Hospitality Design w/ Michael Hsu, FAIA + APTUS - How Should Architects + MEP Engineers Work Together?

Creating the perfect restaurant vibe requires controlling air temperature, velocity, day lighting, and acoustic quality all at once, but most architect-engineer teams can't coordinate at this level.In this conversation, you'll hear how these Austin-based firms have sustained their decade-plus partnership working on everything from P. Terry's locations to the iconic Headliners Club renovation. They share their approach to early MEP integration, project selection criteria that protect both profitability and design ambition, and the trust investment required to learn each other's design language.What you'll learn:→ Framework for selecting projects that balance financial viability with design ambition→ Why bringing MEP engineers into conceptualization prevents expensive redesigns→ How to achieve precise technical coordination for hospitality experiences→ Trust investment strategies for building decade-plus consultant partnerships→ Real-time collaboration challenges and timing protocols that actually workAbout the guests:Michael Hsu, FAIA leads Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, a nationally award-winning practice in Austin focused on hospitality-driven projects. His design philosophy roots in empathy, storytelling, and aesthetic connection to culture and nature. Eric Zissman and Sujay Regmi co-founded APTUS Engineering, a performance-driven MEP firm known for service-oriented culture and collaborative approach across commercial, healthcare, and educational sectors.Ready to improve your project coordination? Monograph helps architecture and engineering firms track projects, manage resources, and collaborate more effectively. Learn more at https://monograph.com/