Laying the Foundation

Project Highlight: Melcher Dallas School (Feat. Ryan Cameron)

In this episode of Laying the Foundation, we delve into the challenges and triumphs of the Melcher-Dallas High School renovation project. Following a devastating gymnasium roof collapse, we discuss the design and construction of a new gymnasium and addition featuring dedicated spaces for electives. We explore how the project team navigated the complexities of construction during the COVID-19 pandemic, including supply chain disruptions and labor shortages. Finally, we reflect on the importance of resilience, adaptability, and community collaboration in bringing this vital project to fruition, ultimately enhancing educational opportunities for students in rural Iowa.

Leading the Way: The Importance of Mentorship with Adam Van Gorp

We're sitting down with CMBA Principal Architect Adam Van Gorp to explore the profound impact of mentorship. How mentorship is a two-way street, where both the mentor and mentee have the opportunity to learn and grow from each other, a concept applicable in every aspect of life. Adam shares insights into how this philosophy is embedded in our firm's culture, highlighting our summer intern program, which provides students with invaluable learning experiences, as well as CMBA University, our internal program designed to help every team member better understand the inner workings of the firm. Join us to learn why building a culture of shared knowledge is essential for professional and personal development.

An Inside Look at a Company Acquisition

Join us in this insightful episode as CMBA Architects CEO Brian Crichton and Levi Architecture's Dan Levi discuss the strategic acquisition that brought their two firms together. They delve into the motivations behind this significant move, exploring how it expands expertise and geographic reach, the alignment of similar company cultures, and the new opportunities it creates. Discover how a long-term friendship and a shared growth mindset paved the way for this collaboration, leading to enhanced client experience, improved communications, and an overall elevated standard of care in architectural services.

Jay Reyhons (Behind the Blueprint)

In this Behind the Blueprint episode, we sit down with Jay Reyhons, a Registered Interior Designer at CMBA Architects. Jay shares his journey into the field of interior design, his passion for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces, and his role in the design process. He discusses the importance of collaboration with architects and other team members to achieve successful project outcomes.

Leading the Way: Designing Excellence with Brent Koch

Principal Architect Brent Koch takes us on a journey to define and demystify the concept of design excellence. He explains that it's more than just aesthetics; it's a guiding philosophy for creating buildings that truly serve people, respect the planet, and are built through thoughtful collaboration. Drawing on the AIA's Framework for Design Excellence, Brent walks us through ten key principles from integration and equitable communities to sustainability, economy, and well-being. This is a conversation about broadening our definition of success to encompass purpose, resilience, and the power of a design that is truly meaningful and lasting.

Building Culture with Brian: Developing People

Principal Architect Brian Crichton returns to the podcast to discuss the intentional strategies CMBA uses to cultivate talent and build a resilient culture. In this episode, Brian explains how leaders can spot potential early, move beyond traditional annual reviews to create ongoing "micro-coaching" feedback loops, and structure growth pathways tailored to the individual.

Design & Childcare

Principal Architect Dan Levi, a leading expert in childcare facility design, joins the podcast to unpack the critical relationship between architecture and the operational realities of the childcare industry. Dan addresses the dual challenges of affordability and availability, explaining how strategic pre-design work, including community surveys and pro forma analysis, is essential. He then dives into schematic design, focusing on maximizing student-to-teacher ratios, minimizing staffing needs through efficient layouts, and understanding the intricate day-to-day operations to create facilities that are not only inviting but also financially sustainable and highly functional for both children and staff.

Leading the Way: Uniting a Community in the Face of Disaster with Angela McCaulley

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with CMBA Associate Principal Angela McCaulley to discuss the power of community resilience following the historic 2024 flooding in Northwest Iowa. After witnessing 80% of her hometown of Spencer suffer damage, Angela and her husband recognized a critical void when a local non-profit thrift store was unable to reopen. They stepped in to found Fresh Start Market & Boutique, a 501(c)3 organization that has transformed over 20,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space into a hub for recovery. We discuss the logistics of managing a massive donation and voucher system, the emotional impact of having their entire family involved in the effort, and how their commitment united the community. Join us for a conversation about how leadership goes far beyond the drawing board when a community needs a place to start over.

Anna Bednarko (Behind the Blueprint)

In this episode of our "Behind the Blueprint" series, we head to our Des Moines office to chat with Architect Anna Bednarko. Anna takes us through her personal journey into the world of architecture, sharing the moments that sparked her passion for the craft and what continues to inspire her design thinking today. We discuss the vital role of the architect in bridging the gap between a client’s vision and a physical reality, and why she believes the strongest projects are the result of strong focus on the client's needs. Join us for an inside look at the person behind the drawings and the heart of our Des Moines design team.

Supporting Care Teams Through Design

In this episode, we tackle one of the most pressing challenges in modern healthcare: the intersection of architectural design and the national staffing crisis. Joined by a panel of CMBA experts, including an Associate Principal, a Healthcare Architect, and an Interior Designer, we explore how "design for lean staffing" has shifted from a luxury to a necessity. Our team shares their experiences of when strategic sightlines and multi-functional spaces have allowed fewer staff members to provide a higher standard of care without burnout. From "walking the workflow" to identify wasted movement to designing a full-service bistro operated by a single person, we dive into the "force multipliers" that help medical facilities do more with less. Tune in to learn how smart design is helping healthcare leaders rethink their operations and prioritize both patient safety and staff well-being in an increasingly demanding environment.