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Join us every second Tuesday of the month for a dose of optimism with thought-provoking guests who are revolutionizing their fields. Innovators will lead virtual workshops for an hour of discovery, inspiration, and community. Led by editor in chief, Avinash Rajagopal, these workshops will be guided by our audience, where questions are not only welcome but encouraged.

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Metropolis Editors, Natural Habitat, sustainability, sustainable architecture

METROPOLIS Introduces Natural Habitat, a Sustainable Homes Video Series

The series debuts with a tour of a tranquil upstate New York retreat designed with Passive House principles.

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The Circular Buildings Podcast

Developed during the METROPOLIS Circular Future Hackathon, this podcast proposal fills a crucial gap in the design community by offering a deeper exploration of reuse strategies in the built environment.


In Summer 2024 METROPOLIS brought together visionaries from across the building industry for its Circular Future Hackathon, aimed at reimagining how we design and construct in a way that aligns with circular design principles. Representatives and sustainability experts across global firms, manufacturers, and industry organizations joined forces to tackle the building sector’s greatest circularity obstacles. Following the virtual workshops, METROPOLIS shaped these concepts into comprehensive seven forward-thinking solutions.

Shown here is The Circular Buildings Podcast by hackathon participants Andrew Ellsworth, Doors Unhinged; Brett Gardner, IA; Olivia Huang, Good Clancy; Scott Kelly, Re:Vision Architecture; Florencia Kratsman, FXCollaborative Architects; Barrett Peterson, Ross Barney Architects; Greg Walker, Houser, Walker Architecture; Wei Wang, Dattner Architects; Marialejandra Quevedo Wong, ZGF Architects; and METROPOLIS senior editor Lauren Volker

Podcast Name

Built to Reuse

Why does the world need this platform?

The design community needs a deeper exploration of reuse strategies in the built environment, and this podcast fills that gap. Uniquely highlighting examples of both small- and large-scale reuse success, it provides much-needed insight into how people get over hurdles at every stage of design. Through granular case studies, listeners will be equipped with actionable strategies they can apply to make an impact in their individual roles. By celebrating incremental progress, this podcast empowers designers to make shifts in mindset and process to drive meaningful, lasting change in the industry.

Purpose

To explore and celebrate design that features reuse or repurposed materials 

Audience

  • Industries: Architecture, interior design, construction, building and interiors products, product design
  • Job titles: Architects, interior architects, interior designers, developers, facilities managers, contractors, real estate brokers

Description

Built to Reuse is a show dedicated to the power of reuse in the built environment. In a society obsessed with the allure of “new,” this podcast challenges designers to reimagine materials, repurpose spaces, and embrace a paradigm shift. Through bi-weekly episodes, listeners will explore compelling case studies, hear firsthand success stories, and uncover practical hacks for making reuse a cornerstone of their projects.

Episode Types

  • The skin of the building provides uniform shading, insulation, and access to daylight across all spaces to allow tenants to swap, share, and cycle in and out of the building without any compromise on those benefits.•
  • Making the Case: Explore how a designer convinced a client to embrace reuse, showcasing data and stories that demonstrate financial, environmental, and aesthetic benefits.
  • Getting It Done: Gain behind-the-scenes insights on how teams successfully implemented reuse strategies, overcoming obstacles like sourcing materials, convincing stakeholders, or adapting construction processes.
  • The Creative Detail: Uncover specific design moments or project elements where reuse shines, and enjoy the creative thinking and craftmanship behind these small yet impactful moments.
  • Reuse Champions: Meet non-designers—like developers, manufacturers, or community members—whose passion for reuse has made a tangible difference.

Length 

30-45 minutes

Release frequency 

Bi-weekly

Content Creation

Sourcing Topics:

  • Call for submissions promoted via social media and email campaign.
  • Collaboration with manufacturers, architects, and designers known for reuse innovation.

Recording Setup:

  • Virtual and in-person interviews to accommodate guests globally.
  • High-quality audio equipment and professional editing to maintain a polished sound.

Promotion

  • Guest Highlights: Social media promotions featuring soundbites, quotes, or design photos from podcast guests.
  • Visual Branding: Create an eye-catching podcast logo and consistent branding for episode teasers on social media.
  • Newsletter Feature: Integrate podcast announcements and recaps into email newsletters from METROPOLIS and other organizations via media partnerships.

Community Building

  • Quarterly Virtual Roundtables: Host live discussions where listeners and industry experts share ideas and discuss reuse challenges.
  • Interactive Q&A Sessions: Invite listeners to submit reuse questions or challenges to be addressed by podcast guests.

Growth Strategies

  • Cross-Promotion: Collaborate with sustainability-focused podcasts for guest exchanges or mutual promotion.
  • Event Tie-Ins: Promote the podcast at industry events like METROPOLIS’s Sustainability Lab, offering exclusive episodes or previews.
  • Metrics-Driven Approach: Analyze listener feedback and download statistics to refine content topics and formats.