Gene Sandoval’s story is one of vision, resilience, and impact. Born in the Philippines, Gene grew up immersed in the world of craft and creation, watching shipbuilders shape vessels from simple materials in his family’s shipyard. By the time he was a teenager, his artistic instincts and fascination with form had already drawn him to architecture. At just 18, Gene left behind the comforts of home, arriving in the US to study at the University of Oregon. There, he transitioned from mastering the visual language of design to learning how to think critically, communicate ideas, and push boundaries.

In 1989, Gene joined ZGF (Zimmer Gunsul Frasca) in Portland at a time when jobs were scarce and AutoCAD was just being introduced. He started by doing everything from assembling drawing boards to working 100 plus hour weeks on competitions, absorbing the firm’s culture and contributing to its rise. Within a decade, he’d become a principal. By 37, Gene was named partner, one of the first people of color and immigrants to hold that title at the firm, breaking new ground not just in architecture, but in representation.

Gene’s projects span from early additions to the Portland International Airport to designing world class facilities for Nike. But his most powerful work is also deeply personal. In a beautifully full circle moment, Gene helped lead the design of the new PDX terminal, a space that reimagines the immigrant’s first step into America. Built with regional mass timber, the terminal is not only a feat of engineering and sustainability, it is a symbol of ingenuity, equity, and community resilience. His ten year journey on the project included bringing together rural suppliers, an emerging fabrication company (Timberlab), and a cross disciplinary team that delivered one of the most iconic airport spaces in North America.

This episode traces Gene’s remarkable career, from drawing on notebook pages as a boy in Manila to shaping some of the Pacific Northwest’s most ambitious projects. It is a celebration of craft, collaboration, and the immigrant spirit that continues to shape architecture in North America.

Curated Podcast Sponsors:

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The Doors: https://thedoors4u.com/

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To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@waldenhomes.ca

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Olly Bray is the founder of OB Architecture, an award-winning practice with studios in Winchester, London, and Chamonix. On this episode, Olly traces the personal and professional path that shaped his architectural journey, from childhood drawings in his grandfather’s Munich studio to launching a firm now designing homes and multi-unit developments across the UK and the French Alps.

Olly shares how an early familial nudge toward architecture eventually became his calling, and how formative experiences at the University of Bath and TU Delft sparked a lifelong commitment to balancing structure with creativity. We dive into his practice’s evolution, from a solo operation launched out of his living room to a cross-border firm driven by design quality, contextual sensitivity, and clear client communication.

He reflects candidly on the business of architecture, the realities of hiring, scaling, and financial pressure, building a values-led culture, and learning to explain architectural value without architectural jargon. We explore OB’s dual focus on high-end private homes and complex urban residential developments, including their growing role in shaping city housing landscapes through planning-savvy, design-forward solutions.

Now based in Chamonix, Olly discusses the decision to build a mountain-focused arm of the firm called OB Mountain and what it’s like to launch anew, professionally and personally, as a designer, partner, and parent.

This conversation is a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it means to build a practice with integrity, curiosity, and ambition and how reinvention can be both a professional necessity and a personal gift.

Curated Podcast Sponsors:

Berman Stairs: https://bermanstairs.com/

Caplan's Appliances: https://caplans.ca/

The Doors: https://thedoors4u.com/

To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@waldenhomes.ca

Behind the Build on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_build_podcast

Sacha Lee is the founder and principal architect of Aeon Design, a Toronto based architecture and interiors studio focused on thoughtful, high performing residential and boutique commercial spaces. She grew up near Tillsonburg, Ontario, where a mix of farm work, construction site visits with her master builder grandfather, and an entrepreneurial family culture helped shape her early interest in architecture.

Sacha studied at the University of Waterloo, where she stood out as one of the few students entering with CAD experience. Through the school’s co-op program, she gained practical training across North America and abroad. After graduating, she worked at several leading Toronto firms, including Diamond Schmitt Architects, GPAIA, and Audax Architecture. At Audax in particular, she honed her skills in custom homes, luxury interiors, and hospitality design. These experiences deeply influenced her approach to flow, function, and atmosphere.

In 2018, shortly after becoming licensed and while managing life with two young children and a partner commuting weekly to New York, Sacha launched Aeon Design. What began with a single nursery project quickly grew by word of mouth. Today, Aeon handles full scale renovations, new builds, and interiors, with Sacha overseeing every project directly. Her studio now includes a team of salaried designers and operations staff, and runs with the same thoughtful balance she brings to her design work.

Sacha’s story is one of steady ambition, creative clarity, and a belief that the best design outcomes come from strong, trust based relationships.

Curated Podcast Sponsors:

Caplan's Appliances: https://caplans.ca/

The Doors: https://thedoors4u.com/

Aquanta Pools: https://aquanta.ca/

To connect with our sponsors, email me: jonathan@waldenhomes.ca

Behind the Build on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_build_podcast