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...
93. Definitions & Acronyms
In developing the BuildUSA concepts and Prototype Initiative business plan, a number of industry recognized, as well as new words and terms were utilized. This post is a compilation of this...
94. Templates (Ts), Where Data Starts
This post explores Template (Ts) as the central repository of the standards and workflows, that significantly reduce the tedious work of coordinating data into different formats (i.e. plan, section, schedules, elevations, specifications, budgets, schedules, contracts, materials line items…). Properly executed, (Ts) evolve over time to increasingly automate workflow and continue to update correctly as the project data evolves though design, construction and operation phases.
92 – Innovation Everywhere, but Nothing Changes
Have you noticed that innovation in the Building space is accelerating faster, but the actual value being created is still a very fuzzy picture?
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...
93. Definitions & Acronyms
In developing the BuildUSA concepts and Prototype Initiative business plan, a number of industry recognized, as well as new words and terms were utilized. This post is a compilation of this...
94. Templates (Ts), Where Data Starts
This post explores Template (Ts) as the central repository of the standards and workflows, that significantly reduce the tedious work of coordinating data into different formats (i.e. plan, section, schedules, elevations, specifications, budgets, schedules, contracts, materials line items…). Properly executed, (Ts) evolve over time to increasingly automate workflow and continue to update correctly as the project data evolves though design, construction and operation phases.
92 – Innovation Everywhere, but Nothing Changes
Have you noticed that innovation in the Building space is accelerating faster, but the actual value being created is still a very fuzzy picture?
BM: Animals of Northshore (Multiple years)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences to explore topics of importance to building. This BM highlights the remarkable wildlife thriving along the North Shore of the Chicago...
BM: Biking Banff (August 2022)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences to explore topics of importance to building. This BM reflects on a bike trip around Banff, Canada. For years, I have admired stunning photos of...
BF: Waste-Forever Chemicals
Building Futures (BF) is about identifying projects, ideas, and innovations that create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. Throughout my...
BF: U.S. Energy Grid
Building Futures (BF) is about identifying projects, ideas, and innovations that create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. Throughout my...
BF: Climate and Change
Building Futures (BF) is about identifying projects, ideas, and innovations that create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. Throughout my...
BM: Northsore Animals (1992 – 2023)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores the variety of animals that inhabit Chicago’s Northshore and Skokie...
BM: My First Building Project – Skoulikadon, Zakynthos, Greece (1980)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores my first visit to the island of Zakynthos, Greece in the summer of...
BM: Temple of the Warriors, Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico (Spring 2013)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores visiting Mayan ruins in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico When most of...
BM: Paris, France (1979 – 1980)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences to explore topics of importance to building. This BM reflects on the changes in Paris from my student years to the 2024 Summer Olympic...
BF: Great Lakes Watersheds (2023)
Building Futures (BF) is about identifying projects, ideas, and innovations that create lasting, positive change within the building industry and the communities it serves. Throughout my...
BM: Chicago Triathlon – Getting Healthy (August 2014)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores staying healthy, exercise, and family relationships. We all want...
BM: Infrastructure – Hoover Dam (2014)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores visiting Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam. Las Vegas is not a place I would...
BM: Biking Coast of California (Summer 1981)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores biking highway 101 alongside the California coastline. The travel...
BM: Lay Lady Lay (October 2016)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores visiting Nashville the Honky Tonks and Country Music Hall of Fame. Over...
BM: Hiking the Inca Trail (Winter 2016)
Building Memories (BM) uses personal experiences and relates them to topics of importance to building. This BM explores hiking the Inca trail in the Andes Mountains. The Andes Mountains in...
BF: U.S. Energy Grid
Building Futures (BF) is about identifying projects, ideas, and innovations that create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. ...
BM: Nashville – Music, Food & Fun
This Building Memories story explores the Nashville music scene—its energy, growth, and balance between creativity and infrastructure. From Music Row to the Grand Ole Opry, it highlights how cities grow while preserving cultural identity.
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...
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 (BF) is about identifying projects, ideas, and innovations that create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. ...
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 (BF) is about identifying projects, ideas, and innovations that create lasting positive change within the building community and the communities it serves. ...
BF: Climate Change in the Midwest
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 Studio – Ring Studios (2017)
This Building Memories story explores the creation of Ring Studios (2017), a small-scale recording studio project combining Building craftsmanship, technical problem-solving, and the joy of music production.
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...