Economics Explored

Smarter Density: A Blueprint for Better Cities w/ top US architect Kevin Kennon

Kevin Kennon · May 2, 2025

Entrepreneur · Wellness · Leadershipin

Interview with Kevin Kennon

Smarter Density: A Blueprint for Better Cities w/ top US architect Kevin Kennon

Podcast: Economics Explored

May 2, 2025 · 56 min

Listen

Smarter Density: A Blueprint for Better Cities w/ top US architect Kevin Kennon

0:00 / --:--

Economics Explored

GO TO APPLE PODCASTS →

Key topicsGood Bones — Why the Best Return Is in the Building Already StandingKevin Kennon has spent 40 years putting buildings up and taking old ones apart, including the conversion of the American Express Building in Tribeca and the rebuild of Macy's Herald Square. Most developers price a site as if the structure on it were a cost to clear, when the frame, floors and shell are often the most valuable thing in the deal. He walks through how he reads an existing building for what it can carry, where reuse beats new construction on cost and timeline, and where it does not. Listeners leave able to look at an older property and tell whether the return sits in the land or in what is already standing.Own Worst Client — Why the Best Projects Start When You Stop Taking CommissionsAfter 40 years taking commissions from other people, Kevin Kennon founded Beyond Zero DDC and became the client he used to work for. He argues that the work practitioners are proudest of only happens when they carry the risk themselves, and that waiting to be hired quietly caps what a firm can ever build. He covers what changed once he was raising the money, picking the sites and answering to investors: slower decisions, harder trade-offs, and far fewer compromises written into someone else's brief. Listeners leave with a clear view of what a practice gives up by staying on the commission model, and what it takes to fund a first project of their own.How to Build Zero-Carbon Where There Is No Power GridKevin Kennon builds at zero carbon on sites with no power line, no water main and no road, as founder of Beyond Zero DDC and after 40 years on projects as large as the 1.5 million square foot Barclays North American headquarters. A remote site removes the usual escape route: there is no grid to buy clean power from, so the building has to make and store its own. He explains what that forces, from off-grid generation and local materials to the trade-offs between what gets shipped in and what gets built on site. Listeners leave knowing which of those choices transfer to ordinary projects on the grid, and which only work when there is nowhere to plug in.View all topics →

About Kevin Kennon

Award-Winning Architect and Sustainable Design Visionary

40+ Years of architectural practice40+ Design awards20+ Iconic buildings1.5M sq ft Barclays North American Headquarters

Kevin Kennon is an internationally renowned architect with more than 40 years of experience designing landmark cultural, commercial, and hospitality projects around the world. Known for combining design ambition with deep human insight, he brings a humanity-first philosophy to architecture — creating spaces that do more than impress visually; they shape how people feel, connect, recover, and remember an experience.

As Founder and CEO of Beyond Zero DDC Inc., Kevin is leading the development of a new model of luxury hospitality: zero-carbon wilderness resorts designed around intimacy, wellbeing, adventure, and safety. Rather than treating sustainability as a marketing layer, Kevin approaches it as a natural consequence of building responsibly in remote environments — while placing the guest experience at the center of every design decision.

His portfolio includes the 1.5 million square foot Barclays North American Headquarters, the Rodin Museum in Seoul, multiple award-winning Bloomingdale’s stores, and leadership of United Architects, a finalist in the World Trade Center design competition. His work has been featured in the permanent collection of MoMA, New York, and he has received more than 40 international design awards.

Kevin’s expertise spans architecture, adaptive reuse, urban development, hospitality design, and high-level real estate advisory.

Featured onApple Featured onSpotify Featured onYouTube Featured onAmazon

View profile →

About this episode

Kevin Kennon, an award-winning architect, discusses the future of cities, housing affordability, and the role of architecture in urban life. He emphasizes the importance of smarter density, mixed-use developments, and integrating residential, commercial, and community spaces. Kennon highlights the impact of tariffs on housing costs and the need for free trade. He also discusses the benefits of prefabricated components over modular housing and the role of urban transport in housing affordability. Kennon advocates for architects to have a greater role in shaping public policy to improve livability and economic vitality in cities.

Please let Gene know your thoughts on Trump’s tariffs and any questions or comments regarding this episode by emailing Gene at contact@economicsexplored.com.

About Kevin KennonKevin Kennon is an internationally renowned architect with over 40 years of experience, specializing in environmentally sustainable and innovative design. As the founder and CEO of Beyond Zero DDC Inc., Kevin leads the development of zero-carbon emission luxury eco-resorts in remote wilderness locations worldwide, merging design excellence with ecological responsibility. His extensive portfolio includes projects like the 1.5 million square foot Barclays North American Headquarters, the Rodin Museum in Seoul, and multiple award-winning Bloomingdale’s stores. Additionally, he led United Architects, a finalist in the prestigious World Trade Center design competition, further solidifying his impact on architectural innovation.

Kevin’s expertise spans adaptive reuse, urban planning, and large-scale developments, with projects featured in the permanent collection of MoMA, New York. He has earned over 40 international design awards and is a sought-after thought leader, contributing to discussions on urban development, climate change, and sustainable architecture. His work extends beyond architecture; as an expert witness and lecturer at leading institutions like Yale and Columbia, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to his craft.

TimestampsIntroduction (0:00)Kevin Kennon's Journey into Architecture (2:53)Economic Considerations in Architecture (7:13)Impact of Tariffs on Housing Affordability (11:22)Challenges in Housing Development (15:53)NIMBY Issues and Urban Development (18:19)Principles of Better Urban Design (21:00)Social Housing and Public Investment (33:01)Role of Urban Transport in Housing Development (38:05)Modular Housing and Productivity (44:12)TakeawaysSmarter Density is Key: Cities should move away from rigid zoning that separates residential and commercial spaces, instead creating mixed-use developments that blend different functions and create more vibrant, integrated neighborhoods.Architecture is About Imagining the Future: Architects are not just solving spatial problems, but are critical thinkers who can help design more livable, affordable, and sustainable urban environments that address complex social and economic challenges.Economic Considerations Drive Urban Design: Real estate development is deeply influenced by economic factors like tariffs, interest rates, and investment strategies, which significantly impact housing affordability and urban development.User Control Enhances Productivity: Workplace design should focus on giving people greater control over their environment, including temperature, lighting, and space configuration, which can improve overall productivity and satisfaction.Modular Housing Has Limitations: While prefabricated housing components show promise for reducing construction costs, they are not a magic bullet for housing affordability. Successful solutions require a holistic approach considering local conditions, transportation, and community needs.Links relevant to the conversationKevin’s Wikipedia entry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Kennon

Economics Explored episode w/ Natalie Rayment, YIMBY QLD on the Missing Middle in housing:

https://economics-explained.simplecast.com/episodes/missing-middle-housing-other-urban-planning-issues

Lumo Coffee promotion10% of Lumo Coffee’s Seriously Healthy Organic Coffee.

Website: https://www.lumocoffee.com/10EXPLORED

Promo code: 10EXPLORED

Full transcripts are available a few days after the episode is first published at www.economicsexplored.com.

Guest: Kevin Kennon