests talk about their processes and products on a deeply personal level, highlighting the teamwork, integrity, ingenuity, empathy, and commitment that are necessary to produce exceptional work
In today’s episode, we welcome esteemed architect and partner at FXCollaborative, Ann Rolland, to discuss her most recent project, Q404, or The Academy for Careers in TV and Film located in Hunters Point, Queens. We begin with the foundations of Ann’s architectural journey and explore how as architects and designers we can ensure people feel safer returning to schools in a post-Covid landscape. A school designed today helps inspire a student to do great things tomorrow. Listen in to find out more.
For full show notes and resources head to www.americanbuildingpodcast.com
Today we’re joined by Megan Luce, Senior Director of Interior Design at Michael Graves. Join us as we discuss what it was like to work alongside Michael Graves, himself, and take a look behind the scenes of Megan’s latest project, 1776 On The Green in Morristown, New Jersey. Having begun work on this combination bar, restaurant, and Top Golf Suite just before the pandemic, Megan divulges the keys to designing a space that will invite diners to ease back into the post-pandemic restaurant experience and how Covid impacted the creation of this project.
What goes into making an iconic building in America? What are the stories and who are the people behind the next generation of architecture? In season two of American Building Podcast, we aim to answer these questions as well as how the pandemic has impacted the architectural landscape by sitting down with top developers and designers at the forefront of the industry. Be sure to follow the podcast on your favorite listening app so you don't miss a thing and head to www.americanbuildingpodcast.com to learn more. Now, let's build something.
Our fourth guest of the American Building series is Martin Ditto. Martin is the founder and CEO of Ditto Residential, an award-winning development firm based in Washington, DC. We are talking about OSLOadmo, an 8-unit residential development in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of DC. It was completed just over a year ago and is the 3rd in his series of OSLO-branded co-living properties in urban infill locations. Martin is committed to developing new ways of living and is looking to branch into a larger residential platform that we will be talking about as well.
Our third guest in the American Building series is Jon Pickard. Jon is a Co-founder and Principal at Pickard Chilton, an award-winning architectural design firm based in Connecticut. We will be talking about 2+U (also known as the Qualtrics Tower), the studio’s recently completed 690,000-square foot next-generation office complex in the heart of downtown Seattle. 2+U consists of 2 separate towers of 38 stories and 18 stories joined atop a common podium. It has 19,000 square feet of retail and restaurants over 2 floors, as well as an underground parking garage. It tops out at 530 feet, offering stunning views of Elliot Bay. The developer of the project is Skanska USA and the total project budget was $392M.
The first guest in the American Building series is Matthias Hollwich, Founder and Partner of the architecture firm HWKN (“Hawk-in”). This episode takes a deep dive into 25 Kent, HWKN’s recently completed commercial building on the Williamsburg waterfront in Brooklyn. Totaling 500,000 square feet, the development is divided among office, light manufacturing, and retail. It includes 1.8 acres of open space and, for grateful dog owners, a pop-up puppy spa and camp. The owners of the project are Heritage Equity Partners and Rubenstein Partners.
The second guest on the American Building series is Samer Hanini. Samer is the founder and managing partner of the Hanini Group, a development company with an affiliated architecture firm, Brick Design, and a construction management firm, Hanini Construction. We are talking about the Peoples Bank Building, his recently completed 120,000-square-foot mixed-use building in downtown Passaic, New Jersey. This historic landmark was built in 1931. After standing empty for nearly 30 years, it was completely renovated to include both retail and office. For this project, Samer and his team served as developer and designer as well as construction manager.
American Building is a podcast series sponsored by Michael Graves Architecture & Design, headlined by Atif Z. Qadir, AIA, and hosted at the Warehouse, the home of the late Michael Graves in Princeton, New Jersey.
With his unique perspective as both architect and developer, Atif interviews accomplished individuals who tell the stories of American buildings that they have designed and/or developed. His guests talk about their processes and products on a deeply personal level, highlighting the teamwork, integrity, ingenuity, empathy, and commitment that are necessary to produce exceptional works that grace the skylines of our cities and towns.