Design Development

Join Rens Hayes and William Mandara Jr., CEO of Mancini Duffy, for an exciting conversation about how they are shaking up the architecture industry on the Design development. Mancini Duffy is a full-service architectural firm that has been around for over 100 years, but William and his partners acquired it in 2017 and have been reinventing it ever since. With offices in New York City and New Jersey, they serve clients nationwide, offering expertise in everything from corporate interiors to multifamily residential development.In this episode,  William shares his secrets for success, including the critical importance of expertise and experience in complex engineering projects. He also emphasizes the need for a diverse and nimble internal structure, where teams are organized by relationships rather than by sector. This allows employees to explore different project types and gain experience across multiple disciplines, ensuring they maintain a level of expertise while also broadening their skillset.But that's not all. William also talks about the Anti-Architect Podcast, a passion project run by his partner Christian, which has helped them get their brand out there and reach new audiences. With an eye on the future, William and his team are always looking for new ways to innovate and push the boundaries of what's possible in the architecture industry.Don't miss this exciting episode with one of the most innovative CEOs in the business. Join Rens and Bill for a conversation that will leave you inspired and motivated to take your own career to the next level.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Stan leads GeoEngineers USA’s development work in the Boston market. It takes more than just technical experience to succeed in this fast-paced environment, it takes people skills. Stan takes pride in both. He specializes in geotechnical design and construction, especially shallow and deep foundations, but his greatest passion is for the people and relationships on which this business is built.Stan is an accomplished business leader with nearly two decades of experience in geotechnical and environmental engineering for urban and suburban development. Over the years, Stan has been the geotechnical engineer of record for some of the Boston region’s marquee development projects, from Boston Landing to Union Square and Suffolk Downs. His geotechnical engineering and hydrogeology experience is complemented by an understanding of environmental due diligence, and his insight into the intricacies of critical regulations like the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) helps his clients maintain regulatory compliance and navigate the MCP during development.Stan works closely with other members of the national performance-based design team to offer clients an integrated suite of geotechnical and environmental services for developers and contractors.“I’m really excited to continue building something amazing in Boston with this group,” Stan says. “There is so much positivity on this team, and it inspires and motivates me every day.”When he’s not busy adding to the Boston skyline, Stan finds other outlets for his infectious positivity and love of people—like bingo. He regularly calls bingo and finds it therapeutic and entertaining to read the numbers and just hang out with the older ladies in the crowd.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Nancy Ludwig is an architect who has been working at ICON Architecture for 40 years, and has been president for the past 15. ICON is a woman-owned business located in downtown Boston, and they specialize in multi-family housing and municipal projects. Nancy was originally brought on to do architecture, and was involved in the New York Urban Cultural Parks Plan, as well as historic resource planning in Lowell. She was also part of a project in Portsmouth which involved building a hotel, condos, and retail spaces. Nancy has worked on a variety of projects over the years and has an extensive background in urban design and planning.In this episode, Nancy joins Rens Hayes to discuss the important work of creating affordable housing in Boston. Nancy talks about the Hope Six program which enabled the rebuilding of the Orient Heights development in East Boston, creating thousands of housing units that provided people with a better place to live. She also explains how they are now involved in public-private partnerships to build even more affordable housing, driven by their mission to help those in need of housing.Nancy and Rens also discuss strategies for creating more affordable housing, including a two-to-one ratio of market rate to affordable units and the use of modular construction to save time, money, and create better quality units. Nancy shares examples of how her team has utilized modular construction, including a 10-story building that utilized a steel modular system from the Netherlands and Fullstack Modular, a company that specializes in large-scale, high-rise modular construction. They agree that modular construction could be the key to solving the housing crisis and creating more affordable housing. Join Nancy and Rens as they delve into the fascinating world of architecture and urban planning, and discuss how design can be used to create a better future for all.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

In this episode of the Design Development podcast, host Rens Hayes interviews Eric Crews, Founder & CEO of Crews & co., who has built two businesses around painting and is now running his own business consulting firm. Eric shares his trade and service background, revealing how his family has been entrepreneurs for generations.The conversation revolves around the concept of entrepreneurship and running businesses, where Eric shares how he started his own student painting business while in college, which he eventually grew over many years and sold last year. He also talks about his partnership with Mark Moses to start the commercial painting business CE Painting, which has been successful over the past few years.Eric also talks about his transition to consulting and how he joined the Entrepreneurs Organization, where he volunteered mentoring for businesses and eventually became a certified EOS implementer. He now helps other businesses grow by providing value as a consultant.Join Rens Hayes and Eric Crews as they delve into the world of entrepreneurship, sharing insights and valuable experiences that are sure to inspire and motivate. Learn how Eric's passion for running a business has led him to success, and discover how you can follow in his footsteps.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

In this episode of the Design Development podcast, host Rens Hayes sits down with Adam Dunn, a managing director at Berkadia in their Boston office, to discuss the ins and outs of raising equity for real estate development projects. Adam Dunn, who has been in the investment sales business for the last 15 years, shares his personal story and explains the role of his team in helping developers identify great sites, go through the entitlement process, and get development plans approved.Adam Dunn also sheds light on the challenges of raising equity for pre-development costs and the fragmented market for development projects. He suggests that building relationships through networking, making posts, and knocking on doors is key to finding sources of equity. Adam Dunn also delves into the mindset of institutional investors and their need for efficiencies when investing in large developments.Join us as we gain valuable insights into the real estate investment sales business from an industry expert. Tune in now to learn how to raise equity for your real estate development projects.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

In this episode, we bring you an exciting conversation with Dartagnan Brown, the founder of a Boston-based architecture firm, to discuss the importance of collaboration and teamwork in business. Dartagnan shares about his background and how his upbringing and experiences have influenced his work as an architect. He also talks about the success of his company, EMBARC, and the importance of delivering value to clients. Host and Dartagnan also discuss the benefits of working together, the need for content marketing, and the impact of recycling clips to bring in new viewers. Tune in to learn more about the power of collaboration and friendship in business.More About the Guest-As founder of Embarc, Dartagnan personally ushers the majority of our projects through the approval process by working closely with the Boston Planning and Development Authority, various neighborhood groups, city councilors, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.Dartagnan’s significant project design and management experience is an asset to buildings and spaces of any size. His clients quickly see his passion and attention to detail in everything from Embarc’s luxury brownstone renovations to our new residential multi-family complexes; from master planning efforts to successful commercial projects for national brand companies.His dedication to a project’s needs and vision is evident in Embarc’s singular reputation for going above and beyond, ensuring that each client finds success in their investments.Dartagnan’s childhood years spent living in Iran, Singapore, India, and Hong Kong influenced his early love of design and aesthetic. He has spent the last 20 years working on some of Boston’s most impactful projects, giving him insight on every level—from applying high-level thinking when planning city blocks with developers to carefully considering intimate details with homeowners. His approach to design and architecture is focused on the balance of aesthetic and practicality, bringing a unique and intuitive vision to Boston and her neighborhoods.Dartagnan received degrees in Architecture and Building Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

In this episode, we sit down with Dena Prestos, the brilliant architect and civil engineer who is leading the charge against sea-level rise and its devastating impact on our coasts. Dena shares her journey from the untouched wilderness of Alaska to the bustling New York Harbor, where she is working tirelessly to adapt our infrastructure to the changing natural environment. With sophisticated monitoring tools and a deep understanding of resilient construction, Dena is shaping the future of waterfront infrastructure and protecting our most valuable real estate. Don't miss this riveting conversation on climate adaptation and the urgent need for action.More About Dena-As Founder and CEO of Indigo River, Dena Prastos, AIA is the first "waterfront architect," trailblazing a new category in the industry. Indigo River is a women-owned transdisciplinary design firm focused on progressive waterfront architecture, resiliency, and climate adaptation. A leading authority in New York Harbor and beyond, the firm specializes in climate adaptation through waterfront solutions that seamlessly transcend boundaries - guiding and executing projects from ideation through final construction and operations. Waterfront architect, civil engineer, futurist, climate adaptation expert, entrepreneur, and creative original, Dena is driven to transform the built world at the water's edge. With transdisciplinary and progressive views, she is fueled by the overlapping of design, technology, and nature. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. CheersThank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

In this episode, we welcome Greg Hart, the President of PSMJ Resources, a company that offers a wide range of services to the architecture and engineering industries. From educational services and events to consulting and mergers and acquisitions, PSMJ has become a well-known name in the business world.Greg discusses the importance of paying bills upfront in the architecture and engineering industry and how accounts receivables can affect cash flow. He gives valuable tips on how to speed up the payment process and why it's crucial for a firm's sustainability.But that's not all! The discussion then transitions to business valuation, with Greg sharing his insights on what drives value in architecture and engineering firms. He emphasizes the significance of cash flow and how it plays a vital role in determining a company's worth.Greg's advice on evaluating the value of a business is sure to leave listeners feeling informed and empowered. So, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now to gain a competitive edge in the architecture and engineering industries!Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

With over 25 years in the construction industry, Roger has extensive experience on both the construction and development sides of the real estate business. Prior to starting FC Modular within Forest City Ratner Companies, Roger spent 12 years at Forest City Ratner Companies as SVP of Mixed Use and Residential Development, entitling and planning over 1,000 residential apartment units integrated into many of FCRC’s Retail projects.In 2008 Roger spearheaded the first R&D project for Modular Construction which lead to The Creation of FC Modular and subsequently the creation of a factory and business to build the tallest volumetric modular building in the world.Prior to working at Forest City Roger was an owner and operator of Fiber Media, a high tech Developer/Contractor in the High Tech Sector based in the Mid¬West. Roger’s experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead a groundbreaking industry change like the movement to off-site built construction for large scale urban multifamily construction. As a Recipient of the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award 2014 for his work on the creation of a high-rise modular process he has been publically recognized as a leader in innovation. Roger received his degree in management and organizational psychology from Babson College.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

 Steve Dell’Orto is the founder and CEO of ConCntric, a preconstruction platform that is transforming the fractured preconstruction environment by unifying data, people and processes. ConCntric acts as a single source of truth for all preconstruction stakeholders by providing a dynamic view of the project that ensures a certainty of outcome. As a 26-year construction industry veteran who has lived and breathed the world of delivering preconstruction projects, Steve is uniquely positioned to bring digital transformation to the industry. Steve is the former Executive Officer of one of the largest privately-owned, domestic general contractors in the U.S. with revenues averaging $5-6 billion annually. As the Executive Officer, Steve led the major expansion of his former company’s Western Region including the Northern California and Pacific Northwest division achieving 10x growth and increasing margins by over 40% through a committed focus on selective work acquisition and a more comprehensive preconstruction process. Some of the notable projects completed under Steve’s leadership include the: Golden State Warriors Arena and Development, Salesforce Tower, Facebook’s San Francisco Park Tower, Seattle Convention Center Expansion, Manchester Grand Hyatt, LA County Museum of Art Expansion and the LA Live Development among many others. Steve is committed to leveraging his 30 years in the industry to advance the level of innovation and technological advancement in the real estate and construction sector. In addition to the change he is driving through ConCntric, Steve is an investor and venture partner in several construction-tech focused venture capital funds including Builders VC and Argonautic Ventures. Steve is also an Advisor to eight emerging construction-tech focused startups bringing a wide range of solutions in areas such as autonomy, fintech, work acquisition, change order communication, project communication, marketplaces and artificial intelligence. Since launching ConCntric in 2021, Steve has built a dynamic global team and secured support from strategic and notable investors. Steve and his team are on a mission to make the built world more affordable, predictable and sustainable, and are uniquely positioned to transform the future for the construction and real estate industry. Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/