Tangible Remnants
A podcast for building owners and developers looking to demystify the process of transforming existing and historic buildings.
The connection between the climate crisis and social inequality is evident and solving both will require rethinking how we use our buildings. Tangible Remnants, hosted by architect Nakita Reed, is your guide to navigating the complexities of adaptive reuse and historic preservation. Designed for building owners and developers, this podcast demystifies the process of transforming historic buildings into thriving spaces that honor their past while serving the present.
Recent Episodes
82
April 5, 2026
Going for Zero with Carl Elefante
In this engaging conversation, Nakita Reed and Carl Elefante explore the intersection of sustainability, architecture, and historic preservation. Elefante shares his journey in the field, emphasizing the importance of reusing existing buildings and the philosophy that the greenest building is the one already built. They discuss the relevance revolution in architecture, the urgent need to address climate change, and the justice imperative in urban development. The conversation culminates in a cal
81
Nov. 30, 2025
Equity in Preservation w/ Tiffani Simple
In this conversation, Nakita Reed interviews Tiffani Simple, a preservation architect based in New York City. They discuss the complexities of preservation architecture, including the importance of facade maintenance, the role of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the challenges faced by building owners in historic districts. Tiffani emphasizes the need for community education, particularly for underrepresented groups, and shares insights on the Inclusion and Advocacy Committee within th
80
Nov. 16, 2025
CREW Conversations w/ Carla Hinson and Nakita Reed
This episode is a replay of CREW Conversations Episode 17: Preserving Baltimore’s History While Building a Sustainable Future. In this insightful episode, Nakita Reed of Quinn Evans and Carla Hinson of Cross Street Partners explore the intersection of historic preservation and sustainability in Baltimore’s built environment. From navigating complex regulations to finding creative solutions for adaptive reuse, Nakita and Carla dive into the challenges and opportunities of preserving the city’s ar
79
Oct. 6, 2025
From Ruins to Revival: The Packing House Project
Today's episode is all about the Packing House in Cambridge, MD. From the owner's side I'm joined by Bill Strever, CEO of Cross Street Partners and Margaret Northfleet-Neff, development partner at Cross Street Partners. From the Quinn Evans design team I'm joined by Ethan Marchant, a principal who served as the lead architect on the project. They share their experiences and insights on this remarkable project. The Packing House was once part of a cannery empire, and now it's a hub for innovatio
78
Sept. 29, 2025
Building Dreams: The LOVE Building Project Journey
Episode 3 of the Building Reuse is Climate Action, a Tangible Remnants limited series sponsored by Quinn Evans, is all about the LOVE Building in Detroit. From the owner's side Nakita is joined by Kwaku Osei - current Executive Director of the LOVE Building, and Jeannette Lee - Founder and former director of the LOVE Building. From the Quinn Evans design team Nakita is joined by Saundra Little, Principal and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion who served as the lead architect of the proj
77
Sept. 22, 2025
The Walter French Project: A Tale of Transformation
Episode 2 of the Building Reuse is Climate Action, a Tangible Remnants limited series sponsored by Quinn Evans, is all about the transformation of the Walter French Academy in Lansing, MI. From the owner's side Nakita is joined by the current Executive Director of Capital Area Housing Partnership, Emma Henry, as well as the former Executive Director of Capital Area Housing Partnership, Rawley Van Fossen, who is now the Director of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Lansing. From t
76
Sept. 15, 2025
Reviving Legacy: The Marie Reed Community Learning Center Story
Episode 1 of the Building Reuse is Climate Action, a Tangible Remnants limited series sponsored by Quinn Evans, is all about the Marie Reed Community Learning Center in Washington DC. This was a 150,0000 square foot renovation of a 1978 building. During this episode Nakita is joined by her Quinn Evans colleague, Tracy Hucul, who served as one of the project architects on the job and Katie Lungren who was the principal of the school during the renovation and through the end of the 2025 school yea
75
Sept. 15, 2025
Introducing the Building Reuse is Climate Action limited series
Have you ever wondered how reusing buildings can make a real difference for our climate? In this limited series, Building Reuse is Climate Action, sponsored by Quinn Evans, we’ll break down the strategies, stories, and real-world examples of how reimagining old buildings helps us build a more sustainable future. The four projects that will be featured include: The Marie Reed Community Learning Center in Washington DC Walter French in Lansing, MI The LOVE Building in Detroit, MI The Packing
74
Aug. 24, 2025
Preserving Together w/ Carol Quillen
This week I’m joined by Carol Quillen, President & CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Carol became the 10th president in 2024 and brings a fresh perspective from her career in academia, including over a decade as president of Davidson College. Together we explore how preservation is not about saying “no” to change, but about creating opportunities, building community connections, and shaping a more sustainable future. Carol shares her journey, clears up common misconceptions
73
Aug. 10, 2025
Resilience for Cultural Landscapes w/ Nina Jean-Louis
In this conversation, Nakita Reed and Nina Jean-Louis discuss the intricacies of adaptive reuse projects, focusing on the role of structural engineers and the importance of community engagement. The discussion emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and the evolving nature of engineering practices in relation to community needs. In this conversation, Nina Jean-Louis discusses her research on quantifying resilience in cultural landscapes, emphasizing the importance of community en
72
July 20, 2025
10th Anniversary Celebration of HOPE Crew
In May 2025, Nakita was the emcee for a livestream celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's HOPE Crew program. HOPE Crew, which stands for Hands-On Preservation Experience, was one of the first and largest efforts to expand the preservation industry in the country. Since 2014, it has trained more than 802 young people and veterans, engaged over 3,000 volunteers in historic preservation trades, and completed nearly 200 projects in cities, parks, and co
71
June 26, 2025
Demystifying Design-Bid-Build Phases
This episode provides an overview of the Design-Bid-Build design process, emphasizing the importance of following structured phases. Nakita explains the sequential nature of design phases, the significance of working with qualified professionals, and the potential costs associated with changes made during the design process. The discussion also covers the roles of architects and contractors, the bidding process, and the necessity of construction administration to ensure project integrity. Links: