GAIA’s Multifamily Strategy in America’s Sun Belt

Cutler Bay Legacy Park and Resilient Community Design

We’ve officially reached 100 episodes of American Building, and to mark the milestone, I’m joined by Austin Crowley, Senior Associate, and Robert Blaser, Principal, of Michael Graves Architecture. We center the conversation on one of Austin and Robert’s current projects: Cutler Bay Legacy Park, a civic project that addresses how a Florida community can engage with its government and waterfront. The project brings together municipal facilities, public programming, and coastal resilience in a site that had been degraded by years of industrial use and contamination. We explore the technical challenges of building in South Florida's climate, material choices inspired by the historic Old Cutler Trail, and maintenance strategies for long-term durability. Through extensive community input and environmental remediation, the design team created a destination that will serve both daily civic functions and large community gatherings. Beyond the project, we take a step back to look at the current architectural landscape. With the recent passing of industry titans Frank Gehry and Robert A.M. Stern, the architectural world is reflecting on the mark they left. Robert offers his perspective on where Michael Graves fits into that era of design and discusses his own role in carrying Graves’ humanist philosophy forward. Austin, speaking from his decade of experience with the team, highlights how Michael Graves Architecture draws inspiration from Gehry’s approach to technology, emphasizing that the future of the firm lies in thoughtful integration and strategic acquisitions. Episode Outline (01:52) Austin and Robert's paths into architecture and Michael Graves Architecture (09:28) Winning the Cutler Bay Legacy Park RFP through narrative-driven design strategy (13:37) Managing community input without compromising the project vision (18:10) Navigating environmental remediation constraints and budget implications (21:48) Building with flood zones, hurricane codes, and material costs in mind (27:29) The vision for the visitor experience: moving through community and civic spaces (39:06) Evolving Michael Graves’ design legacy beyond stylistic replication (49:03) Geographic expansion and entering new markets through acquisition (58:15) AI integration in design and business operations Additional Resources This episode of American Building is brought to you by New Blueprint Partners — making industrial real estate accessible to the everyday investor. They provide a simple, hassle-free, and transparent path to owning industrial properties, backed by experienced operators. You may remember founders Ron Schinik and Marc Esrig from our episode on the Vancouver Innovation Center [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/episodes-all/ron-schinik-of-new-blueprint-partners-vancouver-innovation-center-in-vancouver-redeveloping-manufacturing], where they shared how collaboration and communication shape successful projects. Learn how you can build your industrial real estate portfolio at newblueprintpartners.com [https://newblueprintpartners.com/]. Episode 43: Austin Crowley of Michael Graves Architecture & Design | Next Gen Interview [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/episodes-all/austin-crowley-of-michael-graves-architecture-design-next-gen-interview] Episode 2: Samer Hanini of Hanini Group | Peoples Bank Building in Passaic, NJ | Preserving History [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/episodes-all/samer-hanini-of-hanini-group-peoples-bank-building-in-passaic-preserving-history?rq=hanini] Episode 60: Sean Pichon of PGN Architects and Omar Karim of Banneker Ventures | 2220 MLK Avenue in Washington, D.C. | So, There is a Housing Crisis [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/episodes-all/sean-pichon-of-pgn-architects-and-omar-karim-of-banneker-ventures-2220-mlk-avenue-in-washington-dc-so-there-is-a-housing-crisis] Saltz Michelson Architects [https://www.saltzmichelson.com/] EDSA [https://www.edsaplan.com/] Parallax Team [https://www.parallaxteam.com/] Kollin Altomare Architects [https://kollinaltomare.com/] PGN Architects [https://michaelgraves.com/press-release-pgn-architects/] Jose Carballo Architectural Group (JCAG) [https://michaelgraves.com/press-release-jose-carballo-architectural-group-acquisition/] Connect with Austin and Robert Connect with Austin Crowley on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-crowley-aia-ncarb-a9249565/] Connect with Robert Blaser on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-blaser-aia-bb332312/] Website [https://michaelgraves.com/] More From American Building Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6033fc5354e757a06358fd90] Learn more on the American Building website [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/] Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/americanbuildingpodcast/] Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanbuildingpodcast/] Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifzqadir/] Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design [https://michaelgraves.com/] Watch this episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@michaelgravesarchitectured109]

Building Small: Community and Coaching for Entrepreneurial Developers

Hundreds of real estate conferences happen every year, but very few address the tactical realities of small scale development.  In 2012, Jim Heid, in conjunction with the Urban Land Institute, launched the first Small Scale Developers Forum (SSDF) with 20 people in San Francisco. What started as an "Island of Misfit Toys” now sells out within a week of registration and draws in 100+ participants per event. Attendees tour projects, workshop development challenges, and connect with peers facing similar obstacles in other cities. The success of SSDF revealed a deeper need: Developers wanted more than twice-yearly gatherings. They needed ongoing support, access to proven templates, and connections that lasted between events. Jim's book "Building Small" captured a decade of knowledge from 150+ projects, and now the Building Small platform expands that foundation into a membership program with coaching workshops, online project critiques, and resources organized around each stage of the development process. Our conversation also addresses the practical barriers facing small scale development today, from local regulatory cultures to national capital structures. Plus, we discuss how small scale development can address housing diversity and affordability.  Episode Outline (04:57) Jim’s early projects and formative development experiences  (14:41) How the SSDF format grew from single-day programming to immersive multi-day events (31:50) The three pillars of Building Small: community, bridging the gap, and championing great design (39:46) How small scale development responds to today’s housing challenges (42:10) Working through industry barriers and scaling sustainably  (46:03) The distinction between mentoring and coaching (56:55) How to get involved with Building Small  Additional Resources This episode of American Building is brought to you by New Blueprint Partners — making industrial real estate accessible to the everyday investor. They provide a simple, hassle-free, and transparent path to owning industrial properties, backed by experienced operators. You may remember founders Ron Schinik and Marc Esrig from our episode on the Vancouver Innovation Center [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/episodes-all/ron-schinik-of-new-blueprint-partners-vancouver-innovation-center-in-vancouver-redeveloping-manufacturing], where they shared how collaboration and communication shape successful projects. Learn how you can build your industrial real estate portfolio at newblueprintpartners.com [https://newblueprintpartners.com/].   Connect with Jim  Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimheid/]  Learn more about Building Small [https://www.jheid.com/small/]  Join Building Small the Network [https://buildingsmall.mn.co/] Building Small: A Toolkit for Real Estate Entrepreneurs, Civic Leaders, and Great Communities by Jim Heid [https://www.amazon.com/Building-Small-Toolkit-Entrepreneurs-Communities/dp/0874204682]  More From American Building  Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6033fc5354e757a06358fd90]   Learn more on the American Building website [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/] Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/americanbuildingpodcast/] Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanbuildingpodcast/] Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifzqadir/] Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design [https://michaelgraves.com/]  Watch this episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@michaelgravesarchitectured109]

Inside Amy Gutmann Hall: Philadelphia's First Urban Mass Timber Building

When most universities build research facilities for data science and AI, they create sleek, futuristic spaces that showcase technology. The University of Pennsylvanias School of Engineering and Applied Science (Penn Engineering) took the opposite approach with Amy Gutmann Hall. The six-story building uses mass timber construction to bring natural warmth and a sense of openness to technical programs. Walking through the 116,000-square-foot structure, the exposed wood columns, beams, and ceiling decks contrast with a fresh color palette rarely seen in institutional environments. Andrew Herdeg, Partner at Lake Flato Architects, leads projects that connect people to the natural environment through warm, contextual architecture. Lake Flato's work spans from private residences to complex university facilities, always designing within an environmental context. David Meaney serves as Solomon R. Pollack Professor of Bioengineering and Vice Provost for Research at Penn where he guides planning and facilities decisions for a campus that values collaboration, sustainability, and financial stewardship.  This conversation explores why Penn Engineering selected mass timber for a major academic building, how the design team front-loaded procurement to reduce risk, and the outcome of incorporating hospitality-like experiences into research environments. From union negotiations to CLT panel optimization, the discussion reveals both the philosophy and practical realities of building Philadelphia's first large-scale urban mass timber structure. Episode Outline (01:56) How Andrew's firm brings residential design principles to institutional projects (11:14) The eight-year planning process for a data science building in a doubling-data world (15:43) Eight competing design visions and Lake Flato's winning pitch  (21:55) Designing for deep focus work while encouraging spontaneous collaboration (30:09) Running cost analysis: mass timber versus conventional steel and concrete construction (34:29) Achieving 52-70% embodied carbon reduction through integrated structural systems (38:31) Shifting procurement left: how early contractor engagement de-risked the project (48:31) Experiencing exposed timber, natural daylight, and the southern campus vista Additional Resources This episode of American Building is brought to you by New Blueprint Partners — making industrial real estate accessible to the everyday investor. They provide a simple, hassle-free, and transparent path to owning industrial properties, backed by experienced operators. You may remember founders Ron Schinik and Marc Esrig from our episode on the Vancouver Innovation Center [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/episodes-all/ron-schinik-of-new-blueprint-partners-vancouver-innovation-center-in-vancouver-redeveloping-manufacturing], where they shared how collaboration and communication shape successful projects. Learn how you can build your industrial real estate portfolio at newblueprintpartners.com [https://newblueprintpartners.com/].   Learn more about Amy Gutmann Hall  [https://www.lakeflato.com/project/university-pennsylvania-amy-gutmann-hall/] Connect with Andrew Herdeg Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-herdeg-b562a929/]  Website [https://www.lakeflato.com/]  Connect with David Meaney Connect on LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-meaney-4b89799/] Website [https://www.seas.upenn.edu/]  More From American Building  Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6033fc5354e757a06358fd90]   Learn more on the American Building website [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/] Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/americanbuildingpodcast/] Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanbuildingpodcast/] Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifzqadir/] Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design [https://michaelgraves.com/]  Watch this episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@michaelgravesarchitectured109]

GAIA’s Multifamily Strategy in America’s Sun Belt

Danny Fishman co-founded GAIA Real Estate in 2009 when the financial crisis created distressed opportunities across multifamily markets. His approach centers on hands-on management rather than passive ownership. When evaluating properties, Danny and his team spend weekends on-site observing tenant behavior, testing neighborhood walkability, and understanding what drives the local rental market. This boots-on-the-ground mentality led to their biggest early win: winning the bid for a 10,000-unit Lehman Brothers portfolio in bankruptcy court. The Carillon in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood demonstrates how GAIA converts distress into value through operator-led repositioning. Rather than installing trendy amenities, they studied actual tenant needs at the 300-unit property. They discovered 70% of residents had dogs, but lacked quality outdoor space, and remote workers were competing for the conference room space while the gaming room sat empty. The solution was simple: convert unused rooftop parking into a dog park and replace the gaming room to a co-working hub. This tenant-focused strategy helped the property consistently outperform projections. Danny's investment philosophy challenges conventional underwriting. When other investors were modeling aggressive rent growth in 2021, GAIA sold their entire 20,000-unit portfolio because the math didn't work. Now, with interest rates dropping from 6.5% to around 5% and distress returning to the Sun Belt, Danny sees opportunity in South Florida neighborhoods where hands-on property developers can drive transformation through targeted volume acquisitions. Episode Outline (04:53) Lessons learned from the New York market and expanding into Sun Belt multifamily (09:36) Why treating real estate as a consumer product shapes every investment decision (11:10) Discovering Nashville's Germantown neighborhood  (13:22) The Carillon acquisition strategy and initial value-creation opportunities (19:54) Performance results and the decision to hold through market volatility (26:03) Red tape and regulatory challenges that make Northeast investing difficult (34:03) Opportunities in 2026 as oversupply gets absorbed and financing improves Additional Resources This episode of American Building is brought to you by New Blueprint Partners — making industrial real estate accessible to the everyday investor. They provide a simple, hassle-free, and transparent path to owning industrial properties, backed by experienced operators. You may remember founders Ron Schinik and Marc Esrig from our episode on the Vancouver Innovation Center [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/episodes-all/ron-schinik-of-new-blueprint-partners-vancouver-innovation-center-in-vancouver-redeveloping-manufacturing], where they shared how collaboration and communication shape successful projects. Learn how you can build your industrial real estate portfolio at newblueprintpartners.com [https://newblueprintpartners.com/].   Learn more about The Carillon in Nashville [https://www.liveatcarillon.com/] Connect with Danny Fishman Connect on LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-fishman-9410187/] Website  [https://www.gaiare.com] More From American Building  Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6033fc5354e757a06358fd90]   Learn more on the American Building website [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/] Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/americanbuildingpodcast/] Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanbuildingpodcast/] Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifzqadir/] Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design [https://michaelgraves.com/]  Watch this episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@michaelgravesarchitectured109]

The Making of Disney's Sustainable, All-Electric NYC Headquarters

Disney's New York operations were scattered across the Upper West Side in aging facilities, including a former horse stable that housed ABC News broadcast sets. When the company set out to bring ABC, ESPN, Marvel, and its other divisions under one roof, the design prompt required upgrades for the next generation of broadcast technology and adherence to New York's Local Law 97 emissions requirements. The result is the Robert A. Iger Building at 7 Hudson Square, a 1.2 million-square-foot vertical campus that's fully electric and LEED Platinum certified. Joseph Chase, Principal at Skidmore Owings & Merrill, and Maxwell Hatfield-Biondo, Director of HVAC at Jaros, Baum & Bolles led the technical design, drawing on decades of collaboration between their firms on projects like Manhattan West and 35 Hudson Yards. Their approach to electrification starts with a question most developers skip: what do you actually need?  Rather than sizing systems for hypothetical worst-case scenarios, they used Disney's utility data from existing facilities to right-size equipment. Then they designed mechanical systems to recover heat that would otherwise be rejected to the outdoors. Only after reducing and recovering did they electrify the remaining loads.  Following this sequence is the difference between a building that struggles to heat itself in winter and one where the heating systems barely turn on because there's so much recoverable heat from production equipment and people. The conversation also gets into specifics of how condenser water source heat pumps work alongside air source heat pumps to create redundancy, why the terracotta facade was essential for both thermal performance and construction speed, and the acoustic strategies required when you're building broadcast studios next to a subway line and the Holland Tunnel entrance.  Episode Outline 01:39) Joe and Max's backgrounds and the long SOM-JB&B collaboration history (06:52) Disney's motivation to bring multiple companies into one Hudson Square campus (13:25) Why Hudson Square's zoning enables large floor plates for media and tech tenants (17:17) Local Law 97 requirements and the reduce-recover-electrify approach to compliance (27:20) Air source heat pumps, condenser water systems, and dual-source heating strategy (35:43) How the high-performance terracotta facade enables low-temperature heating (44:46) Box-in-box construction and sound isolation mats for below-grade production studios (52:41) The business case for electrification: efficiency gains and increased leasable area Additional Resources Check out The Mira Shoppe [https://www.themirashoppe.com/]. American Building Podcast listeners get a complimentary gift with their first purchase! Email info@themirashoppe.com to receive your exclusive code and treat yourself to a piece you’ll cherish, while supporting a brand that gives back. Learn more about The Robert A. Iger Building [https://www.som.com/projects/disney-new-york-city/#deep-dive-an-all-electric-building]  LEED project tools and resources [https://www.usgbc.org/leed]  NYSERDA programs [https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs]  Local Law 97 [https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/ll97-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reductions.page]  Connect with Joseph Chase Connect on LinkedIn  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-chase-60680b14/] Website  [https://www.som.com/] Connect with Maxwell Hatfield-Biondo Connect on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxwellhatfieldbiondo/]  Website  [https://www.jbb.com/] More From American Building  Grab the exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to The Housing Crisis [https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6033fc5354e757a06358fd90]   Learn more on the American Building website [https://www.americanbuildingpodcast.com/] Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/americanbuildingpodcast/] Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanbuildingpodcast/] Connect with Atif Qadir on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifzqadir/] Learn more about Michael Graves Architecture & Design [https://michaelgraves.com/]  Watch this episode on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@michaelgravesarchitectured109]