Key Members of Two Design-Build Project Teams Talk About Breaking New Ground in Higher Educational Institutions in New Episode of Design-Build Delivers Podcast
In one of the fastest-growing sectors for design-build, campuses across the country are reimagining what it means to serve students on every level. Whether it’s infrastructure humming behind the scenes or student housing designed for a more inclusive experience, higher education is increasingly turning to design-build to get it done.
In this episode of the Design-Build Delivers Podcast, we talk with two design-build professionals — yes, both named Jason — about how design-build is shaping the future of campus development.
👤 Jason Dunster, Senior Integrated Design Director at McCarthy Building Companies, discusses UC Riverside’s North District Phase Two, a first-of-its-kind, intersegmental student housing project designed to welcome both university and community college students into a shared residential experience. From club-style kitchens to intentionally integrated spaces, the project is redefining access and inclusion on campus. The project is currently under construction.
👤 Jason Tobias, Project Executive at Skanska, takes us behind the scenes of Wake Tech’s Central Energy Plant, a sustainable infrastructure project that’s as much a classroom as it is a utility hub. With geothermal wells, solar power and a four Green Globes® certification, it’s a model of environmentally responsible design — and a national award winner from DBIA, ENR and Green Building Initiative.
Together, their insights offer a clear picture of how design-build is creating smarter, faster, and more student-focused solutions across the country.
Living Labs and Inclusive Housing: How Design-Build Serves Higher Education
Resources
Want to learn more? Check out these resources mentioned in the episode:
- 2024 FMI Design-Build Utilization Study: DBIA’s latest market analysis highlighting design-build growth across public and private sectors—including higher education. Download the report.
- The Role of the Owner Advisor in Design-Build: This primer outlines how Owner Advisors can support project success while maintaining the essential single-point-of-responsibility in design-build. Read the primer.
- Project Delivery – A Design-Build Done Right® Primer: A quick-start guide for Owners, practitioners and newcomers looking to understand the basics of design-build and how it compares to other delivery methods. Read the primer.
- DBIA Certification: Learn how to earn your DBIA or Assoc. DBIA credential and join a growing network of certified professionals advancing collaborative delivery. Explore certification options.
- Design-Build Done Right® Universal Best Practices (2023): The foundational principles behind successful design-build delivery—referenced throughout this episode by both Jasons. Access the Best Practices.
- Deeper Dive – Progressive Design-Build: A focused guide that explores the variations, benefits and best practices specific to Progressive Design-Build. Go deeper.
- Design-Build Delivers Blog: Industry news, trends and more of what DBIA and the industry are up to. Visit the blog.
- DBIA Project/Team Awards: Think your project has what it takes? The 2025 Project/Team Awards are open now. Learn more and start your entry. Submit or learn more.
- Project Highlight: Wake Tech Central Energy Plant: A DBIA award-winning project and Green Globes Project of the Year, Wake Tech’s CEP is a benchmark in sustainable campus development. Read the project profile.
- Project Highlight: UC Riverside North District Phase 2: An intersegmental student housing project designed to connect UC Riverside and Riverside Community College students in a shared, inclusive campus community. Read the project overview.
Chapters
00:00 Design-Build Grows in Higher Ed
03:15 Why Higher Ed Needs Speed, Flexibility — and Design-Build
06:28 Progressive Design-Build on Campus
08:28 Building an Inclusive Housing Experience
13:09 Smart Pivots and Collaborative Flexibility
16:07 Two Schools in One Community: Designing for All Students
18:17 Lounge Laundry and Club Kitchens: Human-Centered Housing
20:41 Guided by Best Practices — and a Bit of Novation
23:23 Equity, Speed and Quality
27:08 Infrastructure That Teaches
28:05 Start with Expectations, Build with Trust
30:18 Hitting Net Zero with Courage
33:33 A Living Lab: Infrastructure Meets Instruction
35:54 Blasting Rock and Crushing Curveballs
38:42 Accountability and Alignment: Advice for First-Time DB Users
40:15 What’s Next: Sustainability, Speed and Team Buy-In
42:48 Why the ‘Why’ Still Matters: The Real Meaning of Useful Space
44:06 Jason Appreciation + Award Nominations
The Design-Build Delivers Podcast is sponsored by U.S. CAD, An ARKANCE Company. Learn more at uscad.com/dbia.
Listen to the Design-Build Delivers Podcast and follow for exclusive updates wherever you get your podcasts.
