Together We DesignPhiladelphia Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:00:06 -0400 https://togetherwedesignphiladelphia.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Together We DesignPhiladelphia yes c109d128-214d-5343-a28f-f30e4c20f764 DesignPhiladelphia episodic false Hosted by Rebecca Johnson, Executive Director of DesignPhiladelphia and AIA Philadelphia, this podcast is dedicated to the transformative power of design. Johnson chats with leaders in the local community, from architects to strategists, to artists, as they go deep on their work and the unique character of Philly's creative community. 


]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) DesignPhiladelphia https://storage.buzzsprout.com/vi9otem7zu3n1ztch5fd47q11ayk?.jpg Together We DesignPhiladelphia https://togetherwedesignphiladelphia.buzzsprout.com Finding Philadelphia's Missing Middle Housing with Tya Winn of the Community Design Collaborative Finding Philadelphia's Missing Middle Housing with Tya Winn of the Community Design Collaborative In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Tya Winn, executive director at the Community Design Collaborative. They talk about Winn's winding career path (that took her from Banana Republic to the PHA and beyond), choosing Philadelphia, the power of investing in community engagement, and the quest to find a "Missing Middle" housing solution specific to Philadelphia. 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Tya Winn, executive director at the Community Design Collaborative. They talk about Winn's winding career path (that took her from Banana Republic to the PHA and beyond), choosing Philadelphia, the power of investing in community engagement, and the quest to find a "Missing Middle" housing solution specific to Philadelphia. 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-19332370 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400 3169 2 18 full false On the eve of the semiquincentennial, a new citywide art festival asks WHAT NOW? On the eve of the semiquincentennial, a new citywide art festival asks WHAT NOW? In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Kathy Sachs, founder and chair of ArtPhilly, the organization behind What Now: 2026, a new multidisciplinary citywide art festival. That ambitious undertaking, featuring over 30 original projects and 100 events, is taking place May 27-July 2. 

CLICK HERE for a calendar and information on tickets. 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Kathy Sachs, founder and chair of ArtPhilly, the organization behind What Now: 2026, a new multidisciplinary citywide art festival. That ambitious undertaking, featuring over 30 original projects and 100 events, is taking place May 27-July 2. 

CLICK HERE for a calendar and information on tickets. 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-19184682 Fri, 22 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400 2362 2 17 full false Daniela Holt Voith still loves being an architect Daniela Holt Voith still loves being an architect In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Daniela Holt Voith, founding principal at Voith & Mactavish Architects. She takes us through her long career, from an alternative education in the Philly burbs, to Bryn Mawr, to breaking new ground as designer of innovative, beautiful buildings on campuses near and far. 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Daniela Holt Voith, founding principal at Voith & Mactavish Architects. She takes us through her long career, from an alternative education in the Philly burbs, to Bryn Mawr, to breaking new ground as designer of innovative, beautiful buildings on campuses near and far. 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-19055653 Fri, 08 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 2521 2 16 full false Jermaine Jenkins is in his "YES" era Jermaine Jenkins is in his "YES" era In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Jermaine Jenkins, Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships at DesignPhiladelphia and AIA Philadelphia. A creative and social force, Jenkins has connections across the city. They chat about his lifelong love of art and design, his "YES" era, and an ideal day out in the city.  

And HERE to learn more about Collab, Philadelphia Art Museum's modern and contemporary design group.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Jermaine Jenkins, Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships at DesignPhiladelphia and AIA Philadelphia. A creative and social force, Jenkins has connections across the city. They chat about his lifelong love of art and design, his "YES" era, and an ideal day out in the city.  

And HERE to learn more about Collab, Philadelphia Art Museum's modern and contemporary design group.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-18113148 Fri, 05 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500 2116 2 15 full false Lindsey Scannapieco of Scout (+ a big announcement!) Lindsey Scannapieco of Scout (+ a big announcement!) In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Lindsey Scannapieco of Scout, a community-centric adaptive reuse firm known for its revitilization of Bok and its recent purchase of Hamilton Hall, a prized piece of Broad Street real estate that came on the market after the abrupt closure of University of the Arts. 

They discuss the developer's career path, competing for a place on the Avenue of the Arts, and — DRUMROLL PLEASE — DesignPhiladelphia's planned move into Hamilton Hall, recently rechristened as the Village of Industry and Art (VIA).   

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-12, 2025. Click here for more information.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Lindsey Scannapieco of Scout, a community-centric adaptive reuse firm known for its revitilization of Bok and its recent purchase of Hamilton Hall, a prized piece of Broad Street real estate that came on the market after the abrupt closure of University of the Arts. 

They discuss the developer's career path, competing for a place on the Avenue of the Arts, and — DRUMROLL PLEASE — DesignPhiladelphia's planned move into Hamilton Hall, recently rechristened as the Village of Industry and Art (VIA).   

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-12, 2025. Click here for more information.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-17939837 Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400 2449 2 14 full false Claudette McCarron of CBM Creative Claudette McCarron of CBM Creative In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Claudette McCarron of CBM Creative, a Philadelphia-based interior design firm. She shares her winding path to the field, talks about her stewardship of the local AAPI Design Alliance, and makes a pitch for community-building as a priority. 

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-12, 2025. Click here for more information.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Claudette McCarron of CBM Creative, a Philadelphia-based interior design firm. She shares her winding path to the field, talks about her stewardship of the local AAPI Design Alliance, and makes a pitch for community-building as a priority. 

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-12, 2025. Click here for more information.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-17891851 Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400 2051 full false Valentina Miller of Night Kitchen Interactive Valentina Miller of Night Kitchen Interactive In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Valentina Miller of Night Kitchen Interactive, a local firm that uses AR/VR, 3D animation, and gaming design to create immersive experiences for its clients, which include museums, universities, and historical sites. Miller speaks about the value of design education, finding inspiration in one's own interests, and how to navigate our new technological landscape.

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-12, 2025. Click here for more information.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Valentina Miller of Night Kitchen Interactive, a local firm that uses AR/VR, 3D animation, and gaming design to create immersive experiences for its clients, which include museums, universities, and historical sites. Miller speaks about the value of design education, finding inspiration in one's own interests, and how to navigate our new technological landscape.

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-12, 2025. Click here for more information.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-17654913 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400 2361 2 12 full false We're back! And we have big news. We're back! And we have big news. The Together We Design Philadelphia is back! This conversation between host Rebecca Johnson and producer Lee Stabert offers a behind-the-scenes look at what has been happening at DesignPhiladelphia and AIA Philadelphia over the last 10 months, including one piece of big news: Our building is for sale!

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-12, 2025. Click here for more information.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> The Together We Design Philadelphia is back! This conversation between host Rebecca Johnson and producer Lee Stabert offers a behind-the-scenes look at what has been happening at DesignPhiladelphia and AIA Philadelphia over the last 10 months, including one piece of big news: Our building is for sale!

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-12, 2025. Click here for more information.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-17540473 Wed, 23 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400 1441 2 11 full false Hilary Jay and Jamer Hunt, co-founders of the DesignPhiladelphia Festival Hilary Jay and Jamer Hunt, co-founders of the DesignPhiladelphia Festival In this very special installment, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Hilary Jay and Jamer Hunt, the passionate creatives behind the original DesignPhiladelphia Festival. In honor of the event's 20th year, they chat about its origins, the essential nature of design, and why this idea was just right for Philly.

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-23, 2024. Click here for a full calendar of events. 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this very special installment, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Hilary Jay and Jamer Hunt, the passionate creatives behind the original DesignPhiladelphia Festival. In honor of the event's 20th year, they chat about its origins, the essential nature of design, and why this idea was just right for Philly.

The DesignPhiladelphia Festival is happening October 1-23, 2024. Click here for a full calendar of events. 

Subscribe so you never miss an episode! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> Buzzsprout-15697495 Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400 2779 1 10 full false Danielle DiLeo Kim of Philadelphia250 Danielle DiLeo Kim of Philadelphia250 In this installment, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Danielle DiLeo Kim of Philadelphia250. They discuss Kim's path from architect to civic leader, and get hyped for the celebration of America's 250th birthday in 2026.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this installment, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Danielle DiLeo Kim of Philadelphia250. They discuss Kim's path from architect to civic leader, and get hyped for the celebration of America's 250th birthday in 2026.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-15461471 Fri, 09 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400 2040 1 9 full false Chris Landau of LANDAU Design+Technology Chris Landau of LANDAU Design+Technology In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson talks with Chris Landau of LANDAU Design+Technology. They discuss the power of computational design, landscape architecture, AI, the climate crisis, and lowering barriers to entry in the field. 

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson talks with Chris Landau of LANDAU Design+Technology. They discuss the power of computational design, landscape architecture, AI, the climate crisis, and lowering barriers to entry in the field. 

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-15461415 Fri, 26 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0400 2441 1 8 full false Ximena Valle of FIFTEEN Architecture + Design Ximena Valle of FIFTEEN Architecture + Design In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Ximena Valle of FIFTEEN Architecture + Design about her childhood in Chile, what landed her in Philadelphia, and the power of collaboration.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Ximena Valle of FIFTEEN Architecture + Design about her childhood in Chile, what landed her in Philadelphia, and the power of collaboration.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-15385650 Fri, 12 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400 2018 1 7 full false DesignPhiladelphia's Design Education Team DesignPhiladelphia's Design Education Team DesignPhiladelphia's educational programming has an ambitious goal: To empower nascent creatives from K through career. To talk about that mission — and why access is the first step — host Rebecca Johnson is joined by three members of the organization's team: Michael Spain, Liza Niles and Carly Clifford.

If you're a design professional who would like to volunteer with DesignPhiladelphia's Design Education team, click here.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia's educational programming has an ambitious goal: To empower nascent creatives from K through career. To talk about that mission — and why access is the first step — host Rebecca Johnson is joined by three members of the organization's team: Michael Spain, Liza Niles and Carly Clifford.

If you're a design professional who would like to volunteer with DesignPhiladelphia's Design Education team, click here.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-15019212 Fri, 10 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400 3137 1 6 full false Ian Smith of IS-DG Design Ian Smith of IS-DG Design In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Ian Smith of IS-DG Design about his free-range suburban upbringing, the mentor relationship that brought him to Philadelphia, the limitations of "design excellence," and the power of taking up space as a Black architect.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Ian Smith of IS-DG Design about his free-range suburban upbringing, the mentor relationship that brought him to Philadelphia, the limitations of "design excellence," and the power of taking up space as a Black architect.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-14949754 Fri, 26 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400 2847 1 5 full false Rachel Ford of Made Institute Rachel Ford of Made Institute In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Rachel Ford, founder and CEO of Made Institute. This Philadelphia-based fashion school is dedicated to making design education affordable and accessible. The idea is an outgrowth of Ford's own winding career path that took her from corporate America to couture costumes to the classroom.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Rachel Ford, founder and CEO of Made Institute. This Philadelphia-based fashion school is dedicated to making design education affordable and accessible. The idea is an outgrowth of Ford's own winding career path that took her from corporate America to couture costumes to the classroom.

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

To learn more, head to DesignPhiladelphia.org.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-14877891 Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0400 2339 1 4 full false Hans Diefenderfer of HD Custom Carpentry Hans Diefenderfer of HD Custom Carpentry In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Hans Diefenderfer, a woodworker, cabinet maker, and furniture builder based out of the Stenton Guild Arts Building in Germantown.  They discuss the value of a technical education, the joy of making something with your hands, and the special relationship between designers and the artisans who bring their visions to life.

Want to reach out to Diefenderfer about a project? Click here. 

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson chats with Hans Diefenderfer, a woodworker, cabinet maker, and furniture builder based out of the Stenton Guild Arts Building in Germantown.  They discuss the value of a technical education, the joy of making something with your hands, and the special relationship between designers and the artisans who bring their visions to life.

Want to reach out to Diefenderfer about a project? Click here. 

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-14763482 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400 1547 full false Shila Griffith of SG23 Design Shila Griffith of SG23 Design In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson is joined by SG23 Design's Shila Griffith, an interior designer with a special knack for handling thorny projects — and documenting the whole process on Instagram. Whether you're looking for someone to hold your hand through a massive renovation or to simply spend a few hours offering thoughtful advice, Griffith is there to help. The conversation covers everything from childhood art classes in Palmyra, to the role of health insurance in career decisions, to the aging building trades workforce — calling all next-gen wallpaper hangers! 

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

]]> In this episode, host Rebecca Johnson is joined by SG23 Design's Shila Griffith, an interior designer with a special knack for handling thorny projects — and documenting the whole process on Instagram. Whether you're looking for someone to hold your hand through a massive renovation or to simply spend a few hours offering thoughtful advice, Griffith is there to help. The conversation covers everything from childhood art classes in Palmyra, to the role of health insurance in career decisions, to the aging building trades workforce — calling all next-gen wallpaper hangers! 

New episodes will be coming out every other week. Subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-14556568 Fri, 15 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400 2571 1 2 full false Hannah Dillon and Kristen Sachs of Broad Hannah Dillon and Kristen Sachs of Broad In the inaugural episode of our new podcast, host Rebecca Johnson speaks with Hannah Dillon and Kristen Sachs of Broad. Their creative agency is unabashedly female and undeniably Philly, and they were a key part of the recent rebranding of the Center for Architecture and Design into DesignPhiladelphia.  The conversation covers everything from childhood inspirations, to the courage it takes to strike out on your own, to the unique qualities of the city's design community.  

New episodes will be coming out every other week — subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

]]> In the inaugural episode of our new podcast, host Rebecca Johnson speaks with Hannah Dillon and Kristen Sachs of Broad. Their creative agency is unabashedly female and undeniably Philly, and they were a key part of the recent rebranding of the Center for Architecture and Design into DesignPhiladelphia.  The conversation covers everything from childhood inspirations, to the courage it takes to strike out on your own, to the unique qualities of the city's design community.  

New episodes will be coming out every other week — subscribe so you never miss one! Bed music is by Ghost Beatz.

]]> DesignPhiladelphia Buzzsprout-14445802 Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:00:00 -0500 2869 1 1 full false