Tea With Taz

ASU wanted to tear down the historic Emerson House for "open space". The preservation community rallied together and saved the building from demolition. Hear all about this preservation victory in this interview with the chair of Preserve PHX, Erin Lindsey.

Architect and professor Kate Dudzik-Smith, an expert on trauma informed design, tells us how designing for the needs of the human body is central to all design considerations especially when dealing with vulnerable populations like the homeless and even those pioneers who go up in space. This conversation is for everyone because trauma-informed design is just good, thoughtful, and universal design that benefits all people, regardless of status, background, and whether you have plans to go to outer space.

Historic Preservation advocate and Developer Ashley Harder is running to be the councilperson for District 4 in Phoenix. She tells us about her vision for our city. She believes that historic preservation and affordable housing are not at odds but in fact can make sense together. She wants to see equitable development along the light rail lines and wants to strengthen our public transportation options like Bus Rapid Transit. Find out what else she is advocating for in her bid for Phoenix City Council.

Phoenix-based Interior Designer Maegan Blau tells us about accessible design from her perspective as a wheelchair user. She tells us what's missing in the American with Disabilities Act and how the accessibility law needs to keep evolving to address more real-life situations. She explains the difference between accessible design on paper versus accessibility in real life.

No Festival Required does it again! Executive Director Steve Weiss is showing three architecture films sure to take our breath away at this year's Architectural Film Showcase. The first film will be shown on Thursday April 16, 2026 at the 7pm at the Third Street Theater. It's called "Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans and Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture" and features artisans responsible for the gorgeous and intricate buildings of New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana. The second is called "Remembering the Future with Herb Greene" and highlights the work of the legendary and groundbreaking organic architect Herb Greene. This film will be shown on Saturday April 18, 2026 at 7pm at the The Pavilion at Taliesen West. The final film of the Showcase, "Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace", will show stunning movie palaces of yesteryear and many that still live on. Appropriately, it's showing at our own historic movie palace, The Orpheum Theater on April 21, 2026 at 7pm. Tickets for all showings are available at www.nofestivalrequired.com!