Rost Architects

Join Principal Architect, Mitchell Rocheleau, in this interview with Mark Lehner, co-author of "Giza and the Pyramids", Egyptologist, and American Archaeologist with more than 30 years of experience excavating in Egypt and walking the Giza Plateau. He is the director of Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA), an organization that focuses on training young Egyptian Archeologists in excavations and analysis of archeological sites addressing questions regarding the origin, nature, and development of the Egyptian state .Watch the Episode | https://youtu.be/RtRVZDUnErQRead Along on Our Website | https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/9/11/interview-with-mark-lehner-the-people-behind-the-pyramids____________________________Connect with Mark Lehner | Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA) | https://aeraweb.orgGiza and the Pyramids: The Definitive History | https://www.amazon.com/Giza-Pyramids-Definitive-Mark-Lehner/dp/022642569XConnect with Host Mitchell Rocheleau | ROST Architects | https://www.rostarchitects.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rost.architects/Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/703zS0SPOZd6D24TbWjz51?si=2e8cfbb20332401bExplore other ROST Architects Interview Series:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZSuBNzpIw06R-A20iHm9eVKqdggmTq0b&si=mlk0o7Sgf8pELWcK____________________________About ROST Architects:In addition to practicing architecture, the principal and founder of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau AIA, searches the world to learn more about the buildings and cities humans have created, from the modern era to prehistory. Through writing, expert interviews, and video documentation, we hope to make our journey available and accessible. Our mission is to understand the environments humans have created throughout history, learn from the successes and failures, and contribute to designing a better future.

Mitchell Rocheleau, Principal Architect of ROST Architects, meets with Charlie Duff, author of "The North Atlantic Cities" and developer and planner in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. They discuss Dutch history, from the communal efforts of seafaring and building canals, to creating robust cities in the "Golden Age". Through historical influence, they analyze how the Row House became a footprint for a healthy city, as well as the similarities between cities like London and Amsterdam and such as Boston and New York, in the United States. By analyzing the reasons cities were first created, we can better understand how to create cities and places for our future generations. They go into further detail recalling various ways we can create better living environments in cities; from incorporating a mass public transit system, promoting more green and blue spaces and even designing spaces for the childless adult.Through planning and community efforts, we can begin to create cities that are beneficial to our livelihood and overall well being, maybe even creating Duff's idea of "Cities of Friendship & Love" in our contemporary world.Read along on our Website | https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/8/19/interview-with-charles-duffWatch the Episode | https://youtu.be/6Ddy34NR78w____________________________Charles B. Duff is the author of "The North Atlantic Cities", a book on urban planning and development in cities in the United States, as well as those in Europe. Inspired by his travels in his early 20's, he saw the ways in which cities worldwide had different ways of building homes and communities, and why some felt like home more than others. By incorporating his hometown experience of Baltimore, Maryland he was able to recognize a trend in cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, that have Row Houses, and how they promoted community, healthy wellbeing and overall better quality of life.Connect with Charles Duff: Email | charlesbduff@outlook.comThe North Atlantic Cities | https://oroeditions.com/product/the-north-atlantic-citiesJubilee Baltimore | https://jubileebaltimore.org/Create Streets | https://www.createstreets.com/Connect with Host Mitchell Rocheleau:ROST Architects | https://www.rostarchitects.com/ Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/703zS0SPOZd6D24TbWjz51?si=486b3447e9704187Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rost.architectsLinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/rost-architectsExplore other ROST Architects Interview Series:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZSuBNzpIw06R-A20iHm9eVKqdggmTq0b&si=1LkEOKJIodq8NPbz____________________________ About ROST Architects: In addition to practicing architecture, principal and founder of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau AIA, searches the world to learn more about the buildings and cities humans have created, from the modern era to prehistory. Through writing, expert interviews, and video documentation, we hope to make our journey available and accessible. Our mission is to understand the environments humans have created throughout history, learn from the successes and failures, and contribute to designing a better future.

Principal Architect, Mitchell Rocheleau meets Islam Issa, an award-winning Egyptian-British author, broadcaster, and the new Professor of Public Humanities at Birmingham City University, to discuss the Ancient City of Alexandria. Learn about the thoughtful planning that went into the city, the Lighthouse, and Library of Alexandria as well as what values were prioritized in its creation by Alexander the Great. What can we learn about an ancient city to create thoughtful cities for today's world?Watch the Episode: https://youtu.be/KBbw3kGDZ3YRead Along on our Website: https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/8/20/interview-with-islam-issa-history-of-ancient-alexandria____________________________Islam Issa’s "Alexandria: The City that Changed the World" has won the internationally acclaimed Runciman Award, is a Sunday Times and Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year, and in the USA, the Epoch Times named it the Best History Book of 2024.Alexandria is available in hardback, paperback, and as an audiobook read by the author.Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Alexandria/Islam-Issa/9781639368723Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Alexandria-Audiobook/B0DKG8QPC6To find out more about Alexandria: https://islamissa.com/alexandriaConnect with Islam Issa |Website: www.islamissa.comX: @islamaissa

What if our cities were designed to heal? How can we design cities that offer places of wellness and connectivity? Mitchell Rocheleau, Principal Architect of ROST Architects travels to Amsterdam to explore how Restorative Urbanism, an approach that analyzes how urban design can support mental health, has the power to foster change in our cities and our interconnected lives. He touches on psychosocial health, the importance of walkable cities, our sensory perceptions in urban environments, as well as his personal experiences in cities. Beyond sustainability, restorative urbanism aims to create cities that actively improve our well-being. By incorporating green and blue spaces, focusing on community, looking at different indigenous cultures, and diving into the core principles of restorative urbanism, we can help create cities that are truly thriving. In doing so, we can begin to promote the power of cultivating connections with others and ourselves. Our future cities will serve our physical and our mental nature. Their purpose will be to create an environment that does its best to support the emergence of people's authentic human expression.Read Along on our Website | https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/8/11/restorative-urbanism-how-designing-for-human-connection-can-improve-our-lives-and-citiesWatch the YouTube Episode | https://youtu.be/sy0944XBom4____________________________Connect with Host Mitchell Rocheleau:ROST Architects | https://www.rostarchitects.com/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rost.architects/Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/703zS0SPOZd6D24TbWjz51LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/rost-architects/Explore other ROST Architects Contemplations of the Built World:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy0944XBom4&list=PLZSuBNzpIw07qgUaOrKfL1Cj2-6lgx_KJ____________________________About ROST Architects: In addition to practicing architecture, principal and founder of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau AIA, searches the world to learn more about the buildings and cities humans have created, from the modern era to prehistory. Through writing, expert interviews, and video documentation, we hope to make our journey available and accessible. Our mission is to understand the environments humans have created throughout history, learn from the successes and failures, and contribute to designing a better future.____________________________Books Mentioned:"Restorative Cities: Urban Design for Mental Health and Wellbeing" co-authored by Jenny Roe and Layla McCay, sparked an emergence in the field of urban design for mental health and provides a network of information on wellness, health and how that can look moving forward in our fast paced environment.https://a.co/d/1bKkHdv"Walkable Cities: How Downtown can Save America One Step at a Time" by Jeff Speck, analyzes how increasing walkability in our cities is a major factor in improving our overall mental health, and recognizes the various ways in how prioritizing humans over cars, can create a long lasting effect on our overall wellbeing.https://a.co/d/iJR2Wos"Spell of the Sensuous" by David Abram, explores indigenous cultures connection with their natural environments, as we compare it to our modern world, we can begin to recognize the lack of connection with our natural surroundings, as well as the importance of moving towards a connection to Earths natural rhythm.https://a.co/d/jaPhRzh“The North Atlantic Cities” by Charles Duff, beautifully surmises trends of cities and suggests a new era of urban development that's arising: cities of friendship and love. He explores how thoughtful planning and can encourage health and human expression in our communities and cities.https://a.co/d/i0Z0MkB

In the 1960s, Copenhagen began prioritizing cars — but a bold shift toward people-first design changed everything. This video explores how the city transformed its streets into walkable, bike-friendly spaces, revitalized public life, and became a global model for sustainable urban living.Learn how fewer cars led to a stronger economy, better health, and vibrant public spaces.Watch the Episode Here:https://youtu.be/gEs4hFRxYPYRead Along on Our Website:https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/7/30/the-urban-transformation-of-copenhagen

Mitchell Rocheleau of ROST Architects dives into the fascinating story of Central Park's creation, from its inception as a public space for all New Yorkers to its role as a restorative haven and symbol of democratic ideals. Why is Central Park important for our generation to understand? Through collective self-awareness and community intention Central Park's design created an enduring legacy as a place for recreation, social interaction, and civic engagement. Through reconnection with the natural world and exposure to nature in an individual's life, New York was able to make a cultural statement for restorative public space within a city. Explore YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/HHlwUm9OhTI Explore Central Park: https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/7/18/central-park-early-history-of-new-york https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2024/9/23/history-of-the-design-and-development-of-central-park-in-new-york-city?rq=central

On this episode of our Live Series: ROST Talks, we answer your biggest questions about designing and building a custom home! No topic is off-limits, from budgeting and timelines to choosing materials and working with builders. Whether you're just getting started or already deep in the process, we're here to help guide you every step of the way. Watch the Episode: https://youtu.be/wi28I6o_5jM

Architect Mitchell Rocheleau was invited by Josh Cooperman to speak on Convo by Design, a podcast that was created by Josh to “share stories behind design and amplify ideas that make better the way we live, work & play.” The conversation centered around ROST Architects intentions and approach to creating designs for the human experience. Listen to the episode or read the conversation to hear the ideas shared and explored during this thought-provoking conversation. Convo by Design Podcast: https://convobydesign.com/ Read the Article: https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/6/16/reflection-intention-and-resilience-the-deeper-meaning-of-the-built-world-rost-architects-guest-feature

What makes Stonehenge so captivating? This enigmatic Neolithic monument offers a window into our past and the lives of our ancestors. Stonehenge provides insights into their values, societal norms, and psychology. It unveils their astonishing level of sophistication, intricate communication networks, complex collaboration methods, and a deeply intuitive community with a profound understanding of materials, construction techniques, ecology, and astronomy. This megalithic marvel has the potential to enlighten us about our own journey and the evolution of our species. Read the Article Here: https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/2/12/stonehenge-architectural-and-archaeological-history

Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, meets with Mike Parker Pearson. Mike is an English archeologist specializing in the study of Neolithic Britain, most notably Stonehenge. He was the director at the Stonehenge Riverside Project and the author of several books, including Stonehenge - A New Understanding. Mike has firsthand knowledge of the site and a deep understanding of its rich history and has been intimately involved with Stonehenge for decades. He continues to conduct excavations studying the origins of the stones used at Stonehenge. Watch the Interview: https://youtu.be/7eT9q5Poe5g Read the article that inspired the conversation: https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/2/12/stonehenge-architectural-and-archaeological-history Mike Parker Pearson: https://g.co/kgs/bmDgGGX

Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, meets with Peter Davenport, professional archeologist for 46 years including 25 years as a senior archeologist at Bath Archeological Trust. Peter's been involved in all of the excavations carried out in the Roman Baths and a large majority of excavations in the City of Bath. Peter is also trustee on the Roman Baths Foundation and the author of "Roman Bath: A New History and Archeology of Aquae Sulis." Watch the Episode Here: https://youtu.be/4rE7gD7i9CA Read the article that inspired the conversation: https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/2/6/the-story-of-the-roman-baths-in-bath-england Peter Davenport: https://g.co/kgs/oB7z7hR

Principal and Architect of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau, discusses the history, architecture, and the architectural power of Notre Dame Cathedral. Read more about the architecture and history of Notre Dame Cathedral: https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2024/5/14/notre-dame-cathedral Watch the Full Episode Here: https://youtu.be/mbcJzyYiVJs