Taz Kharti

Episode 20: Interview with Historian Lydia Otero about the Erasure of Hispanic Parts of Tucson, Arizona

June 13th, 2024  |  57 mins 9 secs

architecture, historic district

Who's history matters and who's history is told and from who's perspective? Historian and activist Lydia Otero sheds light on the untold costs of Urban Renewal in Tucson and how the Mexican built-environment that evolved over generations was destroyed in favor of more "civilized" and "attractive" city center that would bolster Tucson's tourism industry and investment in the city.

Episode 19: A Wheelchair User gives her Unique Perspective on the Challenges of Navigating the Built Environment

May 15th, 2024  |  49 mins 41 secs

accessibility, architecture

Jennifer Longdon, a community leader, a former state legislator and an accessibility activist, has been using a wheel chair since a shooting in 2004 left her paralyzed from the chest down. She gives us her unique perspective on what it's really like to live in her historic house and to go out and use public buildings, streets and sidewalks while using a wheelchair.

Episode 18: A new architectural film screening plus a report of someone who survived a remodel to their home!

April 8th, 2024  |  1 hr 2 mins

architecture, film festival, home improvement, home resale, house resale

Steve Weiss, the Executive Director of No Festival Required, an independent cinema organization, shares with us about his latest architectural film screening. He and his wife have also undergone a renovation of their home and Steve shares an insider's perspective on what it's like to live through a home renovation that lasted for months. Listen in for invaluable insights on how to survive a home renovation in this episode.

Episode 17: An interview with historian Jennifer Levstik about early Arizona architect Annie Rockfellow

March 13th, 2024  |  55 mins 29 secs

anne rysdale, architecture, historic, jennifer levstik

Annie Rockfellow was the first licensed female architect in Arizona. She got her license in the 1920s and the woman who followed was Anne Rysdale who got her license in the 1950s. Rockfellow worked in Henry O. Jaastad's office in Tucson and was relatively well-known during her lifetime. However her name has virtually been scrubbed from history and she has been largely forgotten. This podcast episode brings Rockfellow back into the limelight she deserves with a thorough discussion of her life and work with historian Jennifer Levstik.

Episode 16: Interview with Maurita Harris

February 15th, 2024  |  51 mins 22 secs

architecture, black history month

Maurita Harris is only the 3rd licensed black female architect in Arizona. In our conversation Maurita talks about her journey to becoming a licensed architect in a field with very few who look like her. Listen to Maurita's inspiring story, advice for those who are coming up behind her and all the ways she is making the profession of architecture and her community a better place.

Episode 15: Taz Khatri Studios 2023 Year End Recap

December 19th, 2023  |  17 mins 16 secs

architecture, taz khatri studios

Join us for a run through of our experiences at our small architecture firm over 2023...our projects, our podcasts and much more!

Episode 14: Rayane Djafafla Interview Indigenous Architecture

September 27th, 2023  |  58 mins 3 secs

architecture, indigenous, indigenous architecture, rayane djafafla

An interview with Indigenous Architecture Advocate Rayane Djafafla about how indigenous architecture principles can inform modern-day architecture in being climate-responsive.

Episode 13: Interview with Trees Matter Executive Director Aimee Esposito

August 22nd, 2023  |  52 mins 10 secs

aimee esposito, trees matter

I speak with Aimee Esposito, the Executive Director of Trees Matter, about how trees impact the built environment and why they are so important in tackling climate change.

Episode 12: Interview about Navigating the Built Environment with Mobility Issues

July 31st, 2023  |  54 mins 50 secs

Interview with a Retired Seamstress about Using her Home and Public Buildings with Mobility Issues

Episode 11: Tea with Taz An Interview with Kai De Valeria

July 19th, 2023  |  56 mins 40 secs

architect, kai de valeria, trans

Find out what it's like to be a trans architect in this interview with Kai De Valeria

Episode 10: Tea with Taz Earth Month 2023 Edition

April 20th, 2023  |  1 hr 27 mins

anthony floyd, earth day, green building regulations, scottsdale green building program

Join us for a conversation with a key leader in the Scottsdale Green Building Program - Anthony Floyd - as he tells us about how he's led the city to be at the forefront of green building regulations across the state and the country.

Episode 9: How to keep costs and timelines under control during construction with Austin Adams

March 23rd, 2023  |  57 mins 40 secs

austin adams, construction, costs, princeton construction, timelines

If you're looking to do a residential remodel or to build a ground-up house, you will want to listen to this podcast! Austin Adams, a contractor with Princeton Construction shares practical tips on how to keep costs and timelines under control before and during construction!

Episode 8: Tea with Taz - The 2023 Arizona Architectural Film Showcase

March 2nd, 2023  |  58 mins 54 secs

Interview with Steve Weiss, the founder of No Festival Required about his latest screening - The 2023 Arizona Architectural Film Showcase.

Episode 7: Interview with Gary Nelson 2022 AIA Arizona Medal Winner

December 15th, 2022  |  1 hr 11 mins

aia arizona medal winner, city of phoenix, gary nelson

In this interview with the 2022 AIA Arizona Medal winner Gary Nelson we find out about the institutional racism and other structural barriers that Gary overcame in his career to come to this very distinguished place in his career.

Episode 5: Want to build an accessory dwelling unit in Phoenix? Find out if it's allowed! - Part II

November 4th, 2022  |  18 mins

In my interview with Josh Bednarek, the Deputy Planning Director at the City of Phoenix, we discuss the city's current policy on accessory dwelling units (casitas, mother-in-law units, guest houses) and some exciting possible changes on the horizon.

Episode 6: Want to build an accessory dwelling unit in Phoenix? Find out if it's allowed! - Part I

November 4th, 2022  |  14 mins 27 secs

accessory dwelling units, adu, architecture

In my interview with Josh Bednarek, the Deputy Planning Director at the City of Phoenix, we discuss the city's current policy on accessory dwelling units (casitas, mother-in-law units, guest houses) and some exciting possible changes on the horizon.