Outside the Box with BRPH

The Southeast U.S. is experiencing its fastest growth in decades and with that migration comes the need for new and updated schools, straining already lean district budgets. What’s the solution? Prototype schools are one answer. Cris Vigil, Sr. VP for BRPH, has worked in the education market for more than 30 years. He dispels the myths and shares the benefits of this fast, economical, flexible— and yes—customizable method of school design and engineering.

How are human-centered design, AI-driven innovation and brand storytelling transforming BRPH projects? Matthew Flores, Chief Design & Creative Leader, shares how his empathetic design philosophy translates to more than just beautiful, functional buildings, it helps to create meaningful human experiences for projects ranging from manufacturing campuses to education environments. 

Space junk. On orbit fueling tankers. Space barges and tugboats. Repair robots, lunar base camps. It may sound like a sci-fi movie or a dystopian novel but these are some of the technologies in development right now that are changing the game of space exploration and space commerce. Dave Buck, president of BRPH mission solutions, a retired Lt General from the United States Space Force and former commander of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, talks about the next big things happening in space and the evolving trends and technologies we all need to know about.

It’s estimated that the global space economy will grow to $1.8 trillion by 2035. Space affects virtually every aspect of our daily lives and those who master the space domain will undoubtedly profit. To get there, you need more than a rocket and a launch pad, you need a spaceport. How do you build one? What are the first steps? How does the funding come together? We asked two of our spaceport experts to share their insights on what it takes to get into the game of space and build a successful spaceport: Derek Nolek, national practice leader for ground support engineering, and Steve Lloyd, vice president of aerospace and defense for BRPH.

When it comes to designing an aerospace vehicle, testing and verification are critical parts of the process. Understanding where testing fits into the entire program life cycle, what components need to be tested, when and how they’ll be tested, and what elements can be verified versus tested, are all crucial to ensuring that the facility requirements meet those comprehensive needs, and are all ultimately crucial to mission success. Derek Nolek, National Practice Leader for Ground Support Equipment Engineering at BRPH, shares some insights on the nuances of aerospace testing.

When it comes to selecting a site for a new commercial or industrial project, hundreds of factors come into play. Where do you start? What criteria should you consider? Where do you go for assistance? BRPH's Casey Barnes, Regional Market and Economic Development Leader, and Jennifer Harvin, PE, National Practice Leader for Civil Engineering, share the dirt, so to speak, on what makes "good dirt," and what factors should be considered before selecting a new site.

The privatization of the aerospace market is driving big changes in the way these products are delivered. Non-government contracts are dependent on the premise of low cost and speed to market. A streamlined preconstruction process plays a big role in delivering on both of those promises. What are some of the factors driving that process? What are the potential pitfalls? And how can multiple disciplines work together to create more efficiencies? Matt Tyler, President and Rob Baldwin, Sr. Vice President of BRPH Construction Services, explain how the construction team can lead the way for a successful project before ever breaking ground.

Part 2 of 2: As BRPH wraps up its 60th year in business, we often refer back to our roots in the aerospace industry and our support of NASA’s Apollo program. But how did the firm go from a small start-up with three engineers and one architect to one of the world’s premier providers of spaceport infrastructure? Three of the men who helped shape the past, present and future of BRPH share their recollections of that journey and to talk about what those accomplishments have meant to them: Andy Miller, Art Waite and Brian Curtin.

As BRPH celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, we often referred to our roots in the aerospace industry and our support of NASA’s Apollo program. But how did the firm go from a small start-up with three engineers and one architect to one of the world’s premier providers of spaceport infrastructure? Three longtime BRPH team members, including current CEO Brian Curtin, discuss their most memorable moments, the projects that kept them up at night and the innovations that changed the face of spaceflight forever.

The technology we carry in our pockets has more computing power than the machines once used to send humans to the moon.  Likewise, the power of cloud-based computing, including virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), is enabling productivity, speed and accuracy for even larger projects in ways we could once only imagine. For complex projects ranging from entire theme park "lands" to global spaceports, from jumbo jet manufacturing facilities to high-end resorts, BRPH has invested heavily in technology to transform the way we do business. Adam Stadnick, Sr. Information System Architect and Mark Myers, Digital Technologies Leader, share more about the ways this investment is benefitting clients and BRPH team members around the world.

In today’s world, the lines between home, work and play are blurred. Consumers want every space to feel more hospitable, more comfortable, more like home. Smart companies are striving to create spaces where consumers want to spend time, whether it’s a favorite vacation spot, an attraction, at school and at the office. It takes a true expert to transcend the noise and create the craveable spaces and memorable experiences that guests are seeking, all while staying true to your brand and your mission. Cristi Moore, National Practice Leader for Interior Design and Chief Design & Creative Leader for BRPH, is charged with leading the firm’s effort to elevate design across every aspect of its business.

Six years ago, when Margaret Brock walked into a room to pitch her firm's services, the name BRPH wasn't known for hospitality work. Her design colleagues wondered why she'd gone to work for a firm known for engineering launch pads and manufacturing facilities. How did this firm suddenly earn a seat at the hospitality table? Margaret shares how she and her team helped clients navigate the global impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and have since turned BRPH into a major player in hospitality design industry.

When it comes to designing and building a complex project, so many factors come into play—cost, risk, schedule, collaboration… What's the best methodology? Design-build? Design-bid-build? Or is there a better way? Under its integrated services model, BRPH now takes on the role of architect, engineer and constructor for a select few highly specialized, extremely technical projects. What are the pros and cons? How does this streamlined process save clients time and money? Matt Tyler, President of BRPH Construction Services, and Cris Vigil, Sr. Vice President of BRPH, explain.

It’s no secret that good planning is essential to a successful business, but in the AEC industry, proper forecasting can make or break your firm. Scheduling and budgeting expertise is not only crucial to the firm itself, it’s also important to clients who want to ensure that their vendors can manage money well, stand the test of time and deliver the services they’ve promised. Jason Dunn, Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and head of BRPH’s Project Management Office, shares the science of earned value management.

For most Americans, the tremendous growth of the commercial space program over the last decade probably doesn’t feel very tangible. But that’s a real issue, says Lt. Gen. Dave Buck, (U.S. Air Force Retired) , President of Mission Solutions for BRPH. America must begin to normalize the space domain in order to ensure national security and economic prosperity. Here’s why…

When it comes to planning new attractions and exhibits, zoos and aquariums can often be at a disadvantage from their counterparts in the theme park world. Their budgets are often restricted to their fundraising capabilities, making it challenging to balance program wants with program necessities. An experienced architecture, engineering and construction firm can be a valuable ally in this process.