What Great Architects Do After Winning the Job (with Jenn Rittler of Moody Nolan)

#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.

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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

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