Distilling Design Podcast

In part 2 of our conversation, Jocelyn Deeks and Malini Pandya discuss gentle density, and the pros and cons of building new versus retrofitting our historical buildings.

This is a 2 part conversation with Jocelyn Deeks and Malini Pandya. Jocelyn is an Urban Planner Specializing in the intersection of planning, development, and Community Engagement, and a Partner at Bousfields. And Malini is an Industrial and Civil Engineer Specializing in Urban Planning and Cities Management. In the first part, both Jocelyn and Malini go into detail about their careers, and then discuss their take on housing in the city of Toronto and the issues with the lack of affordable housing.

Changing Municipal Zoning requirements for the better, and having strong Leadership to get it done.

From urban construction to rural farming, building a Longhouse, and discovering a 16th Century First Nations village. Discussing the value of good design regardless of the size of the building, and how good design can stand the test of time.

Aleisha goes into more detail about what it's like to build in rural areas, the process of permits, and zoning in these areas. And how that translates into the value of building communities. It does not matter whether you are in a rural or urban area, people are people no matter where they live.

Aleisha Richards is one of the most interesting people I have met. She is a farmer, a designer, a contractor, a supporter of the community. And she has an important voice about the world around us, and our role in it.

The second half of my conversation with Brenda Webster, renowned Urban Designer. We get into the details of the Waterfront project and her take on Micro Solutions, and Working with Nature.

Season 2, Episode 1 - My conversation with renowned Urban Designer Brenda Webster of Stantec. Brenda shares with us her journey as an architect, her take on architecture, design, and her transition to an Urban Designer.

Episode 9 - Our conversation continues with Cynthia Ferguson about what it's like to work in other countries, and the ins and outs of the permitting process at home and abroad.

Episode 8 - In this episode Jon Gregg gives his take on Laneway houses / Garden suites and how the municipality of Toronto is approaching this new take on housing. There are many cities around North America who are looking into the feasibility of these options because of a housing crisis that needs to be addressed. This option isn't going to solve the crisis, but it will be part of the solution. We hope to continue this conversation with Jon, and bring this topic as a series of podcasts with different takes on the challenges and benefits, with real life experiences, in building Laneway houses & Garden suites.