Talk Design

In 2017 Simon, together with Bernard Salt, co-founded The Demographics Group. The group provides specialist advice on demographic, consumer and social trends for business.Simon has presented to corporate, government and industry groups across Australia on demographic trends, consumer insights and cultural change in Australia. His presentations and quirky observations are enjoyed by audiences from the financial services, property, government, education, technology, retail and professional services industries, among others.Simon is a columnist for The New Daily newspaper and is a contributor to The Australian newspaper.  He is a prolific media commentator on demographic and data matters.Simon has amassed 700,000 global followers on social media and reaches over 35 million people every month.  He ranks as one of the world’s Top 10 influencers in data visualisation. Simon holds degrees in geography from leading universities in Berlin and Melbourne and worked for 4 years as a consultant with KPMG Australia.

This episode brings together a diverse group of architects and designers, each with a unique niche and expertise. From heritage architecture and landscape integration in New York to early childhood education design in New Jersey, historical renovations in Pittsburgh, and evidence-based architecture in California, our guests share their insights and experiences. We also explore contemporary hillside homes in Phoenix, master planning for aging-in-place in Fairfield County, and dream home designs in Chicago. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on how architecture shapes communities, adapts to life changes, and meets modern challenges.

Todd Polke is an international educator and trainer in investing and wealth creation.In addition to the 20 years of experience as a professional investor, he has worked with thousands of investors to grow and scale their personal wealth helping them to create more freedom, choices and sovereignty for themselves and their families.

Mike Roberts, a Louisiana native and successful real estate investor with a deep passion for horses and a competitive spirit. Driven by an insatiable hunger to learn and grow, Mike created ‘The Converse Cowboy’ platform as a way to connect with incredible people from all walks of life, gaining insights he can apply to his own journey.While stepping into the spotlight and being on camera doesn’t come naturally to Mike, he embraces the challenge, knowing that growth often lies just outside of his comfort zone. His curiosity, authenticity, and determination to improve make him not just a great podcast host, but a student of life, eager to share the lessons he uncovers along the way.

Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, is an owner and design principal of Olson Kundig. Kundig has received some of the world’s highest design honors, including a National Design Award in Architecture from the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, an Academy Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and an election to the National Academy as an Academician in Architecture. Most recently, Kundig was awarded the AIA Seattle Medal of Honor as well as a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Washington. Known for his contextual approach to design, Kundig emphasizes the primacy of the site. His buildings are a direct response to place, often serving as a backdrop to the built, cultural or natural landscapes that surround them. Tom’s current projects include homes across North America, Asia, Europe and New Zealand; adaptive reuse projects for a host of different functions; and hospitality projects in the United States, Austria, China, Costa Rica, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea and more.

Brandon Jorgensen is a native Californian with a design practice based in Napa California. A third-generation Californian, born and raised in the bay area, his family came here in the 30’s migrating from Denmark to work on the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge. Having served in the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division he went on to study architecture and received his Bachelor and master’s in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.He has worked with Toyo Ito on the Berkeley Art Museum, Studied with Tadao Ando, and spent several years honing his skills as a young man at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. He started his own studio in 2011 where he and his small team are currently working on projects in Greece, Hawaii, Los Angeles, and all throughout wine country with a focus on residential and hospitality.