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.