Level Design Podcast

Scott Zurn

0.0 (0)
DESIGN
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join Scott Zurn, P.E. and guests in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

SEP 30

The Sustainability Problem No One is Talking About

In today’s episode, we dive into green infrastructure and sustainable materials, emphasizing the urgent need for eco-friendly practices to combat climate change. But, what if we’re talking about the wrong problem? We throw buzz words out there all the time…green infrastructure, sustainable materials, environmentally friendly infrastructure, renewable energy etc. These are all important, but what’s the larger conversation? What happens when we zoom out? Scott highlights the importance of smarter water systems and evolving transportation needs in a post-COVID world. The conversation underscores the necessity of long-term sustainability in decision-making and the challenges cities face in accommodating growing populations. It stresses the competitive nature of cities and the need for collaboration to fund and develop infrastructure, with a focus on the role of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in fostering cooperation. We briefly touch on the historical context of infrastructure development in the 1720s (how we got here). We discuss: The role of local governments How much it costs to maintain US roads It’s easy to blame the Government, but… What needs to change to create real sustainability How water systems are built primarily to support fire fighting The new fire suppression system regulation History recap - How we got here - 1720s Changing dynamics of transportation in a post-COVID world Keywords Green infrastructure, sustainable materials, climate change, government, infrastructure maintenance, water systems, transportation, sustainability, infrastructure planning, collaboration, Metropolitan Planning Districts, transportation systems, community involvement Chapters 03:08 Exploring the Impact of Human Activities on Climate Change 07:25 The Role of Government in Infrastructure Maintenance 12:02 The Need for Smarter Water Systems 17:02 The Changing Dynamics of Transportation in a Post-COVID World 19:08 Balancing Sustainability with Practicality 21:03 Meeting the Infrastructure Needs of Growing Cities 25:18 The Role of Metropolitan Planning Districts (MPOs) 29:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on Transportation Needs 33:10 The Historical Context of Infrastructure Development in the 1720s Connect with us: The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet. Podcast website: ⁠leveldesignpod.com⁠ Are you one of the 5% of Engineers and Architects who's ready to take on Entrepreneurship? By combining the benefits of independent work with the support and resources of a collaborative organization, Level Design Partners is charged with creating a different path for Engineers & Architects. Dive deeper, fill out the form, and our leadership team will personally connect with you, address your questions and explore reclaiming your professional independence. Get involved: ⁠leveldesignpartners.com

36 min
SEP 16

The Knowledge Gap and the Need for Mentorship in the Design Industry

In today’s episode, we explore the growing knowledge gap as well as the critical importance of mentorship for Architects and Engineers. We discuss why mentorship is baked into everything we do in our collaborative, Level Design Partners. We also address the challenges of climate change and how the built environment affects the planet. We explore the need for sustainable design and the role of technology in our field. Then, we shift to the history of infrastructure development in the early 1700s, focusing on transportation, bridge construction, and urban planning, highlighting both the frustrations and opportunities of that era. Are you one of the 5% of Engineers and Architects who's ready to take on Entrepreneurship? By combining the benefits of independent work with the support and resources of a collaborative organization, Level Design Partners is charged with creating a different path for Engineers & Architects. Dive deeper, fill out the form, and our leadership team will personally connect with you, address your questions and explore reclaiming your professional independence: https://leveldesignpartners.com Keywords Mentorship, design industry, engineering, architecture, infrastructure, climate change, built world, sustainable design, transportation, bridge construction, urban planning Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences 03:12 The Impact of Climate Change and the Built World 08:01 The Importance of Mentorship in the Design Industry 14:51 The Knowledge Gap and the Need for Mentoring 20:59 Combining Tech and Traditional Approaches in Level 28:09 Exploring the History of Infrastructure Development 34:56 The Frustration and Opportunities of the Early 1700s Connect with us: The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet. Podcast website: ⁠https://www.leveldesignpod.com⁠ Get involved: ⁠https://leveldesignpartners.com⁠

29 min
SEP 9

What’s Under Our Cities?

The conversation explores the history and challenges of underground infrastructure. From the complexity and challenges it presents today, the transition to clean energy, regulatory challenges, and the importance of planning for the future. It highlights the shortage of knowledge and expertise in maintaining these systems and the overwhelming amount of underground infrastructure that requires creative solutions. Chapters 00:37 Infrastructure in the early 1700s 5:42 Foundations of American Infrastructure 7:32 Early Water Distribution Systems 8:11 Challenges of Sanitation and Waste Disposal 9:05 Overview of Underground Infrastructure 12:06 Evolution of Water Mains 15:23 The Need for Creative infrastructure Solutions 16:17 Overview of Underground Infrastructure 20:28 Complexity and Challenges 21:06 Contractor Responsibilities and Insurance 22:16 Ownership and Responsibility of Underground Facilities 23:14 Job Security and the Future of Infrastructure 25:12 Shortage of Knowledge and Expertise 27:31 The Overwhelming Amount of Underground Infrastructure 28:20 Modern Solutions: Tunnels and Boring Machines 29:35 The Transition to Clean Energy 41:44 Regulatory Challenges and Planning for the Future 44:45 An exciting advancement in Water Filtration Technology Keywords US infrastructure, engineering, architecture, infrastructure, water systems, Job Security, Water Mains, Water Distribution Systems, Sanitation, underground infrastructure, water filtration, tunnels Connect with us: The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet. Podcast website: ⁠https://www.leveldesignpod.com⁠ Get involved: ⁠https://leveldesignpartners.com

40 min
SEP 3

How Our Roads Work & Which State Has the Best Roads

Many people aren't aware of how roads are designed, funded, or function. Road infrastructure is crucial in our society, connecting communities and enabling easy travel. In today’s episode, we dive into this topic to reveal insights about modern civil engineering and how we got here. We dive into the evolution of road construction materials and the shared nature of public infrastructure. Scott highlights the challenges of road maintenance and the need for more engineers in the field of infrastructure. Chapters 01:10 The Public Nature of Beaches 03:15 Appreciating Public Access to Beaches 04:41 Infrastructure Development in the 1690s 05:12 The Emergence of Government for Public Services 06:05 Wooden Water Mains 07:23 The Governance of Public Spaces 08:05 The Evolution of Road Construction Materials 10:02 The Shared Nature of Public Infrastructure 11:13 The Maintenance and Management of Roads 12:39 Understanding Road Construction 22:04 The Design of Roads to Fail 23:32 The Challenges of Road Maintenance 29:38 The Quality of Roads in Different States 35:05 The Need for More Engineers in Infrastructure Keywords US infrastructure, engineering, architecture, infrastructure, transportation, water systems, road systems, highway engineering, engineering economics Connect with us: The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet. Podcast website: ⁠https://www.leveldesignpod.com⁠ Get involved: ⁠https://leveldesignpartners.com⁠

35 min
AUG 5

Minimizing Financial Waste with Whitney Pogue, P.E., Value Engineering & Estimates Coordinator

Scott talks a lot about how taxpayer dollars are actually being used (or misused) to support our infrastructure. Today, we get an inside look with guest Whitney Pogue, Civil Engineer, P.E., Value Engineering & Estimates Coordinator for ODOT (Oklahoma Department of Transportation) for 10 years and now with Level Engineering. Part of Whitney’s role is to ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. After working in roadway design for three years, Whitney transitioned to a project management role in one of ODOT’s field offices. There, she was able to be the project manager on projects totaling over $250 million, including the largest project in ODOT history at the time of its construction. We get an inside look at her career, her passion for value engineering, the current state of infrastructure and what the future holds. We discuss: What is Value Engineering and why is it so important What actually goes into value engineering The meticulous process of repairing roads Funding and forecasting Project management How economic factors influence decision-making in infrastructure projects Challenges faced in managing large infrastructure projects within budget and timeline constraints AI and its role in construction Keywords US infrastructure, Transportation, Construction, Project Management, Roadways, Value engineering, mentoring Connect with us: The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet. Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

46 min
JUL 18

The Transportation Bill, The Water Challenge, and Life in the 1680s

“The bridges and highways we fail to repair today will have to be rebuilt tomorrow – at many times the cost.” - President Ronal Reagan. Our conversation begins with a story set in the 1680s, describing the simple life of a young woman named Abigail in the Connecticut colony. We explore the evolution from local self-reliance to national and international interdependence and the speed of change. We take a look at the latest Transportation bill - how it’s broken up, what it actually means, and what the future could look like. Scott highlights the importance of clean water and the need to replace lead service lines. They also discuss the economic impact of infrastructure investment and the potential for job creation. The conversation concludes with a call for better communication and transparency regarding infrastructure projects. Timestamps 00:00 Life in the 1680s: Challenges and Resilience 06:18 From Self-Reliance to Interdependence: The Evolution of Society 11:36 The Importance of Investing in Water Systems 12:06 The Economic Impact of Infrastructure Investment 19:11 Improving Communication and Transparency in Infrastructure Projects Keywords US infrastructure, history, tradespeople, engineering, architecture, mentoring, infrastructure bill, water systems, transparency Connect with us: The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet. Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

35 min
JUL 8

The Negatives & Positives of Being a Civil Engineer in the 21st Century

Join us as we explore the state of infrastructure in the US, the cost and burden on taxpayers, the economic impact of infrastructure investment, and the need for increased investment. We dive into the political nature of infrastructure, the importance of infrastructure for competitiveness as a country, and the declining interest in civil engineering. Scott shares his thoughts on why civil engineers are underpaid and what the future holds for them. He’s got a compelling case for why engineers and architects should be excited about the industry’s future. Spoiler: It’s looking bright! Chapters 00:23 The State of Infrastructure in the US 02:58 The Burden on Taxpayers 04:12 The Economic Impact of Infrastructure Investment 05:26 The Connection Between Infrastructure and the Economy 08:07 The Need for Investment and the Broken System 09:21 The Political Nature of Infrastructure 10:11 The Importance of Infrastructure for Competitiveness 11:36 The Role of Engineers and Architects 12:23 The Decline in Interest in Civil Engineering 14:12 The Low Compensation for Civil Engineers 15:05 The Future Opportunities for Engineers 16:39 The Positives and Potential in the Industry 19:40 The Distraction and Disconnect from Infrastructure 21:00 The Exciting Future for Engineers 23:52 Summary of Positives and Opportunities 24:27 Historical Context: American Infrastructure in the 1670s Keywords US infrastructure, history, civil engineering, engineering, architecture, shortage of engineers Connect with us: The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet. Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.comGet involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

29 min
JUN 3

Future-Proof Your Career: Top Skills for Engineers and Architects

In this conversation, Miles and Scott explore the technical and non-technical skills that design professionals should focus on, such as keeping up with technology and developing strong people skills. The conversation highlights the changing business model in the industry and the need for engineers and architects to adapt to new technologies like AI. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of preparation and continuous learning in order to thrive in this field. Timestamps 0:19 Settling Around Waterways in the 1660s 3:02 Drinking and Wasting in the Same River 5:35 Cold Winters and Lack of Amenities 8:23 Building Codes and Urban Fires 11:22 Technical and Non-Technical Skills for Design Professionals 19:00 Specialization and the Changing Business Model 20:57 The Need for Technical and People Skills 23:43 The Importance of Communication Skills 26:13 The Impact of AI and the Future of the Industry 28:33 The Ripple Effect of Being a People Person 30:32 Preparing for a Thriving Career in Engineering and Architecture Keywords US infrastructure, history, tradespeople, engineering, architecture, mentoring, environmental protection, shortage of engineers Connect with us: The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security. Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet. Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.comGet involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

31 min

See All (28)

Creator

Scott Zurn
Years Active

2019 - 2024
Episodes

28
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

Level Design Podcast

Level Design Podcast

Episodes

The Sustainability Problem No One is Talking About

The Knowledge Gap and the Need for Mentorship in the Design Industry

What’s Under Our Cities?

How Our Roads Work & Which State Has the Best Roads

Minimizing Financial Waste with Whitney Pogue, P.E., Value Engineering & Estimates Coordinator

The Transportation Bill, The Water Challenge, and Life in the 1680s

The Negatives & Positives of Being a Civil Engineer in the 21st Century

Future-Proof Your Career: Top Skills for Engineers and Architects

About

Information