In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with Dr. Diane Jones Allen, Principal Landscape Architect with Design Jones LLC and Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Jones Allen's remarkable career bridges academia and practice, community engagement and environmental design, revealing how landscape architecture can be a powerful tool for storytelling, social justice, and ecological restoration.

Dr. Jones Allen traces her journey into landscape architecture back to her urban upbringing and family roots in farming, influences that continue to shape her community-centered approach to design. From urban farming initiatives to significant memorial projects like the Fred Rouse Memorial, her work demonstrates how thoughtful design can honor history, transform public spaces, and meet the real needs of the communities they serve.

Throughout the conversation, Diane and Alyssa explore the evolving nature of landscapes and why adaptive design approaches are essential in addressing modern environmental challenges. Dr. Jones Allen shares insights from her research on historical landscapes, particularly maroon communities, and how lessons from historical resilience can inform coastal restoration and climate action today. She emphasizes the critical importance of integrating equity and justice into every aspect of landscape design and environmental planning.

Whether you're a designer, builder, or entrepreneur working in the built environment, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the power of community-driven projects, the intersection of research and practice, and how embracing fear and learning from mistakes fuels creative growth. Dr. Jones Allen's approach to balancing academic research with hands-on practice provides a model for professionals seeking to make a meaningful, lasting impact through their work.

In this episode:

00:01 Introduction to Diane Jones Allen

00:58 Diane's Journey into Landscape Architecture

03:42 Community Engagement and Urban Design

08:07 Professional Experiences and Projects

14:42 Balancing Academia and Practice

16:22 Current Projects and Memorials

31:34 Research on Historical Landscapes

39:52 Future Vision and Advice

If you're passionate about creating designs that honor community, address environmental challenges, and promote equity, this conversation will inspire you to approach your work with renewed purpose and vision. Tune in now and discover how landscape architecture can be a force for positive change. Don't forget to subscribe for more conversations with visionary designers, builders, and makers shaping the future.

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Diane at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-jones-allen-58122b27

https://www.designjonesllc.com/diane-jones-allen

In this episode of Designers and Builders, host Alyssa Olson sits down with Drew Lang of Lang Architecture, architect and founder of Brick and Wonder, to explore how taking agency over your career, generating your own projects, and fostering genuine collaboration can transform your path in architecture and design.

Drew's journey into architecture didn't follow the traditional route. Starting with a liberal arts education, he learned early on that waiting for opportunities wasn't enough. Instead, he embraced the power of creating his own work, building meaningful relationships, and giving value without expecting anything in return. This mindset led him from New Orleans to New York and eventually to founding Brick and Wonder, a global community of nearly 400 architects, designers, builders, and craftspeople who believe in the power of collaboration over competition.

Throughout the conversation, Drew and Alyssa dive into the evolution of the Brick and Wonder community, the lessons learned from developing Hudson Woods, and how his architectural practice blends the built environment with nature and landscape. Drew shares candid insights on overcoming the scarcity mindset that plagues many creatives, the importance of extending yourself to others in your industry, and why generating your own projects is one of the most powerful tools for business growth and creative fulfillment.

Whether you're a builder, designer, or entrepreneur looking to expand your network and elevate your craft, this episode offers actionable wisdom on building community, embracing collaboration, and creating work that reflects your values. Drew's approach to sustainable relationships and thoughtful craftsmanship will inspire you to rethink how you show up in your professional world.

Key takeaways include:

• Why generating your own projects gives you agency and creative control
• How building genuine relationships leads to long-term business growth and opportunities
• The power of a giving mindset in fostering meaningful professional collaboration
• Lessons from developing Hudson Woods and integrating architecture with landscape
• How the Brick and Wonder community is redefining success in the design industry
• The future evolution of the podcast to include voices beyond the built environment

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction to Drew Lang

00:40 Drew's Journey into Architecture

05:36 Transitioning from New Orleans to New York

08:53 Hudson Woods: A Development Project

14:43 Building the Brick and Wonder Community

23:39 Redefining Collaboration in Architecture

32:59 The Importance of Generating Your Own Projects

37:46 Future Directions for the Podcast and Community

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Drew at:

Website: langarchitecture.com

LinkedIn: Lang Architecture

Instagram: @langarchitecture

In this episode of the Designers and Builders Podcast, host Alyssa Olson sits down with Roberto J. Rovira, a remarkable professional whose career spans mechanical engineering, U.S. Navy service, and landscape architecture. Roberto's unconventional path from serving as a naval officer to becoming a leading voice in landscape design reveals how diverse experiences shape creative vision and innovative thinking.

Roberto shares the story behind one of his most celebrated projects, the Sky Lounge in Miami at Florida International University, a stunning fusion of art and engineering that demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform spaces and communities. His approach to landscape architecture goes beyond aesthetics. It's about observation, collaboration, and creating environments that bring people together while respecting the natural world.

Throughout the conversation, Roberto and Alyssa explore how his military background instilled discipline and precision that now informs his creative work, the role of travel in expanding a designer's perspective, and why he believes in the concept of "tabula rasa," approaching each project with fresh eyes and openness to discovery. Roberto also discusses his passion for teaching, mentoring the next generation of designers, and his innovative use of materials that push the boundaries of what's possible in landscape architecture.

Chapters:

00:01 Introduction and Background

00:30 From Engineering to Architecture

02:20 Naval Service and Design Philosophy

04:12 The Sky Lounge Project

07:24 Travel and Design Perspective

09:21 Teaching and Community Impact

12:26 Creative Processes and Observations

21:59 Innovative Projects and Materials

32:38 Design Education and Community

The Designers and Builders Podcast shares stories from industry leaders transforming the world of design and construction: covering behind-the-scenes insights, real-world strategies, and the trends shaping the future of the industry.

Empowering design/build professionals to grow and scale

buildergrowth.io shares the tools, strategies, and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

Connect with us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designersandbuilders/

Join our newsletter: https://substack.com/@designersandbuilders

You can connect with Roberto at:

http://www.robertorovira.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertorovira/