Side of Design

Side of Design

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Side of Design episodes

  • BWBR’s 2024 Scholarship Recipients Challenge Injustice in Design

    The most recent Side of Design podcast introduces us to two architecture students whose work demands we reconsider what makes good design. Sierra Espinoza and Pwapadeino Wonosikou, this year's BWBR equity scholarship winners, aren't waiting until graduation to tackle the industry's most pressing questions about who benefits from the spaces we build—and who doesn't.

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
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    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    28 min
  • Designing a Career Path: Navigating Unexpected Professional Journeys

    The path to professional fulfillment isn't always a straight line, and the stories of some of our BWBR team members prove just that. In the latest episode of Side of Design, host Matt Gerstner and three BWBR colleagues share their fascinating journeys of career transformation, revealing how seemingly unrelated experiences can shape unique perspectives and lead to rewarding careers in unexpected places.

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
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    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/
    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    27 min
  • Beyond Athletics: Driving Enrollment, Wellness, and Campus Identity in Higher Education

    Athletic facilities aren't just about sports anymore. As BWBR's Architectural Design Manager Kyle Lunke and Principal Craig Peterson discuss in our latest Side of Design episode, these spaces drive enrollment, enhance student wellness, and strengthen institutional identity.

     Venues that welcome fans on game day help foster an incredible sense of community and energy—but the benefits go on long after the game clock runs out. That’s why we were excited to talk with Kyle and Craig to gain insights into how thoughtful design transforms athletic facilities into dynamic hubs serving entire campus communities.

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
    https://www.facebook.com/BWBRsolutions
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    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/
    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    28 min
  • The Interplay of Design, Engineering and Contracting in Science & Tech

    The research, development, and production that takes place inside science + technology facilities is highly complex and technical. It’s no surprise that the design work that brings these environments to life demands the same level of precision. Design, engineering, and contractor teams partner closely to coordinate the advanced MEP systems and intricate space planning that maintain sterile, safe, and efficient operations.

    On this episode of Side of Design, we’re joined by a couple of our own trusted partners, who add their unique perspectives on what sets these complex projects up for success—and how each discipline contributes. Bringing deep experience in the science + tech market, Partner and Mechanical Engineer Nic Igl from Dunham, Horwitz Inc. CEO Emeritus Bill McKoskey, and BWBR Principal Nate Roisen dig into developing high-tech environments.

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
    https://www.facebook.com/BWBRsolutions
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    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/
    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    35 min
  • Revolutionizing Employee Engagement: Insights from BWBR on a People-First Culture

    Employee engagement goes beyond happiness and job satisfaction—those are byproducts of something deeper. As BWBR's Director of People and Culture Tricia Eiswald and Knowledge Manager Kari Shonblom discuss in the latest Side of Design episode, engagement means genuine involvement and enthusiasm at work and in the workplace. Their insights delve into factors that drive engagement, BWBR’s own engagement strategies, and how organizations can go beyond employee satisfaction to unlock the full potential of their teams. 

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
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    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    51 min
  • Making Meaning from Complexity: Thoughts on the State of Healthcare

    How can design be the key to solving the complex challenges faced by the U.S. healthcare system? Join host Matt Gerstner for this bite-sized episode as he dives into the heart of healthcare design, breaking down big design ideas into bite-sized morsels.

    Discover how creating exceptional environments, balancing fiscal responsibility, and practicing good stewardship can make healthcare more accessible and efficient. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a design enthusiast, or just curious about how better spaces can lead to better care, this episode is packed with insights that you won't want to miss. 

    For an even deeper dive, visit our full blog at https://www.bwbr.com/2024/04/01/thoughts-on-the-state-of-healthcare/

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
    https://www.facebook.com/BWBRsolutions
    https://twitter.com/BWBR
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/
    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    4 min
  • The Price is Right: Considerations in Design Fee Development

    Despite being a sensitive topic, money is central to any project—managing costs, remaining on budget, and achieving maximum value per dollar spent are all critical to a successful design, whether a new build, a major expansion, or a renovation. So, let’s talk about it.

    The latest episode of Side of Design from BWBR dives deep into this subject, exploring the intricacies of fee development and its impact on project success. Host Matt Gerstner leads a thoughtful discussion with representatives from BWBR's leadership team — CEO Terri Ulrick, Director and Principal Greg Fenton, and Principal Mike Boldenow—shedding light on their strategies for creating value-driven fee structures, all in service of not only good drawings, but great client outcomes.

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
    https://www.facebook.com/BWBRsolutions
    https://twitter.com/BWBR
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/
    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    33 min
  • A Safe Space to Heal: Balancing Safety and Comfort in Behavioral Health Design

    Like any other healthcare facility, behavioral health environments must be comforting places to heal. But these spaces pose unique considerations to keep patients safe, requiring thoughtful balance from skilled design professionals to create environments that are beautiful and manage patient risk. Senior Interior Designer Lauren Frank, Senior Project Manager Susan Golberg, and Senior Architect Ellen Konerza are a few members of the BWBR team who work to design these facilities, and in the latest episode of Side of Design, they dive in to creating environments that prioritize safety without feeling cold or institutional.

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
    https://www.facebook.com/BWBRsolutions
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    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/
    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    28 min
  • Anatomy of a Simulation Space: Designing for the Future of Healthcare Training

    Simulation spaces are high-tech, realistic environments designed to train both students preparing for careers in healthcare and medical professionals learning new skills. These environments require both the functionality of real healthcare spaces and classroom elements for teaching and learning, allowing users to practice skills, learn new procedures, or explore techniques that will be applied in real hospital settings.  

    In the latest episode of Side of Design from BWBR, guest host and Project Manager Jarett Anderson opens the door to the exciting realm of simulation spaces. Joined by BWBR Principal Leigh Streit, Senior Planner Rich Dunham, and Senior Project Manager Brian Lapham, the discussion delves into the unique functionalities, design considerations, and emerging trends in these innovative facilities.

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
    https://www.facebook.com/BWBRsolutions
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    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/
    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    36 min
  • Space to Heal: Exploring the Cutting Edge of Neuroscience Facility Design

    Neuroscience facilities serve patients with a wide range of conditions, from cognitive issues like Alzheimer's to mobility challenges resulting from spinal cord injuries. Patients facing cognitive disorders may feel as though they’re experiencing a space for the very first time, even though they've been there dozens of times, while patients with mobility aids require extra space to access and move through a facility. These spaces need to be intuitively accessible and comfortable every time.

    From facilitating way-finding to incorporating new technologies, thoughtful design helps to create calming, restorative experiences while supporting healthcare advancement for this patient population. In the latest episode of Side of Design, we dive into the unique considerations and challenges of designing neuroscience facilities, joined by BWBR Principal Ryan Johansen, Design Leader Chris Fischer, and Senior Interior Designer Miranda McNamara Mace.

    If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!
    You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!
    https://www.facebook.com/BWBRsolutions
    https://twitter.com/BWBR
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/
    https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/

    38 min

About Side of Design

From the publisher's feed

A podcast from BWBR, for those with a craving to take their organizations and spaces to new heights, with a side of design. We explore topics and issues affecting how we heal, learn, work,…