Laying the Foundation

In the final episode of our 2026 "Building Culture with Brian" series, Brian discusses the intentional routines that reinforce a healthy, sustainable culture. He explains why leadership must focus on celebrating wins that align with core values, not just revenue, and how to leverage storytelling to turn successes into firm-wide learning moments. Brian also tackles the tough side of leadership: normalizing struggle, coaching team members through conflict and burnout, and the critical value of reverse mentorship, learning from younger staff to ensure the firm remains relevant and agile.

In this episode of Laying the Foundation, host Skyler Gorsett sits down with Principal Architect Courtney Koch to explore the innovative Kids Express Daycare project, which transforms an empty nursing home wing into a vibrant intergenerational facility. Listeners can expect an engaging conversation covering how adaptive reuse addresses rural childcare shortages, the unique architectural and code challenges of designing for both young children and older adults, and how intentional shared spaces foster meaningful connections that benefit both generations and strengthen the entire community.

In this episode of Laying the Foundation, host Skyler Gorsett sits down with Dr. Jerry Rasmussen, CMBA's education consultant and former superintendent, to discuss how thoughtfully designed school facilities profoundly impact student success and community growth. Listeners can expect an insightful conversation exploring why school buildings should be viewed as long-term investments rather than simple expenses, how modern educational spaces foster active student engagement, and practical guidance for school leaders navigating facility planning and bond processes.

In this annual intern roundtable episode of Laying the Foundation, host Skyler Gorsett sits down with CMBA Architects' summer interns—Ava Eisenbarth, Elli Ward, Joshua Etherington, Kamryn Kayser, Kate Hoover, Lauren Vande Griend, Levi Jansma, and Sofia Pignerri—to reflect on their experiences across the firm's various regional offices. The interns share how they moved past traditional administrative duties to dive straight into real-world project work, including K-12 and higher education design, healthcare developments, site visits, and construction administration. They also highlight the welcoming, collaborative office culture that quickly melted away their initial career and software nerves, emphasizing that mentorship and continuous learning are built into every studio. Finally, the group discusses what originally drew them to CMBA, citing local community connections, a supportive team atmosphere, and an unmatched opportunity to have a true voice at the design table.

Join us as we sit down with Grand Island architectural designer Z Parra Valencia to trace her journey from summer intern to full-time designer. Z dives into the surprising complexities of designing childcare and modern banking spaces, the power of continuous exposure in design, and why she’s ready to challenge the residential open floor plan trend. Tune in for an engaging look at the next generation of architectural talent, complete with bucket-list world marvels and a high-stakes snack bracket debate!

In this episode, we sit down with Associate Principal Architect Joe Copley to explore what it truly takes to master the healthcare design experience. From leveraging natural light and optimizing circulation to advocating for caregiver well-being and managing complex operational disruptions, Joe shares deep insights on how thoughtful architectural choices directly impact patient healing and facility efficiency. Whether you're a healthcare leader, facilities manager, or simply curious about medical design, tune in to discover how small design shifts make a massive difference in modern healthcare environments.

In this episode of Laying the Foundation, we sit down with CMBA Principal Architect Lee Beukelman and Agape Executive Director Rachelle Rawson for an inside look at the new Agape Community Services facility currently under construction. Designed as a Christ-centered transitional housing and addiction recovery center for pre- and post-incarcerated individuals, the facility balances structured, multi-phase living quarters with restorative spaces like counseling suites, a fitness center, and a microbusiness commercial kitchen. Tune in to learn how trauma-informed, purpose-driven architecture can provide agency, foster recovery, and lay the groundwork for long-term community transformation on their 38-acre campus.

If you want to learn more about Agape Community Services and how you can get involved, be sure to check out their website!

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.

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.

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.