Design-Build Delivers

Bird by Bird: Tackling Data Strategy One Step at a Time with ARKANCE

Have thoughts? Text us! AI, digital twins and new technology can create real value for design-build teams but only when there’s a clear reason for using them. In the second half of our conversation with Tobias Scheele, Executive Vice President, Americas, ARKANCE USA; Nick Miller, Pre-Sales Director, ARKANCE USA; and Brian Skripac, Director of Virtual Design and Construction at DBIA, we get into what organizations should understand before investing in AI or digital twins, how to tell a useful tool from the latest shiny object and what happens when project partners are working at very different levels of digital maturity. We also look at the people side of technology adoption, including why new systems can create frustration when teams don’t understand what they’re getting in return. If you missed the first half of the conversation, listen to “Human in the Lead: Building a Better Data Strategy with ARKANCE.” 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

Human in the Lead: Building a Better Data Strategy with ARKANCE

Have thoughts? Text us! What happens to project data after turnover, and how much of its value gets lost along the way? ARKANCE’s Tobias Scheele and Nick Miller join DBIA’s Director of Virtual Design and Construction, Brian Skripac, for a conversation about making project information more useful from design and construction through operations. They discuss where information tends to break down, how teams can improve continuity without prescribing specific tools and why automation works best when it supports human expertise rather than attempts to replace it. This is the first of two episodes from the conversation. Part 2, coming at the end of the month, turns to AI, digital twins and the questions organizations should ask before investing in new technology. GUESTS: Tobias Scheele Executive Vice President, Americas, ARKANCE Nick Miller Director of BIM Services, ARKANCE Brian Skripac, CM-BIM, CDT, LEED AP, DBIA Director of Virtual Design and Construction, DBIA Catch Part 2 of this conversation, "Bird by Bird: Tackling Data Strategy One Step at a Time with ARKANCE," out now! 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

VDC for Infrastructure: Less About Tools, More About Outcomes

Have thoughts? Text us! Virtual Design and Construction can help teams identify risk earlier, evaluate alternatives and make better-informed project decisions. But for many transportation and water/wastewater Owners, the technology (and even the terminology) can still feel unfamiliar. In this episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, DBIA Director of Virtual Design and Construction Brian Skripac joins Patty Scharf of Burgess & Niple, Jon Berkoe of Arup and Jeff Scarano of HRSD to discuss what DBIA’s VDC Committee learned from conversations with infrastructure Owners and practitioners. The group examines how models improve constructability, operability and maintainability; how Owners can use project data after turnover; what changes when models become contractual documents; and why leadership and trust are essential to getting full value from VDC. Guests Patty Scharf, DBIA, PE Director of Digital Engineering | Burgess & Niple Jon Berkoe, PE Associate Principal | Arup Jeff Scarano, PE, BCEE, DBIA Chief Engineer | HRSD Brian Skripac, CM-BIM, CDT, LEED AP, DBIA Director of Virtual Design & Construction | DBIA Resources Explore DBIA’s VDC resources in the DBIA bookstore. Register for the VDC Leadership Exchange in Cleveland this November, taking place the day before the Design-Build Conference & Expo. 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

2026 State Legislative Recap: Expanded Authority, Sunsets and What Comes Next

Have thoughts? Text us! State legislative sessions are wrapping up across the country, and design-build continues to gain momentum. In this episode of Design-Build Delivers, DBIA’s Richard Thomas joins Erin Looney to break down the biggest state legislative developments affecting design-build, including expanded authority, progressive design-build activity, sunset extensions and removals and the growing role of DBIA regions in legislative advocacy. Richard discusses why transportation remains active, why water/wastewater and building projects are increasingly important and how states such as Missouri, California, Illinois and West Virginia reflect broader national trends. He also explains why passing legislation is only part of the work. Once Owners receive new or expanded authority, they still need training, internal alignment, industry engagement and the right support to use design-build successfully. The conversation also looks ahead to the next legislative cycle, including expected activity in Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York and other states, as well as federal transportation reauthorization. Resources: DBIA Pending Legislation: Follow the latest state legislative activity affecting design-build authority, including updates on transportation, water/wastewater and other public-sector markets. DBIA State Advocacy: Explore DBIA’s state advocacy resources, including guidance for advancing effective design-build legislation and supporting broader understanding of collaborative delivery. DBIA Advocacy Toolkits: Access practical tools and resources to help Owners, practitioners and advocates communicate the value of design-build and support Design-Build Done Right® implementation. States Look to Broaden Design-Build Authority in Transportation, Water/Wastewater in 2026: Read DBIA’s overview of 2026 state legislative trends, including efforts to expand and refine design-build authority in transportation and water/wastewater. The Role of the Owner Advisor in Design-Build Projects: Learn how experienced Owner Advisors can help Owners prepare for design-build success, from procurement planning to implementation of Design-Build Done Right® best practices. 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

From Controlling the Answer to Defining the Problem: Why Off-Ramping Isn’t Failure (Bonus Content Episode)

Have thoughts? Text us! This Bonus Content Episode extends our conversation from “Beyond the Buzz: Implementing Progressive Design-Build in the Federal Market,” featuring David Triplett and Laura Stagner. In the full episode, we discussed what federal agencies should know before pursuing progressive design-build, including DBIA’s new Qualifications-Based Selection Deeper Dive for PDB and an accompanying AI-powered tutorial designed to help agencies apply the guidance in real procurement and project delivery scenarios. Here, we take a closer look at one specific issue: off-ramping. Off-ramping can sound like a failure, especially when it shows up around high-profile projects. But in progressive design-build, an off-ramp can be a legitimate project-protection tool. As Dave explains, successful PDB requires moving from controlling the answer to defining the problem. Resources Listen to the full episode: “Beyond the Buzz: Implementing Progressive Design-Build in the Federal Market” 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.

• Transcript

Beyond the Buzz: Implementing Progressive Design-Build in the Federal Market

Have thoughts? Text us! In the latest episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, host Erin Looney chats with David Triplett of the FBI and Laura Stagner of GSA to discuss what federal agencies should know before pursuing a progressive design-build project. The episode also highlights DBIA's new Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Deeper Dive for progressive design-build and an accompanying AI-powered tutorial designed to help agencies apply the guidance in real-world procurement and project delivery scenarios. 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

BONUS CONTENT: More on DBE Certification

Have thoughts? Text us! April's Design-Build Delivers Podcast looked at the uncertainty and changes with DBE certification at the federal level. Guests Rachael Pease and Freddie Streeter return in this Bonus Content Episode to ground that discussion in some real-world stories. If you missed it, make sure to listen to the full episode companion to this brief chat for more. When the Rules Change Midstream: What the Latest DBE Updates Mean for Design-Build 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.

When the Rules Change Midstream: What the Latest DBE Updates Mean for Design-Build Teams

Have thoughts? Text us! Changes to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program are already shaping how teams approach projects and raising questions about what comes next. In the latest episode of The Design-Build Delivers Podcast, brought to you by ARKANCE, an Autodesk Platinum Partner, host Erin Looney speaks with two industry professionals working through those changes in real time. The conversation focuses on the recent Interim Final Rule (IFR), which removes long-standing presumptions of disadvantage and shifts the burden of proof onto individual firms. As a result, DBE certification, procurement timelines and team formation are all being affected, often in ways that are still evolving. Rather than debating the policy itself, this episode looks at what’s happening on the ground, including how project teams are adjusting, where uncertainty is creating friction and what it means for small businesses trying to stay engaged in design-build. Resources from the episode: Design-Build Done Right® Universal Best Practices DBIA Project/Team Awards BOGO DBIA Membership Offer 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

All Politics Is Local And So Are PLAs (Feb. 2026 Bonus Episode)

Have thoughts? Text us! In this bonus episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, Erin Looney highlights a key moment from the recent legislative update conversation to take a closer look at project labor agreements (PLAs) and why they remain one of the most complex and nuanced aspects of project delivery today. As design-build authority continues to expand across the country, teams are navigating evolving policies, funding challenges and local requirements that can vary significantly by region. PLAs are a clear example of how those dynamics play out in real time. Listen to the full episode: All Politics is Local: The State-By-State Push for Design-Build Authority (Feb. 2026 full episode) Stay informed: Track state legislation Visit the DBIA Bookstore for free resources supporting state and local legislative efforts Join the conversation in person: State and local legislative issues will be a key topic at DBIA’s Spring Specialty Conferences in Grapevine, Texas. 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.

No Smoke and Mirrors Here: Inside the DBIA Awards Jury

Have thoughts? Text us! 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 DBIA Project/Team Awards previous winners Orange County Health Care Agency at Marine Way (2025 Best in VDC Award winner) DBIA Project/Team Awards Submission Guidelines Guest bios: Rich Formella, PMP, CPPO, FAC-C III (Retired), FDBIA Barbara Jackson, Ph.D., FDBIA Praful Kulkarni, Ph.D., FAIA, DBIA Brian Skripac, CM-BIM, CDT, LEED AP, DBIA 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

All Politics Is Local: The State-by-State Push for Design-Build Authority

Have thoughts? Text us! 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: Guide for Enactment of Design-Build Legislation Model Legislation State Statute Report DBIA State Advocacy Resources Design-Build for Transportation/Aviation and Design-Build for Water/Wastewater Conferences 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

Have thoughts? Text us! 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

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

Have thoughts? Text us! 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: William E. Reifsteck II, FDBIA, CRIS, Awarded the 2025 Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award Inside the College of Fellows: Wisdom, Wit and What's Next Leadership in Every Corner: DBIA’s 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award Honorees 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

Have thoughts? Text us! 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

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

Have thoughts? Text us! 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: Beyond BIM: How AI is Unlocking Intelligent Infrastructure Lifecycle Management AI’s Place in the Industry: How Builders Are Incorporating AI into Design-Build Emerging Technologies: How AI, VR, AR and Cobots Are Transforming Design-Build Dashboards, Data and Discipline: Embedding Analytics in the Design-Build Lifecycle Bridging the Gap: How Technology is Driving Value in Design-Build Projects 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

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

Have thoughts? Text us! 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

Have thoughts? Text us! 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: DBIA Design-Build Done Right® Best Practices DBIA Design Excellence Position Statement DBIA Project/Team Awards DBIA Conference & Expo 2025 (Las Vegas) How Design-Build is Shaping the Future of Healthcare, Part 1 How Design-Build is Shaping the Future of Healthcare, Part 2 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

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

Have thoughts? Text us! 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

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

Have thoughts? Text us! 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters

Inside the College of Fellows: Wisdom, Wit and What's Next

Have thoughts? Text us! What do you get when you sit down with two DBIA Fellows who’ve seen it all and still want to make things better? A conversation that’s honest, insightful and just the right amount of blunt. Join host Erin Looney as she chats with Darlene Septelka, FDBIA, and Bill Reifsteck, CRIS, FDBIA, about building strong teams, smarter projects and a more connected design-build future. You can nominate a design-build leader for the 2025 College of Fellows now through July 7. Visit dbia.org/fellows. 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.

• Transcript
• Chapters