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How can architects think broadly about their career options and the various ways they can contribute to and grow within the built environment? On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we're joined by Laura Wake-Ramos, a business development manager at Mortenson. As an architect and real estate developer with experience in design-build construction, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of architecture and construction. In our conversation, Laura shares her journey in the field, insights on alternative career paths outside of traditional practice, and thoughts on the future of architecture.First, Laura shares her background of getting into architecture and what a business development manager does at Mortenson. She provides insight into business development in architecture, explaining how she balances creativity with construction logistics. Then, Laura dives into alternative career paths in architecture, emphasizing the importance of building support networks and diversifying your skills. She offers advice on following your curiosity and taking career development risks while highlighting the benefit of continuing education.In simplest terms, I think of real estate development as a Shark Tank of architecture – where you have this concept, you have this design, you have this idea, and you need to talk about how you're going to get it funded. That's where I think the bridge between architecture and development lies. The development world has connections to private equity and to the debt partners to get buildings funded. - Laura Wake-RamosTo wrap up the conversation, we discuss gaps in the architecture profession. Laura identifies areas for improvement in architectural education, such as the need for more business knowledge in capital markets and market analytics. She shares her aspirations to elevate alternative career perspectives in architecture and break down barriers between architecture and allied professions.Tune in next week for an episode about the future of housing with the co-founders of Higharc.Guests:Laura Wake-RamosLaura is a leader in project delivery through strategy, leading teams, and technology integration. As a Business Development Manager with Mortenson, Laura is responsible for cultivating real estate development opportunities in the Washington DC metro region, leading with the strategy of integrated developer-builder. Laura's career encompasses construction management, design-build management, and virtual design & construction integration. One notable project Laura led as the Design Phase Manager was a historic renovation project in Washington DC that won a National Design-Build Award in 2023. Laura serves as the 2023-2024 Chair of the AIA Project Delivery Knowledge Community, and serves as 2024-2026 At-Large Representative for AIA Strategic Council. Laura is passionate about volunteering and giving back her experience to the community. Laura has volunteered with the ACE Mentorship Program of America, Greater Washington Affiliate Board Member, Arquitina, Design-Build Institute of America, Mid-Atlantic Board Secretary, and DBIA student chapter liaison.
In this episode, Gary Johnson interviews the Design-Build Institute of America's CEO Lisa Washington.
In this podcast episode, Brian Skripac, the Director for Virtual Design and Construction with the Design Build Institute of America, shares insights into the evolving landscape of construction technology. Having transitioned from architecture to the realm of BIM leadership, Skripac discusses the excitement of leveraging new technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency in construction. He emphasizes the need for professionals in the industry, from contractors to architects and engineers, to tell their stories in the face of declining media coverage. Skripac also delves into the strategic integration of technology into project management, highlighting the benefits of a collaborative design-build approach. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into the future, exploring the potential impact of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning on the construction industry. Stay tuned for a dynamic discussion on the ever-evolving intersection of technology and construction practices!
In this episode, Brian Skripac and Clive Jordan discuss BIM execution plans in construction. They highlight the challenges and advancements in integrating digital tools and collaboration in project planning. Focusing on the U.S. construction industry, they address the unique issues related to contractual language and documentation, contrasting with practices in other countries. The conversation covers the complexities of simplifying BIM execution, the diverse roles in project delivery, and the importance of evolving documentation for efficiency. They also examine the impact of technology on project delivery, the difficulties in defining detailed requirements, and the significance of tracking performance in construction projects, providing insights into the current and future state of data governance and digital planning in the industry. Guest: Brian Skripac Director, Virtual Design & Construction Design-Build Institute of America Clive Jordan Co-founder and CEO Plannerly Episode Highlights: BIM Execution Planning: Clive Jordan's approach to simplifying BIM execution planning through automation and smart fields. Brian Skripac's insights on the role of the Design-Build Institute of America in developing best practices for project delivery. Challenges in Contractual Language: Debating the issue of models not being part of contract documents in the U.S., unlike other countries. Importance of evolving documentation in construction projects. Design and Construction Collaboration: The necessity for improved communication to avoid effort duplication in areas like lighting. Early stakeholder involvement for better project efficiency. Project Delivery Models: Shift from traditional models to collaborative approaches like design-build. Focus on optimizing project outcomes rather than individual components. Role of Technology in Construction: Challenges in defining and tracking detailed task requirements. The potential of technology to enhance project delivery and collaboration. Workforce Dynamics: Bridging the gap between experienced professionals and the tech-savvy younger generation. Emphasizing the importance of knowledge retention within project teams. Lean Construction Principles: The importance of embracing lean concepts for reducing waste and improving efficiency. Real-world examples demonstrating the benefits of collaboration and planning. The integration of digital tools and collaborative approaches in the construction industry is significantly evolving, including in BIM execution planning. Challenges in the U.S. construction industry, especially regarding contractual language and model documentation, contrast sharply with global practices. Key factors such as evolving documentation, the transformative impact of technology on project delivery, and the importance of meticulous planning and performance tracking are highlighted. These developments underscore a comprehensive perspective on current trends and future directions in data governance and digital planning within the construction sector.
Mary Ruppenthal: Registered Architect, Associate Principal at HED - Designing Schools that Meet the Needs of Students and Their Communities. This is episode 604 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast. Mary is a registered architect and an Associate Principal at HED, one of the oldest and largest architecture and engineering firms in the country, with 400+ employees and annual revenues above $100M. They serve clients nationwide in a broad range of market sectors, including Healthcare, Higher Education, Mission Critical, Housing and Mixed-Use, Pre-K 12, Science, Manufacturing and Product Development, Workplace, Community, and Government. With nearly 30 years of experience in public and private sector educational, civic, and cultural design, Mary oversees Pre-K-12 and community education projects at HED and is a regular speaker at trade and industry events on the best practices of flexible and adaptive learning environments for tomorrow's pedagogical needs and the needs of tomorrow's workforce and incorporating wellness into educational space design. She has devoted her career to collaborating with school districts in the design of innovative, high-performing educational facilities that enhance the user experience, maximize efficiency, and help shape the future for students of all ages. Mary is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA Committee on the Environment, School Energy Coalition, Architecture for Learning Environments (A4LE), Board Secretary, 2020 - Present, this past year served on the NorCal Chapter Board as President Elect and is moving into the role of president in October, Design-Build Institute of America, US Green Building Council, and the Coalition for Adequate Student Housing, where she regularly presents lectures on sustainable school design, case studies, and advocates for evolving best practices in school design. Cool conversation! So much to learn and think about! Before you go... Could you do me a favor? Please go to my website at https://www.stevenmiletto.com/reviews/ or open the podcast app that you are listening to me on, and would you rate and review the podcast? That would be so cool. Thanks! If you are listening on Apple Podcasts on your phone, go to the logo - click so that you are on the main page with a listing of the episodes for my podcast and scroll to the bottom. There you will see a place to rate and review. Could you review me? That would be so cool. Thank you! Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for listening! Connect & Learn More: https://www.hed.design/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ruppenthal-6bab8713/ https://www.facebook.com/HEDadvances/ https://www.instagram.com/hedadvances/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hedadvances/ https://schoolconstructionnews.com/2023/03/28/three-school-building-trends-that-are-setting-the-curve/ Length - 01:05:24
For several years now, the shift toward a design-build approach has been gaining momentum. Today we talk to Brian Skripac, the director of virtual design and construction at the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). Brian's training is in architecture, but he has worked as a BIM leader for almost a 20 years now. He enjoys the opportunities to collaborate and share with the goal of increasing efficiency. Brian lived through the shift from 2D with Auto CAD to 3D with Revit. He shares about a couple large projects that epitomized that shift and its effects on the relationship between owners and design-builders. This shift is still underway, of course. You may have observed or experienced the array of concerns that people have when sharing designs. Sometimes it can border on paranoia. Eddie asks Brian to talk about managing risk, and Brian goes straight to a recurring theme from the podcast: trust. He shares his own experience in getting over the road blocks that slow the flow of information among stakeholders. Brian talks us through an experience he had helping Ohio State University transition from 2D blueprints to BIM models for more than 40 million square feet of their buildings. OSU has tied in site information and a whole range of other elements, all of these linked into a spreadsheet. This required a change-management process that included a plan for converting native files. We discuss the difference between design-bid-build and design-build. Brian says that design-build is targeted to be 47% of all construction projects by 2025. That's up from 42% in 2021. This approach is quickly becoming mainstream. The main difference is that with the design-build approach the owner has a single contract with a design-build team rather than multiple contracts with architects, designers, and builders. This integration–at least when it works well–can streamline the process substantially. There is an evolution that has to take place in individual roles with design-build. Brian presents examples of how this approach enables designers to spend more time designing rather than communicating. A good design-build team can more efficiently solve a greater number of problems. The cohesive we can function much more nimbly than a group of separate individuals. We discuss project size and how design-build can work with small projects as well as large projects. On the education/training side, DBIA is all about design-build done right. They establish universal best practices and then share those in a number of ways. They have a blog, webinars, and an annual conference. The membership of DBIA is vast and diverse, so there is a rich flow of knowledge and insights. Brian talks through some of DBIA's upcoming projects, including exploration of AI. Brian's Megaphone Message: Don't continue with business as usual. If we can break ourselves from the way we've done things in the past, there is great potential for improved communication and increased collaboration. We have to transform. Find Brian Online: DBIA's website - DBIA on LinkedIn - Brian on LinkedIn Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Conventional wisdom tells us that engineers design, contractors build, and owners pay for and use the facility. However, this strict division of responsibilities has not consistently resulted in the reliable outcomes that a successful project deserves. Is there a solution? Today's guest believes so and he's here to share his thoughts with Sue.In today's episode of The Lead With Trust Show, Sue chats with Geoff Neumayr SE, DBIA, the Chief Development Officer at San Francisco International Airport, and also the immediate past chair of the Design Build Institute of America.During the episode, Sue and Geoff discuss the gap that exists between contractors, designers and owners, and the effect that gap can have on the success or failure of a project, no matter the size.They discuss Geoff's background, including his first job as a newspaper delivery boy, and the innovative solution he devised to deliver the multi-part Sunday paper in an incredibly hilly area - an early example of engineering a solution to a unique problem.They explore the 'adversarial' relationship that the construction industry has found itself in, both in reality and in public perception. The Sperrin Doctrine is discussed - that is, a legal principle that holds that when a contractor follows the plans and specifications furnished by the owner, and those plans and specifications turn out to be defective or insufficient, the contractor is not liable to the owner for any loss or damage resulting from the defective plans and specifications.Geoff also talks about the very real, 100-year old culture issue that exists in the industry, as well his thoughts on the various ways it can be addressed and/or mitigated.Join Sue and Geoff for this fascinating discussion around building and maintaining a high-trust environment in an industry where trust is paramount.If you have any questions or suggestions for Sue, feel free to reach out via email.Enjoy!What You'll Learn in this Show:Geoff's first job as a newspaper delivery boy, and how he 'engineered' a solution to a unique problem.The 'adversarial' relationship that the construction industry has found itself in, both in reality and in public perception.The 100-year-old culture issue that exists within the industry, and some advice on ways it can be addressed and/or mitigated.And so much more...Resources:Sudyco websiteLead with Trust NewsletterSue's Email: suedyer@sudyco.comGeoff's Email: Geoff.Neumayr@flysfo.comDisclaimer: The views of our guest are their views. It is not the intention of LWT Podcast to offer legal advice, only a historical viewpoint. You should consult your attorney for your particular situation.
We welcome Brian Skripac the director of VDC for the DBIA. In non-acronym terms: he is the Virtual Design & Construction guru for the Design Build Institute of America. Technology is everywhere in the industry, but how and why it's applied contributes to success. Brian explains that if we can look at technology in a thoughtful and innovative way, across the entire project life cycle, we can achieve design excellence, increase productivity and quality, and reduce life-cycle costs for owners. People must thoughtfully integrated it into the entire approach, to truly improve the process. These are very exciting times for technology in the construction industry, so listen in as David Stutzman and Steve Gantner, your hosts of Deliberate Words chat with Brian Skripac on how the importance of the order of People, Process, Technology = VDC Success.
Join Brian Skripac, Director of Virtual Design and Construction, for Design Build Institute of America as we explore the power of combining BIM with virtual design and construction to increase project profitability and support sustainability, and as we consider some of the game changing technologies that are reshaping design, construction, and asset management across the built environment.
Supply-chain challenges are certainly nothing new, but they've grown increasingly complicated over the last few years. Today we discuss how you as a contractor can approach these challenges whether you're working on a local and global scale. We get several helpful supply-chain insights from our guest Ernie Maschner. Ernie has been an influential presence in the construction industry for more than 30 years. He now works as a VP with Victaulic, a manufacturer of engineered couplings and valves. Ernie is also involved with a few industry organizations that seek to address global supply chain issues. Here are a few of the things we touch on in our conversation: The importance of communicating with all supply-chain parties as early as possible Industry organizations that seek to help contractors navigate today's supply chain challenges - Ernie refers to these three: The Construction Industry Institute, The Design Build Institute of America, The Water Collaborative Delivery Association How human, political, and social dynamics affect the supply chain - For example: Why does the availability of asphalt in Brazil follow a two-year cycle? Ernie learned the answer while working on projects related to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. How some progressive contractors write up contracts that allow for the increasing unpredictability of markets A $50 billion (yes, billion) modular construction project in Kazakhstan that involved modules the size of small hotels The cultural factors that affect people's attitudes toward prefabrication and modular construction Ernie's megaphone message: We need to work together in a fair way. Collaborative project delivery produces better results in the end. Find Ernie Online: Website - LinkedIn Find Us Online: LinkedIn - Instagram - Facebook - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedIn If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this upbeat #Nomad Futurist podcast, Ron Vokoun, Director of Critical Facilities for OAC Services, shares his dynamic story with Phil and Nabeel, shedding light on the world of data center construction — from construction management to finding the right skilled trades people, building teams, being an owner's rep, and advocating for the customer. After an initial attempt at engineering studies and a stint as a laborer on a construction crew, Vokoun obtained a degree in construction management at the University of Nebraska. After graduation he worked in Oklahoma and Texas on water treatment plants. His next opportunities took him to LA where he worked on local fiber loops, and then to Denver to work for SP Telecom, a builder of telecom networks that morphed into Quest Communications. Vokoun was tasked with putting together a staffing plan for Quest. Lacking extensive resources, he reached out to department heads he knew from university and to friends and friends of friends to build a team of forty-seven people. Vokoun speaks with pride about the team, many of whose members became lifelong friends. “It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences…the energy of that group was amazing. It was just so much fun to see people figuring things out and building at warp speed…It's guided so much of what I've done ever since in terms of how to look for the right mindset and the right culture.” Vokoun stresses the importance of diversity in terms of fostering an inclusive approach to problem solving that leads to better outcomes and a stronger design. “We had such a diverse group in terms of age…back in the late nineties, 30% of our group was female…. 35% would be defined as minority. We were diverse before it was really a thing.” Diversity includes bringing in people from other industries to get unique points of view. “I love when we bring someone in that's never worked in a data center and they'll start by saying, ‘this is probably a dumb question' and I would say at least half of those dumb questions lead to Aha moments!” Vokoun is a strong believer that curiosity and a learning mindset are important personal attributes and that if you give people a chance, they will find a way to succeed. He discusses the serious challenge facing the critical infrastructure industry in terms of securing adequate human resources as the older generation retires. “The issues we have now are going to be compounded because we're going to need to build more data centers…the labor issue, and not just in management, but in terms of craft and construction workers.” Vokoun points out that the trades are more respected in some other parts of the world and stresses the importance of emphasizing the incredible opportunities for skilled tradespeople in the data center space. “If you have data center experience, you have probably five job offers in the next month if you want them.” Ron Vokoun is a 34-year veteran of the construction industry with a primary focus on Digital Infrastructure. As Director of Critical Facilities for OAC Services, Vokoun leads a team of construction professionals representing multiple clients in the build out of their data centers. He focuses on scalable, energy efficient, water conscious, and sustainable data center solutions with the lowest Total Cost of Ownership. He is also an author and blogger writing about the intersection of data centers and sustainability. Vokoun has successfully managed large projects and programs globally and has lived and worked in Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Japan, Washington, Arizona, Minnesota, and South Carolina. He has a B.S. in Construction Management from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Vokoun was awarded the certification of Designated Design-Build Professional by the Design-Build Institute of America and is a LEED Accredited Professional with a specialty in Building Design and Construction.
Nure Miguel Aiza Bezares (47) is a Mexican born entrepreneur who leads Toll International. He is a certified Construction Planning and Scheduling Professional by the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International and a designated Design-Build Professional by the Design Build Institute of America. His firm was founded in 2005 with the intention of delivering expert professional services in connection with large scale capital construction programs. He is a Civil Engineer by training and attended Northwestern University and MIT where he graduated in the 1990s. Nure lives in New York City with his wife Rox and son Diego (5). His older son Mateo (9) attends a gifted student program in Florida where he lives with extended family. The Aiza family likes traveling together and finding adventure while learning about cultures and geographies. They like to have fun and speak Spanish at home. Where to Find Nure Miguel Aiza Bezares Website: http://www.tollintl.com (http://www.tollintl.com) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nure.aiza/ (Nu Re Ai Za) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nure-m-aiza-psp-dbia-4ba60312/ (Nure M. Aiza) SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by http://www.entireproductions.com/ (Entire Productions)- Creating events (both in-person and virtual) that don't suck! and http://www.entireproductionsmarketing.com/ (Entire Productions Marketing)- carefully curated premium gifting and branded promo items. PLEASE RATE, REVIEW, & SUBSCRIBE on APPLE PODCASTS “I love Natasha and the Fascinating Entrepreneurs Podcast!”
Episode #32 We live in the midst of change, and sometimes we feel overwhelmed. And yet, we are made to grow, and growth cannot happen without change. What will you do if you feel stuck or frozen not knowing what your next move should be? Leadership transition is never easy. People frequently have the desire to be promoted and take on new things but do not want to let go of old and familiar tasks. This episode gives a whole new direction on how to embrace your emotions through a transition. Cheryl shares effective techniques on how to grow leaders, guiding them in the midst of professional and organizational change and transition. Transition is a prime opportunity for something new and unexpected to occur. If you learn to trust and be responsive, you can benefit greatly from surprises and synchronicities that lead you in whole new directions. The secret is trusting the process and trusting yourself. A Bit About Cheryl What Cheryl loves most is executive coaching, leadership consulting, and team building. she's so grateful to work with some of the best firms/leaders on the planet. Cheryl facilitates a mentoring style of leadership coaching and team-building for C-suite, senior executives, and emerging leaders. She has been told that she brings a trusted adviser approach to my relationships with clients - meeting them where they are and customizing solutions that are a fit for them and the strategic direction of the firm. For Water Education Colorado, she designed/facilitated 9 years of their ‘Water Leaders Program' which offered Colorado water professionals the unique opportunity to develop their leadership potential with a focus on water resources issues. For Merrick & Company, she designed/delivered four-year-long Leadership Development Programs, provided executive coaching to 160 leaders, facilitated dozens of team-building sessions, five Strategic Advances, and guided key leader succession planning and implementation. She also serves as a Director on Merrick's Board of Directors. She published her first book: The Wisdom of Transition~ Navigating Change at Work. It's based on expertise gathered from three decades of helping clients with change. It was published in January 2020 and won the Sound Advice Book Award for Best New Author 2020. Clients include Merrick & Company, Water Education Colorado, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Mile High Flood District, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Texas Water Leaders Program, Association of State Dam Safety Officials, Iron Woman Construction and Environmental Services, Women in Transportation Mentor/Proteges, Leonard Rice Engineers, Colorado Water Trust, River Restoration, Cherokee Metro District, Blattner Energy, ZGF Architects, Environmental Systems Design, and TLCD Architects. She has spoken at these national conferences: American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), Construction Industry Institute (CII), American Institute of Architects (AIA), Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), Consulting Engineers & Land Surveyors of California, Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-benedict-511a20a Website: https://www.morfconsulting.com/
On this episode of Real Estate for Breakfast, host Phil Coover chats with Mark Wight, Chairman and CEO of Wight & Company, about the intricacies and challenges of architectural design and construction and the efficiencies to the client of a vertically integrated design-led firm that handles design to delivery all in one shop. They discuss some current Wight & Company projects, including the Will County courthouse where the focus is transparency. Phil and Mark also discuss how the COVID-19 global pandemic and the shift to remote working have impacted design and workplace trends and how the company is handling the pandemic. Mark Wight is Chairman and CEO of Wight & Company, an award-winning architecture, engineering and construction firm that has been in business for more than 80 years. Originally founded by Col. Raulin B. Wight as a civil engineering firm, Wight & Company continues the tradition with a highly acclaimed group of transportation and infrastructure professionals. When Mark took the helm in 1987, he disrupted the industry by pioneering Design Led-Design Build, an integrated model of project delivery promising design and delivery excellence at unrivaled schedule and cost savings. This multidisciplinary approach connects architects to the cost implications of their design decisions and centers the collaborative process as the key to discovering the most creative and responsible solutions. Wight & Company is known for innovative ideas, technologies and responsible solutions ahead of their time. As a result, our company has been at the forefront of delivering environmental solutions that were once unorthodox but eventually became mainstream. The company’s culture of sustainability was integral to the successful completion of the first LEED Pilot Project. The construction value of the firm’s work in progress is over $1B annually and is continually ranked among the top firms in the country. The company has won numerous awards for its work from the American Institute of Architects, Landmarks Illinois, Design-Build Institute of America, U.S. Green Building Council, and many others. The greatest reward for Mark is working with the brightest people in the industry. Today, the firm boasts a visionary and vibrant culture of around 200 design, engineering, and construction specialists, dedicated to creating meaningful impact in the world today and in perpetuity. Mark earned a B.A. from Reed College and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame. While never formally trained in architecture, engineering or construction, Mark has been a determined student of the industry for more than 32 years. Learn more at: https://www.wightco.com/
Integrated project delivery methods have long since been a topic of debate among participants in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry. ACEC Colorado brings together a panel of consulting engineers and a contractor to discuss the latest delivery method, coined as Progressive Design-Build. Learn more about the characteristics of successful Progressive Design-Build teams, real-world project examples and the benefits of Progressive Design-Build to both the owner and the general public. Hear from the following panelists: Dave Crawford, P.E., DBIA, is the past CEO of Sundt Construction who was recently honored by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) with the Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor DBIA bestows. Bill Green, P.E., is the President of The RMH Group, and served as the Founding Chapter President of the Design-Build Institute of America Rocky Mountain Region and is also a Designated Design-Build Professional Fellow. Dave Poling, P.E., is a Senior Project Manager at Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers and Architects and has extensive Design-Build experience, having worked at the Colorado Department of Transportation for several years and now serves on the Design Consultant side heading up multiple projects for Wilson & Co.
This Part II discussion to ACEC Colorado’s Progressive Design Build podcast from May 2020 will focus on the roles and responsibilities of the participants in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry within a Progressive Design-Build project. Learn more about the issues inherent to a Progressive Design-Build project and how the roles of the architect versus the engineer versus the contractor all lead to various challenges. Hear from the following panelists: Dave Crawford, P.E., DBIA, is the past CEO of Sundt Construction who was recently honored by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) with the Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor DBIA bestows. Bill Green, P.E., is the President of The RMH Group, and served as the Founding Chapter President of the Design-Build Institute of America Rocky Mountain Region and is also a Designated Design-Build Professional Fellow. Dave Poling, P.E., is a Senior Project Manager at Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers and Architects and has extensive Design-Build experience, having worked at the Colorado Department of Transportation for several years and now serves on the Design Consultant side heading up multiple projects for Wilson & Co.
3 Invaluable Lessons from Rob Smedley It's absolutely critical to invest in people and focus as much time on building relationships as you do projects. It is essential to collaborate with the Owner from day one. Communicating effectively with the entire team is key to the success of any collaborative project. This week, host Sue Dyer speaks with Rob Smedley, the Design-Build Manager Buildings for RS&H. Rob is an AIA, DBIA, and has more than 30 years of experience on a variety of projects. Rob shares about the importance of using Design-Build concepts on projects and communicating effectively with your teams. Rob’s Journey into Design-Build (02:49) Rob's path was fairly typical, from school to intern, and then as a designer, moving into project manager, then project architect, and ultimately to principle. The shift came from an acquisition by an AE firm and Rob was introduced to new technologies in design and it spurred him into a whole new direction. The Biggest Challenges with Design (09:45) The keyword is People – staffing resources and finding quality people is difficult Evolving Technology: "Technology is great, but it's evolving daily” Generational workplace expectations and communication skills Opportunities for Design and Construction Collaboration (14:58) Progressive Design-Build Method The importance of the Owner in the collaboration of "the trinity" (design, construction, integration) Partnering – it is critical and one of the Best Practices identified by DBIA Utilization of new technologies The Barriers to Design, Construction, and Owner Integration (19:59) "People" are the greatest challenge Being comfortable with change The pressure of time: "Slow down and move with some purpose” Having Better Project Integration (25:53) Invest in relationships and doing the "off-season work" Rehearsals – practice standard protocols Partnering: "raising the bar" in communication efforts Communication and "melting away" complexity Rob’s Greatest Strengths as a Leader (33:55) Rob cares about the people, the organization, and the projects. One of Rob’s favorite quotes is, "People don't care about what you know until they know you care." - John Maxwell. Rob’s Greatest Career Challenge (35:30) Being fired by a client. In retrospect, learning from the fatal flaw of not being focused on the motives of the client, changed the whole perspective. The Very Best Advice Rob Has Ever Gotten (37:30) Think boldly, act boldly, but not blindly. Resources for Listeners (38:42) DBIA “Progressive Design-Build Best Practices” International Partnering Institute Construction Dive Podcasts: “By Example” with Carli Fiorina and The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast Book Recommendations: “How to Win Friends and Influence People” Contact Rob Contact Rob by Email Rob’s Parting Advice (41:33) If you are in this industry, Rob highly recommends getting familiar with 2 organizations: Design-Build Institute of America and the International Partnering Institute. Don't just become a member, get involved. Also, be sure to invest in yourself. Visit the ConstructionDreamTeam.com/resources page to see all of our guests’ recommended books, websites, etc. Construction Nation! Dream Teams don’t just happen they are built one step at a time. Why not send out this episode to your team, so they can help you. The faster you can build your dream team, the faster you can build your success. Remember…Construction Dream Team drops every Monday morning at 4 am PST. Please head on over to ConstructionDreamTeam.com to sign up for our newsletter and don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify!
3 Invaluable Lessons from Geoff Neumayr Partnering is the glue that helps align chaos and keep it from being a negative thing. If you want to gain trust, you have to first remove fear. Expectations have to be in alignment and conversations must be had up front. This week, host Sue Dyer speaks with Geoff Neumayr about building trust on projects, removing fear amongst your team, and aligning expectations both on construction projects and organization-wide. Subscribe to Construction Dream Team The following show notes are a transcription from the Construction Dream Team Podcast episode 19 audio interview between Sue and Geoff. Please join the Construction Dream Team LinkedIn Group to ask question and have a dialogue with the experts we have featured on the Construction Dream Team Podcast and with each other. About Guest Geoff Neumayr (1:15) Geoff is the Chief Development Officer at the San Francisco International Airport and is currently leading a $7 billion construction program. The program is using the progressive Design-Build model which was developed at SFO. He is the member of the Design-Build Institute of America Executive Board and will be their president in 2020. Geoff also serves on the board of the International Partnering Institute and was selected as ENR’s Top 25 Newsmakers in 2016. He is a civil licensed engineer and a structural engineer. Geoff’s Journey to Running a $7 Billion Program and Becoming the Chief Development Officer at SFO (2:45) Geoff’s journey started in college where he was an architecture major and moved to structural design (3:00) Geoff understood how art, design, and architecture all came together and his first job was at an architecture/engineering firm (3:45) Geoff then spent 15 years as an owner’s representative (advisor) through different projects including projects at SFO (5:00) Geoff learned the role of partnering and all of his experience led up to him stepping into his current role at SFO (5:45) How Teams Can Become More Integrated (10:00) Integration depends upon where you want to place the bar and what success should look like, not just on time and on budget (10:08) You have to reset the norm to understand what extraordinary really looks like; it’s not just avoiding litigation, it is LEED Platinum buildings, totally resilient buildings, facilities that bring smiles to people’s faces, things that enhance education, and wonderful passenger experiences (10:45) On your project, you should look at what’s possible, not just how to prevent fighting with each other (12:00) The First Steps to Progressive Design-Build (13:00) The first stage, you have to ask yourself the question as an Owner, “Do I really want to get to a better place – do I really want to do more?” (13:20) You have to have internal alignment in the organization (13:41) In the second stage, Stakeholders should be allowed to be involved in the process from the beginning which brings a lot more people into the mix – more chaos (14:30) We have to have tools that help us identify issues, not problems; they seem similar, but they are not. A problem, everyone knows about and the damage is already done. Issues are usually just in certain people’s heads and hasn’t happened yet so no one has been hurt (15:45) What You Can Do to Increase Trust Levels and Identify Issues (19:55) If you can take time to observe what people are afraid of and then remove that fear, all that will be left is trust. One example of removing fear at SFO: Everyone obviously sees a change that needs to be made. It is easy to write a Change Order for x price, the Change Order is written and received, but the people don’t do the work. Why? The reason they don’t do the work is because they are afraid that they won’t get paid within a month of doing the work because it took “months on end” to perfect and finish the Change Order. Once the group was assured they would get partial payment within weeks of starting the work, that the fee could be added to the next Pay Application, then they started the work. What Are Some Exceptional Results You’ve Seen? (24:40) The Air Traffic Control Tower had to be designed to a seismic standard where the FAA could occupy the tower during a major earthquake. The team looked at numerous alternatives, they were given time so they could dream big but not be rushed to a single conclusion, and they were trusted that they could come up with an extraordinary result. The team came up with a one of a kind vertical post tension structure, the tallest one in the U.S., and satisfied the criteria beyond what the FAA could even imagine. This was only possible because the Engineers trusted the airport enough to follow a different way of doing business and that the airport would fairly compensate them for the time and extra analysis. What Role Does Structural Collaborative Partnering Have in Progressive Design-Build? (28:00) Progressive Design-Build was originally a way to avoid litigation but partnering came in to produce extraordinary results. There’s nothing you can do to fix the “go, go, go” mentality, but a structural collaborative partnering process will fix it because it helps identify stumbling block issues for the program. The rest of the team must then make a commitment to one another as to how they’ll deal with conflicts. The Biggest Frustration Geoff Has Faced (34:45) The biggest disappointment and challenge Geoff faced was the quality of the work at SFO a long time ago under a Design-Bid-Build project. Throughout the project, it was difficult to get the quality promised in the contract and there were empty promises and disappointments on discrepancies with quality. Geoff learned that the problem can’t be fixed at the end of a project; expectations have to be in alignment from the beginning. The Best Advice Geoff Has Ever Gotten (39:00) To marry his wife! But professionally, to go out to the field and ask the person who actually has to do the work what to do when you need help - this was Geoff’s first experience with collective wisdom. Resources for Listeners Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury Contact Geoff Geoff’s LinkedIn Profile Email Geoff: Geoff.Neumayr@flysfo.com Geoff’s Parting Advice (44:55) Take one thing and try to do it better today than you did it yesterday. The only way you can get to tomorrow is to get through today. Construction Nation! Dream Teams don’t just happen they are built one step at a time. Why not send out this episode to your team, so they can help you. The more people you have helping – the faster you can build your Construction Dream Team. You can’t have your dream until you build your team! Please head on over to ConstructionDreamTeam.com to sign up for our newsletter and don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify! Remember…Construction Dream Team drops every Monday morning at 4 am PST. Please join us next week when Sue will interview another industry leader or expert so you can learn how to create your Construction Dream Team!
3 Invaluable Lessons from Rick Del Monte Have a vision and learn how to get people on board with it and follow through. Be sure that the architect, contractor, and owner are all on the same page. Know when to let go of a project or bid. This week, host Sue Dyer interviews guest Rick Del Monte, Chief Design Officer and Managing Director of the Beck Group out of Dallas. Subscribe to Construction Dream Team The following show notes are a transcription from the Construction Dream Team Podcast episode 15 audio interview between Sue and Rick. Please subscribe to Construction Dream Team for the latest episodes on our website, iTunes or Stitcher! We would LOVE a 5-star rating to help us show up in the search engines so more of Construction Nation can listen to industry leaders and experts on their computers, phones, or tablets! Rick’s Leadership Journey (1:13) Rick is an architect by training, he worked for four years and went back for a second Master’s in architecture and building design. He spent nine years doing high-rise buildings in New York. As his family grew they chose to move to Dallas and build a firm there. He began to learn computer tools in the early 90’s and they had a website when most firms did not. About the Beck Group (5:30) The CEO decided that the industry was broken and realized they needed in-house architects and technology tools (6:40) They now have 180 architects and six offices in the U.S. and Mexico City.(6:58) The Beck Group has $1.3B in construction volume (7:05) About 40%-50% of the integrated volume projects they do is Beck/Beck (Beck Construction/Beck Design) (7:20) Their sweet spot is $15M to $120M projects on the integrated side (8:00) Integration is working together internally as architects and contractors to do a job (9:00) Rick’s Greatest Strengths as a Leader (10:00) Having the drive and ambition to figure out how to follow a vision (10:45) Executing the transformation of the Beck Group (12:00) He is the chair of the Design Build Institute of America’s Design Quality initiative (12:55) The Definition of Design Quality (14:20) Has to provide what the owner perceives to be excellence in design. Must meet the criteria of the users of the building and the facility. How does this building contribute the community? Advice to Smaller Firms (18:20) Define what the design contingency is and have frank conversations with the contractor (19:00) Design is directly predicated on direct contact between the owner and the architect (19:55) Be in alignment before you ever begin a job (21:30) Listen to your gut! (24:55) Best Advice Rick Received (25:13) Take your work very seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously. This will serve you well in relationships with clients. Resources for Project Managers Read Creativity Inc. By Ed Catmull Parting Advice (27:45) This is a changing economy and changing world – take care of your health and take care of your finances. Construction Nation! Dream Teams don’t just happen they are built one step at a time. Why not send out this episode to your team, so they can help you. The more people you have helping – the faster you can build your Construction Dream Team. You can’t have your dream until you build your team! Please head on over to ConstructionDreamTeam.com to sign up for our newsletter and don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify! Contact Rick Visit Linkedin to send Rick a message! Download poster Remember…Construction Dream Team drops every Monday morning at 4 am PST. Please join us next week when Sue will interview another industry leader or expert so you can learn how to create your Construction Dream Team!
Rob Smedley, AIA, joins me to discuss challenges with managing the design phase of design-build projects and preserving claims for impacts to the design schedule. Rob is the Design Build Manager for Buildings at RS&H and serves as both the National and Florida Region Membership Chair of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). The episode kicks off with examples of standard notice provisions applicable to design delay claims. Rob then offers insight into the design-builder's and owner's role in maintaining the design schedule, and the importance of communication between all participants in the project. Based on his past experience, Rob provides real world examples of breakdowns in the management of the design phase. We also share some quick thoughts on the value of membership in DBIA. About the host: Chad Walker is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Florida Bar. He is a partner in the Orlando office of Regan Whelan Zebouni & Atwood. You can reach Chad at 407-514-2621. You can also learn more about Chad's practice by visiting ConstructionLaw.Pro.
In 1993, design-build was authorized by just three states for public projects…today, there are just three states which are holdouts. The industry has come a long way in the 25 years since the first group of leaders met in Washington, D.C. to talk about forming a new design-build association. The Design-Build Institute of Association started as just an idea. Thanks to the leadership of our five “founding fathers:” Preston Haskell, Jim Gray, Rik Kunnath, Don Warren and Kraig Kreikemeier, DBIA has transcended even their dreams for the organization. In today’s episode of Design-Build Delivers we talk to DBIA’s founding fathers about the past, present and future of our industry.
Where were you in 1993? DBIA goes back to the future and talks to two long-time design-builders about the industry’s past, present and future as we celebrate the Design-Build Institute of America’s 25th anniversary. Design-build growth continues nationwide, are you ready for what the future holds for our industry?
From the Design-Build Institute of America, this is Design-Build Delivers, a show about the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry’s fastest growing delivery method…design-build.
Cincinnati Business Talk highlights the positive side of Cincinnati area businesses. We will be talking to CEOs who have won awards and had great success. Today's guest is Tim Schap the Chief Operations Officer of Construction Process Solutions, Ltd. Tim is responsible for client and project management, staff resource management, staff education, contract negotiations and general office operations. He is a key consultant, providing project representation and management, construction management, scheduling and estimating, claims management and analysis, dispute resolution support, operational audits and evaluations services on a wide range of projects. In addition, he provides standard of care analysis and review of program and design issues for CPS. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects. He serves as an arbitrator for the Construction Dispute Resolution Services Dispute Review Board. He has served as the Design-Build Institute of America Ohio Valley Chapter Marketing Committee Chair and Ohio Representative. The show aired live at 4 PM on Friday June 28th. Listen to this link: http://tobtr.com/s/4967013 You can listen to the show on Apple iTunes as a Podcast. You can add the podcast at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Cincy-Business-talk.rss You can add Cincy-Business-Talk as an RSS feed to your Outlook email program. The exact feed http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Cincy-Business-talk.rss