Episodes

7 days ago
7 days ago
In this insightful episode, Brandon Carmichael and James Adams explore two films selected by their senior producer, Adam Fly, focusing on themes of architecture, emotion, and societal reflections. Dive into the contrasting yet intriguing worlds of "Equals" (2015) and "The Great Beauty" (2013), and discover how architecture subtly enhances their storytelling.
Join this engaging conversation that blends thoughtful cinematic critique with architectural insights, prompting viewers to reflect on how the spaces we inhabit influence and shape our experiences.
00:00 Introduction to Episode and Film Selection
01:53 Overview of "Equals" and "The Great Beauty"
03:46 Architecture and Rome in "The Great Beauty"
12:09 Cinematic Techniques in "The Great Beauty"
16:12 Emotional Suppression and Minimalism in "Equals"
22:16 Architectural Significance in "Equals"
27:32 Comparing Emotion and Architecture in Both Films
33:25 Maximalist vs. Minimalist Architectural Trends
42:44 Preservation and Timelessness in Architecture
49:30 Authenticity, Human Connection, and Conclusion
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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Thursday Mar 27, 2025
TheSquare Ep #105 · Adaptive Reuse
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of adaptive reuse with James Adams. Learn how existing buildings like ancient warehouses and mid-century offices are converted into modern apartments, office spaces, and more. Understand the distinctions among renovations, repositioning, and adaptive reuse, and explore case studies like the 2401 Cedar Springs project, the John Deere warehouse, and more. Discover the design challenges, the importance of sustainability, and the intricate value of preserving historic structures while adapting them for contemporary use.
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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Email: communications@corgan.com

Thursday Mar 13, 2025
TheSquare Ep #104 · Designing a Legacy: Steve Hulsey
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
In this episode of TheSquare, we visit Keeley Elementary in Garland ISD for a special conversation with Steve Hulsey, recently retired President from Corgan. Steve reflects on his 35-year career, sharing how he first got into architecture and how his journey led him to designing educational spaces. Keeley Elementary holds a unique place in his heart—it was the first school project he worked on from start to finish.
As we walk through the school, Steve recounts the design process, the inspirations behind key architectural elements, and the challenges he faced along the way. We also explore how schools serve as the heart of a community, shaping generations of students and families.
Beyond architecture, Steve discusses his approach to leadership, mentorship, and the importance of being involved in one's community. Plus, he shares what’s next in retirement—including a surprising new passion for music!
Join us for a fascinating discussion about architecture, education, and the lasting impact of thoughtful design.
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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#Architecture #Education #Community #SchoolDesign #TheSquare #Corgan

Thursday Feb 27, 2025
TheSquare Ep #103 · Architecture and Film: The Brutalist
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
In this special episode of TheSquare, we continue our series exploring the intersection of architecture and film. We dive into The Brutalist, a three-hour cinematic odyssey that captures the power, tension, and artistry of design. With our first-ever guest in the Architecture & Film segment, Barak Epstein of the historic Texas Theatre, we discuss what makes this film a compelling portrait of an architect’s vision, ambition, and struggle.
🚪 Is the American Dream real or a myth?
🏗️ How does architecture shape identity and legacy?
🎞️ What role does film play in shaping our perception of design?
From its unique VistaVision cinematography to its controversial use of AI, we discuss the film’s masterful storytelling, its portrayal of architecture as both personal and political, and its lasting impact on design culture. Plus, we dissect the real-world inspiration behind the fictional architect Laszlo Toth and his journey to create a monumental work of Brutalist architecture.
Whether you're a designer, architect, cinephile, or all of the above, this episode offers insight into how The Brutalist elevates architecture as a narrative force.
🔊 Tune in and join the conversation!

Thursday Dec 19, 2024
TheSquare Ep #102 · Architecture And Film: Holiday Movies
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
This week on The Square, we’re back with our annual tradition: unpacking two iconic films through a design lens. What do "Die Hard" and "It’s a Wonderful Life" have in common? At first glance, maybe not much—one’s a high-octane action flick, the other a sentimental holiday classic. But dive deeper with us, and you’ll find surprising parallels in their themes, characters, and even architectural settings.
Join Brandon Carmichael and James Adams as they explore how these two films reflect their eras, from the suburban dreams of Bedford Falls to the towering corporate ambitions of Nakatomi Plaza. We’ll discuss how architecture plays a role in storytelling, the emotional impact of design, and the subtle messages about community, sacrifice, and redemption.
Plus, we settle the ultimate debate: Is "Die Hard" really a Christmas movie? (Spoiler: Yippee-ki-yay, yes it is.)
Whether you're here for the design insights, the holiday spirit, or just a little Bruce Willis and Jimmy Stewart love, this episode has it all. 🎄🏢
Happy Holidays from TheSquare!
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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Thursday Dec 05, 2024
TheSquare Ep #101 · Unmesh Kelkar | Urban Planning
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Award-winning architect and designer Umesh Kelkar, Project Designer II in the Aviation Studio, spills on his Summer Design Competition-winning project, "Deep Rooted Ellum." Intended to revitalize the district in the Southeast Dalla neighborhood, Unmesh's vision for a vibrant mixed-use development on the Southeast side of Dallas garnered critical acclaim from the Urban Land Institute and AIA Dallas as well as the Texas Society of Architects and won the FW Land Award.
Long known for its deep roots in Dallas and contributing to the urban fabric as the center of art, music, history, and culture, this mixed-use plan draws upon jazz music and blues, creating a vibrant, connected environment focused on vitality, richness, and cultural flourishes. His aviation and public spaces background informs his project, which the City of Dallas embraced.
Influenced by Jane Jacobs, the renowned writer American-Canadian journalist, author, theorist, and activist who influenced urban studies, sociology, and economics. Her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961) argued that "urban renewal" and "slum clearance" did not respect the needs of city dwellers. Profoundly influential in changing the built environment, she coined the terms "mixed primary uses" and "eyes on the street" and remains one of the most influential thinkers and leaders of 21st-century urban architecture. Don't miss this riveting episode of The Square as Unmesh shares his inspiration and design processes. Be sure to include your thumbs up and comments below.
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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Thursday Nov 14, 2024
TheSquare Ep #100 · Our 100th Episode!
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
In this special 100th episode of The Square, the MediaLab sits down in a tell-all discussion about its humble beginnings and transformation into a state-of-the-art broadcast production studio.
Tune in as John Higgs, Brandon Carmichael, Luke Boney, Adam Flaa, and former Creative Director Jeff Hoferer banter about the incredible evolution over the past 30 years.
You won't want to miss the foibles and successes, technological advances, and innovative solutions this humorous and talented team of creative storytellers have invented to grow MediaLab into what it is today.
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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Thursday Oct 31, 2024
TheSquare Ep #99 · Unmesh Kelkar | Explore
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
In this episode, Unmesh Kelkar, a project designer in Corgan’s Aviation Studio, takes us through New York, Berlin, Paris, and Barcelona to explore some of the most visited and iconic privately owned public spaces (POPS) in the world. Funded through Corgan’s Explore program, which encourages architects and designers to travel to destinations of their choice and immerse themselves in the study of architectural and interior design subjects, Unmesh was selected to be the 2020 recipient of this prestigious award.
Unmesh discusses his enlightening and entertaining findings, comparing the history, culture, and human behavior that influence the design of public spaces. He says, “As designers, our smallest moves can positively impact the urban environment.” Join us on this fascinating discovery of people and places and how public spaces ─ from parks and plazas to open-air markets and pedestrian walkways ─ improve our urban fabric and bind us together.
Unmesh’s Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/e43W9S55syI?si=a8H7GsV8gBrHU1HO
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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Thursday Oct 17, 2024
TheSquare Ep #98 · Designing for the Future of Water: Solutions
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
Thursday Oct 17, 2024
The news is full of stories about global warming, climate change, and water and food scarcity, but what can we do to curtail the alarming statistics?
In this fourth episode of our series on water conservation, we dive into some of the innovative solutions to these ever-growing problems—from adaptive water reuse, vertical farming, and building smart cities and buildings to changing consumer behavior and harnessing space-age technologies.
Join us as Varun Kohli and Samantha Flores from Corgan once again team up with Aaron Tartakovsky, founder & CEO of Epic Cleantec, to discuss what we can do collectively as a society, and more specifically as architects and designers, to address the issues facing our most precious natural resource.
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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Thursday Oct 03, 2024
TheSquare Ep #97 · Designing for the Future of Water: Cities and Regions
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Rising sea water, sinking cities, and extreme weather events are causing water shortages in our cities and regions. In this third part of our series examining water conservation, Varun Kohli and Samantha Flores join Arron Aaron Tartakovsky, named a 2023 World Economic Forum Top Innovator, to explore solutions to these global conditions.
Tune in as we examine how cities worldwide—like Singapore, Israel, and Spain—are using advanced water recycling technologies and harnessing nature to overhaul their urban infrastructures, replenish basins, and increase water resiliency. Join us for this in-depth look at how communities are adopting policies to improve their water supply and reduce water scarcity and why the U.S. is lagging far behind.
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Video Produced by: Corgan
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