Once Upon a Project

Designing Through Disruption

How do you design a workplace that's ready for constant change? AJ Paron speaks with Karen Marie Stonely, founding principal of SPAN Architecture, about how her firm has

Designing the Office as a Destination

What makes an office worth coming back to? This episode explores Roivant's first purpose-built New York headquarters at Penn One, designed to foster connection, collabora

Redesigning the Physician Office Experience

What does it mean to design a workplace that cares for caregivers? This episode explores Northwestern Medicine’s Faculty Office Center in Chicago, a restorative environme

Designing an Equitable Workplace for Hybrid Work

What does equity look like in the hybrid workplace? In this episode, AJ Paron speaks with Alivia Stalnaker and Alexis Kim of SmithGroup about reimagining AlixPartners’ Ch

Designing for Belonging

What if the workplace felt more like a hotel, a community hub, or even home? In this episode, we unpack the design strategy behind Sanofi’s headquarters; an environment b

Design for All (Live at NeoCon 2026)

When design begins with the full spectrum of human experience, it has the power to create spaces where everyone can thrive. Recorded live at NeoCon, AJ welcomes Shannon C

Design Blueprint for Liquid Architecture

Michael Ford, “The Hip Hop Architect,” explores his collaboration with Momentum, blending influences from music, architecture, and community into expressive textile and w

Building Hope in Motion

When a space is designed to heal both body and spirit, it becomes more than a building, it becomes a catalyst for change. In the season four finale, AJ welcomes Lily Dieg

Biohacking Healthier Workplaces

When a loved one’s health challenge sparks a professional mission, design takes on new meaning. In this episode, AJ welcomes Erin McDannald, CEO of Elevated, to explore h

Design Blueprint for Healthy Living in Asia

Is it possible to design cities that actively promote human wellness? Yes, and to find out how, host AJ Paron speaks with Stefano Tronci, Asia Pacific sustainability lead

Design Groundwork for Healing Spaces

How can design fuel healing and transform lives before a single brick is laid? Host AJ Paron explores a groundbreaking wellbeing initiative aimed at curing congestive hea

Building a Non-Toxic Hospital

What if hospitals could heal without exposing patients to harmful toxins? In this episode of Once Upon a Project, host AJ Paron sits down with sustainability provocateur

Unlocking Creative Wellness: The Ongoing Project

How can designers protect their creativity while thriving in a fast-paced, high-pressure industry? Recorded live at NeoCon 2025, host AJ Paron sits down with a panel of e

Building Glass Houses on a Mountainside

Take a journey to the mountains with architect Michael Upwall and builder Gary Hill. Together, they explore their collaborative process in designing the stunning Pinnacle

How to Get Students in the Classroom Through Design

Recorded live at the NeoCon Podcast Lounge, AJ is joined by Bryan Ballegeer, Vice President of Education for KI, and Jason Lazarz, KI's A&D Market Lead. Together the grou

The Power of Multisensory Design

Sensory design expert Russell Jones sits with AJ to explore the fascinating world of multisensory design in the built environment. Learn how Russell and his team transfor

Unveiling the Intersection of Design and Neuroscience

Explore the powerful connection between design and neuroscience with Suchi Reddy an NYC based architect, designer, and artist. Discover how design can influence our emoti

Solving for Color Deserts

Dive into the world of color with one of host AJ Paron’s design heroes, Laura Guido-Clark. Laura discusses the psychology of color, its impact on our lives, and how her c

Designing for Autism: Innovative Spaces with Steve Orfield

An expert in inclusive environments, Steve Orfield, President at Orfield Laboratories, Inc., offered up the quietest room in the world to record this episode. Host AJ Par

2,700 Pounds Suspended Overhead While You Dine: London’s Concorde Sculpture

Wild, ambitious projects can be done — or they can be epic. Neil Ferrier, founder of the design firm Discommon, chose the latter when his team took on the ultimate chall