LivLive: Design, Building, and the Business of Remodeling

In this episode of LivLive, Dave sits down with Scott Edmondson, founder of C-Studio, to talk about the realities of running a practice split between coastal work in Bethany Beach and a growing presence in Philadelphia.

They start with shared roots at Virginia Tech Architecture and reflect on the culture of architecture school—critiques, confidence, and the very real undercurrent of imposter syndrome that follows many designers into practice. Scott also shares the story of relocating to Bethany Beach (including the family/professional catalyst), and what it takes to operate a small firm while staying sharp about process.

A recurring theme is the tension between repeatable systems and custom creativity—including Scott’s point that sometimes the best workflow is building a light “framework” in something like SketchUp/Revit, then sketching/designing over it to keep speed without losing intent.

• What C-Studio’s practice looks like across Bethany Beach + Philadelphia

• Why architecture culture produces imposter syndrome—and how to manage it

• How coastal markets and developer patterns shape design (including the “10 lots / 10 identical houses” problem)

• How to introduce design quality even when the market pushes repetition

• A practical workflow approach: build a model framework (SketchUp/Revit), then sketch over it to design faster

• Why clarity of process can preserve creativity (instead of killing it)

In this episode of LivLive, Dave reconnects with Ross Barney to talk about building a practice that spans teaching, public-sector work, and design experimentation—and what led to the founding of TUMU Studio.

Ross shares the origin story of TUMU and why operating a small studio changes how you think about growth (including the practical realities of expanding across locations). They also get into Ross’s “practice” mindset—why architecture is called practice for a reason—and swap stories from past work and studios.

A standout portion is Ross describing a client moment where he presented something “too crazy” (a playful, curvilinear nook under a stair) and the client pushed him to be more adventurous—a lesson in creative courage and saying “yes” when a client invites the risk.

• How TUMU Studio started and how Ross thinks about running a small firm

• Why Ross emphasizes architecture as “practice” (time + repetition + understanding)

• How client feedback can push a design further (the “be more adventurous” moment)

• A concrete example of design iteration: the under-stair study nook evolving into something more experimental

• How teaching and practice cross-pollinate (and why studio culture matters)

• How Ross thinks about balancing creative exploration with the realities of delivery

In this episode of LivLive, host Dave Pollard sits down with Anna Zurek, LivCo’s lead interior designer, for a real-world look at what interior design actually looks like inside a design-build firm—especially once a client moves into Detailed Design.

Anna walks through how selections really happen (and why they take time): starting with appliances, then working into cabinetry, tile compositions, and the small details that can make or break a cohesive look. They talk candidly about the common “hang-ups” that stall decisions, how clients get overwhelmed by options, and why the design team has to keep a steady hand on budget while still honoring the client’s goals.

• Why LivCo often starts selections with appliances first (and how that impacts the rest of the design)

• The difference between picking “a tile” vs. building a tile composition (wall tile, floor tile, accents, transitions)

• Why trim/edge conditions (they mention Schluter/Jolly-style trims) matter more than clients expect

• How cabinetry customization creates both opportunity and decision fatigue

• How the team keeps design moving while still respecting budget constraints

• How to manage clients through the overwhelm of high-choice selections

Russ starts with his Chicago upbringing (including the “kids taking the bus + the L to Cubs games” era), then walks through a surprisingly non-linear path: a vague-but-useful communications degree, early twenties in California’s Bay Area doing union drywall/carpentry-company grunt work (“drywall scrapper and stocker”), and eventually moving into project management. From there, he returns to the Chicagoland area to run a production subdivision, shifts into commercial work in Chicago (including his memorable “suit story”), and even shares what it was like to build his own house in under three months while still working a city job (with Connie doing daily site check-ins and Russ managing the coordination).

A key section dives into a formative project during a down market—building 26 city-style “row house” single-family homes on 25-foot lots—and how that’s where Russ and Dave’s partnership truly began. The episode lands on the healthy tension between design and construction: function vs. fashion, and why the push-and-pull is often what makes the final work better.

Listeners will learn:

• How Russ went from a communications degree to a real construction career path (and why it worked)

• What early “boots-on-the-ground” work looked like: union drywall/carpentry firm, deliveries, cleanup, and being the “gopher”

• How he transitioned from field support into project management

• What it’s like running a production home subdivision (and how that differs from custom work)

• The reality of commercial work in Chicago—including the culture of “the suit,” and Russ’s infamous first-day suit story

• How Russ built his own house fast—under three months—and the practical coordination that made it possible

• A real example of old-house chaos: “owner completion” logic and discovering things like a floor joist cut through for a tub

• How a downturn-era opportunity led to building 26 narrow-lot, city-style homes—and how that project connected Russ and Dave

• Why the design/construction relationship works best as a productive friction: “function over fashion” vs. design ambition, with the goal of a better finished product