Once Upon a Project

By SANDOW Design Group and SURROUNDArts Design

Once Upon a Project episodes

October 28 Designing History at TSX Broadway
What happens when you don’t just design a building, but rethink how people experience an entire place? AJ Paron speaks with Bill Mandara of Mancini Duffy about TSX Broadway, the ambitious Times Square project that brings architecture, entertainment, hospitality and historic preservation together under one roof. They explore the extraordinary challenge of raising the landmark Palace Theatre 30 feet, creating a stage that opens directly onto Times Square, and navigating years of technical complexity to transform an iconic site while preserving its history for the future.
This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Crypton.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
33 min
October 21 Designing Discovery at The Gunter Hotel
How do you bring a historic hotel back to life without losing the character that made it special in the first place? AJ Paron speaks with Valentina Castellon of DLR Group about the transformation of The Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, where a 130-year history became the starting point for a new hospitality experience. They explore how the team uncovered original architectural details, embraced the hotel’s musical legacy, and layered in hidden spaces, bold artwork and moments of surprise to create a destination that feels both deeply rooted in its past and alive for a new generation.

This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Crypton.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
42 min
August 19 Designing Through Disruption
How do you design a workplace that's ready for constant change? AJ Paron speaks with Karen Marie Stonely, founding principal of SPAN Architecture, about how her firm has reimagined its studio through decades of disruption, from 9/11 and the pandemic to the rise of AI. Together, they explore how flexibility, biophilic design, and a culture of continuous adaptation have shaped a workplace where collaboration, wellbeing, and creativity continue to thrive.
This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
32 min
August 12 Designing the Office as a Destination
What makes an office worth coming back to? This episode explores Roivant's first purpose-built New York headquarters at Penn One, designed to foster connection, collaboration and culture for a hybrid workforce. AJ Paron speaks with Sommer Schauer of Perkins&Will about transforming the workplace into a destination through a dramatic central hub, hospitality-inspired amenities, flexible gathering spaces and thoughtful design strategies that encourage movement, visibility and belonging.
Episode art photo credit: Magda Biernat
This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
30 min
August 05 Redesigning the Physician Office Experience
What does it mean to design a workplace that cares for caregivers? This episode explores Northwestern Medicine’s Faculty Office Center in Chicago, a restorative environment created to support physician wellbeing through biophilic design, flexible workspaces, and hospitality-inspired amenities. Mark Hirons of CannonDesign and Jill from Northwestern Medicine discuss how the project is redefining the physician office experience around focus, recovery, connection, and care.

This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
35 min
July 29 Designing an Equitable Workplace for Hybrid Work
What does equity look like in the hybrid workplace? In this episode, AJ Paron speaks with Alivia Stalnaker and Alexis Kim of SmithGroup about reimagining AlixPartners’ Chicago office for a post-pandemic reality shaped by flexibility, wellbeing, and connection. The team shares how equitable access to daylight, amenities, technology, and varied work settings informed a hospitality-inspired workplace designed to support both high-performance collaboration and individual choice.

This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
27 min
July 22 Designing for Belonging
What if the workplace felt more like a hotel, a community hub, or even home? In this episode, we unpack the design strategy behind Sanofi’s headquarters; an environment built on choice, inclusivity, and connection. Whitney Eveler discusses how materiality, sensory cues, and spatial variety drive productivity and belonging. The project offers a compelling blueprint for the future of work.

This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
33 min
July 15 Design for All (Live at NeoCon 2026)
When design begins with the full spectrum of human experience, it has the power to create spaces where everyone can thrive. Recorded live at NeoCon, AJ welcomes Shannon Crider Langley, Frances Phillips, and artist Caroline Zimbalist for a conversation about Shaw Contract’s Design For All movement and the ideas shaping the future of inclusive design. Together, they explore how a research initiative evolved into a framework built around connection, wellbeing, experience, learning, and thriving, while examining the role of neurodiversity, psychological safety, and creativity in the built environment.
This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
43 min
June 15 Design Blueprint for Liquid Architecture
Michael Ford, “The Hip Hop Architect,” explores his collaboration with Momentum, blending influences from music, architecture, and community into expressive textile and wallcovering design.

This episode is presented by Momentum and recorded in the NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND. Thank you to our Lounge sponsor, Unika Vaev, and partners: B+N, DARRAN, Framery, Momentum, and UpSpring.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
40 min
November 26, 2025 Building Hope in Motion
When a space is designed to heal both body and spirit, it becomes more than a building, it becomes a catalyst for change. In the season four finale, AJ welcomes Lily Diego and Michael Schur to share the story behind the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's Wellness in Detroit. Together, they explore how thoughtful environments can empower individuals, support families, and inspire hope through every detail. What began as a mission to improve lives has evolved into a model for community connection.
This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract .
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
33 min

About Once Upon a Project

From the publisher's feed

As interior designers, we’re accustomed to celebrating the end of a project. But what about the people and process behind those designs? Once Upon a Project delves into the stories of creating the spaces that we inhabit with the designers who dreamed them up. Join AJ Paron, EVP and Design Futurist of SANDOW Design Group, in unraveling what it takes to bring interior design projects to fruition—from the designer’s inspiration to the setbacks, surprises, and serendipitous events along the way.