How Architecture Can Solve Big Social Problems with Jeanne Gang

Jeanne Gang is a renowned architect and the founder of Studio Gang, an international architecture and urban design firm. She joins Kara to discuss her work and the design philosophy behind some of her most recognizable buildings, including the Aqua Tower in Chicago and the Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Jeanne explains her concept of “actionable idealism" and why she believes architecture has the power to connect people to each other and the environment. Jeanne and Kara also discuss sustainable building in an era of worsening climate change and why good public design starts with talking with locals to find out what they need. Plus: Jeanne shares her thoughts on arches and President Trump’s White House renovations. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can listen to How Architecture Can Solve Big Social Problems with Jeanne Gang online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

How Architecture Can Solve Big Social Problems with Jeanne Gang is an episode from On with Kara Swisher by New York Magazine.

This episode is 59:59 long.

This episode was published on Apr 30, 2026.

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