Jul 22, 2019
DPR presents Beyond the Drawing Board. In this series of podcasts designed for our Design Management Academy, we bring to you conversations with Industry Thought Leaders to take a peek behind the curtain at the design process.
Our guest for this episode is Erik Sueberkrop, Founder and Design Principal, and former Chairman of the Board of Studios Architecture. Erik started Studios in 1985, after several years of working with EPR when they shifted their focus. Today, Studios focuses on delivering great architecture and excellent design to their clients, working on projects both nationally and internationally.
Erik shares more about some of the complex projects he has worked on, how Studios was able to expand so quickly to offices around the world, and why great design requires so much time and patience. The European model for design-build projects differs from the process in the US — Erik explains why the model works and how it benefits all parties involved in the project, and what it takes to bring together a team to work successfully on these design-build projects.
This episode is brought to you by DPR Construction, with our host, Greg Mantz.
Key Takeaways:
[:51] Greg introduces his guest for this episode — Erik Sueberkrop.
[1:30] How did Erik first come to EPR?
[3:08] How did Erik decide to start Studios Architecture?
[8:19] Studios Architecture was doing very innovative things with interior design and taking it to a new level in the early days.
[12:01] Erik and Greg discuss how having a collaborative approach to projects helped develop some incredible outcomes.
[14:50] Erik explains how the name Studios came about.
[17:23] What was Erik's breakthrough, ground-up project? He shares more about some of the projects he has worked on.
[24:30] Studios started in San Francisco, but almost immediately opened an office in the East Coast. Erik talks about the expansion of the firm into a national and international brand.
[28:32] Greg explains why it is important for DPR professionals to understand the iterative process of great design.
[29:59] Which has been Erik's favorite project?
[39:05] What are some of Erik's words of wisdom regarding design-build projects and how to better integrate design and construction partners?
[44:36] Erik has done a lot of work in Europe, where the design-build model is different. How does he bridge the gap between design vision and technical construction?
[49:19] Erik and Greg discuss if the European model of contractors having their own internal design capabilities is coming over to the US.
[51:59] What is Erik's recommendation when it comes to putting teams together for design-build opportunities?
[55:17] What are Erik's thoughts around working more directly and deliberately with the sub-trades?
[58:31] What's on the horizon for Studios?
Links:
Design Management Academy Yammer Page
Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur
University of Cincinnati Science Complex