Skip to Main Content
Advertisement
Advertisement

Powered by Walden Homes, Behind The Build delves into the lives and works of those shaping the world of bespoke homes

Behind The Build is a new podcast powered by Walden Homes and hosted by the company’s chief of project development, Jonathan Jacobs. Empowered by a desire to unravel the human side of the design business, Jacobs says the podcast’s aim is to “Showcase dialogue with designers in residential construction and foster a shared space to reflect on the artistry and intricacies of their work.” From space-making structures to innovative techniques, the podcast explores the process of bringing ideas to life. In each episode, architects and designers offer a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs within the industry plus insight into their own personal journeys.

“In the conversations we often have with designers and architects about their work, we gain an understanding of their process yet often miss out on truly knowing who they are and their journey,” says Jacobs. “That’s why we’ve aimed to create an environment where we can sit down and explore the initial inspirations behind someone’s design practice and really delve into what led them to pursue it.”

Jonathan Jacobs - Behind the Build podcast
Jonathan Jacobs - Behind the Build podcast

Jonathan Jacobs, Walden Homes chief of project development and host of Behind The Build.

For the podcast’s inaugural episode, SMPL Design Studio founder and principal Joel Tanner shared his passion for continued learning—and in its latest episode, BDP Quadrangle‘s Les Klein chats everything from his most notable achievements in architecture to our civic responsibilities as Torontonians.

“This podcast is making waves in the industry, not just with potential clients as listeners but fellow designers as listeners – wondering how each firm does things a bit differently,” says Tanner. “It’s an education for all of us.” Joel Tanner Founder & Principal, SMPL Design Studio
Mixer
Mixer

Behind The Build is available to stream on SpotifyApple PodcastsYouTube and Amazon Music.

The podcast proves a space where both the design industry and design curious can learn more about how our homes, communities and city at large are being shaped by the creatives tasked with building.

While Behind The Build has, so far, focused on the Toronto and Greater Toronto Area, weekly posts on its Instagram page will soon preview the national and international talent joining the show’s guest list—with plans to expand its regional context by fall of this year. With a blend of informative discussions and inspiring narratives, Behind The Build serves as a valuable resource for professionals and enthusiasts alike, celebrating the artistry and ingenuity behind where we live.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Okay, but it clearly is

For the first 16 years of my life, the bat cave at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)—a reconstruction of an actual cave in Jamaica—was among my favourite places in the city. The cave was decorated with cast stalactites and wax bat models, which hung from the ceiling and threw jagged shadows on the walls. A few other features imbued it with spooky verisimilitude: the drip-drip-drip sound effects, the mirrors arranged to create the illusion of infinite depth, the strobe lights strategically placed to make the shadows flutter. When I visited as a five-year-old, the bat cave scared me. When I visited as a stoned fifteen-year-old, it scared me even more. Then came the renovation.

Advertisement

Newsletter

Your Weekly Dose of Modern Design

Sign up for the Designlines weekly newsletter to keep up with the latest design news, trends and inspiring projects from across Toronto. Join our community and never miss a beat!

Please fill out your email address.

The Magazine

Get the Latest Issue

From a sprawling family home in Oakville to a coastal-inspired retreat north of the city, we present spaces created by architects and interior designers that redefine the contemporary.

Designlines 2024 Issue