Episodes

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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:...

In this conversation, Nakita Reed and Christian Joosse discuss the journey of writing and publishing 'Letters to Miss 1000', a book aimed at mentoring and inspiring future Black women architects. Christian shares her personal history with writing, her motivations for the book, and the challenges of including diverse voices in the project. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, hope, and representation in the field of architecture. In this conversation, Christian Joosse discusse...

This week's episode features a delightful conversation with Belinda Stewart and will resonate with you if you have ever wondered if it's possible to do the type of work you want to do in your hometown. Or what it would take to be able to use buildings to tell the often difficult histories of a place. In this episode we chat about the importance of adaptive reuse, historic tax credits, and the impact of vernacular architecture. Belinda also highlights her work in memorializing Emmett Till's st...

In this episode, Nakita addresses the top five questions often posed by building owners interested in adaptive reuse projects. She discusses the criteria for determining if a building is historic, the implications of preservation protections, how to estimate costs, the timeline for projects, and when construction can realistically begin. Reed emphasizes the importance of understanding the process and the various factors that influence each stage of an adaptive reuse project. Links: Medusa, Mary...

This episode features a conversation with Melissa Jest from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We discuss her extensive experience in preservation and advocacy for underrepresented communities. Links: African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund National Trust for Historic Preservation Tangible Remnants on Instagram Tangible Remnants Website LinkedTr.ee for resources Earn CEUs for listening to this podcast Signup for Ask Me Anyt...

In 2020 the DC Preservation League received a $50,000 grant from the African American Civil Rights Program, as administered by the National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, to fund the creation of a study entitled Black Power in 20th Century Washington, DC: A Context Study. This episode features excerpts from that study. Links: Link to Ep. 34 - Live Show with Sarah Shoenfeld & G. Derek Musgrove Chocolate City by Chris Myers Asch & G. Derek Musgrove Black Power in 20th Century ...

This episode is a crossover, featuring the bonus episode from the limited series Going Green, a Spaces podcast story. This series was created by fellow Gabl Media podcaster, Dimitrius Lynch, is well researched , and beautifully produced. I loved listening to the series and was super excited to interview him for the bonus recap episode of the series. In our conversation we discuss the importance of sustainability and the potential benefits of a sustainable future. We reflect on the impact of c...

This week's episode features a conversation with Sara Bronin, the chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). In this episode she shares her journey through the profession and her interest in historic preservation. She discusses the intersection of architecture and law, specifically focusing on property law and land use law. Sara explains the role of the ACHP as the Federal Historic Preservation Agency and its regulatory and policy functions. She highlights the recent program ...

This week's episode features an insightful episode with Steven Lewis, FAIA, NOMAC. Steven touches on the challenges faced by Black architects in the profession and the importance of unity and love in addressing these issues. He also talks about his recent bid for the presidency of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and his current initiative, Communities by Design Corps, which aims to engage architects in community projects. We discuss the importance of architecture in connecting with...

This episode features a conversation with my longtime friend, Katie Hughes-Pucci. We went to summer camp together decades ago (shout out to Independent Lake Camp in Orson, PA) and there's a group of us that still stay in touch. She's not an architect or preservationist but she gets that old houses have stories to tell and that being a steward of an old house means honoring and respecting the house's history and taking care of it for future generations. Check out our Instagram to see photos...

A tangible remnant is a historic building that left a mark on the built environment and tells the story of people who came before us. This episode explores the tangible remnant that is the Domingo Tafoya House in Albuquerque, NM. Listen to learn about the building, historical figure, and how the building is being used today. Links: National Register nomination on the Domingo Tafoya house Learn about other Tafoya family members Tangible Remnants on Instagram Tangible Remnants Website Linke...

This week's episode features a conversation with Jason Green. He shares his journey from working at the White House to creating the documentary, Finding Fellowship. His documentary explores the history of the Pleasant View Historic Site, a three-acre piece of land that his great-great-grandfather helped purchase in 1868. The site includes a schoolhouse, a church, and a social hall that were central to the black community of Quince Orchard. Jason emphasizes the importance of preserving and restor...

In this week's episode I got to chat with California based architect, Michael Bohn. Michael is an architect and advocate for preserving historic buildings. During the episode he shares his journey into the profession and his passion for adaptive reuse and affordable housing. He discusses his activism and preservation efforts, including chaining himself to a building slated for demolition. Michael's firm, Studio 111, focuses on creating community and revitalizing overlooked areas through adaptive...