Kaitlin Hannig - Real Estate for the disillusioned
https://www.larchitect.org/ https://www.instagram.com/realtorkaitlin What Architects Can Learn from a Real Estate Agent's Viral Social Media Strategy In this episode of The Landscape Architecture Podcast, host Michael Todoran interviews Salt Lake City real estate agent and Instagram personality Kaitlin Hannig, whose darkly funny “asshole home tours” have gained a massive following by breaking all the conventional marketing rules. This conversation is especially relevant for architects, landscape architects, and interior designers who are navigating how to present themselves online. Caitlin shares how she built a loyal audience not by showcasing perfection, but by leaning into flawed, human, and refreshingly honest content. We explore: Why traditional marketing tropes fall flat in today’s digital culture How to create content that speaks to your audience instead of about yourself The power of humor, vulnerability, and storytelling in professional branding Why beauty alone doesn’t engage—and what does How design professionals can stand out in a sea of aesthetic sameness Whether you run a small studio or work in a large firm, this episode will challenge how you think about digital presence, authenticity, and the kind of content that actually drives trust and engagement.
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58:06
Elisa Read Pappaterra
https://www.studiopappaterra.com/ Today’s episode feels especially timely with a heavy heart. As fires in the Palisades area of Los Angeles continue to devastate communities and landscapes, we are reminded of the growing urgency to design with resilience and sustainability at the forefront. Our guest today is Elisa Read Pappaterra, a landscape architect and founder of studio pappaterra. Elisa is renowned for her expertise in fire ecology and her dedication to designing landscapes that not only harmonize with the natural world but also mitigate the risks of living in fire-prone areas. Her work is as vital as it is inspiring, offering solutions that preserve life, property, and biodiversity. This conversation was recorded in Santa Barbara on October 5, 2024, following Elisa’s keynote speech at San Marcos Growers’ final event, “The Last Dance: A Celebration of 45 Years of Horticultural Legacy.” Elisa shares her insights on the importance of understanding a site’s cultural and ecological “soul,” as well as her approach to creating firewise, ecologically sound, and artistically inspired landscapes. This episode is a reminder that how we design our landscapes today will shape the safety and resilience of tomorrow. Whether you’re a designer, an advocate, or simply someone invested in the future of our environment, this is an important and compelling episode.
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51:21
Shawn Maestretti
https://www.larchitect.org/ https://hapsagency.com/ Shawn Maestretti's work at Studio Petrichor https://studio-petrichor.com/ resonates deeply with the metaphor of the first rain experience that stirs something intrinsic in humans. The smell of the first rain, defined as "petrichor," evokes a sense of renewal, calm, and connection to nature. This sensory reaction is rooted in our survival instincts; rain signals life, growth, and sustenance. Throughout history, humans have been tied to the land and water. The arrival of rain often meant the end of drought, the rebirth of crops, and the revival of ecosystems. Thus, the first rain isn’t just a sensory pleasure—it’s a symbol of hope and balance, ensuring survival by replenishing resources vital for life. This same ethos drives Shawn’s work at Studio Petrichor. His approach to landscape architecture, particularly as discussed in the podcast with Jason Wan https://www.hunterindustries.com/, reflects the harmony between human intuition and the natural world. Just as the first rain revives the earth, Shawn’s designs aim to restore balance and sustainability to landscapes. By integrating water-smart technologies like rainwater harvesting and smart irrigation systems, Shawn helps create self-sustaining environments that support native ecosystems while conserving vital resources. What stands out to me in this podcast episode is its immersive, almost voyeuristic quality, driven by the reliance on the video component available on LAP's YouTube channel. This layered experience invites listeners to engage their imagination, much like reading a book that leaves room for personal interpretation of its visual elements. Whether you choose to dive into the full video or simply listen, the episode offers a rich narrative that allows your mind to fill in the sensory details, making it a versatile and enjoyable experience in either format.
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19:47
Robert Andrade 3
https://www.larchitect.org/ https://www.bciburke.com/ Interested in typologies of the built environment - the artist and landscape designer explores the values and meaning embedded in structures and symbols using industrial materials and construction methods evocative of the urban space along with various landscapes. His artwork examines the relationship between humanity and the natural world, reflecting on how we intervene in the environment, imposing order and artifice, and how time will mark itself on the urban fabric. Andrade’s open-ended practice includes the use of a variety of mediums, ranging from drawing, photography, digital fabrication to sound, and are shown in various formats, including installations, public interventions and collaborations. He is of Mexican-American heritage and is originally from National City, California.
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56:21
Cliff Garten
this episode sponsored by: https://www.bciburke.com/ Cliff Garten Cliff Garten is an internationally recognized sculptor and founder of Cliff Garten Studio in Venice, California. By connecting people to places and infrastructure through sculptural material, social history and ecology, Garten's work locates the latent potential in every public place and situation to become more than the specific functions it appears to perform. Sculpture and landscape, function and form, like public and private experiences are never distinct, but exchange places throughout the day. Sculpture defines our interaction and movement by creating energy between things, generating interest in public activity, reframing our private lives and creating a sense of place within public and private realms. Garten received a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Master of Landscape Architecture with Distinction from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to explore the hidden stories, innovations, and ideas that shape the landscapes around us. Through in-depth conversations with designers, planners, and visionaries, we delve into the art, science, and impact of landscape architecture. Each episode seeks to uncover how the spaces we design reflect our values, influence our lives, and transform our world.
With curiosity and nuance, we aim to make the invisible elements of landscape architecture visible—connecting listeners to the environments they move through every day and fostering a deeper appreciation for the intersection of nature, design, and human experience.
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