#27: Cavin Costello, Principal at The Ranch Mine, joins the show to talk about the bold new strategy he and his wife are championing: designing and building model homes that double as short-term rentals and immersive client experiences. We dive into the risks, logistics, and big opportunities behind their approach and what it could mean for architects who want to break the mold.

PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio

Learn more about The Ranch Mine: https://www.theranchmine.com/

Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode:

→ What problem pushed Cavin to let clients “test-drive” architecture by living in it first?

→ Why The Ranch Mine skipped polished videos and glossy photos to build real homes instead.

→ The truth about how walking through a space beats any online tour – and what clients notice most.

→ When a high-end rental actually pays for itself, and the key factors that make it work.

→ How Cavin de-risked a bold investment, even if not a single client came through the door.

→ The unexpected edge you get when you’re the architect, developer, and client all at once.

→ Why the sales conversation changes when clients already feel like they’re at home.

→ The mindset shift architects need to make bold moves without waiting for permission.

→ Cavin’s no-fluff advice for architects ready to break the rules and build something different.

(04:32) How an Airbnb project opened new doors

(07:19) Why real experiences beat media hype

(11:44) Lessons from an early joint venture

(16:02) Making rentals work financially

(17:09) Letting clients live in the architecture

(22:18) Designing across different climates

(24:51) Breaking limits with diverse projects

(26:42) Why experience matters more than marketing

(32:37) Starting young and taking risks

(36:25) The power of assuming no one knows

(39:37) Thinking like a beginner

(41:08) Choosing adventure over repetition

GROWTHITECT RESOURCES

→ Apply to join The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio

→ Join thousands of architects on the free Growthitect newsletter - https://growthitect.com/join

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#26: Jenn Rittler, Associate Principal at Moody Nolan, provides a deep dive into one of the most overlooked parts of winning work: what happens after the contract is signed. Using the massive, multi-phase Penn State Intramural Building as a case study, Jenn shares how great firms keep earning trust long after the kickoff meeting. From joining projects mid-stream to aligning with clients and managing complex teams, this episode is all about leading with clarity and impact.

PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio

Learn more about Moody Nolan: https://moodynolan.com/

Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode:

→ What unexpected career twist led Jenn to Moody Nolan – and how the firm cultivates a culture that top talent stays for

→ The truth about the Penn State Intramural Building: why this massive project pushed boundaries and delivered beyond expectations.

→ How to walk into a project already in motion – and win over teams, clients, and trust from day one

→ Why the toughest part of a renovation isn’t design: the strategies Jenn used to keep excellence intact through every phase.

→ What never works in client workshops and the surprising shift that turns decision meetings into alignment powerhouses.

→ The secret behind Moody Nolan’s “responsive design” method, and why giving clients options creates faster consensus.

→ How to speak the language of value: translating high-performance, sustainable design into real-world operational wins.

→ When a campus building becomes more than a space – how architecture shapes culture, attracts talent, and fuels well-being.

→ Jenn’s biggest lesson from leading complex, high-stakes projects… and what most architects get wrong with institutional clients.

(05:20) How to step into a project midstream and still lead

(06:21) Adapting your career path in architecture

(10:36) Keeping team continuity during project transitions

(15:28) What responsive design really looks like at Moody Nolan

(18:35) Designing the final phase with a fresh perspective

(21:50) How to manage complex campus construction projects

(26:50) Sustainable design across Big Ten campuses

(29:52) Building for recreation, wellness, and more

(34:42) What makes a campus athletic space truly unique

(36:46) Getting stakeholders on board with student projects

(39:23) Why real client collaboration changes everything

GROWTHITECT RESOURCES

→ Apply to join The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio

→ Join thousands of architects on the free Growthitect newsletter - https://growthitect.com/join

STAY CONNECTED

→ Follow on LinkedIn

→ Follow on Instagram

→ Subscribe on YouTube

→ Follow on Twitter

#25: What does it take to win one of the most groundbreaking public school projects in the US? Laura Gwyn, Managing Director at Perkins&Will, joins Tyler Suomala to share how her team secured the first Living Building Certified public school. From building a mission-driven team to delivering a pitch that combined expertise with authenticity, Laura breaks down what it really takes to lead at the highest level.

PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio

Learn more about Perkins&Will: https://perkinswill.com/studio/durham/

Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode:

→ What one public school project reveals about the future of sustainable design

→ The truth about Living Building Certification (and why it makes LEED look like a warm-up act)

→ What never gets said about building a winning project team, but made all the difference here

→ The tiny RFP details that actually win high-stakes, sustainability-first projects (most firms overlook these)

→ When Laura’s team tore up the usual interview playbook, and how that bold move sealed the deal

→ What happened when the team got personal – and why storytelling might be your most powerful tool

→ How to “control the controllables” during an unpredictable RFP process, and stay in the driver’s seat

→ The surprising moment during the kickoff site walk that changed everything

→ The one piece of advice Laura gives every firm leader chasing their next seminal win

(03:08) Designing a nature-based learning environment

(08:20) The legacy of Perkins&Will in education

(10:11) Building the right partnerships to win

(14:53) A cultural approach to architecture

(18:28) What soul-searching revealed about the team

(23:01) Creating a growth hub for firm owners

(26:36) Why in-person engagement still matters

(30:01) Behind the scenes of the project kickoff

(31:17) How the perfect site was selected

(36:55) The strategy behind “controlling the controllables”

(41:23) What it means to embrace seminal moments

(42:31) A fresh take on leadership and gratitude

GROWTHITECT RESOURCES

→ Apply to join The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio

→ Join thousands of architects on the free Growthitect newsletter - https://growthitect.com/join

STAY CONNECTED

→ Follow on LinkedIn

→ Follow on Instagram

→ Subscribe on YouTube

→ Follow on Twitter