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In this episode, Cherise is joined by David Bagnoli, Principal at StudioMB Architects in Washington DC. They discuss the 13th Street Sanctuary, also in Washington, D.C.

Originally constructed in 1917, the 13th Street Sanctuary stands as a compelling example of how adaptive reuse can breathe new life into forgotten structures while addressing urgent urban needs. Once a neglected church severely damaged during the 2011 Mid-Atlantic earthquake, the building was ultimately deemed unsafe and faced an uncertain future. Through an ambitious transformation, the former place of worship has been reimagined into eight co-living residential units, creating a bold new model for affordable housing in Washington, D.C. The design embraces a deliberate contrast between historic and contemporary elements. New slotted window openings punctuate the heavy masonry exterior, bringing natural light into the units while creating a distinct visual dialogue between old and new.

In this episode, Cherise is joined by Leann Crist, AIA, formerly with Graham Baba Architects, while this project was designed and completed, and now with her own firm, Leann Crist Design Studio. Cherise is also joined by Anjali Grant, Principal at Anjali Grant Design. They discuss the Giddens School & Lake Washington Girls Middle School in Seattle, Washington.

Situated between Seattle’s Beacon Hill and Central District neighborhoods, the Giddens School & Lake Washington Girls Middle School campus reimagines what an urban educational environment can be when collaboration, flexibility, and community are placed at the center of the design process. The tightly integrated campus balances individuality with shared purpose. Each school maintains its own dedicated entrance and organizational structure, reinforcing a sense of identity for students and faculty.

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In this episode, Cherise is joined by Sam Miller, Partner, and Stephen DeMayo, Principal at LMN Architects in Seattle, Washington. They discuss the Computing and Data Science Building at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

At the heart of Stanford University, where historic arcades meet the evolving ambitions of a research-driven campus, the Computing and Data Science (or CoDa) building emerges as both a physical landmark and an intellectual crossroads. The Hive stair, rendered in Stanford’s signature red, is more than circulation—it is a symbol. Its perforated guardrails subtly encode 8-bit binary patterns, transforming a foundational language of computing into a tactile architectural expression. As users move through the space, the stair animates the building, embodying the dynamic, interconnected nature of data science itself.

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In this episode, Cherise is joined by Justin Crane, FAIA, Principal, and Stefanie Greenfield, AIA, Principal at CambridgeSeven in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They discuss The Foundry, also in Cambridge, MA.

The Foundry exemplifies a thoughtful approach to adaptive reuse, where the legacy of a 132-year-old industrial structure is carried forward through a renewed civic purpose. Once home to the Blake and Knowles Steam Pump Company and later a succession of utilitarian uses, the building has been transformed into a dynamic hub for arts, education, and entrepreneurship. The design resists the urge to overwrite history, instead preserving nearly 70 percent of the original fabric and allowing the building’s industrial identity to remain present and legible.

Click here for the extended length interview on YouTube