Kimball International Launches Season 5 of Alternative Design Podcast

Commercial furnishings manufacturer Kimball International recently premiered the fifth season of its Alternative Design podcast, according to a news release. The first episode was released on March 17, and new episodes will launch monthly. The podcast discusses forces that shape built environments, from work to housing to healthcare to human wellness.

Hosted by Kaelynn Reid, the podcast’s first episode discusses shifts in healthcare environments that have granted more power to patients. As wearable and smart technology has expanded to allow ordinary people to track their own health, expanding healthcare beyond the hospital setting, should other built environments keep pace?

The episode’s two guests offer a dialogue circling that central question. Dr. Upali Nanda, Global Sector Director for Innovation at HKS; and Dr. Andrew Boozary, primary care physician, policy practitioner, researcher, and executive director of the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine. Nanda discusses how design, policy, and technology can be used to transform homes into healing spaces. Boozary, meanwhile, discusses Dunn House, a hospital campus with a dedicated space for permanent social housing.

Season 5 will come at the concept of design thinking from multiple angles, discussing the impact of environments on health, human potential, and behavior, according to the news release.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Longwood University Selects Builder for $73M Performing Arts Center

    Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently announced that it has selected Swedish construction company Skanska as the builder of its new performing arts center, according to online news. The project involves the demolition of the current building and constructing a new, 64,500-square-foot facility.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

  • Ryan Companies Completes Construction on Three U.S. Charter Schools

    Ryan Companies US, Inc., recently partnered with Red Apple Development (RAD) and Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) to build three new charter schools in South Carolina and Louisiana, according to a news release. Ryan served as general contractor with RAD as the developer of record.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

Digital Edition