In the early days of DesignPhiladelphia, the festival embodied the adventurous spirit of a startup. Richard Maimon reflects on those initial years with a sense of nostalgia, recalling the optimism that came from uniting what was a robust yet somewhat scattered design community in Philadelphia The energy was palpable, and the potential to create something meaningful was undeniable. Over the years, Maimon has witnessed the significant impact that DesignPhiladelphia has had on both the city and its design community. The festival has played a crucial role in raising awareness of the importance of design in shaping Philadelphia's built environment. For Maimon personally, the greatest reward has been the opportunity to expand his knowledge of the many talented designers and fabricators working across the city. "There are incredible things being made in every pocket of this city," he notes, a testament to the vibrant and diverse creative community that the festival has helped to spotlight.

Looking to the future, Maimon hopes that the conversations and demonstrations sparked by the festival will continue to evolve. While the recent building boom in Philadelphia has brought greater public awareness to the built environment, he is concerned that the factors critical to creating a sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future are not yet fully understood by the general public. He envisions a broader conversation, one that mirrors the culture of architecture in Chicago, where discussions about the past, present, and future of the built environment are an integral part of the city's public discourse. Maiman dreams of a day when Philadelphia embraces a similar level of awareness and appreciation for design.

One of Maimon's fondest memories from the festival involves a project he worked on in 2014 with his team at KieranTimberlake. They created "Spektral," a mirror designed to challenge perceptions of everyday objects as technology evolves. At first glance, Spektral appeared to be an ordinary mirror, but as viewers moved closer, their reflection became increasingly obscured. This was achieved through a sensor that triggered sound waves, altering the mirror's surface geometry. The working prototype was showcased at that year's festival, and to Maimon's delight, a collector from New York City purchased it, with the proceeds directly supporting DesignPhiladelphia. This moment not only highlighted the creativity and innovation at the heart of the festival but also underscored the community's commitment to sustaining it for future generations.