Laying the Foundation

CMBA CEO Brian Crichton returns to the podcast to discuss the critical leadership discipline of clarity. In this episode, Brian shares how transparency, or "saying the quiet part out loud," reduces confusion and builds trust across the firm. He walks through the crucial steps of translating big strategy into daily, actionable tasks, and how to set firm expectations without resorting to micromanagement. Brian also offers insights on achieving alignment across multi-office locations and ensuring communication truly lands with every team member, even during challenging moments.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into an iconic Sioux City project with CMBA Interior Designer Shelbie DeLaughter. We explore the fascinating journey of the Sioux Honey Association, a 100-year-old beekeeper cooperative, as it transitions from a high-traffic office renovation to a massive corporate campus relocation. Shelbie shares the "plot twist" that moved the project to a new warehouse site, and how the design team pivoted to create a "campus" feel that integrates historical displays, collaborative hubs, and custom mission-driven graphics. Join us to hear how agile design and a passion for texture and color are helping a legendary local brand prepare for its next century of growth.

In this episode, we explore the unique "neighborhood" design of the new Gilbert Elementary School, a project deeply rooted in its local context. Andrew shares a pivotal moment in the design process: observing how teachers and students maximized activity in an older building that was never intended for such high levels of movement. This realization led to a "seasonal" interior strategy where Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd-grade wings transition from Spring to Fall themes, specifically engineered to support play-based learning and multi-classroom collaboration. We also discuss how the school serves as a permanent community asset, featuring multi-use spaces like the gymnasium and commons designed for public use.

In this special episode of Laying the Foundation, we’re stepping away from the drafting table for a spirited round of "This or That" with members of the CMBA team. We're pulling back the curtain on the diverse personalities and design values that drive our collaborative environment. It’s an entertaining mix of professional wisdom and light hearted banter that shows what makes our team tick.

In this episode of Laying the Foundation, we sit down with Mike Thole, an Associate Principal at CMBA Architects, to demystify the increasingly popular "Design-Build" project delivery method. Moving beyond the traditional silos of design-bid-build, Mike explains how bringing architects and contractors together from day one creates a unified "three-legged stool" of collaboration between the owner, the designer, and the builder. The discussion dives into the practical benefits of this model, from real-time cost transparency and accelerated schedules to the critical role of team chemistry, while also identifying which project types are best suited for this integrated approach. Whether you’re an owner looking for more certainty in your next build or an industry professional navigating a shifting landscape, this conversation offers a clear roadmap for understanding how partnership-driven design is shaping the future of the built environment.

In the latest episode of our Behind the Blueprint series, we sit down with Tanner Koeppe to explore the journey of a designer. From his roots in South Sioux City to completing his Master’s at UNL, Tanner shares how a summer job in roofing and a passion for creative problem-solving led him to CMBA Architects. Plus, we get a glimpse into Tanner’s life outside the office.

What happens when the people who spend the most time in a school building finally have a say in its design? In this episode of Laying the Foundation, we are joined by Principal Architect Courtney Koch to explore the transformative power of incorporating student voices into K12 architecture. We discuss the shift from designing for students to designing with them, examining how authentic engagement, from interactive design charrettes to student shadowing, leads to spaces that foster ownership, safety, and inspiration. Join us as we dive into the practicalities of inclusive design and why the most important insights often come from the students themselves.

In today’s episode, CEO Brian Crichton makes the business case for joy and play in the workplace, arguing that having fun is a strategic advantage that builds psychological safety and boosts retention. Brian shares how CMBA creates memorable traditions, from lunch rituals to cross-office challenges, and helps leaders show their personality while maintaining professionalism. He discusses strategies for fostering "fun" in hybrid and distributed teams, and why celebrating personal milestones and life events, not just project productivity, is essential for building true, lasting connection and resilience across the firm.

In this episode of Laying the Foundation, Skyler sits down with CMBA CFO Kent Lutz to explore the concept of "Design on Demand." They discuss how modern technology and AI are driving a major shift in the traditional architectural process, easing the tedious technical burden on the back end so architects can focus more heavily on early creative problem-solving. While clients increasingly expect instant, Spotify-like access to project results, Kent explains why balancing these accelerated timelines with an iterative, patient design process is still essential to creating high-quality spaces.