4 minute read
Build Better Podcast
Achieving Equitable Outcomes in the Long Term with Barry Reaves of the BPDA
by Emily Langner
On season 2, episode 12 of the Build Better podcast, Anastasia welcomed Barry Reaves, the Boston Planning & Development Agency’s (BPDA) first ever director of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The BPDA is the planning and economic development agency for the City of Boston. Its mission is to guide inclusive growth in the city, creating opportunities for everyone to live, work and connect.
Reaves is responsible for the development and oversight of the BPDA’s racial equity and diversity priorities, and works to establish collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to foster a more inclusive, equitable, welcoming, supportive, and diverse agency. He says some of the factors that prevent minority- and women-owned companies from being able to secure a contract are not having access to capital or adequate technical and legal support, and not knowing about the opportunities available. He says one way to eliminate these barriers is to allow more time in the process to give smaller companies the time to put together a bid.
The BPDA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s equitable procurement plan focuses on ways to demystify the process, ensure that the process to bid on goods and services that the agency is offering are not overly burdensome or cumbersome to small businesses, and demonstrate a commitment to reaching a more diverse pool of applicants. Reaves says the BPDA is not only promoting opportunities, but is doing more aggressive outreach with advocacy groups to create relationships and better refine the process of creating a more level platform for small businesses.
Reaves notes that the best ways to balance the risk/reward of a project while increasing diversity are to build more relationships, add more peer reviews, add different mechanisms to allow for emerging companies to get the necessary mentorship, and create outcomes that allow for sustainability and advancement to the next project. He says prioritizing a company’s growth and long-term success will mean for “a stronger, more profitable organization that is capable of doing bigger and better projects.”
Reaves also says every project should have an equity framework, and should define specifically what success looks like. He says it is the industry’s responsibility as a whole to be accountable, and to measure outcomes and course correct when a specific strategy is not working.
He emphasizes the importance of long-term effort and commitment, and says success is dependent on all parties “going in the same direction.” Reaves concludes, “We all have to believe in the same thing, and we all have to want to see the same outcomes, and we all have to do our part and roll our sleeves up to actually put our money where our mouth is.”
Barry Reaves Special thanks to this episode’s sponsor.
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Trends and Hot Topics Design Build: Understanding the Internal Dynamic
by Jen Luoni
Within traditional construction, architecture is positioned as the champion for idealistic design versus the pragmatic in-field execution of general contractors due to varying interests. This can leave the client feeling abandoned and solely responsible for overseeing the project through to final completion. However, design build creates a path for realistic synergy, something which, once experienced, leaves clients feeling incorporated into an overall process harmonizing successful design with expedient execution. Getting clients nascent to design build past this perception is a preeminent challenge. Conveying design build’s principles and attributes can be done as follows.
Design Matters
The architectural function within design build is fully supported. A comprehensive execution of ideation, drafting and material selection is supported by a full department of registered architects, designers and drafters. Being located under one roof does not shortchange positions. In fact, this geographic closeness enables the ability to design with an understanding of cost and construction means and methods, which enhances the final product.
Checks and Balances
Design build is a process of counterbalances, whereby the architect and pre-construction project planner act as a ballast against challenges which may prohibit project advancement. The architect focuses on layout and structural design, while the planner provides cost analysis and construction knowledge to tailor architectural efforts. As the project advances, project managers and field staff
(Before and after) The 54 Middlesex Turnpike transformational project exemplifies design build.
confirm feasibility of the design’s intent, eliminating potential issues and saving upfront design time.
Doing Right, Not Wrong
Performance-based design doesn’t rely on a drawing specification; it relies on teamwork. All assigned to the project need to understand client goals and the interrelated dynamics between consultants, subcontractors and architects. The end result is greater pride, better productivity, less execution time and clear costs. All parties become one advocate, rather than the architect solely assuming this role.
Today’s Relevance
In a society of increased technicality, Americans seek simplicity in everything from consumer products to services. Architectural design should be no different. Outside of design build, there exists an inherent conflict between architects and general contractors. In design build, that same variance in viewpoints exists, but it doesn’t slow progress; rather, it drives better solutions that maintain integrity from design and cost standpoints. Design build is the epitome of refining operations and streamlining costs. For a successful project, there cannot be one without the other.
Jen Luoni is director of operations – architecture at Dacon Corporation.
(Before and after)
