An expert in inclusive environments, Steve Orfield, President at Orfield Laboratories, Inc., offered up the quietest room in the world to record this episode. Host AJ Paron and Steve discuss their collaboration on a groundbreaking project for Fraser, Minnesota’s leading autism treatment provider, focusing on creating scientifically designed, peaceful spaces for individuals with autism. Discover how science and empathy come together to shape environments that enhance human experience.

This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.

Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wild, ambitious projects can be done — or they can be epic.

Neil Ferrier, founder of the design firm Discommon, chose the latter when his team took on the ultimate challenge: designing and installing a 48-foot-long sculpture of the Concorde, suspended inside a London restaurant.

Ferrier shares what it took to bring his firm’s largest project — in both size and scope — to life. The intricate feat of structural engineering was crafted from hundreds of machined aluminum panels, designed to appear nearly seamless. Along the way, it tested every major aspect of the process: safety (“the damn sprinklers”), budget (“we blew through it”), install (a “team of wizards”), and Discommon’s uncompromising ethos (“f*ck mediocrity”).

“Could we have executed a foam one of these? Of course we could have,” Ferrier says. “And every time I went into that restaurant, I’d be like, ‘this sucks.’ We really asked ourselves, what’s the version of this that is epic?”

This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.

Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AJ Paron sits down with designer Yinka Ilori at Neocon! They discuss Yinka’s vibrant, joyful, and award-winning collaboration with Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering, his journey from furniture design to becoming an acclaimed multidisciplinary artist, and how his Nigerian heritage influences his use of bold colors and patterns. Yinka shares insights into his creative process and the importance of making spaces that evoke happiness and connectivity. He also offers valuable advice to young designers. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the transformative power of design.

This episode was produced in partnership with Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering. To learn more, visit:

• Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering
• Yink Ilori X Momentum

This episode was produced in partnership with Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering and recorded live at Design Scene by SANDOW at The MART.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.