Design Hive

On this episode of Design Hive, Stantec’s discipline leader for design computing Brendan Mullins joins us to talk about technological change in the architecture industry. Brendan is an architect who is passionate about technology. He has seen BIM (building information modeling) and design visualization evolve rapidly and become mainstays of design practice and delivery. Now new computational design tools and artificial intelligence-powered applications are proliferating through architecture and building engineering. Brendan shares his thoughts on what this new technology means for the capability of design teams and ultimately how it may reshape the business of architecture itself. 
 
 In this episode, you’ll learn:

·         About Brendan’s long-term passion for design technology, from modeling health projects in virtual reality to building a team of technology-forward designers at Stantec

·         How Stantec’s design computing group finds ways to empower designers, solve complex building challenges and partner with the design practice group on project delivery

·         How computational design can help designers turn bold ideas into buildable architecture—such as the complex curved structures on Royal Caribbean’s Paradise Island project

·         How AI is emerging as a powerful design partner for architects and designers

·         Where designers are using AI today and where they may be able to use it in the future

·         Why real-time visualization is reshaping client collaboration and workflows 

·         Why organized design data could become one of the industry’s most valuable assets

·         Why human designers will remain vital, connecting client needs, context, and creativity

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On this episode of Design Hive buildings podcast, architect Michael Moxam discusses a transformative healthcare project with guest host Shaun Green. The architecture for Anishnawbe Health Toronto - Indigenous Community Health Centre (AHT ICHC) was shaped in close collaboration with the Toronto Indigenous community and codesign with Indigenous architecture firm Two Row Architect. Michael talks about how this collaboration resulted in a design informed by cultural elements, a connection to the land and ecology, and its importance in neighborhood transformation.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Codesigning with Indigenous design firm Two Row Architect
• Deep listening and collaboration with Joe Hester from Anishnawbe Health Toronto
• Neighborhood transformation in Toronto
• How client feedback and cultural elements shaped the hospital design 
• The importance of the building architecture’s connection to land
• Influences like nature, land, and transparency on the hospital design 

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On this episode of Design Hive, Hans and David discuss how their team leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) tools in IdeaXchange, Stantec’s internal design innovation competition.

Hans and David share firsthand insights into applying AI-driven design workflows, highlighting the practical benefits for architects and designers seeking to boost creativity, speed up project delivery, and collaborate more effectively.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

·        How Hans and David got into architecture 

·        Using artificial intelligence tools for various tasks in a digital design workflow including workplace programming, building massing, parametric façade design, and design visualization

·        How the team approached IdeaXchange, an internal competition project at Stantec 

·        Why experiment and play are important approaches to using AI for design 

·        The importance of overcoming fear and seeing AI as a tool, not decisionmaker.

·        How Hans and David are using what they learned about AI design tools in their day-to-day roles in architecture and interior design

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On this Design Hive episode William Ketcham shares his perspective from more than 26 years of experience designing for North Park University in Chicago, IL.
 

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

·        The role of placemaking in university campus development, planning, and architecture

·        The evolution of campus development at North Park University 

·        Incremental improvement as an attitude and practice in higher education design 

·        Balancing donor preferences with academic need in campus development

·        A client service-oriented approach to architecture and master planning in higher education

·        Upcoming campus development projects at North Park University and their purpose

·        Bill’s growing respect for architectural tradition

Learn more about design for Higher Education at Stantec.com

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Texas-based architect Gary Moss of Page, now Stantec joins Industrial sector lead Greg Hall to talk about the wild world of fast-track builds for the high technology sector. With a boom in advanced manufacturing imminent, they explain why it was the right moment to join forces.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

·        How Gary Moss and Greg Hall got into advanced manufacturing design

·        What they love about designing

·        The strategic partnership between Stantec and Page, now Stantec on advanced manufacturing

·        Reminder of what the term advanced manufacturing means and what differentiates it from other industrial subsectors

·        Why advanced manufacturing is poised for growth

·        Challenges of large-scale advanced manufacturing projects including equipment procurement, rapid project timeline, staffing shortages
 
 

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On this Design Hive episode, architect Derreck Travis joins us. The Vancouver-based designer talks about trends in career and technical education, designing the Vancouver Community College Centre for Clean Energy & Automotive Innovation, and lessons learned from a pioneering Passive House project.
 

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

·        Career and Technical Education (CTE) trends

·        The new CTE building at Vancouver Community College

·        Weaving cultural influences into higher education design 

·        Education on display in higher education design

·        Lessons learned designing University of Northern British Columbia Wood Innovation Research Laboratory

·        What inspires architect Derreck Travis

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On this Design Hive episode, behavioral health planner and mental health design subject matter expert Stephen Parker joins discipline leader for interior design Gwen Morgan to discuss sensory enabled architecture, sensory room design, and their team’s pop-up research prototype the ZenDen.
 
In sensory-enabled architecture (SEA), Stephen, Gwen and their team design for human touch, scent, sound, and taste in immersive environments. Designers can use sensory design to promote mental health and well-being in a variety of settings. Stantec researchers developed a pop-up prototype of a multi-sensory space called the ZenDen to research SEA environments. And they are increasingly called upon to design restorative sensory rooms for a variety of building types.
 

In this episode, you’ll learn about:
 

·        Sensory Enabled Architecture (SEA) design research

·        What inspired our research into sensory environments

·        ZenDen, the pop-up prototype sensory space

·        Stantec’s collaboration with UNC Greensboro

·        What led Stephen and Gwen to sensory environments

·        Building types that are incorporating sensory room design

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In this episode of Stantec's Buildings podcast, industrial sector leader Greg Hall tells us what “advanced manufacturing” means in 2025 and the unique considerations of these factory projects. He chats with John about the importance of soft skills, integrated design teams, and finding solutions when manufacturing equipment is in short supply.
 

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

·        Greg’s role as industrial sector leader for Stantec

·        What the term advanced manufacturing means

·        Why some manufacturing is “reshoring” to North America and Europe

·        Aspects of factory design for semiconductor, solar panel, and electric battery factories

·        Greg’s approach to keeping these complex projects stay on schedule

·        The importance of soft skills in design for advanced manufacturing

·        Water use in advanced manufacturing

You can read more about advanced manufacturing design on the Stantec Ideas blog: Advanced manufacturing facilities are key to a sustainable future
 

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Ready for the next “Sharknado” event? How is decarbonization different from electrification for healthcare facilities? Healthcare sector leader Tariq Amlani talks about the challenges of going fully electric and maintaining resiliency for hospitals.

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Using AI as a tool in workplace design? Workplace sector design leader Chris Keller shares the results from an internal competition. And Mei-Ling Krabbe tells us how her team’s winning entry used AI and personas to enhance design for a flexible office.

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