Convo By Design®

The conversation delves into the post-pandemic realization that true creative collaboration requires proximity, prompting the studio to downsize and focus on a deeply integrated "many hats" workflow. The team also explores the changing landscape of home design—from navigating massive post-pandemic cost multipliers and evolving spaces like "mission control" kitchens, to pushing back against Texas's "bigger is better" mentality in favor of highly detailed, character-rich spaces. Finally, they cover the critical role of manufacturer partnerships in keeping pace with rapid product innovations, regional environmental codes, and a growing client demand for technological simplicity.

This conversation with Bernd Radaschitz is a masterclass in how heritage craft evolves without losing its soul. Born into a fourth-generation cabinetmaking family in Austria, Radaschitz bridges the rare gap between hands-on craftsmanship and executive leadership. His journey—from apprenticeship to building an international business spanning London and New York—offers a blueprint for scaling authenticity.

As geopolitical shifts and supply chain crises redefine the global economy, bespoke rug makers and interior designers are finding new ways to maintain craftsmanship and client trust.

This conversation with Ayub Ansari explores how California Design Living, a four-generation family business, is adapting to unprecedented challenges. From the sudden impact of 50% import tariffs to soaring air freight costs and labor shifts in India, the episode delves into the delicate balance between maintaining centuries-old artisanal traditions and surviving a volatile modern market.

Economic Volatility & Tariffs: Recent years have seen dramatic shifts in import policies, including sudden 50% tariffs that have forced companies to move from fixed pricing to more transparent, range-based quotes for clients.

The High Cost of Logistics: Supply chain disruptions and fuel surcharges have ballooned shipping costs, with some air freight quotes nearly doubling overnight.

Preserving Artisanal Heritage: The industry faces a long-term challenge in attracting younger generations to master intricate techniques like Persian knotting, which can take over a year to learn.

Evolution of the Showroom: High-end brands are moving toward “experience centers,” much like luxury car galleries, to focus on the touch-and-feel aspect of bespoke products in an increasingly digital world.

Strategic Collaboration: Designers are encouraged to utilize trade programs and consolidated shipping to mitigate rising costs through volume and long-term vendor relationships.

Applicable Elements:

California Design Living: Explore the bespoke, made-to-order collections discussed in the episode.

The Art of Hand-Notting: A deeper look into the intricate processes and heritage of handmade rugs.

Global Trade & Tariffs: Contextual information on the trade policies impacting international manufacturing.

Sustainable Interior Design: Resources for designers navigating the intersection of luxury and sustainable practices.

In an un-siloed world where public spaces face evolving threats, Kirk Rose and Sergio Lechuga detail how intentional design, community trust, and “invisible layers” protect people without building prisons. This is only a part of what makes HMC Architects a people-focused firm and one built for the future. he Convo By Design Icon Registry is presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home.

In this follow-up conversation, I attempt to anchor a deep dive into the changing nature of safety and security in architectural design. Kirk Rose (Healthcare Practice Leader at HMC Architects) and Sergio Lechuga (Director of Interior Design at HMC Architects).

The dialogue builds upon a previous conversation to explore how architects, acting as true futurists who design structures to last 75 to 150 years must proactively engineer spaces for unthinkable modern threats. From emergency room protocols to K-12 campus layouts and civic centers, Kirk and Sergio break down how rigid, intrusive security (like airport-style metal detectors) can erode human experience and mental well-being. Instead, they champion an approach of subtle, “porous” architectural layers and operational human protocols. The trio bridges these heavy commercial insights with residential realities, concluding that real safety relies heavily on human awareness, technological adaptation, and the ultimate luxury: a connected community. And this is just partly why the entire HMC Architects firm are inductees for the month of August, 2026 in Convo By Design Icon Registry presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home.

Architects as Futurists vs. Designers: Josh establishes that while interior designers typically plan for 5-to-25-year cycles (allowing for aesthetic refreshes), architects must project safety, utility, and durability 100+ years into the future.

The Psychology of Security: Walking through metal detectors or staring through barred windows drastically alters a child’s or a patient’s state of mind. Sergio explains how HMC organizes K-12 buildings to act as a natural perimeter courtyard, eliminating the need for aggressive fencing while maintaining clear sightlines and controlled points of access.

The Fallibility of the Metal Detector: Kirk highlights a counterintuitive healthcare trend: many public hospitals are actively removing physical metal detectors. Because weapons can be bypassed or thrown over gates, facilities rely instead on roving security, trained staff, and strict internal “back-of-house” zoning accessible only by keycard.

The “Aleatory Space” & Community Trust: Drawing on an architectural concept of un-owned public property (aleatory space), the guests argue that the true front line of residential security isn’t just an automated floodlight or a ring camera—it is genuine rapport and old-fashioned communication between neighbors.

High-Tech Human Interventions: Kirk shares sophisticated backend systems used in modern maternal wards, such as infrared infant abduction systems paired with “delayed egress” alarms. These systems demonstrate that effective security is always a blend of automated tech and rapid human operational protocol.

Security as the New Ultimate Luxury: Pre-pandemic design focused heavily on air, water, and sound quality. Today, Josh and the guests observe a market evolution where invisible, seamless security infrastructure has officially shifted from an afterthought to a core luxury expectation.

Featured Architecture Firm: Learn more about regional planning, K-12 innovations, and evidence-based environment modeling at HMC Architects.

In a design landscape increasingly defined by shifting economics and digital replication, designer and entrepreneur Kyle Bunting is rewriting the playbook on brand longevity. Sitting down with podcast host Josh Cooperman, Bunting shared how a service-first philosophy and a dramatic expansion of materiality have transformed his company from a niche luxury hide specialist into a diversified design empire.