Margaret Schedel, Nick Wang, and Chase Pierson from Lyra introduced their startup focused on revolutionizing sound modeling in space by treating acoustics as a primary design element, using AI to simulate and visualize sound in architectural and engineering models. V Owen Bush and the Lyra team discussed the importance of audio in design, Lyra's unique acoustic scanning and modeling approach utilizing AI and impulse responses, and their plans for data acquisition and integration. The participants also explored the challenges of the language of sound, the relationship between materiality and acoustic properties, the future AI-driven pipeline, and the visualization of their acoustic models in Unity, highlighting the potential for broader adoption and various applications, including within XR.

This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers. From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design.Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.Scan2Plan Website ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://www.scan2plan.io/

What if acoustics weren’t an afterthought—but a starting condition?” Today, we’re in conversation with Margaret Schedel—composer, computational artist, and co-founder of Lyrai, a platform that’s redefining how we model sound in space. Margaret’s work lives at the intersection of machine learning, LiDAR scanning, and digital acoustics. But what sets Lyrai apart isn’t just its tech stack—it’s the idea that sound is a design material. That acoustics can be simulated, tweaked, and visualized just like daylight, airflow, or structural force. With a background that spans electroacoustic opera, biomedical sonification, and academic leadership in computational arts, Margaret brings a rare fluency across disciplines. She’s not building tools—she’s reprogramming how designers perceive space. What happens when you fold acoustic simulation into early-stage modeling? When AI helps anticipate reverberation before a wall gets drawn? This isn’t about plugging in another plugin. It’s about challenging where and how decisions about sound actually begin—and what that means for practice, process, and perception in architecture and engineering.

Lyrai website ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://lyrai.tech/

V Owen Bush interviewed Jeff Akerman about Rise Architecture's focus on regulations, technology, and urban redevelopment, including their long-tenured staff and core design philosophy emphasizing function and usability. Jeff Akerman discussed navigating client visions with regulations through education, the challenges and benefits of their in-house scan-to-BIM services and XR tools like Archio and HoloLens for collaboration and visualization. They also explored managing client expectations with renderings, Rise Architecture's approach to maintaining regional character across their work in 18 states, the surprising benefits of strict regulations on creativity, and the critical importance of deep listening to understand clients' unarticulated needs in the subjective field of architecture. The conversation further covered scaling the business culture versus design concept, non-negotiable principles around constructability, a critique of architectural education's focus, experimentation with AI and VR technologies alongside interest in modular construction, reflections on past projects regarding municipal planning, and Jeff Akerman's aspiration for Rise Architecture's legacy to positively impact the world through projects like low-income housing by deeply understanding and collaborating with clients.

This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers. From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design. Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan Website

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https://www.scan2plan.io/

Jeff Akerman is the founding principal of RISE Architecture, a multidisciplinary firm operating at the nexus of regulatory expertise, technological adoption, and urban redevelopment. With roots in Brooklyn and projects now spanning multiple states, Jeff’s practice is driven by a clear ethos: design must serve both vision and constraint. Under his leadership, RISE has embraced emerging tools like XR for collaborative reviews, while also navigating the high-stakes terrain of zoning reforms and building codes. This episode explores how Jeff balances innovation with feasibility, scales with precision, and reframes architecture as both a creative and civic act.

RISE Architecture website

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https://www.risearchitecture.com/

V Owen Bush and Adam McCullough discussed Adam McCullough's architectural design work at Ark and Type, highlighting projects like Blue Table Chocolates with its unique ceiling and the adaptive reuse of a warehouse into the Fawn and Fox Salon. Adam McCullough also shared their approach to design, emphasizing "economy of means and density of meaning," and their teaching philosophy at the University of Buffalo, which includes challenging conventional building logic and exploring sustainability. The conversation also touched upon the future of architectural practice, including the role of technology and the importance of adaptive reuse. This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers. From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design. Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan Website

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https://www.scan2plan.io/

Adam McCullough is an architectural and furniture designer based in Western New York, known for his thoughtful integration of craft, materiality, and narrative in both built environments and bespoke objects. With a background in English and Creative Writing, he later earned his Master of Architecture from the University at Buffalo, focusing on material culture and ecological practice. At Arch&Type, McCullough has contributed to projects like the Blue Table Chocolates Workshop, where he combined digital fabrication with handcrafted elements to create an immersive retail experience. Through his own studio, McCullough Design, he continues to produce furniture collections that reflect a deep respect for materials and local craftsmanship.

Arch & Type website

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https://www.arch-type.com/

V Owen Bush interviewed Eugene Colberg of Colberg Architecture, discussing their diverse portfolio with an emphasis on adaptive reuse and contextual design in New York City, including modern bathhouse projects and sustainability initiatives like LEED certification and innovative heating methods. Eugene Colberg highlighted the importance of a generalist approach, the impact of construction on the environment, and the evolution of technical processes with BIM, while also considering the potential role of AI in architecture. The conversation also touched upon balancing historic preservation with modern design and Eugene Colberg's aspirations for contributing meaningful architecture to the city.

This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers. From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design.Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan Website

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https://www.scan2plan.io/

Eugene Colberg is the founder of Brooklyn-based Colberg Architecture, a multidisciplinary studio recognized for its imaginative and environmentally sensitive designs. With over 25 years of experience, Eugene has led projects across residential, workplace, retail, educational, healthcare, institutional, museum, and urban planning sectors, both in the United States and internationally. Notable projects include The Symon, a 13-story condominium in Brooklyn Heights, and the Williamsburg Bathhouse, a wellness and hospitality space in a historic brick factory building .A graduate of Cornell University, Eugene is a Registered Architect in New York State, a LEED Green Associate, and certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Under his leadership, Colberg Architecture has become a Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with the City and State of New York and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey .Eugene's work emphasizes the integration of historic architectural elements with modern design, as seen in projects like the NYU Puck Building renovation, where vaulted ceilings and cast iron columns were incorporated into contemporary workspaces . His approach reflects a commitment to enhancing the urban experience and acting as a catalyst for economic development through thoughtful design .

Colberg Architecture website

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https://www.colbergarchitecture.com/

V Owen Bush introduced Michael Yarinsky from Office of Tangible Space, who discussed their human-centric design philosophy focused on emotional resonance, avoiding trends, and creating meaningful spaces as exemplified in projects like the Brooklyn Museum Cafe and "soft brutalism" residential design. Michael Yarinsky also highlighted their work renovating historic structures, their furniture design practice, the establishment of Design Advocates, their balanced approach to technology, future aspirations in hospitality and public institutions, and a challenging project involving a demolished historic house. This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers. From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design. Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan Website

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https://www.scan2plan.io/

Office of Tangible Space is an interdisciplinary design studio founded by Michael Yarinsky and Kelley Perumbeti, with offices in Brooklyn and San Francisco. Their work spans architecture, interiors, furniture, and curation, ranging from intimate objects to urban-scale projects. Grounded in a human-centric ethos, the studio emphasizes warmth, materiality, and playfulness to craft spaces that foster connection and evoke a sense of belonging. Notable projects include the Brooklyn Museum Café, ScienceIO’s headquarters, and the Whitney Museum shop. Beyond design, they engage in community-driven initiatives like Cooler Gallery and Design Advocates, reflecting their commitment to cultural and communal integration.

Office of Tangible Space website

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https://tangible.space/

In this episode of Practice Forward, architect Pamela Glazer joins host V Owen Bush for a wide-ranging conversation on navigating complexity, constraint, and coastal specificity in her Hamptons-based practice. Pamela shares how her approach—rooted in deep site analysis and a commitment to sustainable, context-sensitive design—has evolved from early work in NYC affordable housing to high-end residential and commercial projects along the East End. She reflects on the tension between digital tools and analog intuition, noting her shift to 3D modeling for client clarity and simulation, while still prioritizing light, landscape, and lifestyle as first-order drivers. The conversation touches on how she reimagines existing structures during renovations, adapts to strict zoning and historic overlays, and integrates reclaimed materials despite engineering skepticism. Pamela and V dive into generational gaps in tool fluency, the impact of social media on client expectations, and the friction between aesthetic trends and practical performance. From solar hesitation to sea-level denial, Pamela outlines the real-world barriers to sustainability—and the architect’s responsibility to push through them. With candor and clarity, she shares how she’s adapted through economic downturns, remained open to unexpected projects, and continued to build trust in an uncertain market. The episode closes with a shared sense of optimism: for better materials, more honest collaboration, and architecture that meets the moment without compromising its soul.

This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers. From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design. Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan Website

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https://www.scan2plan.io/

Pamela Glazer is a Hamptons-based architect known for merging sensory intuition with regulatory precision. Her practice centers on deeply site-responsive design—anchored by natural light, landscape, and reclaimed materials—while navigating some of the region’s most complex zoning and heritage overlays. Across high-end residences and boutique commercial spaces, she sequences analog instinct with just enough digital scaffolding—eschewing over-modeling in favor of context, constraint, and material intelligence. Her work challenges the idea that legacy and innovation are at odds, using each project to test what it means to practice forward in a regulation-heavy, nature-dependent region. Pamela brings a strategist’s lens to spatial storytelling—her architecture doesn’t just look right, it listens first.

Pamela Glazer Architect website

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https://www.pamelaglazer.com/

V Owen Bush interviews Spencer Luckey about Lucky Climbers, his architectural background, and the evolution of his company after taking over from his father. They discuss the design principles, the incorporation of digital tools, client communication, and future innovations like dynamic lighting. Spencer Luckey shares insights into managing creative work, the appeal of "kid architecture," and his father's motivations for designing for children, leading to a potential collaboration with Scan to Plan's digital modeling services.

This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers.

From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design.

Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan website

https://www.scan2plan.io/

Spencer Luckey designs with gravity—and childhood—in mind. As the president of Luckey Climbers, he leads a practice that fuses sculpture, spatial storytelling, and architectural precision into immersive climbing environments for children around the world. Spencer speaks the language of architecture, but he plays with it—wielding tools like parametric design, structural analysis, and spatial sequencing to create what he calls “structured joy.” Under his leadership, the firm has installed work in over 16 countries, from the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey to community plazas in Mexico. In this episode, we unpack how he balances digital precision with sculptural intuition, legacy with innovation, and what architecture might learn from the way children move through space.

Luckey Climbers website

https://www.luckeyclimbers.com/

V Owen Bush and Scott Bishop discussed Bishop Land Design's approach to landscape architecture, which integrates human ecology and utilizes research-driven design. Scott Bishop detailed their workflow considering physical constraints, client aims, ecological function, and technological integration, along with their methods for projecting future environmental conditions using scientific data and modeling tools like digital twins and GIS data. Their conversation also covered collaboration with architecture firms and BIM integration, the importance of carbon sequestration in their designs, specific projects like the President's Coast trail, strategies for large-scale project inventory and redesign considering sea-level rise, and the potential impact of AI and the continued value of human creativity in their field.

This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers.

From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design.

Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan Website

https://www.scan2plan.io/

Scott Bishop is the founding principal of Bishop Land Design—an ecology-driven practice shaping resilient public realms. With a background in human ecology and over two decades of global experience, Scott bridges systems thinking with deep community engagement. His work spans coastal resilience, transit-oriented redevelopment, and interpretive infrastructure, often navigating the tension between urgent climate adaptation and inclusive, iterative design. From projects like The Berm to Expedition Blue, Scott retools landscape architecture as a climate-forward civic strategy—blending pedagogy, activism, and material precision without defaulting to fast fixes. His ethos: design as stewardship, technology as means—not message.

Bishop Land Design

https://www.bld.partners/

V Owen Bush interviewed Kayla Cooper of Kayla Cooper Design, who specializes in defensive architecture for secure government and private facilities, including design against various threats and extreme conditions through rigorous material testing. Kayla Cooper discussed their background, design mission focused on inherent needs for containment and protection, the importance of material science and testing, and the unique considerations for designing unseen yet critical spaces. They also touched upon ethical client vetting, potential AI applications for safety, and their perspective on legacy in a discreet field, highlighting their focus on the safety and well-being of occupants and the integrity of the secure environments they create.

This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers.

From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design.

Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan Website

https://www.scan2plan.io/

Kayla Cooper is a defense-oriented architect whose work blends discretion, durability, and deep design ethics. With a background in engineering and industrial design, she specializes in environments that protect people, assets, and information—from ballistic-resistant compounds to biometric containment systems. Her practice emerged from luxury interiors and evolved into high-threat defense architecture, driven by a moral clarity as sharp as her material logic. Kayla’s projects span the globe but remain unseen, built on precision modeling, fail-safe sequences, and a strategic understanding of what it means to design for failure before beauty. Her voice sharpens the Practice Forward lens—bringing a field rarely discussed into clearer, critical focus.

Kayla Cooper Design website

https://kaylacooperdesign.com/home-kayla-cooper-design/

Jesse Louis-Rosenberg from Nervous System discussed their computational design and digital fabrication studio, which creates art, products, and conducts biomedical research inspired by natural processes. V Owen Bush and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg explored Nervous System's unique digital workflow, their approach to large-scale sculptural work and fabrication challenges, and the influence of their backgrounds in art, science, and technology. They also touched on the development of public-facing design tools and the integration of fabrication logic into their generative design processes.

This episode is brought to you by Scan2Plan — the measure of excellence for architects and engineers.

From adaptive reuse to MEPF modeling, Scan2Plan delivers high-fidelity BIM and CAD documentation grounded in LiDAR precision and project-ready accuracy. Whether you're preserving heritage, coordinating across disciplines, or modeling for a net-zero future, their tailored workflows and rapid delivery help you focus on what matters most: design.

Certainty lies in good data. Scan2Plan gives you both.

Scan2Plan Website

https://www.scan2plan.io/

Jesse Louis-Rosenberg is an artist, computer programmer, and co-founder of Nervous System, a generative design studio that operates at the intersection of science, art, and technology. With a background in mathematics from MIT and experience at Gehry Technologies in building modeling and design automation, Jesse brings a unique perspective to design. At Nervous System, he focuses on utilizing simulation techniques to inform design processes and the creation of innovative fabrication machines. The studio, based in Palenville, NY, draws inspiration from natural phenomena, employing computer simulations to generate designs and digital fabrication to realize products. Their work includes art, jewelry, and housewares, and has been recognized by institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.

Nervous System website

https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com