Need a Chicken. Got a Chicken: Why Human-Centered Design Is More Complex Than It Looks

Have thoughts? Text us! How do you bring empathy, listening and iteration into projects built for real people? In this episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, Erin Looney talks with Deb Sheehan and Susan O’Connell about the realities, challenges, and opportunities of applying Human-Centered Design within design-build delivery. Expect stories from healthcare, higher ed, and civic projects where user feedback, prototyping, and adaptability shape outcomes.Guests:Deb Sheehan, ACHE, LEED AP, EDAC, DBIA — Healthcare Core Market Leader at DPR Construction, oversight of $9.5B+ in projects, board roles, evidence-based design leader. Susan O’Connell, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA — Managing Principal at AC Martin, 35+ years in complex projects across civic, aviation, higher ed; skilled in integrating input and leading multidisciplinary teams. Topics Covered:What “human-centered design” really means (vs buzzword)Tools and techniques: prototyping, mockups, user feedback, iterationProject case stories: real challenges in healthcare, campus, civic spacesBalancing cost, schedule and human experienceThe role of awards, standards and industry leadershipWhat’s next: housing, AI, cross-discipline integrationResources & References:DBIA Design-Build Done Right® Best PracticesDBIA Design Excellence Position StatementDBIA Project/Team AwardsDBIA Conference & Expo 2025 (Las Vegas)How Design-Build is Shaping the Future of Healthcare, Part 1How Design-Build is Shaping the Future of Healthcare, Part 2Access 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.