What makes a place unforgettable? For Kevin Kelley, it’s not about style or awards—it’s about how spaces shape human behavior and bring people together.

Kevin Ervin Kelley, AIA, is a behavioral design architect, co-founder of Shook Kelley, and author of Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together. For more than three decades, he has worked with brands like Harley-Davidson, Whole Foods, Kraft, and USAA, as well as cultural institutions like MoMA and global cities from Charlotte to Manila.

In this episode, Kevin shares how childhood lessons, design school debates, and client challenges shaped his mission to “fix the everyday.” From food courts and steakhouses to smart cities and global marketplaces, his work proves that space still matters—and that environment is never neutral.

We explore why malls aren’t dead, how sensory design influences behavior, and why leaders must deliver not just convenience but social bliss. Along the way, Kevin reveals insights every leader can use to avoid sameness and create authentic, human-centered experiences.

Kevin Kelley Bio:

Kevin Ervin Kelley, AIA, is an award-winning behavioral design architect and co-founder of Shook Kelley, a strategic design firm with offices in Charlotte and Los Angeles. For more than three decades, he has worked with leadership teams from global brands—including Harley-Davidson, Whole Foods, Kraft, JM Smucker, USAA, and MoMA—as well as professional sports teams, universities, and urban districts. His expertise lies in understanding how the design of space shapes human behavior, perception, and decision-making, translating these insights into strategies that help organizations, communities, and cultural institutions thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Beyond his client work, Kevin co-founded and led the revitalization of South End in Charlotte, a once-blighted district that has since generated over $1.5 billion in economic development. Today, he continues to advise districts like Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and international hubs like Makati in the Philippines. A frequent speaker and educator, Kevin has presented at global conferences, taught at Harvard University and UNC Charlotte, and authored Irreplaceable: How to Create Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together, recognized by The Financial Times and The Next Big Idea Club as a must-read on the future of place and culture.