Design-Build at 14,000 Feet: How a “Small” Federal Project Redefined Possibility on Pikes Peak

Have thoughts? Text us! What does it take to deliver a mission-critical federal facility atop one of the most extreme environments in the U.S.? In this episode, we head to Colorado’s Pikes Peak to explore the award-winning High Altitude Research Lab, a 4,000-square-foot facility rebuilt under intense weather, logistical and design constraints. Joe Opyd shares how his team used design-build to meet the moment and what this “small” project reveals about trust, flexibility and collaboration.Guest: Joe Opyd, CCM, DBIA, Sr. Project Manager / Project Controls Manager, DPR Construction Member, DBIA Federal CommitteeTopics Covered:Using design-build for small but complex federal projectsDelivering in extreme environments (wind, lightning, altitude)Stakeholder collaboration and city-federal partnershipsLong funding timelines and design constraintsSafety planning and logistics at 14,000 feetHow DBIA principles supported project successRelated Links:High Altitude Research Laboratory Project Summary and photos.Register for DBIA’s Federal Sector Design-Build Industry Days. Public and private Owners attend free, and UBEs receive discounted registration.Explore the DBIA Projects Database to learn more about HARL and other successful design-build projects.Ahead of the 2025 Project/Team Award announcement (coming soon), get to know past DBIA Project/Team Award Winners.Access all our free design-build resources and learn more about Design-Build Done Right® at dbia.org. DBIA members are shaping the future, one successful collaboration at a time.