The Agati Video Podcast

"The quiet library environment of the past has given way to a library that is bustling with activity." - Elisabeth Martin

For today's episode of the podcast, we have a great conversation to share with both Elisabeth Martin and Denelle Wrightson, each architects who have focused on library design for over 2 decades. Elisabeth Martin, principal of MDA designgroup, leads a firm that focuses on innovative library planning, architecture and interior design. Denelle Wrightson is an expert in architectural planning and design with extensive experience with libraries.

In this episode, we dive deep into library trends. What are Elisabeth and Denelle seeing? What trends do they agree on? Where do their perspectives differ? Are the impacts of COVID-19 still impacting design decisions in a major way? What's on the horizon?

This was a fascinating conversation. Check it out!

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🎧 Prefer to watch? You can catch every podcast conversation on our YouTube channel!

👉  You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍  Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations we share on the Agati Video Podcast!

👉  Check out the show notes for this episode: https://www.agati.com/blog/elisabeth-martin-denelle-wrightson/

"[Designing a library] is really a gift you're giving the community." - Maureen Arndt

For today's episode of the podcast, we have a great conversation to share with Maureen Arndt, Founding Principal of 720 Design. From a fourth grader who discovered passion for architecture at a summer camp to the leader of a design firm that has completed over 300 library projects, Maureen has a really unique story.

720 Design is a boutique planning, architecture, and interior design firm devoted to the development of modern library spaces where communities can gather to learn, play, dream, and explore.

In today's conversation, we are exploring how to bring a unique community together for a library design project, what lasting design trends Maureen has seen as a result of the pandemic in both outdoor and indoor spaces, some behind-the-scenes from a rocket manufacturing plant being turned into a library in Tucson, questions she's been asking at the start of new design projects, and so much more.

This was a great conversation. Check it out!

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🎧 Prefer to watch? You can catch every podcast conversation on our YouTube channel!

👉  You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍  Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations we share on the Agati Video Podcast!

👉  Check out the show notes for this episode: https://www.agati.com/blog/maureen-arndt/

"We're always looking to refresh and maintain the incredible details while bringing in modern details in a cohesive way, creating harmony between the new and old." - Stephanie Shook

For today's episode of the podcast, we're welcome two more top-tier guests! Joe is talking with Peter Bolek, President and Director of Design at HBM Architects, as well as Stephanie Shook, Associate and Interior Designer at HBM Architects.

The passion for the whole team at HBM lies in the belief that, in addition to solving the complex needs for clients, design has the transformative power to enhance our everyday life experiences.

In today's conversation, we are exploring how to restore and preserve existing library spaces, why understanding the unique dynamics of a community impacts design decisions (plus examples from HBM's work!), how libraries can prioritize long-term flexibility, and much more.

This one was a lot of fun. Listen in!

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🎧 Prefer to watch? You can catch every podcast conversation on our YouTube channel!

👉  You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍  Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations we share on the Agati Video Podcast!

👉  Check out the show notes for this episode: https://www.agati.com/blog/peter-bolek-stephanie-shook/

"We are 5 to 10 years out from ever considering a new terminal, so we are trying to make as much happen in the space we're allocated." - Dawson Frank

It's always a value-packed conversation when we get to talk to someone who is practically leading innovation each and every day, especially in an industry like aviation.

For today's episode of the podcast, we're welcoming Dawson Frank, Project Development Manager at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), a Top-10 U.S. airport that served nearly 52 million travelers in 2019.

Dawson has many years of experience in a variety of aviation roles and we've actually had the opportunity to work together on some projects as well. In this episode, he's able to bring unique perspective from the behind-the-scenes of airport operations and share what he and his team are preparing for as they move into the future.

We cover topics like increasing automation and the potential introduction of biometric technology down the line, how they are leveraging limited space to continue growing without sacrificing on customer satisfaction, how he's managing 100 capital projects at once, the importance of comfort throughout their airport, and some of what they learned in recent furniture tests.

No matter the industry you're in, this conversation with Dawson is sure to be thought-provoking. Listen in!

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🎧 Prefer to watch? You can catch every podcast conversation on our YouTube channel!

👉  You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍  Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations we share on the Agati Video Podcast!

👉  Check out the show notes for this episode: https://www.agati.com/blog/donmckay/

"As general trust in public institutions has eroded, libraries have largely been able to keep the trust of the public." - Don McKay

Don McKay is a Principal at Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects, a leading architectural firm with offices in Chicago and London.

His journey in architecture started with a simple suggestion in a shop class that led him to discover a life-long passion. Don finds his greatest inspiration from architecture’s poetic potential and the challenge that comes with designing highly tailored solutions. With four decades of experience in the industry, his work with the firm has earned more than 20 industry design awards.

In today's episode, Don takes us on a deep-dive into many of the projects he and his team have worked on, why architecture is so important to him, how to effectively incorporate flexibility into a space, and what he's learned as a designer over the years. It was truly a joy to have Don on the show, and this is one you don't want to miss!

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🎧 Prefer to watch? You can catch every podcast conversation on our YouTube channel!

👉  You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍  Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations we share on the Agati Video Podcast!

👉  Learn more about Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects: https://www.snh-a.com/

👉  Check out the show notes for this episode: https://www.agati.com/blog/donmckay/

"Everybody you talk to has a library story. Everybody has this emotional connection to a library in their life, especially when they're younger." - Chris Noll

Today we have such an engaging conversation with Chris Noll, a founding partner of Noll & Tam, a California-based architecture firm.

Chris loves libraries and working with librarians. He is actively involved with the California Library Association (CLA) and the American Library Association (ALA). He feels that libraries carry the weight of history and represent the best ideals of democracy, freedom, and independent thinking. Chris finds that the best solutions are usually based upon a diversity of opinions and is skilled at distilling ideas to identify a core vision that ties everything together.

In this episode, Chris shares his perspective on the unique value libraries bring to a community, why he respects librarians, advice on power and flexibility in today's spaces, the unique challenges he and his team have faced working on historic Carnegie libraries, the importance of listening, and more.

This is one you don't want to miss!

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🎧 Prefer to watch? You can catch every podcast conversation on our YouTube channel!

👉  You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍  Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations we share on the Agati Video Podcast!

👉  Learn more about Noll & Tam: https://www.nollandtam.com/

👉  Check out the show notes for this episode: https://www.agati.com/blog/chrisnoll/

"Architecture is really about communication, not self-expression." - Malcolm Holzman

For today's episode of the podcast, we have not one, but two top-tier guests! We're welcoming Malcolm Holzman, member of the Interior Design Hall of Fame and Partner at Steinberg Hart, as well as Amanda Rienth, Principal at Steinberg Hart with extensive expertise in both public and academic libraries.

In this conversation, Malcolm and Amanda share what it looks like to focus on design for public use, what they've learned as a firm from navigating COVID-19, how libraries are currently being redefined, the background behind an incredible redesign at the University of Central Florida that has been in the works since 2003, and more.

This conversation was truly an honor. Both Malcolm and Amanda have so much wisdom to share. You'll walk away not only with practical insight about design and public use, but also an inspiration for the beautiful future we have an opportunity to build together. Listen in!

Show Notes & Video Version: https://www.agati.com/blog/malcolm-holzman-amanda-rienth/

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👉 You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations of the podcast!

👉  Learn more about Steinberg Hart: https://www.steinberghart.com/

“You can’t design for the world if you’re not of the world.” – Cheryl Durst

Today we have a must-listen conversation to share with you. Cheryl Durst, Hon. FIIDA, is the Executive Vice President and CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). A long time friend of ours here at Agati, she has spurred progress, driven change, and encouraged the expansion of the interior design industry in some incredible ways.

In this conversation, Cheryl walks us through the unique development of her career from writing for Highlights magazine to teaching to sales to supporting IIDA, where she led the association out of significant debt. She also walks us through the long road ahead for the design industry in diversity and inclusion, how IIDA is supporting students through a program called Design Your World, how the industry is shifting as we look forward, and some of her best career advice.

Cheryl is an incredible leader and it is such an honor to have her on the show. This one holds a lot of value, and we look forward to hearing what stands out most to you!

(P.S. Be on the lookout for IIDA’s “Design Your World” program video premier at NeoCon – Tuesday, Oct. 5, 4-6 p.m. at theMart: Marshall’s Landing and via LiveStream.)

Show Notes & Video Version: https://www.agati.com/blog/cheryldurst/

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👉 You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations of the podcast!

👉  Learn more about IIDA: https://iida.org/

“How do we shape environments that encourage people to behave certain ways in certain places?” – Jeff Hoover

Jeff Hoover has been doing library planning and design at Tappé Architects since 1984. Today he is a Principal at the firm and has recently been Chair of the Architecture for Public Libraries Committee for the ALA. Jeff is a good friend of ours here at Agati, and it’s an honor to be able to have him on the show.

Jeff has a long history in the industry, a huge passion for the work, and quite the story of how he got into this space in the first place. In this imagery-rich conversation, Jeff shares about the history of library design, how the role of libraries has shifted, designing for human behavior and community dynamics, and where he sees the industry going.

We really loved this conversation, and we look forward to hearing what stands out most to you!

Show Notes & Video Version: https://www.agati.com/blog/jeffhoover/

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👉 You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations of the podcast!

👉  Learn more about Tappé Architects: https://tappe.com/

For this episode, Joe had the pleasure of sitting down with Karla Trout, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Library System in Pennsylvania, where she helps support 17 libraries. She describes her role as an umbrella "under rather than over" member libraries where she and her team are able to be a supporter of their direction and initiatives.

Karla has a unique journey that brought her into the library world. Despite not growing up reading or being read to often, she found a love for the value libraries bring to a community. In this conversation, we talk about what it's been like to lead in a library over the past year and a half, opening a library during the middle of the pandemic, reimagining spaces moving forward, library advocacy, the importance of giving yourself grace, and so much more. We loved this conversation, and believe it will be a support to you as well!

Show Notes & Video Version: https://www.agati.com/blog/karlatrout/

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👉 You don’t have to sacrifice design for durability. Learn how Agati Furniture designs furniture that solves problems: https://www.agati.com/

👍 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss any future conversations of the podcast!

👉 Learn more about the Library System of Lancaster County: https://lancasterlibraries.org/