logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
1h 8m

#409 - The Problems with Design-Build

David Lee and Marina Bourderonnet
About this episode

This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design discuss common issues with Design-Build model in home construction. They cover the definition of the Design-Build model; lack of licensed architects in Design-Build companies; false efficiency and economy; accountability issues; quality of construction; how budget reduction is achieved; lack of transparency; who should / shouldn’t engage with Design-Build companies; and more.

This episode is supported by Integrated Projects • Canvas EnscapeAutodesk • Programa • Graphisoft

SUBSCRIBE  • Apple Podcasts  • YouTube  • Spotify

CONNECT  • Website: www.secondstudiopod.com • Office  • Instagram • Facebook  • Call or text questions to 213-222-6950

SUPPORT Leave a review 

EPISODE CATEGORIES  •  Interviews: Interviews with industry leaders.  •  Project Companion: Informative talks for clients.    •  Fellow Designer: Tips for designers.  •  After Hours: Casual conversations about everyday life. •  Design Reviews: Reviews of creative projects and buildings.

Up next
Jul 8
#456 - Ana Duran, Co-Principal of Estudio A0 & Assistant Professor at Yale School of Architecture.
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by Ana Maria Duran Calisto, Co-Principal of Estudio A0 and Daniel Rose Visiting Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Architecture. The three discussed the shift in relationship between technology, culture an ... Show More
1h 30m
Jul 1
#455 - After Hours: Visiting NYC!
This week David and Marina have a casual chat about their recent trip to New York. The two cover reuniting with the city, food, urbanism, traveling with a baby, the MoMA, food poisoning, and much more. This episode is supported by Autodesk Forma & Autodesk Insight • Programa • Le ... Show More
1h 32m
Jun 24
#454 - Thomas Woltz, Senior Principal of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (NBW)
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by Thomas L. Woltz, Senior Principal of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (NBW). The three discussed Thomas’s childhood influences; architecture & arts education; why he studied Master of Architecture; how l ... Show More
56m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
565: Is Architecture an Elitist Profession? with Lance Cayko of Inside the Firm Podcast
In this episode, Lance Cayko and Rion Willard dive deep into the world of architecture. They discuss the real-life challenges architects face, from financial struggles to balancing creativity with practicality. The conversation also touches on broader topics, challenging common p ... Show More
59m 19s
Feb 2025
616: Winning Clients Without Lowering Your Fees: Positioning Yourself for Premium Clients with Enoch Sears & Rion Willard
What sets one architecture firm apart from another? In an industry overflowing with talent, many firms struggle to stand out. In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest challenges architects face—differentiation. Most firms unknowingly blend in, using the same tired strategies ... Show More
39m 13s
Dec 2024
602: The Problem With Sustainability Pt 1 with Colin Davis & Suzanne Davenport of Studio Partington
Studio Partington has made a name for itself in sustainable design and retrofit architecture, but how did this small team achieve such big results? In this episode, Rion Willard sits down with Colin Davis and Suzanne Davenport to explore their journey from humble beginnings to cr ... Show More
35m 22s
Apr 2021
The UX Designer Salary Talk
Episode 38 Show Notes:   It’s time to have the UX Designer Salary Talk. In this episode, I reveal everything you need to know about getting the UX Salary you want. I go over my tips for getting the salary I desired and how you can have the same results. We also discuss the 16 sig ... Show More
41m 12s
Feb 2025
617: Winning Clients Without Lowering Your Fees: How to Make Your Firm Stand Out with Enoch Sears & Rion Willard
How do you truly stand out in the architecture industry? In this follow-up episode, we dive deeper into real strategies for differentiation—beyond the usual clichés and overused tactics. If you’ve ever wondered why clients struggle to choose between firms or why pricing pressure ... Show More
48m 30s
Feb 2025
614: Listener Questions, Honest Answers: Fixing the Biggest Challenges in Small Architecture Firms with Enoch Sears & Rion Willard
In this episode, Enoch Sears and Rion Willard tackle some of the most pressing questions from small architecture firm owners. From managing finances to standing out in a competitive market, they share surprising insights that challenge traditional thinking. Along the way, they ex ... Show More
1h 1m
May 27
AI, Cheap Clients & Bad Logos Are The Best Things to Happen to YOU with Allan Peters & James Barnard
Graphic designers love to blame AI, cheap clients, and garbage logos for the downfall of the industry. But what if those things are actually your biggest opportunity?While most designers are panicking about race-to-the-bottom pricing, automation, and template trash flooding the m ... Show More
1 h
Jun 6
Don’t Hire Until You Hear This: Architect Hiring Secrets Revealed | EP637
Hiring in architecture is high-stakes. Get it wrong, and you end up with missed deadlines, confused roles, office drama—or worse, talented people who simply can’t work together. This episode dives into the quiet costs of hiring missteps and how to avoid them. Hiring the wrong per ... Show More
55m 36s
Oct 2024
580: Architects vs. Contractors: Who Really Calls the Shots? with Chris Butler of Walter Lilly
Architects often struggle with balancing leadership roles, managing design integrity, and navigating the complexities of construction development. As project demands increase, they face the challenge of maintaining control while collaborating with contractors who often take on mo ... Show More
59m 37s
Sep 2024
571: The Architect to Developer in Provence with Alain & Liliana Meylan of K Architecture
In this episode of the Business of Architecture, Rion Willard speaks with husband and wife team, Alain and Liliana Meylan, who’ve transformed their architectural firm into a full-fledged property development business in the south of France. Alain and Liliana reveal their journey ... Show More
48m 54s