Growthitect

How Perkins&Will Won A Groundbreaking Public School Project (with Laura Gwyn, Managing Director)

30 Apr 2025

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#25: What does it take to win one of the most groundbreaking public school projects in the US? Laura Gwyn, Managing Director at Perkins&Will, joins Tyler Suomala to share how her team secured the first Living Building Certified public school. From building a mission-driven team to delivering a pitch that combined expertise with authenticity, Laura breaks down what it really takes to lead at the highest level.PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studioLearn more about Perkins&Will: https://perkinswill.com/studio/durham/ Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode: → What one public school project reveals about the future of sustainable design→ The truth about Living Building Certification (and why it makes LEED look like a warm-up act)→ What never gets said about building a winning project team, but made all the difference here→ The tiny RFP details that actually win high-stakes, sustainability-first projects (most firms overlook these)→ When Laura’s team tore up the usual interview playbook, and how that bold move sealed the deal→ What happened when the team got personal – and why storytelling might be your most powerful tool→ How to “control the controllables” during an unpredictable RFP process, and stay in the driver’s seat→ The surprising moment during the kickoff site walk that changed everything→ The one piece of advice Laura gives every firm leader chasing their next seminal win(03:08) Designing a nature-based learning environment(08:20) The legacy of Perkins&Will in education(10:11) Building the right partnerships to win(14:53) A cultural approach to architecture(18:28) What soul-searching revealed about the team(23:01) Creating a growth hub for firm owners(26:36) Why in-person engagement still matters(30:01) Behind the scenes of the project kickoff(31:17) How the perfect site was selected(36:55) The strategy behind “controlling the controllables”(41:23) What it means to embrace seminal moments(42:31) A fresh take on leadership and gratitudeGROWTHITECT RESOURCES→ Apply to join The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio → Join thousands of architects on the free Growthitect newsletter - https://growthitect.com/join STAY CONNECTED→ Follow on LinkedIn→ Follow on Instagram→ Subscribe on YouTube→ Follow on Twitter

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13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

01 Jan 1970

Fin de Semana

2ª PARTE | 06 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

3ª PARTE | 22 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

3ª PARTE | 04 MAR 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

01 Jan 1970

El Partidazo de COPE

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Growthitect

How Perkins&Will Won A Groundbreaking Public School Project (with Laura Gwyn, Managing Director)

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other recent transcribed episodes

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

2ª PARTE | 06 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

3ª PARTE | 22 ENE 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

3ª PARTE | 04 MAR 2026 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

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