When visitors walk into the Pottery Barn at 619 Ponce, they often ask about the amazing candle scent filling the space. But the smell isn't a candle at all—it's the building itself. The four-story mass timber structure is built from Southern Yellow Pine that developer Jamestown sourced from their own timber holdings.As Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Jamestown, Carrie Denning Jackson is leading projects that put the "healthy people, healthy planet" concept into action. Her path from IBM's Smart Cities division to Google's Sidewalk Labs and now her current role at Jamestown follows a consistent thread: exploring how technology and cities intersect to shape human experience. Through initiatives like urban tree canopy expansion, flame-retardant-free materials, and operable windows in 21-story buildings, she's demonstrating how conscious design can improve health outcomes while creating enjoyable spaces. Beyond the technical specs, this conversation reveals how major developers are grappling with a fundamental shift in what tenants, investors, and cities expect from the built environment. As Carrie explains through her work with Ponce City Market's three buildings—Scout, Signal House, and 619 Ponce—the industry is moving from "good enough" to exceeding expectations. For developers at any scale, her insights offer actionable strategies for creating healthier buildings.Episode Outline

How the rise of place-based technology is changing what people expect from buildings

Jamestown's approach to merging innovation with sustainability and setting 2030 targets

Launching Place as Medicine after discovering hidden health hazards in everyday materials

A walkthrough of Ponce City Market 

Air quality innovations: operable windows, induction stoves, cork flooring, and mineral paint pilots

Using economies of scale and industry collaboration to drive down costs for healthier materials