DESIGN:ED Podcast Spotlights LA Architects Championing Adobe Construction

Ben Loescher and Lucy Lloyd of Terrain discuss upcycling buildings and their advocacy for adobe block through Adobeisnotsoftware.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Architectural Record's DESIGN:ED podcast featured a conversation with Ben Loescher and Lucy Lloyd of the Los Angeles-based architecture firm Terrain. The discussion centered on Terrain's process of upcycling buildings, challenging standard building conventions, and the studio's advocacy and education efforts around adobe block construction through its offshoot initiative, Adobeisnotsoftware.

Why it matters

The podcast highlights the growing movement among architects to explore more sustainable and culturally-relevant building materials and techniques, such as adobe, which has a long history but is often overlooked in modern construction. Terrain's work showcases how firms are pushing the boundaries of traditional architecture to address environmental and social concerns.

The details

Loescher and Lloyd discussed how Terrain approaches each project with an eye toward repurposing existing structures and materials, rather than demolishing and rebuilding from scratch. The firm has also been vocal advocates for adobe block construction, which they believe offers a more environmentally-friendly and culturally-appropriate alternative to standard building materials in certain regions.

  • The DESIGN:ED podcast episode featuring Loescher and Lloyd was recorded and published on February 11, 2026.

The players

Ben Loescher

Co-founder and principal architect at Terrain, a Los Angeles-based architecture firm.

Lucy Lloyd

Co-founder and principal architect at Terrain, a Los Angeles-based architecture firm.

Aaron Prinz

Host of the DESIGN:ED podcast, an architecture-focused show produced by Architectural Record.

Terrain

A Los Angeles-based architecture firm founded by Ben Loescher and Lucy Lloyd that specializes in sustainable design and upcycling of existing buildings.

Adobeisnotsoftware

An advocacy and education initiative launched by Terrain to promote the use of adobe block construction as a more environmentally-friendly and culturally-appropriate building material.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.