BUILD SMART with Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA – Details, episodes & analysis
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BUILD SMART with Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA
Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA // Gābl Media
Frequency: 1 episode/23d. Total Eps: 28

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Apple Podcasts
🇨🇦 Canada - design
14/05/2025#98🇨🇦 Canada - design
13/05/2025#79🇨🇦 Canada - design
12/05/2025#72🇨🇦 Canada - design
11/05/2025#63🇨🇦 Canada - design
10/05/2025#62🇨🇦 Canada - design
09/05/2025#52🇨🇦 Canada - design
08/05/2025#34🇺🇸 USA - design
30/10/2024#87🇺🇸 USA - design
29/10/2024#100🇬🇧 Great Britain - design
24/10/2024#90
Spotify
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See all- https://gablmedia.com/
483 shares
- https://monograph.com/
27 shares
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See allScore global : 63%
Publication history
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Season 2 Wrap-up
Season 2
lundi 5 décembre 2022 • Duration 01:03:30
Thank you for joining us for this season of Build Smart! In this bonus wrap-up episode, Mark and Patrick have a candid conversation discussing this season, additional insights that we weren’t able to get to, and so much more!
Make sure you stay subscribed to be the first to hear about season three of Build Smart!
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Monograph is the cloud-based practice operations solution built for architects by architects. It is easy to use, beautifully designed, and helped firms streamline operations by empowering them to see project-based and firm-wide financial health in a single tool. Plan your projects with schedules, budgets, roles, and team members. Track a project’s financial health with their unique MoneyGantt which takes timesheet data and makes it simple to see whether you are on track or not. Use firm-wide revenue forecasts to make strategic decisions. With Monograph, you never have to make a decision in the dark again. Visit Monograph now.
buildingSMART International
buildingSMART is the worldwide industry body driving the digital transformation of the built asset industry. buildingSMART is committed to delivering improvement by the creation and adoption of open, international standards and solutions for infrastructure and buildings. buildingSMART is the community for visionaries working to transform the design, construction, operation and maintenance of built assets. buildingSMART is an open, neutral and international not-for-profit organization. For additional information visit buildingsmart.org
If you enjoy this show and want more content like this, visit gablmedia.com
Mentioned in this episode:
10: Design Takes Center Stage | Liberating the Architect
Season 2 · Episode 10
lundi 28 novembre 2022 • Duration 57:12
In this season, Patrick has, in great detail, analyzed each aspect of the building industry – design, construction, operation, maintenance, and collaboration – discussing the challenges that we face, illuminating how those challenges arose, and ultimately outlining how adoption and investment in technology can help us overcome them.
Patrick has also shared the story of buildingSMART International, from its start as a private consortium in 1994 – supported by Autodesk - to becoming an independent full-fledged international organization.
In this episode, Patrick pulls together everything we’ve learned and highlights how design can take center stage!
This episode also features conversations with several individuals developing software to improve the design process:
- Kyle Bernhardt, Chief Revenue Officer at TestFit, a Real Estate Feasibility software with real-time insights to design, constructability, and cost for developers, architects, and general contractors.
- Paul O’Carroll, CEO and Founder of Arcol, a company that is developing a web-based BIM tool intended to simplify the use of BIM technology and collaboration through the design process.
- Patrick Chopson, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of Cove.Tool, a tech firm that aims to fight climate change by using automation to help architects, engineers, contractors and developers leverage data-driven design.
Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode:
- BIM software begins to manage the complexity of coordination,
- BIM software becomes the architect's assistant, providing feedback during design,
- The contractor supports the architect during design,
- Design becomes the central to the work of the architect again--as it should be,
- Design done well reestablishes the architect to an honorable place in society.
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Monograph is the cloud-based practice operations solution built for architects by architects. It is easy to use, beautifully designed, and helped firms streamline operations by empowering them to see project-based and firm-wide financial health in a single tool. Plan your projects with schedules, budgets, roles, and team members. Track a project’s financial health with their unique MoneyGantt which takes timesheet data and makes it simple to see whether you are on track or not. Use firm-wide revenue forecasts to make strategic decisions. With Monograph, you never have to make a decision in the dark again. Visit Monograph now.
buildingSMART International
buildingSMART is the worldwide industry body driving the digital transformation of the built asset industry. buildingSMART is committed to delivering improvement by the creation and adoption of open, international standards and solutions for infrastructure and buildings. buildingSMART is the community for visionaries working to transform the design, construction, operation and maintenance of built assets. buildingSMART is an open, neutral and international not-for-profit organization. For additional information visit buildingsmart.org
If you enjoy this show and want more content like this, visit gablmedia.com
Mentioned in this episode:
02: The Three C's | How We Lost Our Way
Season 2 · Episode 2
lundi 3 octobre 2022 • Duration 33:45
In this episode, Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA, shares the three major issues - complexity, conflict, and communication - that he sees plague the building industry. He provides context on how we got here, which sheds light on why buildingSMART International would eventually come into existence.
Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode:
- Ever increasing complexity makes it even more important for the designers and builders to address conflict and communication issues,
- Conflict between designers and builders has to be resolved and turned into collaboration,
- Communication between all teams members needs to evolve.
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Monograph is the cloud-based practice operations solution built for architects by architects. It is easy to use, beautifully designed, and helped firms streamline operations by empowering them to see project-based and firm-wide financial health in a single tool. Plan your projects with schedules, budgets, roles, and team members. Track a project’s financial health with their unique MoneyGantt which takes timesheet data and makes it simple to see whether you are on track or not. Use firm-wide revenue forecasts to make strategic decisions. With Monograph, you never have to make a decision in the dark again. Visit Monograph now.
buildingSMART International
buildingSMART is the worldwide industry body driving the digital transformation of the built asset industry. buildingSMART is committed to delivering improvement by the creation and adoption of open, international standards and solutions for infrastructure and buildings. buildingSMART is the community for visionaries working to transform the design, construction, operation and maintenance of built assets. buildingSMART is an open, neutral and international not-for-profit organization. For additional information visit buildingsmart.org
If you enjoy this show and want more content like this, visit gablmedia.com
Mentioned in this episode:
01: Introduction | Big Problems, Bold Solutions
Season 2 · Episode 1
lundi 26 septembre 2022 • Duration 29:12
Hosts, Mark R. LePage, AIA, NCARB and Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA, return for season two of BUILD SMART! Patrick, former CEO of the International architecture firm, HOK, has been repurposed. Now as the Chairman of buildingSMART International, Patrick will outline a new strategy for the building industry. In this episode, Mark and Patrick discuss what season two will be about, Patrick's goals for the season, who will benefit from listening, and what listeners will learn.
About buildingSMART International:
buildingSMART is the worldwide industry body driving the digital transformation of the built asset industry. buildingSMART is committed to delivering improvement by the creation and adoption of open, international standards and solutions for infrastructure and buildings. buildingSMART is the community for visionaries working to transform the design, construction, operation and maintenance of built assets. buildingSMART is an open, neutral and international not-for-profit organization.
For additional information visit buildingsmart.org
If you enjoy this show and want more content like this, visit gablmedia.com
Mentioned in this episode:
00: Build Smart. Season 2 Trailer
Season 2
mardi 6 septembre 2022 • Duration 10:50
BUILD SMART is a narrative podcast that features Patrick MacLeamy, FAIA, architect, and former CEO of global firm HOK. With host Mark R. LePage, AIA, NCARB, MacLeamy shares stories and lessons from his time in the building industry.
In season one, Patrick shared insights from his 50-year career, rising from an HOK junior designer to the company CEO, a tenure that parallels HOK’s growth from 150 employees in St. Louis to a staff of more than 1,900 in 27 offices on three continents.
In season two, MacLeamy highlights his transition from HOK to Chairman of buildingSMART International, a worldwide industry body driving the digital transformation of the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of built assets. Patrick shares the story of the founding and development of buildingSMART International, and along the way outlines a new strategy for the building industry that you don't want to miss!
Mentioned in this episode:
14: Dreams
Season 1 · Episode 14
lundi 12 juillet 2021 • Duration 50:33
This is it!...the culmination of season one of Build Smart, where Patrick has shared his story and the lessons he has learned over his 50-year career with HOK, from junior designer to CEO! Overcoming financial struggles, HOK has climbed each level of Patrick’s pyramid strategy – strong board of directors, great operations, and true collaboration – now reaching the peak, and the right to dream. In this episode, Patrick highlights some of the dreams that HOK pursued, including sustainability, product design, and the return of HOK's sports architecture. Lastly, Patrick identifies his successor and steps aside for the next generation of HOK leaders to the helm.
Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode:
- Firms can reinvent themselves with determined leadership,
- Firms earn the right to dream TOGETHER,
- Sustainable design is an example of a dream made real,
- Step down from leadership when your successor is established.
To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ and find out more information at macleamy.com
Thank you to our sponsor Twinmotion! Twinmotion is a real-time rendering solution used by architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to create high-quality imagery, client presentations, and interactive experiences that help communicate your BIM data and design ideas, fast. Visit twinmotion.link/buildsmart and try Twinmotion for free.
Mentioned in this episode:
13: Buying Our Freedom
Episode 13
lundi 5 juillet 2021 • Duration 45:12
Under Patrick’s leadership, HOK is the process of turning around the business of the firm. In today’s episode, HOK is now in a position to buy back their freedom. Patrick details the steps he took to finally address each of the three crises that threatened the firms existence.
Carl Galioto, President of HOK, managing principal of the New York and Philadelphia studios, explains the concept of "shortening your lines" to improve the function of the firm.
Susan Williams, managing principal of HOK’s Washington, D.C. shares her perspective of Patrick's contributions and how she has continued and built upon his work.
Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode:
- Cash is King,
- As a strategic resource, and as freedom
- Negotiating tips,
- Negotiate the big picture first, then work out the details,
- Conduct sensitive negotiations on neutral turf
- Find and groom new leaders from inside your firm.
To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ and find out more information at macleamy.com
Mentioned in this episode:
12: Reclaiming Company Culture
Episode 12
lundi 28 juin 2021 • Duration 51:42
After revitalizing upper management and improving operations, Patrick set his sights on reclaiming the company culture that HOK once had. In this episode, he discusses improving communication, company stock as a unifier, leadership groups, team building experiences, and leadership bonus programs.
Riccardo Mascia, Managing Principal in HOK’s Chicago studio, shares his perspective of coordinating a seminal company retreat that helped leadership refocus on the soul of HOK.
Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode:
- Company culture is established by the leaders,
- Company culture must be reinforced every day,
- If culture is lost it can be reestablished with hard work over time.
To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ and find out more information at macleamy.com
Mentioned in this episode:
11: The Effort Curve
Episode 11
dimanche 20 juin 2021 • Duration 37:49
In the midst of executing his strategy for recovery, Patrick is summoned away to answer a critical question about the profession, which leads him to a great discovery about how to improve it. In this episode, Patrick explains the origin of and philosophy behind “the Effort Curve,” later known as “the MacLeamy Curve,” which grew to have a significant impact on HOK and the profession at large.
Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode:
- Shift efforts earlier in time to solve problems early,
- Coordinate early with engineers for best results later,
- Coordinate early with the contractor for best results later,
- Measure twice, cut once.
To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ and find out more information at macleamy.com
Mentioned in this episode:
10: Turning Strategy into Reality
Episode 10
lundi 14 juin 2021 • Duration 59:22
We are now on the heels of what was probably the pinnacle of danger for HOK as a business. Patrick was able to buy some time to develop a strategy to solve the problem, but quickly found himself thrusted further into the storm… now into the role of CEO! In today’s episode, Patrick, with the full responsibility of leading the firm out of a Triple crisis, has to turn his strategy into reality. Step one was to rejuvenate upper management.
Riccardo Mascia AIA, OAA, LEED AP BD+C, Managing Principal of HOK’s Chicago studio, details his story of joining HOK and his role as, "the fixer" for Patrick.
Carl Galioto FAIA, President of HOK, shares how he was recruited to join HOK as the technical leader of the firm, and discusses his perspective on the technical aspect of the architecture profession.
Patrick shares his lessons for listeners to take away from this episode:
- Share financial reports openly with your board; ask for their help
- Use positive peer pressure to motivate firm leadership
- Don't just talk about problems. Agree on solutions. Then assign to a leader to solve by a deadline
- Replace key leaders if they do not fit your strategy or culture
- When recruiting leaders ask yourself: Can they do the job? Do they have integrity? Will they work well as part of a team?
To read along and see illustrations and personal photos that accompany this series, get Patrick’s book, Designing a World-Class Architecture Firm. You can buy the book at gablmedia.com/buildsmartbook/ and find out more information at macleamy.com
Mentioned in this episode: