MIT/CRE Meet the Visionaries

Epizode

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  Patient Capital, Location, and Resilience: Principles of Institutional Real Estate 07.07.2026 37min

  In this episode, Eric Plesman, President & CEO of Oxford Properties, challenges prevailing narratives on institutional real estate investing. We dig into whether permanent pension capital changes investment decisions, what separates trophy office from secular decline, and why patient capital makes you behave differently than investors operating on defined timelines.Join us as we discuss Oxford's key development criteria which include the ever-important location, demand durability, operational leverage, and ESG resilience. The conversation includes specific examples from Oxford's portfolio, including the recent acquisition of properties from CPP and the development of Hudson Yards, as well as perspectives on how factors like AI and geopolitical uncertainty affect real estate markets.Director: Denise DeLoreyInterview by: Cherry TangProduction by: Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  The Mid-Year Verdict: Where Should Capital Actually Belong in 2026? 03.06.2026 57min

  Mark G. Roberts, MSRED alumnus, Managing Director of Research at Crow Holdings Capital, and Director of Research at SMU's Folsom Institute, joins us to unpack his 2026 real estate outlook — and the conversation goes well beyond the report. We dig into why he's calling 2026 a "bifurcated" market and what that means for capital allocation. We pressure-test his 4.15 to 4.30 percent range on the 10-year Treasury against the fiscal deficit picture, talk through the 160 basis point gap between NCREIF valuation cap rates and transaction cap rates, and ask which market an LP should believe. Mark explains why the Sunbelt-versus-coastal debate is the wrong frame for 2026, why retail is his most enthusiastic call but institutional capital isn't following, and why industrial may no longer be one asset class. He also shares the market he's watching most closely, where his own team is most divided, and the research gap he thinks the industry will look back on in five years.Director: Denise DeLoreyInterview by: Michael KhamisProduction by: Michael Khamis / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  Resilience and Vision: A Developers Journey 18.05.2026 44min

  In this episode, MSRED student Cherry Tang sits down with MSRED alumnus Carlos Rosso, Founder & President of Rosso Development.Carlos Rosso shares his journey from Argentina to MIT to lead developer shaping Miami's skyline. After decades building across multiple continents and navigating the 2008 financial crisis at Related Group, he launched his independent firm and is still applying lessons from MIT to reimagine real estate development. Carlos discusses why Miami has become a global magnet for capital, talent, and innovation and shares his vision for Midtown Park; a transformational $2 billion mixed-use community designed as a "neighborhood within a neighborhood". He also explores innovative solutions like autonomous vehicles and offers candid advice for aspiring developers on resilience, long-term thinking, and creating lasting community value.Director: Denise DeLoreyInterview by: Cherry TangProduction by: Cherry Tang / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  Building for AI: Capital, Power, and Risk in Next-Generation Data Center Development 06.05.2026 40min

  In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, interviewer Monisha Nasa speaks with Hossein Fateh, founder and CEO of Cloud Capital and CloudHQ, about the future of digital infrastructure. Drawing on decades of experience in developing and operating data centers worldwide, Fateh discusses how the industry has evolved from cloud to AI, the differences between training and inference AI facilities, and the growing importance of power, location, and underwriting discipline. He also shares perspectives on global expansion, development risk, renewable energy, and the policy case of data centers as critical infrastructure.Director: Denise DeLoreyInterview by: Monisha NasaProduction by: Monisha Nasa / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  Investing through Real Estate Market Shifts 29.04.2026 40min

  In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, MIT Center for Real Estate students Ryan Othman and Jainil Shah sit down with David DesPrez, Partner on Bain Capital’s Special Situations team, to explore how one of the industry’s leading investors navigates real estate dislocation across debt and equity.David shares how Bain approaches capital solutions, distressed investing, and platform-based real estate strategies, while offering insights on today’s market dynamics across office, multifamily, industrial, hotels, and senior living. The conversation also dives into sourcing proprietary deals, assessing risk across cycles, and where opportunity may emerge next in commercial real estate.Director: Denise DeLoreyInterview by: Ryan Othman, Jainil ShahProduction by: Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  The Next Step: Real Estate Decision-Making in India’s Growing Hospitality Sector 18.03.2026 47min

  In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, Jainil Shah sits down with Nirupa Shankar, Joint Managing Director of Brigade Group, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, strategy, and building resilience in India’s real estate and hospitality markets.Drawing on her experience across consulting, hospitality, and development—as well as her discipline as an Ironman triathlete—Nirupa reflects on how these experiences shaped her approach to problem solving, discipline, and decision making.The conversation explores her transition into leadership within a legacy organization and the mindset shift required to move from analysis to ownership of outcomes. Nirupa shares how she navigated the post COVID revival of hospitality, the rise of flexible workspaces, and creating value with mixed use developments through a powerful “halo effect.”Looking forward, Nirupa discusses how innovation, technology, and sustainability are reshaping real estate, which inspired her to start Brigade REAP and the Earth Fund. A grounded and thoughtful dialogue on how endurance and adaptability play in global real estate.Director: Denise DeLoreyInterview by: Jainil ShahProduction by: Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  The Forces Reshaping Global Real Estate 25.02.2026 46min

  MSRED candidate Michael Khamis welcomes David Steinbach, Global Chief Investment Officer at Hines, to MIT’s Center for Real Estate for an in-person conversation. David made the trip from Houston to Cambridge to sit down with our students and share his perspective on the forces reshaping global real estate.With more than 25 years at Hines and oversight of a platform that has grown from roughly $10 billion to over $90 billion in assets under management, David offers a vantage point across cycles, geographies, and sectors. In this episode, we cover:·        Where we are in the global real estate cycle — and what makes this downturn and recovery fundamentally different·        How Hines is navigating the repricing of risk and a higher cost of capital environment·        The tension between deglobalization and global capital flows, and why local market knowledge has never mattered more·        Structural conviction in the living sector — from multifamily and build-to-rent to student housing and senior living — amid a deepening global housing shortfall·        How recent executive action on single-family rental acquisitions is reshaping BTR and SFR investment strategy·        The rise of powered land plays: why power availability and grid capacity are becoming the defining constraint for data centers and AI-driven infrastructure·        Lessons from working alongside the legendary Gerald Hines·        Advice for students and early-career professionals who aspire to lead at a strategic levelWhether you're an investor, developer, student, or anyone trying to make sense of where real estate goes from here, this conversation is essential listening.Director: Denise DeLoreyInterview by: Michael KhamisProduction by: Michael Khamis / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  Energizing and Decarbonizing Logistics at Global Scale 10.02.2026 26min

  In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, MIT/CRE student Monisha Nasa sits down with Susan Uthayakumar, Chief Energy and Sustainability Officer at Prologis, one of the world’s largest logistics real estate company. Susan shares her career journey leading to her role in global sustainability at Prologis.She outlines how Prologis is transforming logistics real estate through sustainable design, on‑site energy generation, fleet electrification, and data‑driven emissions management. Susan discusses the challenges and opportunities of decarbonizing Scope 3 emissions, the impact of AI-driven energy demand, and the company’s approach to microgrids, modular data centers, and emerging technologies like modular nuclear.Offering an optimistic view of the future, she emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven work. Susan encourages students and industry leaders to take risks, experiment boldly, and care deeply about the problems they choose to solve.Interview by:  Monisha Nasa / MSRED 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01ELearn more: https://www.prologis.com/about/our-story/leadership/susan-uthayakumar
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  Building Trust: Aligning Capital, Design, and Community 26.01.2026 33min

  In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, Jainil Shah sits down with Adam Gordon, Managing Partner at Wildflower, for a thoughtful conversation on real estate investing, design-led development, and building enduring platforms in complex urban environments.Adam shares how Wildflower approaches investment through a deep understanding of demand, long-term trends, and human behavior. The discussion explores how conviction is built over time, why small and intentional gestures matter in relationship-building, and how developers can create value by aligning capital, design, and community impact. Adam also reflects on leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, and what it takes to build trust across cycles.A candid and inspiring conversation for investors, operators, and students interested in how thoughtful development and principled leadership come together in practice.Interview by:  Jainil Shah / MSRED 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01ELearn more: https://www.wildflowerltd.com
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  Outlook 2026: Translating Insights into Strategy 07.01.2026 21min

  In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, Jainil Shah sits down with Sally Ann Flood, U.S. Real Estate Sector Leader at Deloitte, for a thoughtful conversation on navigating today’s real estate cycle with judgment and conviction.Drawing on her research and decades of experience across multiple market cycles, Sally Ann shares why the current moment represents a pause rather than a stop, how leaders should think about decision-making under uncertainty, and what separates firms that emerge stronger from those that stall. The discussion explores capital availability, the growing role of private credit, collaboration through joint ventures, and how data, experience, and long-term perspective come together in real-world decisions.A timely and grounded conversation for students, investors, and operators seeking clarity amid complexity. Interview by: Jainil Shah, MSRED Candidate 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01ELearn more: https://www.deloitte.com/
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  Lifting Cities: Design, Civic Partnership, and Social Impact 17.12.2025 49min

  In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, MSRED student Michael Khamis speaks with MaryAnne Gilmartin, Founder and CEO of MAG Partners, about what it means to build cities with conviction, purpose, and long-term vision. MaryAnne traces her path from public service in New York City’s economic development ecosystem to leading transformative real estate projects in the city, including the Barclays Center, the New York Times Building, and New York by Gehry. The conversation explores MaryAnne’s decision to launch MAG Partners, grounded in a belief that a development firm can be both principled and profitable. She discusses navigating capital formation through volatile cycles, the importance of patient capital, and why she continues to bet on New York City despite political and market headwinds. MaryAnne also offers a candid assessment of housing policy, public-sector collaboration, and what functional public–private partnerships require.MaryAnne reflects on MAG Partners’ mission-driven approach to development, including naming buildings after unsung women leaders and designing projects that prioritize beauty, sustainability, and community impact. As she states, “An urban developer can lift a city,” a sentiment that portrays both the responsibility and opportunity embedded in the profession.Interview by: Michael Khamis / MSRED 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Michael Khamis / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01ELearn more: https://magpartners.com
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  Healthcare Developments: Leading in a Complex Landscape 08.12.2025 33min

  In this episode, we meet with Chris Bilotto, Executive Vice President at The RMR Group, and President & CEO of both Diversified Healthcare Trust and Service Properties Trust. With leadership roles spanning healthcare real estate, hospitality, and a diverse portfolio of operating properties, Chris shares how he navigates the complexities of managing large, dynamic real estate platforms.From lessons in operational excellence to the evolving demands of healthcare assets and the future of service-oriented real estate, Chris offers insights shaped by decades of hands-on experience. He discusses RMR’s integrated approach, the importance of aligning operations with long-term value creation, and what it means to lead teams through thoughtful business practice.Whether you’re interested in REIT management, sector-specific challenges, or broader leadership wisdom, learn from an experienced executive driving strategy across multiple major real estate trusts.Interview by: Shagun Kalra MSRED Candidate 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Shagun Kalra / Lacey CochranMusic from ⁠⁠⁠#Uppbeat⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-...⁠⁠⁠License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  Rethinking Place & Space: Smart City Infrastructure, Innovation Economies, and Adaptive-Reuse Projects 24.11.2025 42min

  In this episode, host Michael Khamis, a student in the MIT Master of Science in Real Estate Development program, sits down with EvanRegan-Levine, Chief Strategy Officer at JBG SMITH (NYSE: JBGS)—one of the most influential real estate owners and developers in the Washington, D.C. region. Together, they explore how JBG SMITH is reshaping urban districts through data-driven strategy, digital infrastructure, and long-term placemaking. Evan shares insights into the transformation of National Landing—home to Amazon HQ2 and Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus—and discusses how the firm’s contrarian bets on adaptive reuse and smart-city infrastructure are positioning it for the next generation of mixed-use development. The conversation spans from strategy to execution, revealing how JBG SMITH blends technology, capital-markets insight, and long-term vision to create lasting value for its shareholders. Evan reflects on the evolution of National Landing into a connected innovation district and the lessons learned in building an ecosystem anchored by Amazon, Virginia Tech, and the Pentagon. He discusses the firm’s growing pipeline of adaptive-reuse projects—from Tysons Dulles Plaza to Bell Street—and how these efforts are redefining the urban fabric of the D.C. region. Along the way, Evan unpacks the importance of higher-education anchors in fueling innovation economies and shares how JBG SMITH balances visionary placemaking with the discipline of a public-company framework, from share buybacks to portfolio repositioning.Whether your interests lie in urban transformation, smart infrastructure, or the future of real-estate strategy, this episode displays how visionary leadership and disciplined execution intersect to shape the cities of tomorrow.Interview by: Michael Khamis / MSRED Candidate 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Michael Khamis / Lacey CochranMusic from ⁠⁠#Uppbeat⁠⁠:⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-...⁠⁠License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01ELearn more: https://www.jbgsmith.com
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  Old House, New Trick: Japan's Housing Market Reimagined with Education and Technology 17.11.2025 35min

  In this episode, Shotaro Fujisawa, founder of Yamori (ヤモリ), joins us to discuss how his Tokyo-based startup is reimagining Japan’s housing market.Founded in 2019, Yamori tackles Japan’s growing vacant-home crisis by acquiring and rehabilitating underused properties, turning them into affordable rentals for overlooked groups such as foreign workers, single-parent families, and young renters. Beyond renovation, the company builds digital tools for landlords, offers beginner-friendly real estate education, and integrates smart home technology to improve safety and accessibility for elderly tenants.In this conversation, Shotaro explains the economic and cultural forces driving Japan’s vacant-home problem and how Yamori’s data-driven, community-based model is restoring both housing supply and social trust. Yamori is leveraging a special purpose company (SPC) model, a form of public-private partnership with local municipalities, to finance its projects and deliver affordable housing at scale.Shotaro’s story captures the courage, ingenuity, and resilience it takes to build from the ground up—showing how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can transform communities and redefine what housing means in Japan.Interview by: Cherry Tang / MSRED Candidate 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Cherry Tang / Lacey CochranMusic from ⁠#Uppbeat⁠:⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-...⁠License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01ELearn more: https://www.yamori.co.jp
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  Real Estate's Tech Transformation: Strategy, Operations, Efficiency 06.11.2025 33min

  In this episode MSRED students Isabelle Turri and Cherry Tang sit down with David Blumenfeld, Co-Founder of NextRivet, to explore how technology and data-driven strategy are reshaping the real estate industry.From uncovering the true operational needs of Real Estate firms to crafting tailored tech solutions that enhance decision-making and efficiency, David shares how NextRivet’s consultative approach is redefining what it means to be a technology partner in real estate. The conversation dives into the intersection of business strategy, innovation, and the human side of digital transformation; revealing why understanding the why behind the problem is just as critical as building the solution.Interview by: Isabelle Turri and Cherry Tang / MSRED Candidates 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Cherry Tang / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-...License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  Blueprints & Ballgames: Designing Baseball's Iconic Venues 29.10.2025 44min

  In this episode, architect and urban planner Janet Marie Smith joins us to reflect on her career shaping some of baseball’s most beloved ballparks. Her work has redefined the role of sports venues as engines of urban vitality and cultural identity.At Oriole Park, Janet Marie helped pioneer the “retro” ballpark movement that reconnected stadiums with their urban surroundings. In Boston, she led the modernization of Fenway Park, balancing preservation with progress. Moving west to Dodger Stadium, Janet Marie honored a mid-century icon while creating a more vibrant, inclusive fan experience. “A great ballpark,” she notes, “isn’t sustained by architecture alone but by the energy it inspires.” Her challenge was to distinguish what made the stadium’s design timeless from what had simply become dated. The resulting updates, including the new Centerfield Plaza, created a lively fan experience that celebrates Los Angeles’ culture and diversity.Now through The Canopy Team, Janet Marie continues to champion community-driven development, showing that great ballparks, like great cities, are defined not by their structures but by the people who bring them to life.Interview by: Cherry Tang / MSRED Candidate 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Cherry Tang / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01ELearn more about The Canopy Team: https://canopyteam.com/
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  Talking Housing with Jay Parsons: Reading the Market in 2025 15.10.2025 42min

  In this episode of Meet the Visionaries, MSRED student Michael Khamis sits down with Jay Parsons, one of the industry’s renowned rental housing economists and strategists,  for a deep dive into the forces shaping housing and capital markets in 2025 and beyond. From the ripple effects of immigration policy on construction labor and project feasibility to the rent slowdown, shifting housing policy, and the limits of monetary easing, Jay unpacks the data and narratives driving today’s real estate economy. The conversation also explores the 2025–2026 supply peak, evolving migration patterns, and what REIT earnings can tell us about the road ahead for multifamily performance and valuation.Interview by: Michael Khamis / MSRED 2026Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Michael Khamis / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  (SEASON PREMIERE) Scaling Sustainability: Urban Transformation in India 08.09.2025 46min

  In this episode, we sit down with Aun Abdullah, Vice President of Lodha Group and head of the Environment and Sustainable Urbanization agenda at the Lodha Foundation. Aun leads the Net Zero Urban Accelerator, a partnership between Lodha and the RMI India Foundation, and his work spans every scale of the built environment—from ultra-efficient buildings to the design of Palava, a planned urban township built on the 5-10-15 neighborhood planning principle. Aun is shaping India’s national decarbonization and urbanization pathway. We explore the personal side of Aun’s journey: what first sparked his passion for climate-positive development, how he became involved in the creation of Palava, and the lessons it offers for cities worldwide. Along the way, Aun discusses how policy, industry practices, and market forces must evolve in sync to make efficiency and sustainability a defining principle of construction. With 100 million Indian households projected to enter homeownership in the coming decade, Aun situates Lodha Group’s work within the larger challenge of creating livable, economically viable, and low-carbon urban spaces.Interview by: Soala Ajienka / MSRED 2025Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction: Soala Ajienka / Lacey CochranMusic from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/dance-with-meLicense code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  Experiential Real Estate: Riding the Wave of Surf Park Development 16.06.2025 50min

  In this episode, we welcome the dynamic and inspiring Nicholas Edelman, CEO and Founder of surf park development company Aventuur. Aventuur is on a mission is to create exceptional surfing destinations and experiences that generate meaningful social and economic value. To do this, the company's secured the rights to the world’s leading wave-generating technology – the Wavegarden Cove – in markets across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji. They currently have three projects in active development.In our conversation, we dig deep into the business case for surf parks, including the unit economics, demand drivers, and secular trends that make it one of the hottest niches in commercial real estate right now. Nick also shares his personal journey - one filled with a love of sport, nature, and personal connection - and how he came to found Aventuur with a friend from graduate school and the backing of some heavy-hitting investors.Listeners will surely want to stay till the end to hear Nick provide an incredible anecdote about the early days of the company. From the beginning, though, this conversation is truly a masterclass in humble leadership, passion, and commercial real estate fundamentals.Interview by: Robby Mulcahy / MSRED Candidate 2025Director: Denise DeLoreyProduction by: Robby MulcahyMusic from ⁠⁠⁠#Uppbeat⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/track/mark-july/dance-with-me?rt=uc-referral⁠⁠License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01E
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  Tech Innovations – Investing in the Built Environment Transition 02.06.2025 38min

  In the final episode of season two, we meet with Gregory Dewerpe, the Founder and Partner of NOA (formerly A/O), Europe's leading venture capital firm pioneering the transformation of the real estate and construction industries. Driven by a critical mission to decarbonize the built world and enhance its sustainability, Gregory brings a visionary and investment-focused perspective to identifying and scaling the innovative technologies essential for this transition. Sam Jakshtis (current MSRED student) and Gregory discuss how NOA's strategic investments are not just funding companies, but actively shaping a more efficient, resilient, and healthier future for how we build, live, and interact with our physical environment.Interview by Sam Jakshtis | MSRED 2025Director:  Denise DeLoreyProduction by: Lacey CochranMusic from ⁠⁠#Uppbeat⁠⁠License code: KQAWWN4CWQXDF01Ehttps://cre.mit.edu/