Discover the powerful forces—environmental, political, cultural, and economic—that shape our built environment and, in turn, our lives. Hosted by award winning architect Dimitrius Lynch, each episode brings you insightful conversations with top industry professionals who reveal how our spaces evolve and impact society. From historical shifts to future trends, SPACES Podcast uncovers the stories behind the places we inhabit and explores how these transformations will continue to influence us all.…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius speaks with Raleigh-based developer, consultant, and writer Desmond Dunn, founder of The Emerging Developer , about why density alone is not a sufficient measure of successful community development. The conversation was inspired by Desmond’s article, “Density Without Infrastructure Is a Recipe for Disaster,” and his argument that density tends to multiply the…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius breaks down design-build — where it works well, where it can create risk, and what homeowners and business owners need to understand before choosing it as their project delivery method. In This Episode: What design-build actually means Why one team and one contract can be appealing When design-build can work well Why design-build is not automatically cheaper,…
In this episode, Dimitrius speaks with Drew Small, founder of No New Data Centers, a grassroots platform challenging a proposed data center near his Nashville home and the Nashville Zoo. They examine the enormous energy, water, land, and infrastructure demands of modern data centers, along with concerns about pollution, heat, noise, flooding, and development in working-class, immigrant, and…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius explains that while not every project requires an architect, the right time to bring one in is often much earlier than most people think. He explores why architecture can be difficult to value upfront, why drawings are often misunderstood as a simple commodity, and how the real value of an architect is revealed through clarity, coordination, risk reduction, and…
In this episode of SPACES, architect Todd Ferking returns to the show to discuss the future of learning environments. He shares his decision to leave a national leadership role at DLR Group and launch Arcis Studio, a consultancy focused on helping school districts and design teams establish the vision, educational strategy, and planning foundations that lead to more meaningful learning…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius breaks down the important differences between architects, designers, and drafters — and why choosing the right type of help early can have a major impact on your budget, permitting, construction process, and overall project success. While each role can bring value, they are not interchangeable. The key question is not simply, “Who can draw this?” The better…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius speaks with Andrew Goodwin, AIA, founder of AGD, about the evolving role of the architect in a profession being reshaped by technology, entrepreneurship, education, and social responsibility. Andrew shares how his career has moved between traditional practice, public interest design, teaching, publishing, nonprofit work, and firm leadership—and why he believes…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius examines one of the most overlooked parts of any construction project: soft costs. He highlights what the total project budget should include and explores why soft costs are not “extras” — they are the services and approvals that make a project buildable, coordinated, and legally permitted. For owners, understanding these costs early can help prevent financial…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius sits down with Colby Cox, founder and CEO of Convergence Communities, to explore how the built environment can either isolate us or help bring us back together. Colby has spent more than two decades developing mixed-use, master-planned communities rooted in human connection, wellbeing, and intentional living. For him, development is not just about what pencils…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius explores why most project budgets are inaccurate and how to create realistic estimates for construction projects, especially in Southern California. He emphasizes the importance of scope clarity, understanding cost layers, and early planning to avoid costly mistakes. He breaks down: Why most project budgets are inaccurate The importance of scope clarity in…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius speaks with Michael Bohn, AIA, Partner at Studio One Eleven, about the growing opportunity to convert underused office buildings into housing. As office vacancy rates remain elevated in many cities and communities continue to face severe housing shortages, adaptive reuse offers a powerful path forward—one that can reduce waste, lower embodied carbon, preserve…
In this episode of SPACES, Dimitrius highlights how one of the biggest mistakes owners make happens before they hire a contractor, define a budget, or submit plans: they don’t fully understand what kind of project they’re actually taking on. And that misunderstanding can dramatically impact cost, timeline, permitting, engineering, and overall project complexity. He breaks down the critical…