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Design-Build Delivers — Business
Design-Build Delivers

Welcome to the 2024 Bronze and 2026 Silver Stevie® Award-winning Design-Build Delivers, the podcast dedicated to exploring design-build, the fastest-growing project delivery method in the nation. Presented by the Design-Build Institute of America, episodes feature stories and discussions with industry experts, Owners and successful design-build teams aimed at helping professionals achieve Design-Build Done Right®. With design-build projected to reach nearly half of all construction spending by 2028, listen in as we uncover the latest insights –– including best practices, resources, trends, timely issues, technology, case studies and more –– driving the future of construction.

The team behind the show:

Host/Editor: Erin Looney

Producers: Danielle Hall, Fred Yi, Erin Looney

Additional Editing: Fred Yi

Promotion/Additional Production: Phillip Nguyen, Eden Binder

Thank you to our 2026 Design-Build Delivers partner, ARKANCE an Autodesk Platinum Partner.

ARKANCE is a global partner for digital and operational transformation across the architecture, engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors. Operating across more than 20 countries with 1,200 experts worldwide, ARKANCE helps organizations connect workflows, systems, data and teams to reduce complexity, improve performance and realize greater value from their digital investments.

Latest Episodes:

No Smoke and Mirrors Here: Inside the DBIA Awards Jury Mar 16, 2026

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Every year, the DBIA Project/Team Awards recognize the teams that demonstrate Design-Build Done Right®, but how does the jury actually evaluate submissions?

In this episode, your host Erin Looney chats with four members of the DBIA Awards jury to explain what they look for when reviewing projects and what makes a submission stand out.

The discussion covers:

How collaboration and leadership influence award-winning projects
Why documentation and storytelling matter in submissions
How teams can demonstrate the real impact of VDC and technology
The role of procurement strategy and risk allocation

If you're considering submitting a project, this episode offers practical insight directly from the people who review the applications.

Resources in the episode

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

All Politics Is Local: The State-by-State Push for Design-Build Authority Feb 27, 2026

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State legislatures across the country are in session, and like every year, the decisions made now could directly affect how projects are delivered for years to come.

In the latest episode of Design-Build Delivers, we hung out with DBIA’s Director of State and Local Legislative Affairs, Richard Thomas, and Legislative Committee Chair Vince Campanella to unpack what’s happening in 2026. From progressive design-build expansion to sunset clauses and subtle procurement language changes, the legislative landscape remains active and consequential.

Some states are refining mature programs. Others are transitioning from pilot programs to full authority. And in a few cases, familiar bills are resurfacing with new language that could impact Owners, designers and contractors alike.

Resources in this episode:

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

“It’s Still Painted the Wrong Color”: Lisa Washington and Virginia McAllister on Collaboration, Risk and 2026 Jan 30, 2026

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Each year, the Design-Build Delivers Podcast chats with ED/CEO Lisa Washington, CAE, and DBIA’s new National Board Chair about what’s ahead for the industry.

In this episode, Washington and host Erin Looney are joined by 2026 National Board Chair Virginia McAllister for a forward-looking conversation on collaboration, risk and the priorities shaping design-build in the coming year. Together, they explore what’s driving continued growth in the delivery method, where teams tend to struggle and how education and shared understanding remain essential as design-build expands.

The discussion also touches on how DBIA is evolving to meet the moment, from expanded access to resources and membership to new and updated education designed to support owners and practitioners navigating design-build for the first — or fiftieth — time.

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

All In at the Design-Build Conference & Expo, Part 2: Leaders Who Move Design-Build Forward Dec 17, 2025

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In Part 2, we catch up with DBIA’s 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award recipients and the Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award winner

DBIA’s 2025 Design-Build Conference & Expo in Las Vegas celebrated more than award-winning projects and standout teams. It also recognized the leaders whose careers, influence and commitment continue to shape the design-build industry.

Part 2 of our post–Design-Build Conference & Expo podcast coverage focuses on DBIA’s individual honors, featuring interviews with this year’s Distinguished Leadership Award recipients and the 2025 Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award winner. These conversations highlight the achievements being recognized and the leadership behind them.

Featured Projects and Interviews

Jennifer Macks — Distinguished Leadership Award (Industry Practitioner)
Britt Sanford — Distinguished Leadership Award (Owner)
David Shadpour — Distinguished Leadership Award (Young Professional)
Janice Zahn — Distinguished Leadership Award (Legislator)
Bill Reifsteck — 2025 Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award

Resources:

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

All In at the Design-Build Conference & Expo: Teams that Won Big in Vegas Nov 25, 2025

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We’re back from Las Vegas and reliving the 2025 Design-Build Conference & Expo in Part 1 of this two-part recap. This episode focuses on the teams that won big in Vegas: the Project of the Year, the Chair’s Award and the top three finishers in DBIA’s National Design-Build Student Competition.

Host Erin Looney brings you conversations from the competition and the awards show floor (yes, with plenty of background noise), starting with:

Project of the Year

Kansas City International Airport New Single Terminal and Garage
Guests: Mark Goodwin, Clark Construction
Awards: Aviation | Best in Process – Progressive Design-Build | Trailblazer in Inclusive Growth | National Award of Excellence | National Award of Merit | Project of the Year

Chair’s Award

Hurricane Ian Sanibel Island Access
Guests: Toby Mazzoni (Superior Construction), Paul Suellentrop (DeMoya Infrastructure)

2025 National Design-Build Student Competition

1st Place — D&T Construction (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)
Students: Alyson Buchholz, Sergio Gonzalez, Coulter Langmaid, Casey Lavin, Jacquelyn Lomano (Captain)
Faculty Advisor: Tom Kommer

2nd Place — Cypress (University of Florida)
Students: Elijah John, Aidan Newsom, Asa Richards (Captain), Nicholas Soler, Lucas Wicks
Faculty Advisor: Russell Walters
Special Recognition: Asa Richards – Best Individual Presenter Award

3rd Place — Pioneer Design-Build (Alfred State College)
Students: Jessica Budd, Fernanda Ceja, Selena Fullone, Owen Lantiegne (Captain), Connor Welsh
Faculty Advisor: William Dean

Learn more about the National Design-Build Student Competition

Discover more of the 2025 award-winning design-build projects and teams.

Get ready for future DBIA conferences.

Coming in Part 2:
Interviews with the 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award winners — Janice Zahn, Britt Sanford, David Shadpour, Jennifer Macks — and Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Bill Reifsteck.

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

AI, Data and the Design-Build Owner: A Conversation with ARKANCE Oct 30, 2025

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Artificial intelligence is no longer an abstract idea for design-build teams. It’s already changing how projects are delivered, managed and maintained. In this episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, DBIA’s Director of Virtual Design and Construction Brian Skripac is joined by three leaders from ARKANCE — Jason Kunkel, Senior Practice Manager; Nick Miller, Director of BIM Services; and Justin Friedman, Practice Manager | Facilities Management — to explore how data and AI are reshaping the Owner experience.

Together, they unpack how design-build teams are using data to:

Turn information into intelligence that drives better decisions.
Build a culture of trust and governance around data ownership.
Identify “quick wins” to make AI adoption practical and scalable.
Shift focus from building smarter to owning smarter.

It’s a conversation about the real-world impact of data — how it’s captured, shared and leveraged across every phase of a project’s lifecycle — and what it means for Owners navigating the next era of delivery.

Resources:

The VDC Project Leader's Role & Responsibilities on Design-Build Projects(Free to download)
Smarter, Faster, Still Human: How AI Agents are Changing Design-Build (August 2025 Design-Build Delivers Podcast episode)
From Sci-Fi to Site Plans: How Augmented Reality is Changing Design-Build (May 2024 Design-Build Delivers Podcast episode)
What Do Design-Build, Robot Jokes and Baseball Have in Common? (May 2024 Design-Build Delivers Podcast Bonus Content Episode)
Design-Build Delivers Blog posts on AI:

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

Still Talking About Chickens and People: More on Human-Centered Design (Bonus Content Episode) Oct 24, 2025

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This bonus segment from the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, brought to you by ARKANCE, goes a little deeper into the human side of design. DBIA National Board Members Deb Sheehan of DPR Construction and Susan O’Connell of AC Martin explore design justice, community context and why “offensive” isn’t always straightforward. From satisfaction surveys to public art, they unpack how design-build teams navigate human complexity with empathy, flexibility and a touch of humor.

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

Need a Chicken. Got a Chicken: Why Human-Centered Design Is More Complex Than It Looks Sep 30, 2025

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How do you bring empathy, listening and iteration into projects built for real people? In this episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, Erin Looney talks with Deb Sheehan and Susan O’Connell about the realities, challenges, and opportunities of applying Human-Centered Design within design-build delivery. Expect stories from healthcare, higher ed, and civic projects where user feedback, prototyping, and adaptability shape outcomes.

Guests:

Deb Sheehan, ACHE, LEED AP, EDAC, DBIA — Healthcare Core Market Leader at DPR Construction, oversight of $9.5B+ in projects, board roles, evidence-based design leader.
Susan O’Connell, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA — Managing Principal at AC Martin, 35+ years in complex projects across civic, aviation, higher ed; skilled in integrating input and leading multidisciplinary teams.

Topics Covered:

What “human-centered design” really means (vs buzzword)
Tools and techniques: prototyping, mockups, user feedback, iteration
Project case stories: real challenges in healthcare, campus, civic spaces
Balancing cost, schedule and human experience
The role of awards, standards and industry leadership
What’s next: housing, AI, cross-discipline integration

Resources & References:

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

Smarter, Faster, Still Human: How AI Agents are Changing Design-Build Aug 29, 2025

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People usually fall into one of two camps on AI: it’s either the most exciting tool since BIM or it’s a technology to fear. In this episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, we look past the hype and into the jobsite, where AI agents are already reshaping how design-build teams work.

Brought to you by ARKANCE (Learn more at arkance.us/dbia), this conversation features Brian Skripac, DBIA’s Director of Virtual Design & Construction, and Paul Hedgepath, Director of Virtual Construction at MJ Harris. Together, they share how AI is moving from speculation to application and delivering real value in scheduling, safety and specs.

From waterproofing details resolved in seconds to healthcare owners eyeing AI for facilities management, the stories highlight both the promise and the practical barriers of adoption. Along the way, our guests tackle questions of trust, integration and what it takes to bring new tools into collaborative teams.

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

Design-Build at 14,000 Feet: How a “Small” Federal Project Redefined Possibility on Pikes Peak Jul 25, 2025

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What does it take to deliver a mission-critical federal facility atop one of the most extreme environments in the U.S.? In this episode, we head to Colorado’s Pikes Peak to explore the award-winning High Altitude Research Lab, a 4,000-square-foot facility rebuilt under intense weather, logistical and design constraints. Joe Opyd shares how his team used design-build to meet the moment and what this “small” project reveals about trust, flexibility and collaboration.

Guest:
Joe Opyd, CCM, DBIA, Sr. Project Manager / Project Controls Manager, DPR Construction
Member, DBIA Federal Committee

Topics Covered:

Using design-build for small but complex federal projects
Delivering in extreme environments (wind, lightning, altitude)
Stakeholder collaboration and city-federal partnerships
Long funding timelines and design constraints
Safety planning and logistics at 14,000 feet
How DBIA principles supported project success

Related Links:

High Altitude Research Laboratory Project Summary and photos.
Register for DBIA’s Federal Sector Design-Build Industry Days. Public and private Owners attend free, and UBEs receive discounted registration.
Explore the DBIA Projects Database to learn more about HARL and other successful design-build projects.
Ahead of the 2025 Project/Team Award announcement (coming soon), get to know past DBIA Project/Team Award Winners.

Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org.
DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.

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