The DREAM BuildCast Ep. 5 (Part 1) | Change of Use Explained: How One Decision Can Redesign Your Entire Building

In Part 1 of Episode 5 of The DREAM BuildCast, Nicholas Robinson, Alex Walker, and Devon Ellis break down one of the most misunderstood concepts in design and development: the Change of Use.What seems like a simple switch (like converting a retail store into a daycare) can trigger major design, code, and cost implications. This episode unpacks exactly what that means, why it happens, and how it impacts not just your space — but sometimes the entire building.Nicholas hosts this deep dive with:Alex Walker, architectural designer, real estate development manager, and former plan reviewerDevon Ellis, civil/structural engineer and construction managerTogether, they walk through how building codes classify spaces, how “grandfathering” works (and doesn’t), and why even small changes can mean big updates to fire safety, exits, and overall compliance.