These conversations challenge conventional thinking, inspire innovation, and foster collaboration.
In January 2022, I stepped into a new role: host of the podcast architecture 5 10 20. Now in its fourth season, the show explores the future of the built environment through conversations with thought leaders across design, engineering, construction, real estate, and business. Each episode dives into the critical challenges and innovations shaping our world, with guests sharing their insights and forecasts for the next five, 10, and 20 years.
I am excited to share some of the key themes and predictions that have emerged through these conversations, which both demonstrate where the industry is heading and provide a roadmap for addressing the complex issues of today. From climate resilience to technological integration and the housing crisis, these discussions reveal the bold ideas and collaborative solutions driving the transformation of our cities and communities.
Embracing the transformative power of technology. In my conversation with Tom Scarangello, Thornton Tomasetti’s managing principal and senior advisor, he emphasized that technology is reshaping collaboration in the AEC industry. Tom believes that technology has blurred the lines between owners, agencies, and AEC firms. With AI tools gaining traction, Tom predicts they will allow us to spend less time honing small details and more time connecting as a collaborative team to determine the best big-picture solutions. This shift highlights the role of AI as not merely a tool but a catalyst for deeper, more strategic partnerships.
Tackling climate change and inequality. In a powerful episode, Miranda Massie, founder and director of the Climate Museum, underscored that climate change and inequality are inextricably linked. “We inhabit these intersecting crises of climate and inequality and right now, both of them are getting worse quickly,” she said. “We can’t address either one of them without addressing both. It’s hitting the most vulnerable people hardest and first, but we are all in it together in the medium- and long-term. We need to recognize that and act accordingly.” Her insights reflect the urgency of designing for resilience, equity, and shared global responsibility.
Reimagining sustainable interior design. John Strassner, chief sustainability officer at the American Society of Interior Designers, challenged the deeply ingrained assumption that each project should include all new interior specifications, advocating for a shift toward circular design and reuse. He said, “I think that as designers, we have a responsibility to move away from that clean white box. Is there an aesthetic to ethics that we need to consider? Is there a different story to be told that’s a lot more substantial and sustainable?” This strategy could both reduce embodied carbon in projects and produce more meaningful narratives about our values and priorities.
The future of central business districts. As cities grapple with changing economic dynamics brought on by the pandemic, Emily Badger, a distinguished journalist writing about cities and urban policy for The Upshot from The New York Times Washington bureau, highlighted the transformation of central business districts. She envisions the current downturn of CBDs leading to intentional strategies for diversification of uses. This growth will take a lot of experimentation on the part of cities, elected officials, and property owners, but has the potential to result in more vibrant urban cores that serve broader community needs.
Confronting the housing crisis. Dan Kaplan, senior partner at FXCollaborative, addressed the systemic roots of our current housing crisis, while outlining actionable steps for mitigation. “It has taken us a generation to get into this mess, and it will take a generation to get out of it,” he said. Unlocking sites for residential development, increasing density, reforming zoning codes, and creating better financing environments are all essential steps toward solutions. His perspective underscores the need for a holistic approach to building more equitable and livable cities.
Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Pascale Sablan, president of the National Organization of Minority Architects, offered a roadmap for meaningful progress on the industry’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She believes that we are on the right track to meeting NOMA’s 2030 challenge, which aims to double the number of licensed African American architects by 2030, but that we need to extend the conversation outside of the AEC industry to influence education programs and government resources. She also stressed that we cannot rely only on marginalized groups to push these efforts forward; we need wider involvement. Her vision calls for broad-based coalitions to create systemic change within and beyond the industry.
A platform for innovation and action. Hosting architecture 5 10 20 has been more than a professional endeavor – it has been a journey of discovery. These conversations challenge conventional thinking, inspire innovation, and foster collaboration. As we look to the future, I hope that the podcast will continue to inspire listeners to engage in shaping a built environment that addresses our most pressing challenges while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.
Guy Geier, FAIA, FIIDA, LEED AP, is managing partner at FXCollaborative Architects. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
