This post is the first of a series of posts that will explore the immensely powerful impact that STWs properly organized and implemented by the AECO Team, can have on the entire design, construct...
WELCOME TO STEVE'S BUILD BLOG
Exploring the challenges and opportunities in building.
Introducing BuildUSA,Prototype Initiative and Optimized Building
What’s it all about:
Steve’ Build Blog (SBB) is all about the challenges building faces and the solutions being developed. Overtime SBB will be introducing BuildUSA (BUSA), the Prototype Initiative (PI) and Optimized Building (OB), combined they offer solutions to forward looking, integrated and collaborative, Building Teams.
Monthly Theme
SBB organizes content via a “Monthly Theme”. Building, encompasses an extraordinary amount of topics, and “Monthly Theme is intended to make the content more useful. If you have any suggestion, please reach out and let us know.
September 2025 Monthly Theme:
Exploring the core elements that comprise a health systems L.I.F.E. Community.
87. BuildUSA – Big Data
This post explores the potential of big data in building and the data structure built into BuildUSA’s environment that will support and enhance Big Data’s potential. Data is a Mess Almost all...
BM: Revisiting Zakynthos (October 2024)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores our trip to Zakynthos, Greece. We revisited Zakynthos, an island I first...
86. What is BuildUSA all About?
This post explores the history and current status of BuildUSA. Building, Building's Future Steve’s Build Blog (and its affiliated LinkedIn pages), Syntecgroup and BuildUSA, are laser focused...
BM: Bicycling through The Botanical Gardens (2021)
This Building Memories story explores a sustainable exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where living plants form The Rookery — an example of living architecture that blurs the line between nature and Building.
BM: Studying in Versailles (1979 – 1980)
A Building Memories story about studying abroad in Versailles, France, while living in the historic L’Orangerie de Madame Élisabeth — a firsthand look at how personal experience connects to Building heritage and cultural preservation.
91. The Fed, Treasury, Monetary Policy and BuildUSA
This post is the first of a series of posts. The goal is to provide an intuitive understanding of how the economy and its primary institutions the "Fed”, the "Treasury” and the primary commercial...
88. STW’s Impact on Design, Construction & Operations
This post is the first of a series of posts that will explore the immensely powerful impact that STWs properly organized and implemented by the AECO Team, can have on the entire design, construct...
87. BuildUSA – Big Data
This post explores the potential of big data in building and the data structure built into BuildUSA’s environment that will support and enhance Big Data’s potential. Data is a Mess Almost all...
BM: Revisiting Zakynthos (October 2024)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores our trip to Zakynthos, Greece. We revisited Zakynthos, an island I first...
86. What is BuildUSA all About?
This post explores the history and current status of BuildUSA. Building, Building's Future Steve’s Build Blog (and its affiliated LinkedIn pages), Syntecgroup and BuildUSA, are laser focused...
BM: Bicycling through The Botanical Gardens (2021)
This Building Memories story explores a sustainable exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where living plants form The Rookery — an example of living architecture that blurs the line between nature and Building.
BM: Studying in Versailles (1979 – 1980)
A Building Memories story about studying abroad in Versailles, France, while living in the historic L’Orangerie de Madame Élisabeth — a firsthand look at how personal experience connects to Building heritage and cultural preservation.
91. The Fed, Treasury, Monetary Policy and BuildUSA
This post is the first of a series of posts. The goal is to provide an intuitive understanding of how the economy and its primary institutions the "Fed”, the "Treasury” and the primary commercial...
BF: Waste – Forever Chemicals
Building Futures is about spotlighting projects and innovations that create lasting positive change in the building community and beyond.This edition examines how the production and disposal of...
90. The L.I.F.E. Concept and BuildUSA
This post is the first in a series of posts that will explore the L.I.F.E. Concept, explore the changing nature of healthcare and why these converge to make an excellent target market for BuildUSA....
BM: Recording Music
This Building Memories story reflects on decades of making music—from student jam sessions in Europe to family recording projects in Michigan—revealing how creativity and collaboration in music parallel Building design and construction.
BF: Transportation & Air Travel (Chicago’s O’Hare, Midway and Future South Suburban Peotone Airports)
Building Futures is about identifying projects, ideas and innovations that will create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. This BF...
89. BIM, BCE & Data Mining
This post is the first in a series of posts that will explore the requirements that must be met for the potential hopes of big data in the world of building to become a reality and what that reality...
BF: Rebirth of Notre Dame
Building Futures is about identifying projects, ideas and innovation that will create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. This BF reviews...
BF: Climate and Change
Building Futures is about identifying projects, ideas and innovation that will create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. This BF reviews...
I: The L.I.F.E. Concept and BuildUSA
I: STW’s Impact on Design, Construction & Operations
I: What is BuildUSA all about?
I: Big Data
I: BIM, BCE & Data Mining
BM: Amish of Viroqua (June 2022)
This Building Memories story explores the Amish of Viroqua and their practical approach to construction and sustainable living in Wisconsin’s Driftless area—demonstrating how community, resourcefulness, and reuse strengthen the Building process.
BM: Animals of the Northshore
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores the fauna of Northshore. This is the second Building Memories post...
BM: Visiting Vietnam (December, 2017)
This Building Memories story explores visiting Vietnam and reconciling wartime memories with present-day experiences—contrasting the conflict remembered from youth with the country’s modern culture, warmth, and resilience.
BM: Remote Work and the ICE (2015)
This Building Memories story reflects on transforming a detached garage into the Innovation Center East (ICE), a functional remote workspace that supports creativity, collaboration, and global communication.
BM: Recording Music (Fall 2023, August 2017)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores a boutique project of creating a small home recording studio. In...
BM: Recording Studio – Ring Studios (2017)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores a boutique project of creating a small home recording studio. My family...
DYK: What defines a successful healthcare system?
Did you know a successful healthcare system is one that balances advanced medical technology with compassionate, human-centered care—referred to as “High Tech” and “High Touch?” It must effectively...
DYK: What is the data that needs to be understood to operate a meaningful and successful healthcare system?
Did you know operating a meaningful and successful healthcare system requires understanding four key types of data? First, it is essential to understand the demographics of the population, including...
DYK: What is the importance of High Tech and High Touch healthcare working together to provide great healthcare?
Did you know the integration of High Tech and High Touch healthcare is essential to delivering truly effective and comprehensive care? High Tech refers to advanced medical technologies, diagnostics,...
DYK: What are the components that comprise a healthcare system?
Did you know a comprehensive healthcare system, as outlined in the L.I.F.E. Concept, is made up of several interconnected components that together meet both the clinical and community needs of a...
DYK: Why will STWs be more attractive to the younger building professionals in the building industry?
Did you know STWs are especially attractive to younger professionals in the building industry because they align with the values and work habits of a new, tech-savvy generation? Younger workers...
DYK: Why are STWs so important?
Did you know STWs (Standard Templates and Workflows) are important because they serve as the foundation for improving the entire building process—from design through construction to operation? When...
DYK: What are the difference between, Standards, Templates and Worklows?
Did you know Standards, templates, and workflows each play a unique role in organizing and streamlining work in the building industry, but they serve different purposes? Standards are the rules or...
DYK: Why is it so hard to develop STW’s in offices and across the building industry?
Did you know developing Standard Templates and Workflows (STWs) across the building industry is challenging due to several deeply rooted issues? Each office tends to use different software...
DYK: What are the opportunities if complete building databases and easy accessibility can be provided to all the players in the building industry?
Did you know, if complete building databases with easy accessibility are provided to all players in the industry, several key opportunities emerge? Higher quality and performance in building...
DYK: What keeps the building industry from creating more useful databases?
Did you know the building industry faces several challenges in creating more useful databases, primarily due to fragmented data structures, lack of standardization, and the need for flexibility?...
DYK: Where does the data collected by the building industry currently reside?
Did you know the data collected by the building industry currently resides in project databases, construction documentation, and digital platforms? These databases store architectural and...
DYK: What kind of data does the building industry collect?
Did you know the building industry collects vast amounts of data to improve efficiency, quality, and performance? This includes project databases containing architectural and engineering (A/E)...
DYK: What are the Powers of the Fed and US Treasury That Impact the Building Industry?
Did you know The Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury influence the building industry through key financial policies? The Fed controls interest rates, which directly affects mortgages, construction...
DYK: What Does the US Treasury Do?
Did you know The U.S. Treasury manages the nation’s finances, ensuring economic stability through taxation, debt issuance, and government spending? It oversees fiscal policy, determining how tax...
DYK: What Does the US Federal Reserve (The Fed) Do?
Did you know The Federal Reserve (The Fed) is the central bank of the United States, responsible for ensuring economic stability? It regulates monetary policy, adjusting interest rates and...
DYK: Which Agencies Oversee the Economy and Monetary Policy of the US?
Did you know several key agencies regulate and oversee the U.S. economy and monetary policy? The Federal Reserve (The Fed) manages monetary policy, including interest rates, inflation control, and...
BM: Costa Maya, Mexico Cenotes Jungle Diving, December 2005
This BM explores diving in the jungles of the Costa maya Mexico. ...
BF: The Tunnel & Reservoir Plan
Building Futures is about identifying projects, ideas and innovation that will create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. This BF reviews...
DYK: What is the Importance of building innovation, growing with the needs of the marketplace?
Did you know building innovation is crucial to meeting the evolving demands of the marketplace, particularly in an industry where immense amounts of data are generated but often remain underutilized...
DYK: What is the Importance of having a shared achievable vision for building’s future?
Did you know having a shared, achievable vision for the future of buildings is crucial to unlocking their full potential and addressing long-standing inefficiencies? Currently, the lack of...
DYK: What is the Importance of implementing Digital Collaborative Environments that supports people’s nature?
Did you know implementing digital collaborative environments that align with people’s nature is crucial for fostering innovation and efficiency in the building industry? People naturally work best...
DYK: What is the Importance of developing Data Structures that allow digital systems to work efficiently and people to understand the information more effectively?
Did you know developing robust data structures is essential for enabling digital systems in the building industry to function efficiently and for improving human understanding of complex...
85. What is Building all About?
This post explores the history of Building and current stresses and challenges What Gives With the Building World? It is filled with some of the most talented, creative and...
DYK: What makes BuildUSA unique?
Did you know BuildUSA distinguishes itself through its comprehensive approach to addressing the systemic challenges in the building industry? Unlike many companies that focus on narrow,...
DYK: Market collaboration vs/and/or market competition?
Did you know market collaboration, as emphasized by BuildUSA, focuses on creating shared standards, templates, and workflows (STWs) to drive innovation and improve efficiencies across the sector....
DYK: Should all buildings be developed in the same way?
Did you know buildings should not all be developed in the same way because the building industry is inherently diverse, with unique challenges and requirements for each project? Different building...