Tangible Remnants

Building Dreams: The LOVE Building Project Journey

Episode 3 of the Building Reuse is Climate Action, a Tangible Remnants limited series sponsored by Quinn Evans, is all about the LOVE Building in Detroit. From the owner's side Nakita is joined by Kwaku Osei - current Executive Director of the LOVE Building, and Jeannette Lee - Founder and former director of the LOVE Building. From the Quinn Evans design team Nakita is joined by Saundra Little, Principal and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion who served as the lead architect of the project. Through intentional design and community engagement, the LOVE Building has become a model for accessibility and collaboration. In this conversation, we explore the power of adaptive reuse, the importance of community benefits agreements, and the role of radical philanthropy in making transformative projects possible. If you've ever wondered how a building can become a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment, then this episode is for you. Links:LOVE Building website LOVE Building Before and after photos Quinn Evans Historic Tax Credit Guide Project one pager How Collaboration Shapes Adaptive Reuse Projects Tangible Remnants on InstagramTangible Remnants WebsiteLinkedTr.ee for resourcesEarn CEUs for listening to this podcastSignup for Ask Me Anything w/ Nakita ReedGabl Media NetworkSarah Gilberg's MusicBio: Saundra Little, FAIA, LEED APSaundra is an award-winning architect and advocate for the revitalization of the urban realm, particularly in the city of Detroit. Her acclaimed portfolio includes complex renovations and the adaptive use of aging properties; she is known for developing creative and transformative solutions that optimize the long-term economic value of properties while respecting the unique architectural heritage of local neighborhoods and for incorporating community feedback into her designs.Kwaku OseiKwaku Osei is the Executive Director of The LOVE Building, a hub for social justice & creative community in Detroit. He was most recently the Co-Founder & CEO of Farmacy Food, a preventative healthcare startup focused on making health and wellness radically accessible and affordable. He is also the Chairman of Cooperative Capital, a community-based private equity fund that enables residents to pool their money together to make promising investments within their community. He was previously an Executive Associate at Rock Ventures where he worked on special projects with Dan Gilbert and served as CEO to Project X LLC (Now, Sift), a $1MM+ tech spinout of Rock Ventures. Prior to Rock Ventures he was at Deloitte Consulting in DC, where he focused on technology, business process reengineering, strategic change and communications for various clients.Honing his entrepreneurial spirit, Kwaku has started 8 businesses since he was 14; he earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Honor's College, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with University Honors. He currently serves on the boards of: The Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit, Fair Food Network, The Detroit Community Wealth Fund, Detroit Afrikan Music Institute, and Bridging Communities, Inc. Kwaku's interests include economic mobility, board & card games, chess, reading (fiction & non-fiction), meditation, and novelty adventures outdoors.Jeanette LeeJeanette has facilitated the growth and flourishing of community media, art, and technology for social justice over the past two decades. She was the executive director of Allied Media Projects in Detroit for 12 years. She led the development of the LOVE Building and served as it's founding director until 2024. **Some of the links above maybe Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.**

The Walter French Project: A Tale of Transformation

Episode 2 of the Building Reuse is Climate Action, a Tangible Remnants limited series sponsored by Quinn Evans, is all about the transformation of the Walter French Academy in Lansing, MI. From the owner's side Nakita is joined by the current Executive Director of Capital Area Housing Partnership, Emma Henry, as well as the former Executive Director of Capital Area Housing Partnership, Rawley Van Fossen, who is now the Director of Economic Development and Planning for the City of Lansing. From the Quinn Evans design team Nakita is joined by Ann Dilcher, Principal and lead architect of the project, and Jaclyn Peterson Melfi, project architect who have been instrumental in transforming this once vacant historic building.From navigating financial hurdles to engaging with the community, if you've ever wondered what it takes to breathe new life into a long-abandoned building this episode is for you. Our guests share their experiences and discuss how a shared vision with a dedicated team can transform not just a building, but an entire community. Links:Walter French Before and after photos Capital Area Housing Partnership The Residences at Walter French Walter French and Capital Area Housing Partnership | Michigan Business Quinn Evans Guide: Navigating Historic Tax CreditsTangible Remnants on InstagramTangible Remnants WebsiteLinkedTr.ee for resourcesEarn CEUs for listening to this podcastSignup for Ask Me Anything w/ Nakita ReedGabl Media NetworkSarah Gilberg's MusicBios: Ann Dilcher, AIA, LEED APAnn focuses on community-building projects such as libraries, museums, and art centers. Her work often centers around adaptive reuse or renovation of existing buildings, usually historic buildings valued by the community. She is known for her ability to communicate with large groups of diverse stakeholders and create inclusive design solutions. Ann’s attention to detail and coordination of expertise provided by specialty consultants exercise her mature understanding of technically demanding projects.Jaclyn Peterson Melfi, AIA, LEED APJaclyn breathes new life into old buildings, particularly for residential uses. She believes that all spaces matter and works with clients to create modern, functional, and comfortable spaces within existing structures. Jaclyn brings a problem-solving mindset and is willing to iterate design solutions until the right one is found. Her holistic approach to design encompasses both the big picture and the details that make it come to life.Emma HenryAfter serving on the CAHP Board of Directors for 2 years, Emma was eager to further support the organization’s mission by becoming a staff member in 2017. Her years as a Team Leader at the City of East Lansing cultivated this desire to support and develop the local community. Experience in the private real estate sector helped to develop an understanding of the needs in the community where she has been a lifelong resident. As Executive Director, Emma is focused on program design, affordable housing development, organizational growth and strategic partnership building with the goal of utilizing CAHP’s strengths and skills to better the communities they serve.Rawley Van FossenRawley is a dedicated public servant in the Lansing area. His journey in community development and public service began at Michigan State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations & Policy. After graduating, he worked for the Ingham County Land Bank as the Property Disposition & Community Relations Manager. Rawley’s commitment to public service continued as he served as a legislative aide for the Michigan House. His involvement with the Capital Area Housing Partnership started in 2014. Under his leadership, CAHP has made significant contributions to the community by investing over $100 million across mid-Michigan. In 2023, he joined Mayor Andy Schor’s as the City of Lansing’s Director of Economic Development & Planning. Rawley oversees Community Development, Building Safety, Code Enforcement, Financial Empowerment, Planning & Zoning and Parking Services.**Some of the links above maybe Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.**

Reviving Legacy: The Marie Reed Community Learning Center Story

Episode 1 of the Building Reuse is Climate Action, a Tangible Remnants limited series sponsored by Quinn Evans, is all about the Marie Reed Community Learning Center in Washington DC. This was a 150,0000 square foot renovation of a 1978 building. During this episode Nakita is joined by her Quinn Evans colleague, Tracy Hucul, who served as one of the project architects on the job and Katie Lungren who was the principal of the school during the renovation and through the end of the 2025 school year.There are many gems throughout this episode - particularly around community engagement, designing for security between mixed uses, and ways to commemorate a site's legacy. Links:Quinn Evans websiteMarie Reed Community Learning Center - Washington, DC - Learning DesignMarie Reed website Before and after photos Preserving Communities Through Building Reuse Join Tangible Remnants NewsletterTangible Remnants on InstagramTangible Remnants WebsiteLinkedTr.ee for resourcesEarn CEUs for listening to this podcastSignup for Ask Me Anything w/ Nakita ReedGabl Media NetworkSarah Gilberg's MusicBios:Tracy Hucul brings experience on a broad range of institutional projects. In the past several years, she has focused on educational projects for both K-12 and institutions of higher learning. Tracy’s organizational skills and experience in the design and construction processes enable her ability to multi-task and transition between projects effectively. While providing construction administration services, she has been instrumental in ensuring design intent and quality are achieved during the building process.Katie Lundgren served as the principal of Marie Reed Elementary School from 2014-2025. Marie Reed Elementary is a Title 1 Public School in Washington, DC serving ~ 470 students in both Dual Language (Spanish/English) and English Language Programs. Katie began her career as a third grade teacher in New Orleans, LA, before relocating to Washington, DC in 2004. She then led year-round after-school enrichment programs for public school middle school students at the Higher Achievement Program, first as a Center Director and later as the Regional Director of Operations. She obtained her Masters of School Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2009 and joined DC Public Schools that year as an Assistant Principal. In 2013, she was selected by DCPS senior leaders as 1 of 11 aspiring principals to serve in the inaugural cohort of a rigorous 18-month principal preparation program that included courses at Georgetown Business School and with faculty from Harvard Graduate School of Education, as well as principal residencies at 3 schools. From 2015-2017, she led the Marie Reed school community through a $61.5 million comprehensive building renovation in collaboration with Quinn Evans Architects, DCPS, and Department of General Services. Throughout the project, Katie spearheaded robust community engagement, including input from current, past, and future students, families, and neighbors. Marie Reed is a LEED Gold certified building and received the selective US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award in 2024.**Some of the links above maybe Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.**

Introducing the Building Reuse is Climate Action limited series

Have you ever wondered how reusing buildings can make a real difference for our climate? In this limited series, Building Reuse is Climate Action, sponsored by Quinn Evans, we’ll break down the strategies, stories, and real-world examples of how reimagining old buildings helps us build a more sustainable future. The four projects that will be featured include:The Marie Reed Community Learning Center in Washington DCWalter French in Lansing, MIThe LOVE Building in Detroit, MIThe Packing House in Cambridge, MDLinks:Quinn Evans websiteTangible Remnants on InstagramTangible Remnants WebsiteTangible Remnants NewsletterLinkedTr.ee for resourcesEarn CEUs for listening to this podcastSignup for Ask Me Anything w/ Nakita ReedGabl Media NetworkSarah Gilberg's Music**Some of the links above maybe Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.**

Preserving Together w/ Carol Quillen

This week I’m joined by Carol Quillen, President & CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Carol became the 10th president in 2024 and brings a fresh perspective from her career in academia, including over a decade as president of Davidson College.Together we explore how preservation is not about saying “no” to change, but about creating opportunities, building community connections, and shaping a more sustainable future. Carol shares her journey, clears up common misconceptions, and highlights how preservation can spark economic growth, civic engagement, and even climate resilience.We also talk about the power of adaptive reuse, storytelling, and local partnerships—from rural towns to urban neighborhoods—that make preservation a catalyst for inclusion and resilience.✨ If you’re curious about how the past can fuel stronger communities and a brighter future, this episode is for you!Links:11 Most endangered list: America's Most Endangered Historic Places | National Trust for Historic PreservationPreserving Black Churches: https://savingplaces.org/black-churches Action Fund: African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund | National Trust for Historic PreservationHOPE Crew: HOPE Crew | National Trust for Historic PreservationNTHP Main Street program: Main Street America :: HomeRepurpose Capital: RePurpose CapitalNTCIC: NTCIC | National Trust Community Investment CorporationWoodlawn Mansion: Woodlawn Historic Overview — Woodlawn & Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey HouseTED Talk the dangers of a single story : Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story | TED TalkNTHP Grants Programs webpage: https://savingplaces.org/grantsNTHP Action Center: https://savingplaces.org/action-centerTangible Remnants on InstagramTangible Remnants WebsiteLinkedTr.ee for resourcesEarn CEUs for listening to this podcastSignup for Ask Me Anything w/ Nakita ReedGabl Media NetworkSarah Gilberg's MusicBio: Carol Quillen is the 10th President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and joined the National Trust in January 2024.Carol brings to the National Trust a deep appreciation of history, and a distinguished career leading academic institutions. Prior to the National Trust, she served as the 18th president of Davidson College (2011-2022).Nationally, Carol is a founding member of the American Talent Initiative (ATI), a consortium that aims to graduate annually 50,000 additional low- and moderate-income students from the nation’s top colleges and universities.Among other roles, she co-chaired, with General Robert Caslen, the NCAA’s Commission to Combat Campus Sexual Violence and she served on President Obama’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans. She has spoken at numerous venues, including the Aspen Ideas Festival, edX Global Forum, and the Milken Global Conference. She has served on the boards of the Kinkaid School (Houston, Texas), American Council on Education (Washington, D.C.), the Levine Museum of the New South (Charlotte, North Carolina), and Credential Engine, a national organization that enables “credential transparency” in the post-secondary educational sector. In 2019, Princeton awarded Carol the James Madison medal, given in recognition of an alumnus/a’s distinguished career advancing the cause of graduate education or record of outstanding public service. She has received numerous academic awards, and earned fellowships from the Mellon Foundation, the Whiting Foundation, the Fulbright Foundation and Villa I Tatti, Harvard’s Center for Renaissance Studies in Florence, Italy. Carol is the author of two books and many articles. Her writings have appeared in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Huffington Post, The Hechinger Report, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Carol earned a B.A. in American history from the University of Chicago, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with special and general honors, and a Ph.D. in European history from Princeton University. She then joined the History Department at Rice University, serving there on the faculty, as the founding director of the Boniuk Center and as a vice provost and vice president before she was named president of Davidson.**Some of the links above maybe Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you.** Mentioned in this episode:UnstructEmerging