#27 Steve Mouzon: Catching Up with an OG in the New Urbanist Movement

Written By Melissa Griffin

In this episode, I sit down with OG Steve Mouzon, a well-known architect, designer and instigator of the New Urbanist movement, to explore the art of building places that truly matter.

Steve shares compelling stories from his journey in urbanism, including projects like Mahogany Bay Village and Providence in Huntsville, Alabama, where he brought local materials and craftsmanship to life in unique, resilient ways.

Steve makes a bold case for why "impossible" projects bring out the best in urban design, inspiring us to rethink what’s achievable.

We discuss how generalist thinking, leadership, and a willingness to challenge outdated regulations are essential to creating sustainable, beautiful spaces. This conversation goes beyond theory, offering real insights on creativity, humility, and the power of community involvement in transforming our cities.

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    • Beautiful, sustainable spaces are achieved by honoring the land’s character and using regional materials and crafts.

    • Urbanists should adopt a broad, adaptable mindset, enabling them to see connections and address complex urban challenges creatively.

    • Innovative urban solutions emerge when architects and planners push beyond conventional practices and embrace fresh perspectives.

    • Navigating municipal processes and outdated regulations requires strong leadership and an informed approach, opening doors to effective, resilient projects.

    • Engaging with the community and drawing on insights across generations helps foster urban environments that truly serve their residents.

    • Simple, resilient designs often outperform complex systems, enhancing sustainability and adaptability in a way that prioritizes human flourishing.

    • The best urban projects stem from a culture of generosity, humility, and collaboration, inspiring a supportive environment for change and innovation.




  • 00:00 Preserving Land Character and Urbanism

    02:48 Steve's Journey in Architecture

    08:00 Innovative Projects and Community Building

    24:06 Barriers to Building Better Places

    41:15 Leadership and Overcoming Challenges

    45:12 Exploring Local Patterns and Historical Insights

    51:01 Building Codes and Egress Regulations

    57:31 The Complexity of Urban Planning and Building Standards

    01:03:27 The Importance of Generalist Thinking in Urbanism

    01:10:54 The Fragility of Modern Construction Methods

    01:19:21 Simplicity vs. Complexity in Sustainable Building Practices

    01:30:05 The Vision of Adaptability and Simplicity

    01:31:30 Competing Visions in Sustainability

    01:33:54 Foundations of Sustainable Places

    01:37:48 Intergenerational Exchange in Urbanism

    01:40:29 Innovative Developments in Urban Design

    01:47:31 Common Threads of Successful Projects

    01:52:11 The Importance of Generosity and Humility

    01:57:26 Lessons from Pain and Innovation

  • STEVE’S RECOMMENDED PLACES TO VISIT

    • Providence

    • Mahogany Bay

    • Carlon Landing

    • Wheeler

    • South Main, CO

    • Seaside, FL

    • Rosemary, FL

    • I'on

    • Habersham

    • NW Arkansas

    CONTACT STEVE:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemouzon/

    X: https://x.com/stevemouzon?lang=en

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.originalgreen?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

    Book: The Original Green

    Websites: 

    newurbanguild.com (New Urban Guild)

    originalgreen.org (Original Green)

    katrinacottages.com (Katrina Cottages)

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    https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/

    https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell

Thank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!

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Melissa Griffin
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#28 Jen Griffin: Fast-Tracking Affordable Housing: How Pre-Approved Building Plans Are Enabling Infill & Changing Communities
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#26 Daniel Herriges: The Strong Towns Approach to the Housing Crisis