Constructing Connections
Constructing Connections
Key Lessons from The Blueprint Tour, Season 1
We’ve been on an incredible journey with Season 1 of The Blueprint Tour. In season 1, our first tour, we discussed "Coordination," it felt great to have a chance to express the MEP engineer’s perspective. But it also taught us much about what goes on outside our ivory MEP towers. Here are some of our favorite insights so far.
The Risk the Owner Presents
In Season 1, "the risk the owner brings to the project" surfaced a few times. It was such a popular conversation that it prompted us to invite Chris Brown from Benny’s Pizza to discuss the owner’s perspective. Here's a glance into those conversations:
Jeff Consroe from Shelly Williams Company (Episode 3): Jeff delved into the complexities of project management, pointing out that the owner's lack of defined expectations could introduce significant risk to contractors. He underscored the industry's nature, where developers are often focused on turning numbers over to owners, sometimes at the expense of thorough planning and risk assessment.
Madj Soudi and Michelle Mikida from SMBW (Episode 8): They emphasized the importance of experience—not just of the design professionals and builders but also of the owner. They noted that an experienced owner could significantly reduce the risk associated with project delays and cost overages.
Duke Dodson from Dodson Development (Episode 4): Duke shared his approach to managing risks associated with construction projects, particularly highlighting the unpredictable nature of the industry. He mentioned building contingencies into various categories to cushion the impact of unforeseen expenses. Duke's narrative stresses the importance of psychological readiness for the inherent messiness of development projects and the value of working with trusted partners to navigate challenges.
Kendrick Richardson from RDS Architecture (Episode 13): Kendrick discussed the influence of the client on project risk, advocating for client education and the management of expectations. He pointed out that seasoned developers or restaurateurs present less risk to the project team because they understand contingencies and the realities of construction. This conversation highlighted the need for transparent communication and education to ensure project success and manage risks effectively.
Jacob Combee from archsmith studio (Episode 12): Jacob touched on the owner's role in budget and risk management, highlighting the tension between the desire for cost savings and the reality of financial constraints. He underscored the importance of collective effort and clear communication among all project stakeholders to meet budgetary goals and mitigate risks.
If you are working with an inexperienced owner, be sure you at least have a highly experienced team. The experience should be specific to the project, not generic construction experience. Experience means the mistakes have been made on someone else’s project, not yours.
Hybrid Designer-Tradesman
We had a fascinating chat with Ben Matthews from Metro Electric about combining the education styles of designers and the trades. What if we mixed up engineering design and trade work into one job? Picture someone who knows the ins and outs of design software and can also handle the nitty-gritty of construction, like wiring and setting up conduits.
We were inspired by how tradesfolks learn their craft, moving up from apprentices to masters. So, we thought, why not apply something similar to engineering design? This way, we're not just sitting at desks but getting our hands dirty too, really understanding what it takes to bring designs to life.
The thing is, getting into engineering design can be tough. You need a four-year ABET-accredited university degree to even think about becoming a Professional Engineer. Then, after four years of experience, if you are lucky enough to still remember calculus, you can sit for the PE exam. Our talk with Ben opened our eyes to a different path—one where we value practical skills just as much as book smarts.
We shared some stories about folks who've been in the trades for years and then stepped into design roles. Turns out, they're some of the best designers because they've been solving real-world problems for so long. It got us thinking about how the industry could really benefit from blending these experiences more.
How great would it be if they had two years of the engineering, the software training, and then two years of on-the-job training…that would be an amazing engineer. - Ben Matthews
Collaborate and be Willing to Pivot
Duke shared a particularly engaging story about a challenging situation involving rebar, a common material used in construction for reinforcing concrete. Just as they were about to commence a project, the rebar cost suddenly spiked, threatening to add a staggering $400,000 to its price—a project already valued at $22 million. This unforeseen expense could significantly impact the project's financial feasibility and success.
Facing this dilemma, Dodson, the general contractor (KBS), the architect, and the ownership team gathered to brainstorm solutions. The GC suggested exploring an alternative approach to constructing the parking garage, potentially employing a method they had not used before - tension rods. This method involved a technique that might not have been as familiar to them but promised to mitigate the cost impact of the rising rebar prices.
This situation underscores the importance of flexibility, innovation, and collaboration in construction. Dodson highlighted the importance of working with a trusted team willing to explore new solutions and adapt strategies to overcome unexpected challenges. Despite the initial uncertainty and the risk associated with trying a new construction method, the team decided to pivot their approach just a week before starting, demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt under pressure.
So we pivoted right then, like a week before we were going to start, and changed the whole structure of the parking garage, and it worked. - Duke Dodson
Never Assume Malice
Kenny and Carter discussed dealing with conflict, bringing up PermitZIP’s internal mantra to “never assume malice”, showcasing its significance in maintaining positive communication and effective collaboration within the construction and design industry. This mantra, emphasizing the importance of not jumping to negative conclusions about others' intentions, is a guiding philosophy for PermitZIP, promoting a culture of understanding and problem-solving over conflict.
Episode 8 with Madj Soudi and Michelle Mikida from SMBW: This episode delved into the emotional aspects of dealing with high-stakes projects and underscored the "never assume malice" approach as a method to temper emotional reactions and foster a more balanced, positive outlook in potentially stressful interactions.
Well, I think it's important to know that some of these things aren't really high stakes. - Michelle
Episode 11 with Ben Matthews from Metro Electric: Ben Matthews discussed the significance of emotional intelligence in managing stress, especially in handling communications that could escalate into conflicts. The "never assume malice" philosophy was evident in his approach to de-escalating situations and ensuring conversations remain constructive.
We embrace this mantra to advocate for a construction and design industry culture where challenges are met with collective effort, understanding, and a presumption of positive intent, enhancing project outcomes and professional relationships. We get it - someone is going to sue someone sometimes, making it impossible to trust each other. But more often than not, when we assume malice, we are just letting the stress of construction get the better of us and the only thing that suffers is the project's success.
Season 2: Design
As we peek over the horizon at Season 2, "Design," we're excited to find out what more there is to learn about using a single word to thread the conversation between all the industry experts. We'll dive deep into creativity and innovation and hopefully uncover simplicity, practicality, and a few surprised and good laughs along the way.
Stay with us on *The Blueprint Tour* as we embark on this next chapter. Whether in the trenches or behind the drafting table, it's all about making those connections count. We appreciate all the support you’ve given us during Season 1. If you haven’t yet, please subscribe and share the podcast with folks you think would benefit from the insights. Let us know what you’d like us to explore next!