Talk Design

Phillip Johnson is one of Australia’s most innovative landscape designers, recognised as a sustainable landscape pioneer in the residential and commercial sectors.Phillip leads one of the most awarded firms in the landscaping industry, known for its use of indigenous and native plants, water management and the re-creation of thriving habitats.In 2013 Phillip represented Australia at the world’s most prestigious horticultural event – the Chelsea International Flower Show in its milestone 100th year — and was crowned the first Australian in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s 152-year history to win the coveted Best In Show award.

Mercedes is a US Navy Veteran of 10 years where she served as a SEABEE in the Naval Construction force. She was deployed 3 times to the pacific while being stationed in Ventura California and Naples Italy. After the military she continued to explore alternative building options looking to address homes that could be healthy, accessible, and minimal environmental impact. Mercedes currently works for SIREWALL USA, helping to consult on Rammed Earth Buildings, while starting CIEL CONSTRUCT this past year to focus on building with Rammed Earth in Austin Tx. 

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. 

At the age of 7, horse mad Andrea Rapke Knowles, was told by her father that if she stopped sucking her thumb he would buy her a pony. At the advice of a family friend with a beautiful barn on her property, a pony was chosen (a Welsh Cob terror name Gee Whiz), boarded with the friends and their training began. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Loma Alta, owned and run by Penny Wahler in Santa Cruz, California, and her first Warmblood was purchased to begin Children’s Hunters / Equitation and a taste of horse shows. In 1989, they moved to G & G Stables in Los Angeles, CA with Rob Gage and Cyndi Grossman at LAEC. Quite a few amazing and life-changing horses took them around the state and beyond on the show circuit. Rob and Cyndi were amazing trainers and friends, as were the incredible assistant trainers, including Richard Spooner. Sadly, school took over and Andrea was then educated in Lugano, Switzerland and London, England, graduating with a double major in Art History and English Literature. Feeling passionately about the art business brought her to positions at Sotheby's, Christie's and Guggenheim, Asher, a NY & LA based art consultancy. Additionally, she received corporate training at WME & CAA in Los Angeles. Her love of art and design began in childhood where, at a young age, she was already attending auctions and picking fabrics and furnishings for her family's homes. This life-long interest led her to her first professional residential renovation in 2009, the creation of her own firm and the building of a business focused on true collaborations, a knowledge of the newest trends in design/build and a holistic and discrete approach to every venture. Now, she is bringing stable life back into the fold with work on Equine Residences throughout the US and abroad. She is involved in a multitude of charitable foundations focused on homelessness, animal care and rescue and childhood illness. She resides with her husband and two Jack Russell Terriers in Beverly Hills, California.