Forming Function

Why are city borders shaped so weird? Brian tells Paul about the unusual shapes of cities and the four reasons they look the way that they do. He also breaks down why Detroit seems to have a border that is so different from other North American cities. It looks distinctive and recognizable instead of the amoeba shape that other cities have. 

The story will take you through tales of historical legacies, legal quirks, and how cities grow by annexation. We’ll also look at aspects of Dallas, Washington DC, and Phoenix to see what makes those borders so unique. Paul also explains what 313 Day is and tells us about the first ever telephone concert. 

Produced and reported by Brian Moore.

Co-hosted by Paul Corsi. 

Audio recording and editing by Julia Sikora.

Thank you to special Guest Alex Hill!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.

We have some new changes in store for season 03! New episodes coming soon!

We collect more quick stories from the local design community in partnership with the Detroit Design Festival and DesignCore to celebrate 10 years since Detroit’s induction as a UNESCO City of Design! Festival-goers from last year’s events shared off the cuff remarks on a wide range of topics from works of architecture, different design fields, and design-based businesses. Get a taste and then check out the events all September long in Detroit!

Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.

Audio editing and mixing by Julia Sikora.

Special thank you to all who participated in our design stories: Ian Lambert, Stefan Novakovic, Paul Karas, Chris Casteel, Korzell Coe, LaDonna Harris, Allen Williams, Claire Antrassian, Milton Putman, Piotr Blaszczak, Alex Rossetti, and Leon Benson!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.

For the season 2 finale, Brian and Sam have a lightning round of quick design stories that were too short for full episodes with special guest Paul Corsi as the judge. We’ll hear about equestrian statues, mansard roofs, coffins, clothing, and more!

Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.

Audio editing and mixing by Julia Sikora.

Guest starring Paul Corsi.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.

Roller skating and Skateboarding create completely new ways for us to experience the city. Sam talks about her newfound hobby with skating and how it changes the way that you experience motion in your environment. And then Brian gives a short history of skateboarding and talks to some professionals from The Skatepark Project about the design of skateparks.

Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.

Audio editing and mixing by Julia Sikora.

Guest starring Trevor Staples and Alec Beck from The Skatepark Project. 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.

Standards and measurements may seem boring on the surface, but they are what allow design concepts to manifest into reality. Brian and Sam explore stories behind the units of the metric system (specifically the kilogram, the meter, and the candela) and bring a little life to these otherwise mundane numbers.

Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.

Audio editing and mixing by Julia Sikora.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.

It’s football season and guest reporter Kelsey Reynolds joins us to talk about how broadcasting, fashion, and the Olympics influence the design of sports jerseys. Then she throws the ball over to Sam to talk about footballs themselves. Go sports!

Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.

Story reported by Kelsey Reynolds and Sam Malott Brown.

Story Editing by Jeffrey Brown and Julia Sikora.

Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.

In our latest Bonus BS (Brian and Sam), we are joined by Michael Enomoto and Nicole Lawson from Gruen Associates to follow up on our episode about Victor Gruen and shopping mall design. We discuss the impact of Victor’s legacy on the firm today, the future of shopping malls, urban design initiatives, and the many famous architects that passed through Gruen’s office.

Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.

Story Editing by Jeffrey Brown.

Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora.

Special Guests: Michael Enomoto and Nicole Lawson.

Image Credit: Gruen Associates. Edited by Brian Moore.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.

The shopping mall is as American as apple pie and the magnetic draw of the one-stop shop is difficult to escape. Yet for all the influence malls have had, they started out practically as the vision of one man. From New York’s Fifth Avenue, to big box stores, to the mall, we explore how Victor Gruen’s design of retail changed the way we shop, socialize, and experience public life.

Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.

Story Editing by Jeffrey Brown and Julia Sikora.

Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora.

Image Credit: Gruen Associates. Edited by Brian Moore.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.

For our Halloween special, Sam answers a guest question about the design behind witch costumes from classic fashion motifs to modern interpretations. Niki Tischler joins us to learn more about the historical significance and folklore behind witches hats, shoes, and more. 

Produced and hosted by Brian Moore and Sam Malott Brown.

Guest starring Niki Tischler.

Story Editing, Audio engineering, and mixing by Julia Sikora.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @FormingFunctionPodcast and send us an email to suggest a topic at [email protected].

Forming Function Season 2 is supported in part by grant funding from Michigan Architectural Foundation.