The Green Route with MAREDI Design

In this episode, we had the opportunity to sit down with Leila Behjat, Director of Material Ecology at Parsons Healthy Materials Lab. She is also the cofounder of Healthy Materials Lab EU where she is leading many projects across Europe and beyond. Her work is the result of curiosity of the composition of materials and the inseparable connection between their carbon emissions and health impacts. We talk about how together with her team, HML EU is collaborating on projects scaling from exhibitions to city-wide and municipality-focused that aim to change and improve practices towards creating healthier spaces for people and the planet.

Mentioned in this episode:

• HML EU
• HML
• Previous episode with Alison Mears
• New European Bauhaus
• At the Table with Nature: Rethinking Materials and Design at Ambiente 2026, HML Blog

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with Maya Crowne and Price Latimer, co-founders of Alkemis Paint, the world’s first wellness paint. What they are creating is a produce made with a natural, mineral-based formula instead of the toxic acrylic found in most traditional paints. We talk about the chemicals hiding in conventional paint, why acrylic is one of the biggest contributors to microplastics in our oceans, and how mineral paint offers a healthier, beautiful alternative for our homes.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Alkemis Paint
• Cradle to Cradle
• Healthy Materials Lab (HML)

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with architect and professor Dijana Handanović to explore her restoration of Kiosk K67, a modernist icon originally designed by Saša Mahtig in 1960s Yugoslavia. Together we discuss how architecture can preserve collective memory and reactivate cultural heritage for civic life today.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dijana Handanović on IG
• Kiosk 67 on IG
• “Kiosk K67: Restoring Communities” by Dijana Handanović

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

Ashlee Piper, sustainability expert, explains why choosing to consume less is both empowering and practical. She shares how she turned research into clear, attainable actions, her “no new things” process, and what a less-consumptive future could look like.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Ashlee Piper
• Ashlee Piper on IG
• The Ethical Edit (Substack)
• No New Things by Ashlee Piper
• Give a Sht (Do Good, Live Better, Save the Planet)* by Ashlee Piper

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

In this insightful and forward-looking conversation with Taleen Josefsson, Principal of TAJ Architecture Studio and Founder of Holistic Design Consultancy, we explore what it truly means to design and build healthy homes.

Taleen shares how her holistic approach to architecture, shaped by her multicultural background and international experience, blends aesthetics, performance, and wellness to create spaces that nurture both people and the planet.

Mentioned in this episode:

• TAJ Architecture Studio
• The Holistic Architect on IG
• The Holistic Architect on TikTok
• The Holistic Architect on Youtube
• Architects Climate Action Network
• New York School of Interior Design
• Center for Alternative Technologies

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

In this thoughtful and inspiring conversation with Lindsey Tramuta, journalist and author based in Paris, we explore the evolving landscape of conscious tourism and what it means to experience travel more mindfully.Lindsey shares her insights on how social and cultural shifts are transforming Paris and beyond, the role of social media in shaping perceptions of place, and why slowing down can lead to deeper, more authentic connections with the places we experience.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lindsey Traumuta's Portfolio
• Lindsey Tramuta on IG
• The New Paris Podcast
• The New Paris Dispatch Newsletter
• *The World is Drowning in Tourists. Who Should Pay the Price? (*Bloomberg Article)

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

In this engaging and insightful discussion with Kyle Preuss, head of marketing at Block Bins Chicago, we discuss the uniqueness of the Block Bins composting model, the critical importance of composting for urban sustainability, and efforts to democratize access in Chicago. Kyle is a dedicated advocate for community-driven waste diversion and a pioneer in crowdfunded curbside composting, known for this innovative shared-bin system that fosters neighborhood buy-in to reduce landfill waste and reinvest scraps locally.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Block Bins
• Block Bins on IG
• Green Era Campus
• Feed and Conserve IL

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

In this episode with Carla Bruni, an architectural preservation and resiliency specialist, educator, and author of Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City’s Everyday Architecture, we explore the role of preservation in shaping a sustainable future. We discuss why Chicago’s architectural identity matters, how history can inform modern design practices, and why education and advocacy are essential to building more resilient communities. Carla shares her perspective on connecting the past and future of architecture to inspire design that lasts.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Carla Bruni on IG
• Chicago Bungalow Association
• Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City’s Everyday Architecture by Carla Bruni & Phil Thompson
• Wonder City Studio
• Event: Bungalow Book Club Event Series
• Unblocked Englewood

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

In this thought-provoking episode with Nathan Kipnis, principal of Kipnis Architecture + Planning and founder of NextHaus Alliance, we dive into the promise of resilient and energy-conscious design. We discuss how the Passive House model is shaping the future of the built environment, the importance of thinking ahead to meet emerging climate challenges, and how Nathan’s award-winning projects are setting new standards for endurance and adaptability in architecture. Nathan also shares his journey as a founding member of the AIA’s 2030 Commitment Working Group, and how advocacy continues to shape national dialogue around climate action and design excellence.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Kipnis Architecture + Planning
• Kipnis Architecture + Planning on IG
• Nexthaus Alliance
• Nexthaus Alliance on IG
• AIA National Committee for Resilience and Disaster Response Committee
• Webinar: Architecture as Environmental Art, Architectural Record x Vectorworks

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]

In this inspiring conversation with Carlo Battisti, President of Living Future Europe, we explore what it truly means to move beyond sustainability toward a regenerative and positive future in the built environment. Carlo shares insights on the Living Building Challenge, the world’s most rigorous framework for sustainable design, and discusses how its principles offer a blueprint for transforming our industry. We dive into why these frameworks are so foundational, how they are reshaping the way we think about buildings and communities, and what motivated Carlo to bring this powerful movement from the US to Europe.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Living Future Europe
• Living Future Europe on IG
• Living Building Challenge
• Biophilia Summit 2025 - Italy

Have thoughts or comments to share? Feel free to reach out to MAREDI Design at [email protected]