Most Buildings Are Designed to Shelter You — The Best Ones Are Designed to Change How You Feel – Episode 148 with Hamid Mohammadi
This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with architect, industrial designer, and artist Hamid Mohammadi, founder of Good Place Design, for an inspiring conversation about the intersection of architecture, creativity, and human experience. Drawing on his unique background across industrial design, architecture, and contemporary art, Hamid shares why great design isn't confined to a single discipline—and how spaces, objects, and art all have the power to elevate mood, strengthen community, and deepen our connection to the natural world.
The discussion explores everything from the influence of natural daylight, materials, and spatial clarity on human wellbeing to biophilic design, belonging, community, adaptive reuse, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and the creative process itself. Hamid also explains why architecture should inspire rather than simply function, how optimism has become a central theme in both his artwork and design philosophy, the importance of designing authentic spaces with honest materials, and why buildings should create meaningful connections—not only between people and nature, but between individuals and the communities around them.
It's a thoughtful conversation about designing places that genuinely enrich people's lives—and a reminder that the most memorable buildings aren't defined by their size, budget, or complexity. They're the ones that foster belonging, spark optimism, encourage human connection, and quietly improve the way we experience the world every single day.
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More About Hamid Mohammadi
Hamid is an architect with over ten years of experience in Toronto, Ontario. He is an expert in the design and construction of residential and commercial buildings, having worked for several highly respected architectural firms and a developer in Toronto, Hamid has gained valuable experience in all project phases. He brings a deep understanding of the requirements and approval processes required for creating meaningful architectural projects in the Greater Toronto Area and in different parts of Canada. From Rezoning, ZBA, OLT settlements, Construction Documents, Tender Drawing packages, project management and the construction phases of projects, Hamid brings valuable experience to all different project phases with a keen sense of integration of client requirements. Hamid is an effective listener and communicator with a strong passion for good design and the positive impacts it can have on peoples lives.
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