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: nor...

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 c...

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 sim...

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 administrati...

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 generati...

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 facilit...

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, mult...

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 ins...

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...

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,...

In the latest episode of our Behind the Blueprint series, we sit down with Tanner Koeppe to explore the journey of a designer. From his roots in South Sioux City to completing his Master’s at UNL, Tanner shares how a summer job in roofing and a passion for creative problem-solving led him to CMBA Architects. Plus, we get a glimpse into Tanner’s life outside the office.

In this episode of Laying the Foundation, we sit down with Mike Thole, an Associate Principal at CMBA Architects, to demystify the increasingly popular "Design-Build" project delivery method. Moving beyond the traditional silos of design-bid-build, Mike explains how bringing architects and contractors together from day one creates a unified "three-legged stool" of collaboration between the owner,...

In this special episode of Laying the Foundation, we’re stepping away from the drafting table for a spirited round of "This or That" with members of the CMBA team. We're pulling back the curtain on the diverse personalities and design values that drive our collaborative environment. It’s an entertaining mix of professional wisdom and light hearted banter that shows what makes our team tick.

In this episode, we explore the unique "neighborhood" design of the new Gilbert Elementary School, a project deeply rooted in its local context. Andrew shares a pivotal moment in the design process: observing how teachers and students maximized activity in an older building that was never intended for such high levels of movement. This realization led to a "seasonal" interior strategy where Kinder...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into an iconic Sioux City project with CMBA Interior Designer Shelbie DeLaughter. We explore the fascinating journey of the Sioux Honey Association, a 100-year-old beekeeper cooperative, as it transitions from a high-traffic office renovation to a massive corporate campus relocation. Shelbie shares the "plot twist" that moved the project to a new warehouse site...

CMBA CEO Brian Crichton returns to the podcast to discuss the critical leadership discipline of clarity. In this episode, Brian shares how transparency, or "saying the quiet part out loud," reduces confusion and builds trust across the firm. He walks through the crucial steps of translating big strategy into daily, actionable tasks, and how to set firm expectations without resorting to micromanage...

In this episode, we tackle one of the most pressing challenges in modern healthcare: the intersection of architectural design and the national staffing crisis. Joined by a panel of CMBA experts, including an Associate Principal, a Healthcare Architect, and an Interior Designer, we explore how "design for lean staffing" has shifted from a luxury to a necessity. Our team shares their experiences of...

In this episode of our "Behind the Blueprint" series, we head to our Des Moines office to chat with Architect Anna Bednarko. Anna takes us through her personal journey into the world of architecture, sharing the moments that sparked her passion for the craft and what continues to inspire her design thinking today. We discuss the vital role of the architect in bridging the gap between a client’s vi...

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with CMBA Associate Principal Angela McCaulley to discuss the power of community resilience following the historic 2024 flooding in Northwest Iowa. After witnessing 80% of her hometown of Spencer suffer damage, Angela and her husband recognized a critical void when a local non-profit thrift store was unable to reopen. They stepped in to found Fresh Start...

Principal Architect Dan Levi, a leading expert in childcare facility design, joins the podcast to unpack the critical relationship between architecture and the operational realities of the childcare industry. Dan addresses the dual challenges of affordability and availability, explaining how strategic pre-design work, including community surveys and pro forma analysis, is essential. He then dives...

Principal Architect Brian Crichton returns to the podcast to discuss the intentional strategies CMBA uses to cultivate talent and build a resilient culture. In this episode, Brian explains how leaders can spot potential early, move beyond traditional annual reviews to create ongoing "micro-coaching" feedback loops, and structure growth pathways tailored to the individual.

Principal Architect Brent Koch takes us on a journey to define and demystify the concept of design excellence. He explains that it's more than just aesthetics; it's a guiding philosophy for creating buildings that truly serve people, respect the planet, and are built through thoughtful collaboration. Drawing on the AIA's Framework for Design Excellence, Brent walks us through ten key principles fr...

In this Behind the Blueprint episode, we sit down with Jay Reyhons, a Registered Interior Designer at CMBA Architects. Jay shares his journey into the field of interior design, his passion for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces, and his role in the design process. He discusses the importance of collaboration with architects and other team members to achieve successful project ou...

Join us in this insightful episode as CMBA Architects CEO Brian Crichton and Levi Architecture's Dan Levi discuss the strategic acquisition that brought their two firms together. They delve into the motivations behind this significant move, exploring how it expands expertise and geographic reach, the alignment of similar company cultures, and the new opportunities it creates. Discover how a long-t...

We're sitting down with CMBA Principal Architect Adam Van Gorp to explore the profound impact of mentorship. How mentorship is a two-way street, where both the mentor and mentee have the opportunity to learn and grow from each other, a concept applicable in every aspect of life. Adam shares insights into how this philosophy is embedded in our firm's culture, highlighting our summer intern program,...