Los Angeles has long been a playground for designers, artists, and makers seeking uncharted creative territory. As the city’s design community grows and attention turns outward, is L.A.’s legendary openness under threat—or evolving into something new? Mallery Roberts Morgan, Roman Alonzo of Commune and Architectural Digest’s Mayor Rus weigh in on what makes California a singular hub for creative freedom.

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Hosted by, Mallory Roberts Morgan during the 2014 edition of DIEM: Design Intersects Everything Made, this conversation explores how geography, culture, and market forces shape the freedom to innovate in Los Angeles. Panelists examine the challenges of rising rents, collector dynamics, and global influence, questioning whether L.A. can remain a unique epicenter for creative experimentation.

Another throwback episode featuring a conversation from DIEM, a symposium celebrating creativity across design, art, and fashion in the West Hollywood Design District

Panel theme: California as the last frontier of creative freedom

Roman Alonzo: Co-founder of Commune; background in publishing and art books; brought European attention to L.A. design through innovative projects

Mayer Rus: West Coast editor of Architectural Digest; former design editor at the L.A. Times Magazine; New York transplant and renowned design writer

Roman describes L.A. as the “Wild West” of design, where experimentation and making your own rules are possible

Mayer contrasts L.A. with New York, noting L.A.’s openness allows hybrid, multi-disciplinary practices

Discussion of how media attention has shaped perceptions of L.A. as a creative hub

Geography and Opportunity

Physical openness, including ocean and desert vistas, provides inspiration and creative possibility

Regional lifestyle shapes design sensibilities and project approaches

Commune’s method: designing projects rooted in California context, even when serving clients elsewhere

Market Forces, Cultural Institutions & Civic Identity

Galleries and museums influence how L.A.’s art and design are perceived

Debate over LACMA redesign highlights tensions between international star architects and supporting local talent

Maintaining civic pride and global attention without homogenizing local culture

Regional Style vs. Global Homogenization

Tension between California-specific aesthetics and universal luxury trends

Commune demonstrates that place-inspired design can thrive despite market pressures

Emphasis on fostering local cultural identity in architecture and interiors

Focus on embracing L.A.’s unique advantages, including geography, climate, and openness

Panelists encourage creators to engage deeply with their local environment

Final note: “Just look at your own stuff, your own life, and make something great out of it.”

Are you ready to join me in Santa Monica, for the WestEdge Design Fair, This is year 10 for me, producing, and publishing content from the show. You know my commitment to you: we bring together the brightest, most provocative creative minds to talk about the business and practice of design in ways you simply will not hear anywhere else.

While prison architecture is often associated with "locking people up," modern justice design is pivoting toward rehabilitation, reintegration, and community connection. This episode explores how shifting the physical environment from fortresses to "healing centers" can reduce stress for both inmates and staff, ultimately lowering recidivism rates and serving the best interests of society.

Ultimately, artificial intelligence is merely a sharper medium, not a substitute for architectural intellect. The true value of a prestige design firm does not lie in its ability to generate a thousand rapid iterations at the click of a button. It rests entirely on the seasoned, human intuition required to look at a mountain of digital options, draw a definitive line, and choose the singular, beautiful, and permanent truth.

In this special episode timed for the anniversary of September 11th, I sit down with architect Paul Murdoch to explore the profound responsibility of designing a national place of remembrance. Murdoch's firm was selected from more than 1,100 international entries to create the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania—a 2,200-acre site honoring the 40 passengers and crew members who fought back against highjackers on 9/11.

The conversation delves into the post-pandemic realization that true creative collaboration requires proximity, prompting the studio to downsize and focus on a deeply integrated "many hats" workflow. The team also explores the changing landscape of home design—from navigating massive post-pandemic cost multipliers and evolving spaces like "mission control" kitchens, to pushing back against Texas's "bigger is better" mentality in favor of highly detailed, character-rich spaces. Finally, they cover the critical role of manufacturer partnerships in keeping pace with rapid product innovations, regional environmental codes, and a growing client demand for technological simplicity.

In this episode, host Josh sits down with Nureed Saeed, the owner and creative director of Nu Interiors. Nureed shares her unique journey from a high-stakes career in the fashion industry to becoming a leader in the "design for wellness" movement. She discusses how her background in retail and corporate fashion informs her approach to interior design, the importance of psychological safety in the home, and why the future of the industry lies in personalized, human-centric spaces.

This conversation with Bernd Radaschitz is a masterclass in how heritage craft evolves without losing its soul. Born into a fourth-generation cabinetmaking family in Austria, Radaschitz bridges the rare gap between hands-on craftsmanship and executive leadership. His journey—from apprenticeship to building an international business spanning London and New York—offers a blueprint for scaling authenticity.