Talk Design

An East Coast native who traded Connecticut winters for California’s sunny skies in his early twenties, Shawn has cultivated a deep love for Northern California and all that his community provides. Mastering the art of customer success in his previous career, he pivoted from luxury athletic clubs into the real estate realm in 2017 and never looked back.Serving the same discerning Bay Area clientele, Shawn has honed the keen ability to anticipate clients’ individual needs and identify the right course of action to achieve success. Driven by a strong desire to help others put down roots in the beloved community he calls home, his passion for real estate is palpable. It is evidenced in the way he thoughtfully guides clients through the home buying process, advocating every step of the way. An accomplished martial artist and published author, the motorcycle enthusiast loves riding up the coast, visiting museums, and hiking Bay Area trails on the weekends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gustavo Bernal received his Bachelor's in Animation and Visual Effects from Academy of Arts University, San Francisco. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Gustavo has strong roots in his Hispanic heritage and multicultural background. With several years of experience, he previously worked for prestigious advertising agencies and production companies in Venezuela and New York City, including Havas Health, The Vidal Partnership, Adrenalina, and Warner Brothers Television. He had edited projects with well-known celebrities and personalities such as Spike Lee, Quest Love, Thalia, Aurora, Moby, Gorillaz, KT Tunstall, Lilly Allen, actor Nestor Carbonel, musician Robin Thicke, restaurateur Danny Meyers, and Magic Johnson. Gustavo brings a unique vision as a filmmaker and creator to all the projects he works on, with his interests in storytelling, film editing, and visual effects. He has been actively involved with AIA Austin since 2019 and is the filmmaker behind WiA's Profiles interview video series. Furthermore, he has won numerous awards for his advertising and independent filmmaking work. His film Tiny Victories 2.0, A Tale of Empathy, has been screened at film festivals in Venice, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, Chicago, Dallas, London, and the Better Cities Film Festival—Detroit, where it won the Emerging Ideas Award. The short documentary was presented in the #Archtober AIA Queens, Architecture Short Films festival in NY, the Western Australian Museum - Boola Bardip in Melbourne.Gustavo has spoken about storytelling in architecture and film at the AIA Austin Design Excellence, Texas Society of Architecture, and AIA National Conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin 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. As a podcast guest, Kevin offers a deep understanding of architecture’s role in societal and environmental shifts. His unique perspectives on the future of cities, sustainability, and the intersection of culture and architecture make him a compelling and insightful speaker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexandra Chaves, Assoc. AIA, NOMA is a Project Manager at Restructure Studio where her organizational skills, professionalism and eye for detail allow her to excel. Venezuelan born, Alexandra initiated her Architecture studies in Caracas, Venezuela at Universidad Santa Maria. In 2002, she came to the US to complete her degree. She holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts majoring in Architecture and Masters in Architecture from SCAD. In 2006, She moved to NYC where she worked in different boutique Architectural firms dedicated to custom residential design. Alexandra finally moved to Austin in 2018 to be closer to family, and has found the working culture at Restructure Studio to be the perfect balance between being a working mom and daily work life tasks. She has been actively involved with AIA Austin since 2018. She is the founder and creator and chair of the ‘Profiles’ interview video series subcommittee for Women in Architecture (WiA) Austin which started in 2021. In 2023 she was awarded the AIA Austin President's Award for the promotion of Austin Architecture through outstanding documentary filmmaking and in 2024 was the recipient of the AIA Austin Honors Award | Associate Member of the year. She is the current Women in Architecture Chair-Elect for Austin 2024. Moving forward, she plans to pursue licensure in Texas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.