Built By Insights

Join host Matt Krueger on Built By Insights as he dives into the fascinating journey of Brendan Kennedy, founder of Skyhook Design. Brendan shares how his hands-on experience as a carpenter shaped his practical approach to architecture, the lessons learned from designing iconic structures like the Denver Art Museum, and the pivotal moments that led him to start his own firm. Discover how Skyhook D...

In this captivating episode of Built By Insights , host Matt Krueger welcomes Jacqueline Chavanu of French Design Formula, an interior visionary, to share the remarkable story behind her French Provincial dream home and her inspiring journey from Colorado to Amsterdam. Jackie’s lifelong admiration for French culture and architecture shaped every detail of her “soul house,” from a stunning Sun King...

In this heartfelt episode of Built By Insights , Matt Krueger sits down with Jacqueline Chavanu of French Design Formula. A former collaborator & client at Built By Krueger, Jackie shares her inspiring journey from her early days in Nebraska to becoming a successful interior designer in Seattle and eventually moving to Amsterdam. Hear her stories of childhood inspiration, pivotal career shifts...

Interior design meets innovation in this exciting episode of Built By Insights ! Matt Krueger hosts Jenny Ackemann from Layered Design Concepts in a fascinating showdown: Jenny vs. AI . Who knows design terms better? From timeless classics to cutting-edge trends, they dive into the art of describing designs and how AI stacks up against the creativity and intuition of an expert designer. Tune in to...

In this episode of Built By Insights , host Matt Krueger sits down with Jenny Ackemann, Founder of Layered Design Concepts. With over 18 years of experience in Interior Design, Jenny has a knack for transforming houses into homes that perfectly align with her clients’ lifestyles and visions. Matt and Jenny reflect on their collaborative projects, the seamless integration of design and construction...

In this Episode of Built By Insights, Matt Krueger interviews Kay Hiroyo Galligan and Tamara Layman from KATA by Design. Together, they explore the dynamic process of designing custom homes. Our guests share how they combine tools like Revit, hand-drawn sketches, and even cardboard models to bring their clients' visions to life. Learn how they balance creativity with practicality, how trust transf...

In this Episode of Built By Insights, Matt Krueger interviews Kay Hiroyo Galligan and Tamara Layman from KATA by Design. Together, they delve into the Japanese concept of Kata , meaning "form," and its influence on their approach to design. This conversation explores how design impacts well-being, functionality, and artistry. Listen in as Kay and Tamara share personal histories, professional philo...

Join Matt Krueger on Built By Insights as he dives into an inspiring case study with Lawrence Smith, who, alongside his family, embarked on the journey of building their dream custom home. From the initial steps of needing a personalized space to the final touches of move-in day, Lawrence shares his unique perspective on each step: design, the conceptional, the building of the house, the selection...

In this episode of Built By Insights, host Matt Krueger dives into a rich conversation with Lawrence Smith, a longtime friend, client, and VP of Construction Management Solutions at Trimble, a technology leader in construction.  Lawrence shares his journey from a land surveying start in the UK to pioneering cutting-edge digital solutions at Trimble in the U.S. They discuss how technology like robo...

In this inspiring episode of Built By Insights, host Matt Krueger sits down with Adam Popp, a veteran and recipient of a custom-built home through Homes For Our Troops, alongside his wife, Amanda.  Adam, a Guinness World Record holder, shares his incredible journey of overcoming physical challenges after his injury and how this new home will transform his family’s day-to-day life. Amanda reflects...

In this episode of Built By Insights, host Matt Krueger sits down with Adam and Amanda Popp to discuss their inspiring journey as recipients of a Homes For Our Troops home. Adam, a veteran who lost his leg in combat, shares his incredible story of perseverance, from recovering in the hospital to breaking barriers and becoming a multi-time Guinness World Record holder. He opens up about his persona...

In this First Episode of Three Adam Popp shares his powerful story on this episode of Built By Insights. Matt Krueger sits down with Adam Popp, a veteran and recipient of a Homes For Our Troops home, along with his wife Amanda. Adam shares his incredible journey from serving as an Air Force EOD specialist to becoming a para-athlete with 7 Guinness World Records. Together, they dive into Adam's mil...

In the final installment of our three-part series, Matt Krueger sits down with Enrico Bonilauri, co-founder of Emu Systems. Enrico is a Passive House Certifier and Trainer. They delve into the intricacies of designing and building a Passive House. This episode focuses on the remarkable journey of transforming a fire-impacted home into a model of energy efficiency and comfort. Enrico and Matt share...

Join Matt Krueger, host of "Built by Insights," in the second episode of our three-part series with Enrico Bonilauri, co-founder of Emu Passive.  Dive deep into the fundamental principles of passive building design and learn how these methods create energy-efficient, comfortable, and resilient homes. Enrico simplifies complex concepts, likening passive house principles to everyday items like a coo...

In the first episode of a special three-part series, host Matt Krueger sits down with Enrico Bonilauri, the founder of Emu Passive. Enrico shares his journey from Italy to Colorado, highlighting his experiences and the founding of Emu Passive. Listeners will learn about Enrico's early inspirations, including his grandfather's carpentry work and his father's strategic thinking, which influenced his...

In this episode of Built By Insights, host Matt Krueger is joined by Karl Whitten from Whitten Design Group, as they explore the intricate process of turning a client’s vision into a reality. They discuss the importance of early collaboration, starting with a basic roadmap that evolves into detailed design documents. Karl shares insights into how conceptual designs begin with floor plans and evolv...

In this episode of Built By Insights, host Matt Krueger sits down with long-time collaborator Karl Whitten of Whitten Design Group. They reflect on their unique partnership, discussing the symbiotic relationship between architectural designer and builder that has led to countless successful projects. From the complexities of navigating insurance challenges after the Marshall Fire to the intricacie...

In this episode of Built By Insights, host Matt Krueger sits down with Karl Whitten, a renowned architectural designer behind Whitten Design Group, to explore Karl’s incredible journey in architectural design. With over four decades of experience and thousands of homes designed, Karl shares fascinating stories from his prolific career, including projects that have taken him from Boulder County to...

In this episode of Built by Insights, host Matt Krueger sits down with Brian Krueger to dive into the critical elements a builder looks for in an architect. They explore why Built By Krueger has chosen to avoid the traditional design-build model and instead partner with a range of architects to provide clients with truly custom homes. Listen in as they discuss the importance of flexibility, detail...

In this episode of Built by Insights , host Matt Krueger is joined by his brother and business partner, Brian Krueger, for a deep dive into their journey as custom home builders in Colorado. With 25 years of experience, they reflect on their beginnings, the evolution of their construction company, Built by Krueger, and the pivotal role of mentorship in their growth. The conversation touches on the...