Side Notes: Integrating Sustainability, Quality, and Codes for Design Excellence
Side of Design
Chapters
0:00
Welcome and Guest Intro
0:41
Defining PD+Q and Role Scope
1:18
Shift to Integrated, Performance-Driven Design
2:28
Sustainability: From Less Harm to Regenerative
3:14
Specifications as Performance Engine
4:01
Codes as Evolving Baseline
4:32
Quality Assurance with a Sustainability Lens
6:09
Baselines, Common App, and Muscle Memory
7:29
Unified Approach Across Teams
7:54
The Cost and Schedule Challenge
8:19
Materials Research and Office Master Specs
9:25
Why Design: Problem Solving with Purpose
10:35
Inspiration: Growing People and Confidence
12:21
Building a Learning Culture and Credentials
14:02
Closing Gratitude and Sign-off
Side of Design
Side Notes: Integrating Sustainability, Quality, and Codes for Design Excellence
Jan 14, 2026
Episode 65
BWBR
Sustainability, quality assurance (QA), building codes, and specifications—at BWBR, these critical design functions are overseen by Rachael Spires, Associate Principal and Performance Design & Quality Manager. In this episode of Side Notes, she explores how the seemingly distinctive roles intersect, all working together to drive design excellence in powerful ways.
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