A Love Letter to Chicago

Episode 21 of The Green Route with MAREDI Design is here! Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or click here.

For this second milestone episode, we’re coming to you live from the Chicago Build Expo media lounge once again, where we sit down with Carla Bruni, architectural preservation and resiliency specialist. Carla has spent nearly two decades preserving and sharing the stories behind the historic buildings that give our communities identity and character. She also teaches graduate students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and is an author of a new book, Chicago Homes: A Portrait of the City’s Everyday Architecture.

In this conversation, we delve into the vital role of preservation in architecture, how protecting our built heritage connects us to history, shapes cultural identity, and keeps the unique spirit of our cities alive. Carla shares how preserving old buildings is also one of the most impactful ways to practice sustainability, minimizing environmental impact, conserving resources, and revitalizing neighborhoods for future generations.

We discuss how the architecture we save today can educate, foster belonging, and bring communities together. Carla highlights the growing excitement among younger generations for preservation, and how their energy and advocacy are creating momentum to honor the past while building a resilient, sustainable future.

Tune in as we explore how history, sustainability, and community intersect, and how embracing preservation can drive positive change for people and the planet.

And after you listen, don’t forget to leave a review and let us know what you think, or share any takeaways that you have. If there are other topics around sustainability that you would like us to explore in future episodes, we would love to hear from you!

See you down the Green Route 😊