Most Podern Podcast

• America can't Build. Can Modular Construction be the Answer?

  How do we build faster, smarter, and more affordably in a world running out of patience and running short on skilled labor? Tom Hardiman, Executive Director of the Modular Building Institute, joins Alex Yuen and Libo Li to explain how modular construction can reshape the built environment. From cutting construction timelines in half to reducing waste and expanding access to housing, Tom shows why modular is not a trend but a practical tool for a more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive future. The conversation unpacks the realities behind factory based building, the politics that slow adoption, and how modular can help cities facing affordability and capacity challenges.Subscribe to Most Podern on:Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podernKeywordsmodular construction, prefab housing, offsite construction, Modular Building Institute, MBI, Tom Hardiman, affordable housing solutions, housing crisis, construction technology, manufacturing in construction, sustainable building, prefabricated buildings, industrialized construction, factory-built homes, housing innovation, construction efficiency, future of construction, how to build faster, Most Podern podcastChapters00:00 Introduction to Modular Construction00:53 Defining Modular Construction02:02 Benefits of Modular Construction04:59 The Ecosystem of Modular Construction06:51 Coordination in Modular Projects08:20 Cost Considerations in Modular Construction09:53 The Importance of Time in Construction11:30 Architects and Modular Construction12:53 Successful Modular Projects14:38 Addressing Design Concerns in Modular Construction17:32 Standardization vs. Customization19:45 Regulatory Challenges in Modular Construction20:50 Education and Resources for Modular Construction21:13 The Role of Education in Modular Construction24:27 Attracting Young Talent to Modular Construction28:32 Barriers to Adoption of Modular Construction30:56 Navigating Politics and Labor Relations34:51 Integrating Traditional and Modular Construction37:52 The Future of Modular Construction40:12 Upcoming Events and Community EngagementLinksTom Hardimanlinkedin.com/in/tomhardimanModular Building Institute (MBI)https://www.modular.org/World of Modular Conferencehttps://www.modular.org/wom/MBI Research and Resourceshttps://www.modular.org/resources/

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• Why Affordable Housing Isn’t Affordable

  Why does building “affordable” housing cost so much in the built environment? From land prices to loan rates, construction inflation to endless permitting, Alex and Libo break down the true costs of creating homes and why the system often works against the very people it is meant to help. They unpack how financing, regulation, and risk collide, what makes America’s housing model unique, and what simple reforms could unlock more livable and affordable cities for everyone.Subscribe to Most Podern on:Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podernKeywordsaffordable housing crisis, built environment, housing policy, real estate development, construction costs, architecture, urban design, cities, zoning reform, housing finance, interest rates, pro forma explainedChapters00:00 Understanding Affordable Housing Costs02:29 The Role of Pro Forma in Housing Development05:49 Financing Affordable Housing Projects09:58 Impact of Rising Costs on Housing Development16:18 Government's Role in Affordable Housing20:29 Streamlining the Permitting Process23:13 Changing Perspectives on Housing Development

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• Design School for The Displaced - With Scott Key

  What happens when you run an architecture studio inside a refugee settlement — and let refugees lead it?Scott Key (founder/CEO of Every Shelter) is back to break down how a 10-week “design school” in Nakivale turned buzzwords like “co-creation” into actual, working solutions — cow-dung bricks that survive soaking, shelter-wide mosquito netting, and quality water that families can afford.Why it matters:Refugees are displaced for 20+ years — which means they need permanent, local, extremely affordable building solutions. This episode shows how design unlocks what’s already on the ground: clay, ag waste, community trust, and good design.LinksDonate to Support Every Shelter’s WorkEvery ShelterOur Last Episode with ScottYoutube*:* https://youtu.be/60d198yrKcY?feature=sharedSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3iVzLi6aF5SV1K7WaVayT4?si=P2-DFU3_QNKP9c_XFxUEFQApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/designing-dignity-how-scott-key-and-every-shelter-are/id1725756164?i=1000702692254Chapters00:00 Running an Architecture Studio in a Refugee Camp02:53 Pitching the Idea to Students and Stakeholders02:53 Introduction to the Program and Partnerships05:13 Setting the Stage: The First Day of Design School07:54 Curriculum and Transformation: Learning by Doing10:20 Innovative Projects: Cow Poop and Mud Bricks12:41 Community Engagement: Addressing Local Needs15:30 Water Quality Solutions: BioSand Filters18:18 Empowerment through Entrepreneurship: Offer Letters and Business Models20:39 Feedback and Iteration: Learning from the Community22:51 The Role of Donors and Future Directions25:08 Looking Ahead: Optimism for Human Connection

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• The Architect Who Healed NYC After 9/11

  In this conversation, Kevin Kennon, reflects on his experiences surrounding the events of 9/11, particularly his involvement in the Ground Zero viewing platform and the subsequent World Trade Center competition. We discusses the emotional impact of architecture, the importance of community and collaboration in design, and the lessons learned from revitalizing Lower Manhattan. Kennon emphasizes the need for architects to articulate their vision and the role of travel in enhancing one's understanding of the built environment. He concludes with thoughts on the future of architecture and the importance of fostering a sense of hope and connection through design.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkennonarchitect/https://www.kdcaia.com/Chapters00:00 Ground Zero: A Catalyst for Change07:47 The Power of Architecture in Crisis15:05 Collaboration and Competition: Redesigning the World Trade Center23:55 Revitalization: Lessons from Lower Manhattan31:10 The Future of Architecture: Optimism and Collaboration

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• The Four Horsemen of Urban Decline

  Why do some cities thrive while others slide into decline? Alex Yuen and Libo Li break down the Four Horsemen of Urban Decline - which include the Disease of Me, Construction Constipation, High Capital Contrast, and Identity Crisis. From San Francisco’s stalled growth to Tokyo’s adaptability and New York’s relentless appetite for change, this conversation reveals the hidden dynamics that decide whether a city stagnates or reinvents itself. Clear, provocative, and grounded in real-world examples, it’s a framework for seeing your city with new eyes.Check out Alex's full article here:https://www.dusttodensity.com/p/the-four-horsemen-of-urban-declineSubscribe to Most Podern on:Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podernChapters00:00 Understanding the Four Horsemen of Urban Decline04:10 San Francisco: A Case Study of Urban Decline09:39 Mismanagement and Its Impact on Urban Environments12:29 Cities That Are Thriving: Lessons from Asia14:41 Empowering Citizens to Improve Their Cities18:29 The Role of Leadership in Urban Identity20:27 Applying the Framework Beyond Urban Areas21:41 The Dangers of Overbuilding: Lessons from China23:06 Recommendations for New Urban Leaders25:54 Optimism for the Future of Cities27:08 The Digital vs. Physical Urban Experience29:10 The Future of Urban Decline: A Historical PerspectiveKeywordsurban decline, Four Horsemen of Urban Decline, San Francisco urban crisis, why cities fail, construction delays, permitting reform, housing crisis, inequality in cities, capital contrast, city identity crisis, urban design podcast, built environment, urban development, architecture and cities, density and growth, future of cities, urban policy, city planning challenges, how to fix cities, urban renewal, Most Podern Podcast

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