We celebrate Behind the Build turning one year old with a conversation that goes straight to the heart of where it all began. In this anniversary episode, Jonathan sits down with Bruce Borden — one of the original founders & co-principals of Walden Homes, alongside Danny Morris, & the person with whom the idea for this podcast was first imagined six years ago.

A founder, mentor, & process-driven thinker, Bruce shares the early blueprint of the company, how it evolved from speculative builds in the ’90s to a construction management firm focused on delivering architecturally challenging & significant homes — all through a deeply collaborative, process-led model that prizes adaptability, precision, & long-term partnership.

Bruce & Jonathan revisit the conversations that sparked the idea for this very podcast & dive into the philosophy that’s shaped Walden’s identity: structure, transparency, continuous iteration, & the real-world tools that power effective site & team coordination. From faxes & spreadsheets to fully integrated cloud systems & recorded jobsite walkthroughs, Bruce’s lens on technology isn’t about flash — it’s about function & clarity.

Beyond tech, the episode uncovers Bruce’s foundational inspiration from his father, his early exposure to construction, & his emphasis on giving construction managers the autonomy & tools to lead projects well. The conversation also touches on Walden’s shift away from in-house design, choosing instead to build meaningful partnerships with architects & interior designers, & the consultants who enable us all to execute to the highest level — freeing up creative vision while anchoring execution in strong project delivery systems.

Bruce opens up about the human side of running a business: the search for betterment, the value of collaborative critique, & treating a 30-year-old company with the curiosity & nimbleness of a startup. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at the thought leadership that quietly fuels the systems, culture, & client experiences Walden Homes delivers every day.

Sponsors:

Lutron: https://www.lutron.com/us/en

Caplan's Appliances: https://caplans.ca/

The Doors: https://thedoors4u.com/

To connect with our sponsors, email me: [email protected]

Behind the Build on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behind_the_build_podcast/