Introducing a new project, Building Hope
A podcast about projects of possibility
Is environmental hope a luxury? Or a necessity?
I’ve wondered this countless times in my years in the environmental movement. As an architecture professor for the past five years, I’ve been struck by something.
Young people sometimes struggle to maintain environmental optimism in the face of the interlinked crises of climate action and social justice. And yet, architecture students have no inhibition to envision a more beautiful future. Their projects soar beyond the status quo. Their optimism is infectious and inspiring.
The Building Hope podcast features the visionary work of students and graduates of the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation. Their innovative, practical projects stem from radical imagination. The podcast and website feature recent graduates in conversation on topics such as climate resilience, low-carbon materials, food justice, housing equity, biophilic design, and community collaboration.
Community is everything
Though envisioned by individuals, none of these projects are meant to be implemented by individuals. They can only succeed through the sort of messy, organic, fertile collaboration that is done in community. Building partnerships of diverse viewpoints is a painstaking process and these young people are up for the challenge. We’d love for you to join our community. Be inspired by their creativity.
What to expect
Look for short weekly updates about our interviews, emerging themes and production progress, that may well spill over into Big Life Questions, career advice, Spotify playlists, podcast picks, food obsessions, pet videos, and other treats.
Speaking of collaboration, meet our production team:
Gabriella Feinberg, studio coordinator, technical director, audio engineer and editor, is a sophomore who co-produced a video for the Smithsonian, “Voices & Votes,” during the pandemic shutdown.
Julie Gabrielli, creative director, is a Clinical Associate Professor, recovering architect and fiction writer in awe of nature’s design brilliance. Here’s her blog, Thriving on the Threshold and Instagram.
Maisha Islam, graphic design, is a graduate Architecture student pursuing a dual-degree with Community Planning.
Rona Kobell, editor, is a seasoned environmental journalist and co-founder of the Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative.
Vicenza Perla, research assistant, is a graduate Architecture student in her final semester, working on her own master's thesis project.
Hannah Zozobrado, assistant producer, is a junior Journalism major with extensive print, radio, video, podcast, and social media experience. On Instagram.
If you like what you see, please share widely.
This project is supported by a Faculty-Student Research Award from the Graduate School, University of Maryland, as well as grants from the University’s Sustainability Fund and the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation.