In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Cheryl Durst, EVP and CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), to explore the future of interior design and IIDA’s central role in shaping it. Recorded ahead of NeoCon and Design Days in Chicago, the conversation highlights IIDA’s initiatives, including Revel in Design, the Design Your World program aimed at diversifying the profession, and the Certified Design Futurist program helping firms become more strategic in an evolving marketplace.

Cheryl also discusses the impact of AI on the design profession, the importance of place in a post-pandemic world, and IIDA’s efforts to secure Chicago’s designation of “Design Week.” With trademark insight and passion, Cheryl shares how designers can navigate industry change while keeping people, place, and purpose at the core.

• Design Your World
• Certified Design Futurist (CDF) program
• Chicago's official "Design Week" proclamation

Have you ever considered how hotels can incorporate adaptive design elements to proactively meet their guests’ needs? Listen to this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read mini-episode in which we revisit an article titled, "Adaptive Furnishings and Fixtures Deliver Fully Inclusive Hotels," written by Evelyn Long and published on the i+s website on April 8, 2025. You'll learn:

• Why inclusive design is becoming a business imperative
• How to enhance accessibility in common areas
• How to go beyond ADA in creating thoughtful guestroom features
• Why proactive and empathetic hospitality is so important
• How to future proof through inclusive design principles

In this edition of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen delivers a wide-angle view of the current architecture, design, and construction landscape in 2025. Drawing from recent reports and economic indicators—including the AIA Billings Index, Sherwin-Williams' Construction Insights survey, and research from firms like Gensler, Perkins&Will, and Corgan—this episode unpacks the forces reshaping the built environment.

We explore the lingering impact of economic uncertainty, new tariffs, and supply chain delays, as well as emerging opportunities in wellness real estate, experience-driven placemaking, and carbon transparency. Plus, you'll learn how new tools like mass timber carbon calculators and healthier materials lists are helping design teams make smarter, more sustainable choices.

Topics Covered:

• What’s driving delays and cautious investment in construction and architecture
• How wellness and experiential design are commanding premium value
• Why carbon benchmarking and healthier material standards are becoming essential
• The Gen Z effect on urban design and multifamily development

Whether you’re navigating tough market conditions or planning your next project with performance and impact in mind, this episode is packed with insights to help you lead with purpose and resilience.

Show Notes:

• Associated Builders & Contractors Monthly Construction Economic Survey Shows Tariff Impacts Emerge
• AIA Architecture Billings Downward Trajectory Continues
• Sherwin-Williams Finds 9 in 10 Construction Pros Face Costly Delays
• Corgan Unveils CO2e Emissions Calculator for Mass Timber
• The Rise of the Experiential Economy | US – Cushman & Wakefield
• Uncovering Growth: Wellness Real Estate Across the Market – Gensler
• Perkins&Will Releases Advanced Guidance on Material Health and Embodied Carbon