Side of Design

Located in the heart of downtown overlooking Wisconsin’s Capitol Dome, BWBR’s Madison office provides proximity to the ever-expanding markets statewide. Leading the talented, tight-knit team is Leigh Streit, who joined us for this episode of Side Notes to share insights into the Madison market, the opportunities shaping Wisconsin’s future, and the work driving meaningful impact across the region.

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At BWBR, we believe in being stewards of exceptional design—which means sharing our team’s unique skills, specialized knowledge, and abundance of passion with the next generation. Many BWBR staff members are involved in fostering young designers, whether that’s helping high school students navigate career paths or sparking creativity in elementary school classrooms. 

In this episode of Side of Design, we sat down with Senior Project Manager Andrea Cecelia and Marketing Manager Danielle Hilmo to chat about their deep commitment to outreach in their communities, the innovative new lenses students are bringing to design, and what it...

Senior Planner Jessica Sweeney took a unique path to planning healthcare environments at BWBR. With a background that helps bridge the challenges health organizations face with the solutions architecture can provide, her specialized insight brings key value to our design teams and client stakeholders. In this episode of Side Notes, she shares her fascinating career journey and how it lends itself to creating high-performing facilities that are data-informed, staff-friendly, and patient-centric.

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 Quality in design and construction is easy to recognize, but far more complex to achieve. It’s not just about how a building looks when it’s finished, but about the processes that carry a project from concept through construction. In this episode of Side of Design, we sit down with BWBR’s Director of Professional Services Dan Hottinger and Construction Administration Manager Bryan Desma to unpack what “quality” really means in design and construction—and how it begins long before a project breaks ground. 

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Sustainability, quality assurance (QA), building codes, and specifications—at BWBR, these critical design functions are overseen by Rachael Spires, Associate Principal and Performance Design & Quality Manager. In this episode of Side Notes, she explores how the seemingly distinctive roles intersect, all working together to drive design excellence in powerful ways.

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What does it take to create a birth center that truly serves its community—clinically, culturally, and emotionally? The Regions Hospital Birth Center was designed with this question in mind, taking a family-centered approach that integrates the latest care choices with the multicultural needs of mothers in the Twin Cities. In this episode of Side of Design, we take a deep dive into the design process as the hospital celebrates five years of impact. 

Joining the discussion are Rochelle Johnson, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer at Regions Hospital, along with BWBR project team mem...

Bringing a building design from concepts and renderings to a completed facility is a complex and technical process. Playing a major part in making it happen is BWBR’s Dan Hottinger, Principal and Professional Services Director, who describes his role as “the bridge between design and putting the design in motion.” In this episode of Side Notes, he shares the latest innovations and challenges he sees facing the AEC industry—and how professional services can help.

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As climate change reshapes the way we live—prompting thoughtful changes both big and small to support sustainability—the design profession must evolve as a key player in reducing waste, deforestation, and other drivers of global warming. One critical lever designers can pull is material selection. In this episode, we’re focusing on FSC-certified wood—a single material choice that can make a significant difference. 

Joining us from BWBR are President and CEO Terri Ulrick, Senior Specifications Writer Renee Wells, and Sustainability Specialist Rasa Zeltina to discuss what FSC wood is, why it matters, and how designers can meani...

n the latest episode of Side Notes, BWBR’s Education Practice Leader Greg Fenton joins us to take a closer look at the ever-evolving higher education landscape. In a quick conversation packed with meaningful insights, we explore how design can widen the horizons of learning and breathe new life into college campuses, bringing inventive solutions that address education’s greatest challenges.

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In the latest episode of Side Notes, the bite-sized version of Side of Design, BWBR’s Healthcare Practice Leader Ryan Johansen joins us for a quick but impactful discussion on the state of healthcare market. In less than 15 minutes, they explore how the industry is shifting from a model centered on treating illness to one focused on promoting wellness—and how design can support this transformation by addressing the needs of patients, families, and healthcare staff in holistic ways.

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In the debut episode of Side Notes, a bite-sized version of Side of Design, host Matt Gerstner sits down with Nate Roisen, BWBR’s Science + Technology Practice Leader, to explore the evolving world of design and innovation in the market. In just under 15 minutes, they cover what excites Nate about the current landscape, the biggest challenges clients face, and what makes designing in this field so rewarding.

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Healthcare executives juggle decisions worth millions of dollars across multiple campuses while trying to predict a future that keeps changing. Aging facilities need updates, new technologies demand space, and patient needs shift faster than anyone can track. For health systems managing everything from rural Critical Access Hospitals to major medical centers, the old method of planning one facility at a time leaves critical gaps.

BWBR Principal Jason Nordling, Senior Planner Jessica Sweeney, and Principal Brian Zabloudil help health systems tackle this complexity through system-level strategic planning. Their...

When BWBR's design team talks about creating spaces that "welcome and work for everyone," it isn’t PR speak or a feel-good talking point. They’re addressing one of architecture's most complex challenges. Truly equitable design requires intention and thoughtful consideration of elements that go far beyond code compliance.

Design Leader Lisa Miller, Interior Designer Katie Reed, and Senior Architectural Designer Josh Simma recently sat down to untangle the often-confused concepts of accessible, universal, and inclusive design. Their conversation reveals why these distinctions matter and how they're reshaping the way spaces get built.

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When the lease on their office space expired, Minneapolis-based engineering firm Loucks sought out a team that could help create their ideal work environment in a new location. With help from BWBR, furniture dealership Henricksen, real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, and some extraordinary luck, Loucks transformed an already promising space into a workplace that supports their culture, enhances well-being, and aligns with today’s technology needs—all while keeping existing furniture out of landfills.

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The latest Side of Design podcast pulls back the curtain on PFAS, the infamous "forever chemicals" making headlines for their carcinogenic and environmentally damaging properties, and their widespread presence in many common finishes and materials—from stain-resistant couches to flame-retardant clothing to nonstick pans.

Host Matt Gerstner welcomes BWBR specialists Sara Biedenbender (Interior Designer), Kat Lauer (Project Planner), and Rachael Spires (Associate Principal and Performance Design & Quality Manager) for a lively conversation.

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The most recent Side of Design podcast introduces us to two architecture students whose work demands we reconsider what makes good design. Sierra Espinoza and Pwapadeino Wonosikou, this year's BWBR equity scholarship winners, aren't waiting until graduation to tackle the industry's most pressing questions about who benefits from the spaces we build—and who doesn't.

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The path to professional fulfillment isn't always a straight line, and the stories of some of our BWBR team members prove just that. In the latest episode of Side of Design, host Matt Gerstner and three BWBR colleagues share their fascinating journeys of career transformation, revealing how seemingly unrelated experiences can shape unique perspectives and lead to rewarding careers in unexpected places.

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Athletic facilities aren't just about sports anymore. As BWBR's Architectural Design Manager Kyle Lunke and Principal Craig Peterson discuss in our latest Side of Design episode, these spaces drive enrollment, enhance student wellness, and strengthen institutional identity.

 Venues that welcome fans on game day help foster an incredible sense of community and energy—but the benefits go on long after the game clock runs out. That’s why we were excited to talk with Kyle and Craig to gain insights into how thoughtful design transforms athletic facilities into dynamic hubs serving entire campus communities.

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The research, development, and production that takes place inside science + technology facilities is highly complex and technical. It’s no surprise that the design work that brings these environments to life demands the same level of precision. Design, engineering, and contractor teams partner closely to coordinate the advanced MEP systems and intricate space planning that maintain sterile, safe, and efficient operations.

On this episode of Side of Design, we’re joined by a couple of our own trusted partners, who add their unique perspectives on what sets these complex projects up for success—and how each discipline contri...

Employee engagement goes beyond happiness and job satisfaction—those are byproducts of something deeper. As BWBR's Director of People and Culture Tricia Eiswald and Knowledge Manager Kari Shonblom discuss in the latest Side of Design episode, engagement means genuine involvement and enthusiasm at work and in the workplace. Their insights delve into factors that drive engagement, BWBR’s own engagement strategies, and how organizations can go beyond employee satisfaction to unlock the full potential of their teams. 

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Despite being a sensitive topic, money is central to any project—managing costs, remaining on budget, and achieving maximum value per dollar spent are all critical to a successful design, whether a new build, a major expansion, or a renovation. So, let’s talk about it.

The latest episode of Side of Design from BWBR dives deep into this subject, exploring the intricacies of fee development and its impact on project success. Host Matt Gerstner leads a thoughtful discussion with representatives from BWBR's leadership team — CEO Terri Ulrick, Director and Principal Greg Fenton, and Principal Mike Boldenow—shedding...

Like any other healthcare facility, behavioral health environments must be comforting places to heal. But these spaces pose unique considerations to keep patients safe, requiring thoughtful balance from skilled design professionals to create environments that are beautiful and manage patient risk. Senior Interior Designer Lauren Frank, Senior Project Manager Susan Golberg, and Senior Architect Ellen Konerza are a few members of the BWBR team who work to design these facilities, and in the latest episode of Side of Design, they dive in to creating environments that prioritize safety without feeling cold or institutional.

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Simulation spaces are high-tech, realistic environments designed to train both students preparing for careers in healthcare and medical professionals learning new skills. These environments require both the functionality of real healthcare spaces and classroom elements for teaching and learning, allowing users to practice skills, learn new procedures, or explore techniques that will be applied in real hospital settings.  

In the latest episode of Side of Design from BWBR, guest host and Project Manager Jarett Anderson opens the door to the exciting realm of simulation spaces. Joined by BWBR Principal Leigh Streit, Senior Planner Rich Dunham, and Senior P...

Neuroscience facilities serve patients with a wide range of conditions, from cognitive issues like Alzheimer's to mobility challenges resulting from spinal cord injuries. Patients facing cognitive disorders may feel as though they’re experiencing a space for the very first time, even though they've been there dozens of times, while patients with mobility aids require extra space to access and move through a facility. These spaces need to be intuitively accessible and comfortable every time.

From facilitating way-finding to incorporating new technologies, thoughtful design helps to create calming, restorative experiences while supporting healthcare advancement for this patient po...

A lot goes into creating healthcare environments that work for both the patients they serve and the staff who provide critical care – from having the right number of beds to planning strategic layouts that allow providers to do their best work efficiently to finding feasible solutions amid rising costs. That’s where designers come in, working closely with healthcare teams to develop spaces that are customized to support each organization’s unique needs.

Jessica Sweeney, a senior planner at BWBR, is one such designer helping to bridge the gap between architecture and healthcare. Formerly a strategist and operat...

Student housing is commonly associated with bare-bones accommodations designed to be tolerated rather than enjoyed. However, today’s residence halls are advancing in remarkable ways to better foster community, support student well-being, and reflect each institution’s unique culture. Students increasingly seek inclusive design, communities to enhance learning and living, and a focus on wellness that encompasses everything from meditation spaces to mental health resources.

In the latest episode of Side of Design, BWBR team members Amanda Aspenson and Anna Pratt, both Senior Project Managers, and Senior Architectural Designer Kevin Gamelin discuss the evolving world of student hous...

The worlds of design and construction are closely related, yet they speak entirely different languages. A lot hinges on maintaining a clear, consistent vision and understanding of every detail, with absolutely nothing getting lost in translation between design and construction. Luckily, Construction Administrators (CA) speak both “languages” fluently, and they’re a critical component of an effective design-build process.

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Bryan Desma - BWBR - Construction Administration Manager
Devin Little - BWBR - Construction Administrator

Music provided by Getty and Epidemi...

If our latest podcast discussion is any indication, the future of design is in excellent hands. We were honored to sit down with the recipients of this year’s BWBR equity scholarships for an inspiring discussion about inclusion and diversity in design, the recipients’ incredible submission projects, and what’s next for them.

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Valerie Lange - M. Arch/BAA Interior Design Student - University of Washington
Mariam Elizabeth Jacob - M. Arch - Columbia University

Music provided by Artl...

Quality assurance is all about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, confirming that design details meet code regulations, stakeholder requirements, and quality standards. 

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Dan Hottinger - BWBR, Principal
Todd Warren - BWBR, Quality Assurance Specialist

Music provided by Artlist.io
Siberian Summer by Sunny Fruit
DuDa by Ian Post

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The folks in lab design at BWBR have no trouble seeing common ground between their work as designers and their scientist clients’ work. In both cases, it’s about coming up with innovative, out-of-the-box, and creative solutions to intricate problems.

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Terri Ulrick - BWBR, Principal and Director
Brian Lapham - BWBR, Senior Project Manager
Nate Roisen - BWBR, Senior Project Planner

Music provided by Artlist.io
Siberian Summer by Sunny Fruit
DuDa by Ian Post

If...

When it comes to Critical Access Hospital projects, two themes reign supreme: affordability and strategic thinking. Working on these projects means getting creative in figuring out how to fine-tune design for a community's unique needs, maintaining the highest standards of planning and execution while balancing tight budgets.

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Brad Krump - BWBR, Principal and Director
Nick Smith - Wipfli, Principal

Music provided by Artlist.io
Siberian Summer by Sunny Fruit
DuDa by Ian Post

If you l...

At BWBR, the graphic design team ventures into the physical realm, envisioning three-dimensional spaces and conceptualizing how two-dimensional elements will interact. That means considering an array of materials and components with innumerable moving parts. Window films to wall coverings, acrylic panels, signage, lettering, wayfinding messages…the list goes on.

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Rachel Slette - BWBR Senior Graphic Designer
Maddie Smith - BWBR Graphic Designer
Emily Prigge - BWBR Graphic Designer
Avery Gidley - BWBR Graphic Designer


Music provided by...

The future of architecture and design is here. The BWBR internship program is designed to provide students with hands-on, real-world experience, but it’s a win for us too. We benefit from their incredible energy, innovative ideas, and fresh perspectives. We also get a sneak peek into where the industry is headed because we know these talented individuals will lead the way.

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Nathan Davies - BWBR Architectural Intern
Lauren Burton - BWBR Architectural Intern
Cail Tomlin - BWBR Architectural Intern

Critical Access Hospitals, tasked with providing vital hospital services to their rural populations, face unique challenges while serving their sprawling communities within the confines of budget, space, and oftentimes aging facilities. Strategic healthcare design can be a secret weapon in enhancing patient outcomes and staff wellbeing within these limitations.

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Brad Krump, AIA - BWBR Principal, Director
Tom Reinhardt - Cascade Medical Center CEO 

Music provided by Artlist.io
Siberian Summer by Sunny Fruit
DuDa by Ian Post

You’ve heard the phrase “too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the broth.” Do too many stakeholders in the planning room spoil the design? That depends on how you approach the challenge.

Hosted by: 
Matt Gerstner - BWBR Podcast Host and Producer

Guests:
Stephanie McDaniel - BWBR President, CEO
Nathan Roisen - BWBR Senior Project Planner

Music provided by Artlist.io
Siberian Summer by Sunny Fruit
DuDa by Ian Post

If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a revie...

The United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness each year. And yet, only about half of those who need treatment actually receive it. For this episode of Side of Design, host and BWBR principal Melanie Baumhover sat down with a roundtable of the firm’s behavioral and mental health designers to talk about how design can play a role in combatting the crisis.

Hosted by: 
Melanie Baumhover - BWBR Principal

Guests:

Designers bridge very different worlds — creative, technical, and consultative — and there can be an air of mystery about the process and the various roles within it. For the latest episode of Side of Design, we invited some of the BWBR team to clear things up, including Sam Griesgraber, Senior Interior Designer; Craig Peterson, Principal, as well as Design Leader and Director of Design; and Steve Busse, Architect and Design Leader.

Hosted by: 
Matthew Gerstner - BWBR AV Production

Guests:
Sam Griesgraber - BWBR Senior Interior Designer
Craig Peterson - BWBR Principal, Director of De...

If you live in an urban area, you may take for granted that you can call emergency services and have someone on the scene within minutes or hop in the car to reach a hospital before a bad situation gets worse. That’s not the case for the tens of millions of Americans who live more than an hour away from the nearest trauma care center. Fortunately, Critical Access Hospitals are there to step into the gap, there to keep care accessible and local, so long-distance transportation isn’t a barrier to care.

Hosted by: 
Matthew Gerst...

Interior design has a massive impact on the way we interact with the spaces around us. It involves macro-level factors (like layout) all the way down to the details (like the finish on drawer pulls). 

That’s a lot to take on, and it takes talented, dedicated professionals to make it work.

Hosted by: 
Matthew Gerstner - BWBR AV Production

Guests:
Lisa Miller - BWBR Senior Interior Designer
Sara Biedenbender - BWBR Interior Designer

Music provided by Artlist.io
Siberian Summer by Sunny Fruit
DuDa by Ian...

When you think about healthcare, you might think about doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who work tirelessly to save and improve lives. You also might think about all the equipment involved — MRI and Xray machines, CAT scanners, high-tech hospital beds, heart monitors, etc. But what about how it all fits together and flows in space? For this episode of Side of Design, host Jarett Anderson spoke with some of BWBR’s talented healthcare planners to learn about this incredibly important role.

Hosted by: 
Jarett Anderson - BWBR Project Manager

Guests:
Brian Zabloudil - BWB...