Low-angle view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, showcasing its intricate stone carvings and Gothic architecture against a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds.

Inside the Five-Year Restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral After the Devastating Fire

  • People & Project Spotlights
Through a blend of tradition and innovation, the remarkable restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral reveals a story of resilience, craftsmanship and global unity

On April 15, 2019, the world held its breath as flames consumed Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, reducing its ancient wooden roof to ashes and toppling its iconic spire—a devastating blow to one of humanity’s most cherished architectural treasures.

In the days following the disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to restore the Gothic masterpiece within five years—a seemingly impossible task. On December 8, 2024, after a half-decade of intensive restoration efforts involving more than 2,000 skilled workers, Notre-Dame reopened to worshippers and visitors, standing once again as a symbol of resilience and human ingenuity.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire: Devastation and Immediate Response

The fire broke out in the early evening of April 15, 2019, likely caused by an electrical short circuit during renovation work. As flames spread, firefighters and emergency responders fought desperately to save the structure, managing to prevent its complete collapse.

Still, the 300-foot-tall spire, designed by 19th-century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, crumbled, and much of the medieval timber roof—nicknamed “the forest” for its dense wooden framework—was reduced to ash.

Despite the extensive damage, the cathedral’s stone vaults, bell towers and famous stained-glass rose windows survived. Within days, pledges of financial support poured in from around the world, eventually totaling nearly $1 billion, according to The New York Times.

What followed was one of the most ambitious restoration projects in modern history.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Restoration: Critical Emergency Stabilization Efforts

Before any restoration work could begin, the structure needed to be stabilized. Engineers quickly realized that Notre-Dame’s fragile walls were at risk of collapse. Crews erected scaffolding around the cathedral and installed temporary wooden frames to secure its iconic flying buttresses. Large tarps covered the exposed interior to protect it from rain and wind.

Environmental concerns also complicated the effort. An estimated 460 tons of lead from the roof and spire had melted in the fire, according to New York Times reporting, contaminating the surrounding area. Workers wore protective suits, and nearby schools were closed for decontamination. According to France 24, specialized teams spent months removing toxic residue, ensuring the safety of both workers and the public.

Inside the Architectural Restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral

The actual restoration began in 2021, focusing on preserving Notre-Dame’s historic design while incorporating modern construction technology and materials where necessary.

Rebuilding the Roof and Spire

Restoring the cathedral’s roof and spire required architectural precision and a deep understanding of medieval construction techniques. Following Viollet-le-Duc’s original 19th-century blueprints, carpenters hand-carved beams from centuries-old oak trees, harvested from forests across France. In total, more than 1,000 oaks were carefully selected and felled, with preservationists ensuring ecological sustainability.

Architect of the Past and Future: Eugène Viollet-le-Duc

Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879) was more than just an architect—he was a storyteller who brought history back to life through stone and wood.

He’s best known for restoring some of France’s most iconic landmarks, including Notre-Dame de Paris, Mont Saint-Michel and the fortress of Carcassonne. His imaginative touch helped define how we see these structures today—especially Notre-Dame’s towering spire, which he designed and which became a beloved symbol of Paris until its tragic fall in the 2019 fire.

Viollet-le-Duc believed restoration wasn’t just about repairing the past; it was about completing what history left unfinished.

This bold vision made him both celebrated and controversial. His masterwork, Dictionnaire Raisonné de l’Architecture Française, still inspires architects and preservationists, proving that even after 150 years, his ideas continue to shape the future of historic preservation.

The spire, considered the most recognizable feature of Notre-Dame, was reconstructed exactly as it appeared before the fire, down to its intricate statues of the Twelve Apostles. A new gilded rooster was placed at the top of the spire, containing relics from the original—a symbolic nod to the past and a hope for the future.

Stonework and Facade Preservation

Notre-Dame’s iconic limestone facade required careful cleaning and restoration. Centuries of soot and pollution were scrubbed away, revealing a bright, cream-colored exterior rarely seen in modern times. Master stonemasons worked meticulously to repair damaged gargoyles, statues and reliefs. Any stone too damaged for preservation was replaced with identical limestone sourced from quarries used in the cathedral’s original construction.

Stained Glass and Artistic Restoration

The cathedral’s three famed rose windows, dating back to the 13th century, miraculously survived the fire but needed significant cleaning and restoration. Each piece of stained glass was removed, cleaned and reassembled by master glassmakers following traditional methods. Restorers also repaired religious sculptures and precious artworks, including the Virgin Mary statue from the main altar.

Modern Innovations in Notre-Dame’s Restoration: Blending Tradition with Technology

While preserving Notre-Dame’s medieval integrity was paramount, the restoration team embraced modern technologies and sustainable practices to ensure its longevity.

Technological Advancements

One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the restoration was the use of 3D digital modeling. Before the fire, architect Andrew Tallon had completed a detailed laser scan of the cathedral, creating an incredibly accurate digital blueprint. These scans allowed restorers to reconstruct even the most intricate details with unparalleled precision. Engineers also used augmented reality to simulate various restoration scenarios before implementing them onsite.

Deeper Look: How Construction Technology Helped Rebuild Notre-Dame

Reconstructing a centuries-old masterpiece like Notre-Dame Cathedral wasn’t just about craftsmanship—it was about blending tradition with cutting-edge tech. Here’s how digital tools helped restore one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.

3D Laser Scans: A Blueprint from the Past

Long before the 2019 fire, architect Andrew Tallon created ultra-precise 3D laser scans of Notre-Dame. His work captured every intricate curve, arch and detail of the cathedral, becoming an essential reference when restoration teams faced the daunting task of rebuilding the structure from the ground up.

Augmented Reality: Testing the Future

Rebuilding something as complex as Notre-Dame isn’t just about bricks and beams but about making sure everything fits perfectly. Engineers used augmented reality (AR) to run digital reconstruction tests, simulating designs before physically rebuilding. This process saved time and helped avoid costly construction mistakes.

Digital Project Management: Keeping It Together

Coordinating a massive, years-long restoration across dozens of teams required more than meetings and plan documents. Project managers relied on digital collaboration platforms to track progress, share updates and keep thousands of moving parts in sync—all while preserving the cathedral’s unique history.

Through a powerful mix of old-world craftsmanship and technology, Notre-Dame’s restoration became a story of innovation and resilience.

Eco-Friendly and Modern Upgrades

To protect against future disasters, fire-resistant materials were integrated into the roof structure, including advanced metal reinforcements hidden beneath the traditional wooden framework. An energy-efficient lighting system now illuminates the cathedral’s soaring arches, enhancing both its beauty and sustainability. The newly installed sound system also ensures world-class acoustics for concerts and religious ceremonies. What’s more, accessibility features were added, including improved ramps and entryways for visitors with limited mobility.

The Cultural and Symbolic Significance of Notre-Dame’s Restoration

Beyond its architectural splendor, Notre-Dame holds immense cultural and spiritual significance. To honor the workers involved in its restoration, their names were engraved on a special commemorative plaque installed within the cathedral. The new gilded rooster atop the spire, containing relics from the original, symbolizes hope, renewal and the enduring human spirit.

The reopening ceremonies in December 2024 drew world leaders, dignitaries and millions of viewers worldwide. As Reuters reported, the Paris Archbishop symbolically reopened the cathedral by knocking on its great wooden doors with a crosier crafted from a beam that survived the fire.

Notre-Dame’s Legacy: A Triumph of Restoration, Resilience and Cultural Heritage

Notre-Dame’s restoration stands as a triumph of global collaboration, craftsmanship and modern technology. Its rebirth represents not only the preservation of a cultural and historical treasure but also humanity’s capacity to rebuild in the face of loss.

As it reopens its doors to worshippers and tourists alike, Notre-Dame remains a beacon of resilience, reminding the world that even in destruction, renewal is possible.

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Exterior view of a modern library building at dusk, featuring large illuminated windows, a reflective pond with a fountain, and landscaped pathways, showcasing innovative and inviting design elements.

From Carnegie to Community Hubs: How Modern Libraries Redefine Public Spaces

  • People & Project Spotlights
Discover how libraries in Henrico County, Virginia, are embracing community needs and redefining public spaces for the 21st century

Andrew Carnegie’s vision for community progress depended on libraries as the instrument of change, inspiring him to fund more than 2,500 between 1893 and 1919. Typical elements included separate wings for children’s and adult books and a professional librarian in the middle, preserving order. Although the stacks occupied most of the space, the building also included a community assembly room.

But today’s libraries turn that model on its head. There’s no need to store every possible book when they’re available in digital form and through interlibrary loan. “We’ve come to the point where the books stopped pushing the people out of the building,” said Jeff Hoover, principal, Tappé Architects, Boston. Today’s library programs call for flexible, multi-use spaces for people to gather, interact, learn, imagine and create. That human focus means listening to and understanding the different needs of each library community—even if they’re only 20 miles apart.

The designers of three libraries built in Henrico County, Virginia, in the past decade took this to heart. Quinn Evans of Richmond (formerly BCWH), architect of record, and Tappé Architects, library planning and design associates, collaborated to create one-off, state-of-the-art libraries perfectly attuned to their communities.

Libbie Mill Library: Reimagining the Traditional Library for the New Urbanism

Built in 2015, the three-story Libbie Mill Library is the centerpiece of a development that epitomizes New Urbanism, with walkable neighborhoods blending retail, office and residential facilities interlaced with green spaces and promenades.

Awards: AIA Virginia Honor Award, LEED Silver certification

The Libbie Mill Library’s form starts with a massive and traditional box—but the interior program of reading and meeting rooms projects through the façade and becomes part of the vibrant scene outside. Similarly, group study areas and a digital media lab create a collage of boxy spaces inside. Chuck Wray, principal, Quinn Evans, said the distinctive geometry is a result of the ounty giving the designers “the flexibility and the freedom to help reinterpret how those spaces could be used in a 21st century library.”

The library’s two entrances let people flow in from both sides of the building—the parking lot or lake—with the main reception desk in the center. “It gave us a chance to create that tight adjacency to an urban environment, to have active public spaces just outside the building,” Wray said.

Opposite the reception desk, children enjoy a tactile and interactive learning center, with reading nooks and kid-sized furniture, including upholstered seesaws. Deconstructed cardboard boxes encourage them to use their imaginations. “We didn’t want the architecture to tell the kids what to think,” Hoover said. But that’s not restricted to the children’s area—the designers tried to satisfy every visitor’s needs without directing how they use space.

On the second story, the central jewel is the digital media lab. “It floats out in the space with a unique geometry that’s not orthogonal,” Hoover said. Transparent walls let visitors enjoy a close-up view of technology like two 3D printers, audio-video editing equipment and green screens. Nearby, teens get social prompts from small group study rooms and open gathering areas, including video gaming spaces.

The community’s desire for sustainability called for siting the library for maximum daylight and minimum solar heat gain and landscaping with water-efficient plants. But the library’s design also ensures a sustainable future by allowing reconfigurability as the community diversifies and grows.

Varina Library: Merging Agrarian Roots with Paradigm-Changing Design

Opened in June 2016, the 43,000-square-foot Varina Library features an assemblage of pavilions that borrow from the forms of tobacco barns and reinforce a Virginia vernacular.

Awards: Library Building Award, American Institute of Architects & American Library Association Merit Award, AIA Virginia and Library Journal New Landmark Libraries 2019, LEED Silver certification

The three pavilions of the Varina Library look modest until you realize they’re only the top of two stories that cascade down a slope to 22 acres of protected wetlands and lush woodlands integral to the library design. Once inside, the clean lines, natural stone and wood and views straight through the building reinforce the agrarian feel. Daylight from clerestory windows and skylights offers a volumetric experience without requiring a large footprint.

The pavilions are linked by gathering spaces, including a Reading Landing—giant steps that provide seating for films, lectures and performances. Deep overhangs shade the large south-facing windows, and a high-albedo roof fends off the Virginia sun, keeping the building energy-efficient.

The Varina Library’s three pavilions cascade towards protected wetlands, blending clean lines, natural materials and abundant daylight to create a harmonious, agrarian-inspired design.

The library supports state-of-the-art resources and programming, with stacks and collaboration areas for adults, teens and children. At every turn, the design lets patrons choose the level of engagement they want, whether that’s a minute perched on a stool or an hour lounging in an Adirondack chair.

In the adult section, the public computing space offers 35 computers, four times the previous number. A nook nearby holds print and digital periodicals. The fiction collection beckons with cozy chairs and a view to nature, and the nonfiction section includes tables for longer work sessions.

“One of the most exciting places in the library is the teen area in the collaboration zone wing of the building, which also incorporates the digital media lab,” Hoover said. “They flow together very nicely in a programmatic way.” Here, teens can learn how to code or edit podcasts or visit the Minecraft gaming club. Fun furniture and clear study rooms encourage others to join in.

The children’s area lets kids be kids without the risk of shushing. The design prioritizes a fun and interesting environment that’s not overstimulating. Even away from the windows, biomorphic textiles and furniture mimic a deep green forest.

During design, the team preserved a historic oak tree on the site by choosing to frame it at the end of a pavilion. It’s a symbol of how strongly the Varina Library connects with the natural landscape and the history of its rural community.

Fairfield Area Library: Uniting Families and Beliefs in a Multifunctional Hub

Opened in October 2019, the Fairfield Area Library is characterized by two large masses that reflect diverging philosophies of how Black people could best advance.

Awards: Merit Award, AIA Richmond, LEED Gold certification

In the 20th century, W.E.B. DuBois championed academic learning while Booker T. Washington emphasized skilled trades as the path forward for Blacks. Henrico County leaders challenged the architects to unite both ideas in the Fairfield Area Library design. The 44,000-square-foot structure sits at an intersection as well, a 10-acre site in an area of investment to promote equity for area residents.

Engagement to hear the voice of the people made it clear that the county’s prototypical library program wouldn’t meet Fairfield’s needs. Instead, multifunctional spaces support various learning styles and activities, with a life skills classroom, expansive meeting and conference spaces and ample teen study rooms.

Visitors entering the library are met by soaring ceilings, skylights, balconies and the reference desk and digital trailblazers wall. A saffron-yellow staircase climbs to a family collaboration zone between the children and teen wings. This area reflects feedback that as many as four generations of a family might visit the library together, so adults must be centrally situated to monitor younger charges.

In another nod to family needs, Quinn Evans collaborated with TMC Furniture to create a custom workstation with a play area that keeps babies and toddlers secure and entertained while their parents use computers. The expansive children’s section lets kids explore picture books divided into “neighborhoods” of genres. Glass sliders open into a multipurpose room for read-aloud and arts and crafts activities. 

In the teen wing, young adults find tempting displays of texts plus a video gaming area. Clear-sided study rooms look out over the library’s adult section to the monolithic fireplace and welcoming chairs that surround it.

One of the most appreciated library features is the “One Button Press Room,” where patrons can capture video and audio in a state-of-the-art recording booth for job interviews, podcasts and music. Afterward, creators can take a USB with the recording and edit it in another room using Adobe software that library staff teach.

The Fairfield Library has become an anchor in eastern Henrico and a source of cultural pride for the neighborhood, a hub for learning, opportunity and prosperity. Although the design has transformed since the Carnegie model, the library remains a place to help everyone reach their full potential.

Designing 21st-Century Libraries: Community-Centered Spaces for Innovation and Connection

Three libraries of similar size in the same county, designed for the same client by the same firms but with distinctly different building expressions. That’s how it should be, Hoover said. “I think that’s how we get libraries right for the 21st century—to make them uniquely local, so they couldn’t possibly have happened anywhere else.”

Photo credit: Chris Cunningham Photography

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Manish Sharma Bluebeam

5 Questions with New Bluebeam Chief Product Officer Manish Sharma

  • People & Project Spotlights
Bluebeam’s new CPO sat down with Built to discuss customer centricity in technology, his new love for pickleball and what yoga has taught him about business

Manish Sharma, Bluebeam’s new chief product officer, is passionate about outdoor activities and learning new sports like pickleball. He’s in good company—outdoor pursuits often involve setting goals and working diligently to achieve them, whether it’s completing a hike, mastering a yoga pose or picking up a new sport. This goal-oriented mindset translates directly to professional environments, where perseverance and vision are key to success.

Pickleball, a fast-growing paddle sport played with a wiffle ball on a smaller court resembling tennis, has taken the world by storm. Sharma, who has recently joined the craze, is equally dedicated to making construction technology just as ubiquitous. At Bluebeam, he has a front-row seat to the latest innovations in digital collaboration software.

Built caught up with Sharma to discuss his fascination with technology, his love of nature and—of course—the lessons pickleball brings to his role at Bluebeam. Edited excerpts follow.

What inspires you about working in technology, and what excites you about being in this space?

By training, I’m an engineer, so technology has always been a natural path for me. But as I’ve delved deeper, I’ve realized the tremendous problems we can solve through technology—the impact we can make on the world. Technology touches people’s lives in ways that make things simpler, faster and more enjoyable. I believe technology is foundational; it’s the key to unlocking a better future.

Manish hiking with his family.

Is there someone, either professionally or personally, who has shaped your life? 

There are several people. First, my previous company’s CEO, Vimal Kapur, is one of the greatest leaders I’ve worked with. He has a unique ability to think strategically on a big-picture level while also being incredibly operational. That combination is rare and inspiring. 

Second is Steve Jobs. I admire his relentless drive for innovation and his refusal to give up. Another is Satya Nadella. I truly appreciate how he’s steering Microsoft with such vision and empathy. 

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?

I enjoy a range of activities. Yoga is my passion—it helps me stay centered and focused. I also love hiking, especially in the mountains, where I can reconnect with nature. Sports are another favorite, and I recently picked up pickleball—it’s such a fun and engaging game. Finally, I cherish time with friends, whether it’s socializing or celebrating together.

Do you find lessons from yoga, hiking or pickleball that apply to your professional life?

Absolutely. Outdoor activities and sports teach preparation, vision, continuous learning and adaptability to unexpected challenges. These skills mirror the professional world, where strategic planning and flexibility are vital.

Manish practicing yoga.

For example, learning pickleball taught me that I can pick up new skills—even in an unfamiliar domain. Similarly, I’m confident I can dive into this industry, understand its customers and adapt to their needs. Yoga, with its emphasis on flexibility and pushing boundaries, reinforces the importance of agility and openness to new environments and ideas.

What message do you have for Bluebeam customers who are just getting to know you?

Bluebeam is an incredible product, and I’ve heard countless positive remarks from customers. They love its simplicity, ease of use and the immense value it provides. Bluebeam is more than software; it’s a cornerstone for innovation in construction and design. It bridges the gap between vision and reality.

The future with Bluebeam is not just digital—it’s smarter, faster and built to last. I’m thrilled to work alongside our customers to continue driving innovation and creating solutions that transform their industries.

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Art Deco Calcutta

How Kolkata Became a Hub for Art Deco Architecture—And Why It’s at Risk

  • People & Project Spotlights
While the Indian megacity’s Art Deco structures captivate locals and tourists, demographic shifts and modernization threaten their survival

When you think of the beauty of Art Deco architecture, there are likely a few cities that spring to mind. Miami, of course, with its historic Deco district, and the stunning historic apartment buildings of Paris’ 16th arrondissement.

But what you might not know is that the Indian megacity Kolkata is home to some of the most interesting examples of vernacular Art Deco architectural style, blending influences of both traditional Indian and European style.

Bluebeam spoke to writer and Art Deco architectural enthusiast Parni Ray about her attachment to her hometown’s Deco style—and why this often-overlooked example of Deco excellence is garnering attention both at home and abroad.

An emotional connection

Ray said she’s always felt drawn to the built environment of the city she grew up in.

“My connection to architecture began young,” she said. “Kolkata, many would tell you, is a walking city. As a young person I walked around the city a lot and got lost a bunch, and buildings I admired were my markers to find my way back. In that sense you can say my introduction to my city, my individual claim on it, was through the built environment.”

But it was only when she left her hometown to study that she began to develop a deeper understanding of Kolkata’s built world.

“Since I was studying “Arts and Aesthetics,” an interdisciplinary liberal arts course rooted in the social sciences, I got interested in their history,” she said. “Then I worked in contemporary art for about a decade and later moved to London to do a research degree, where I was introduced to design history and design research. All of this added to my interest and understanding of architecture.”

Returning to her hometown to live and work as a writer, Parni found herself discovering more inspiring examples of Deco design.

“As a resident of South Kolkata, I am most familiar with Art Deco buildings in my neighborhood,” she said. “Despite the houses not being designed by the same people, and the recent intrusion by very ugly apartment buildings, the design language feels very cohesive. It feels like people were looking at what was being built around them and responding in accordance, and that creates a sense of style and community.”

Modern style for the modern era

So when did Deco come to Kolkata?

“Art Deco buildings in India started being built during the 30s and well into the 60s,” Ray explained. “Perhaps the most famous among them, the most regal ones, were film theaters—Roxy, Elite, Metro. With the slow demise of the single standing cinema halls in the country, these have become almost redundant today. Elite was demolished, the latter two are somehow holding on. There are several other buildings, and the Instagram account Art Deco Calcutta, which I love, is a great place to see and know about them.”

Ray said, in her opinion, the most influential of the cinemas was the Metro, which she said “clearly made an impression on cinema goers of the time and appears to have inspired so many residential buildings here in South Kolkata. So taken were people with everything it represented—the magic of cinema, the decadence of the moviegoing experience and a luxurious ‘modernity’—that they built homes inspired by its design and the term ‘Metro bari,’ or metro house, became a common code for builders.”

One thing that makes these buildings so unique is their deeply personal roots. “In my conversations with the owners of some of these houses, I have found that several of them were built by the homeowners who were structural or civil engineers,” Ray said. “India had about three architectural schools at the time of its independence, and the modern architect figure emerges as important much later here. In fact, even today most residences in India are ‘designed’ by mistris, or builders.”

While architecture is a more recent arrival, engineering has had a long history in the nation after its introduction by the British. “Perhaps it is this long history, which earned engineers considerable reverence—a status they still enjoy in communities, especially in Kolkata,” Ray said. “The reverence, I think, translated to considerable confidence, which can be both good and bad. I think this is what allowed some of them to just design a whole house for their families, alongside their day jobs. Engineers today aren’t doing the same, I assure you.”

Preserving history

Unfortunately, Ray said shifting demographics make the future of Kolkata’s Art Deco homes uncertain.

“The city is changing and shrinking in size as the number of people increase, and space, like in most big cities in the world, is getting sparse,” she said. “The Art Deco houses with their balconies, their gardens and two-story structures have, to many, started feeling like a waste of space. The area they cover can often accommodate multiple tall, narrow, claustrophobic buildings, so many of the old buildings are being pulled down to make space for these.”

As the owners of these houses age, buildings are often sold by the younger generations, who arrange for their relatives to have a floor of their own in the new construction that will replace them, while maintenance challenges mean that even owners who want to keep these structures in use often struggle to keep them functional. Ray also said movements to preserve these buildings, which aren’t recognized as “heritage” by the government, find themselves limited by the power of the real estate industry and red tape.

Ray said the fact that so many of these structures were built by the people who inhabited them means that documentation about their history and construction can be hard to come by.

“It is one thing to learn from merely seeing existing structures, walking past them, taking their pictures, but a culture of informed appreciation, criticism and further development of thought about a subject is possible only when creative endeavors are discussed in the community,” she said. “And in this I think the home designers of the past have failed the city; they didn’t share their knowledge with the coming generations like they should have, only left us examples of their work to admire and enjoy. Perhaps if they saw how the city is changing now they would reconsider and be more forthcoming about sharing their design choices and experiences. We would have all benefited.”

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Curt Bramel Bluebeam

From Sailor to Mentor: Bluebeam’s Curt Bramel on Military Service, Leadership

  • People & Project Spotlights
Bramel’s five years in the Navy shaped his career and life, paving the way for a successful corporate journey and continued service to fellow veterans

In Curt Bramel’s family, military service is something family members just do. Bramel served for five years in the U.S. Navy and two years in the reserves in the 1990s. His father fought in the Vietnam War. His grandfather and great-grandfathers served. And so did Bramel’s son, who spent six years in the Army National Guard.

“Nobody ever told me to go,” Bramel said of enlisting while still in high school in rural Kentucky. “My dad didn’t want me to go. But I felt there was a calling. I can’t tell you what it is, a little voice that said, ‘You might enjoy the military,’ and it was one of the single best pivotal things I ever did in life.”

Across his service, Bramel embraced opportunities to work hard on shared missions with his fellow sailors, who all hailed from diverse backgrounds. Aboard massive ships, no different than “floating cities,” as he called them, Bramel mastered how to think and act quickly and strategically.

He learned how to lead from exceptional military leaders, who continued to mentor him even after he returned to civilian life. And he had the opportunity to explore the world where he found that most people, no matter where they’re from, just want to live productive lives surrounded by family. “The military is where I saw, firsthand, that 98% of the world is great,” he said.

Now senior director of global channel sales for Bluebeam, Bramel is navigating a successful decade-long corporate career. But he continues to serve by mentoring members of the military as they prepare for civilian life. It’s a way to return some of the benefits he’s received over the years.

“I can’t point to a single event that shaped my career,” Bramel said, “but rather I was fortunate that many great people stepped into my path to help coach and guide me along my career.”

Always volunteering

Bramel’s willingness to raise his hand supercharged his military career. After completing a two-year mechanical engineering program in the Navy, he volunteered for a big leap—taking an assignment in Japan.

After just a couple of weeks in Japan, he was deployed to the Middle East, where he continued to volunteer whenever new needs arose, including serving on a flight crew for helicopter operations. “Anytime there was a volunteer opportunity, whether it was security patrol or [something else], I volunteered for it,” Bramel said.

Bramel and family

After more than two years of shuttling between Japan and the Middle East, he continued his service in San Diego and then Bremerton, Washington, where he took more engineering and program management classes through the Navy. He finished his active duty in 1996, staying in the reserves for two more years. The GI Bill paid for his undergraduate degree in finance and much of his MBA. “It 100% set the trajectory of my life,” he said.

Bramel’s career includes time in the Japanese automotive industry, as well as a financial planner and stockbroker, before moving into global sales roles, where his work gradually began focusing on technology. Now at Bluebeam, he works with reseller partners who take Bluebeam technology, adopt it into their portfolio and resell it to their own end users.

Bramel credits his background in the military in part for helping him pivot from selling tangible products to the theories, ideas and processes of software. While in the Navy, what he was doing wasn’t called artificial intelligence, but he was working in predictive modeling as he looked for trends in an engine room or with oil and gas chemistry. “Before AI was cool, you were using AI then, but you used it with a lot of paper and pencil,” he said.

Giving back

These days, Bramel, who is married with two adult children and two young grandchildren, lives in Lexington, Kentucky, and doesn’t have all that much spare time. “My kids give us a hard time. We just work,” said Bramel of himself and his wife. “We work when we’re not working.”

Bramel is involved in local politics, runs a real estate business with his wife and tends to a farm and weekend cottage outside of Lexington. And through a New York-based program, Bramel continues to serve, supporting members of the military as they prepare to return to civilian life.

Bramel during his military service.

Most of his mentees have never held a public sector job, negotiated a salary or bought a house. They’re typically bringing a spouse and kids with them. “There’s a lot of stress and anxiety on them coming out of the military,” he said. 

Bramel serves as their professional coach, preparing them for life after the military—from how to interview for a job to advice on selecting retirement plans and health insurance. “I’ve had everything from intelligence officers assigned to me to pilots to infantry leaders,” he said. “It’s afforded me the opportunity to stay involved with the military community.” Looking back on life so far, he’d do nothing differently. “I’ve had an awesome life. My career’s afforded me more opportunities. I’ve met great people,” he said. “I’ve got friendships that go way beyond just employment. The experiences I’ve gotten in the military and in the public sector over the last 25 years are endless.”

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Church Conversions Bluebeam

Reviving Abandoned Churches: The Challenge and Opportunity of Adaptive Reuse

  • People & Project Spotlights
As more churches fall into disuse, architects and community leaders face unique obstacles in preserving these historic structures while giving them new life

Over two decades ago, the late Rev. Wendell Williams and his wife Donna purchased the abandoned 40,000-square-foot St. Agnes Church in Cohoes, New York. They bought the 1890s Gothic Revival cathedral for $50,000 in the high-poverty area that was once a bustling textile manufacturing center.

Initially a home for their congregation, it also now houses the Connect Center, a youth-oriented community center. When purchased in 2001, it immediately needed a $1.1 million roof renovation. Five years later, the ceiling plaster, as high as six stories, began falling in.

Work is about 75% complete and more renovations on the building are needed, ranging from steeple repairs to rotting window frames housing 132-year-old handcrafted stained-glass windows. But progress is slow because of funds and challenges associated with repurposing old churches.

“It’s been a journey to renovate this church and create these safe spaces for youth,” said Ben Williams, Rev. Williams’s son. Ben now serves as the director of the Connect Center for Youth. “It is important to me to preserve the legacy, and it is very important, and it’s part of our story even though it’s a pain in my wallet most of the time.”

Look around any neighborhood, and chances are you’ll see at least one, if not more, abandoned churches as congregation populations decline. Experts predict that as many as 100,000 churches in the United States will close in the coming years.

“Most communities don’t want the buildings themselves torn down but adaptively reused rather than replaced with something new, and that is where people run into design challenges,” said Andrew Torres, a licensed architect in New York City working with Gemini Rosemont Development.

But there are success stories. In St. Louis, skateboarding enthusiasts converted St. Liborius Church, a 150-year-old church, into an indoor skating park. Other abandoned churches are now roller rinks, bars or restaurants, professional offices, Airbnbs and even a future cultural arts facility for a public school.

A look inside the offices of Overit.

Repurposing churches presents unique architectural and building-related challenges even though it offers the opportunity to preserve a historic structure. Steeples, soaring ceilings, outdated plumbing and heating, and cooling system repairs are costly. Often, the materials and expertise needed to fix features like stained glass windows and steeples are hard to find.

“A lot of churches have deferred maintenance and neglect by the congregations selling them. It is a lot of work to bring these back to life,” Torres said. “Churches are highly customized, not repeating designs or details existing conditions to contend with, and with that people can run into many challenges, especially when converting a church to residential use.”

Meeting Americans with Disabilities Act standards can also be a challenge depending on the church’s design. Williams had to build a new egress and install ramps, but so far, he’s only had the funds to do so on one floor.

“There’s a time cost too. I’m spending money and energy fixing my space and not working on the mission of my organization,” Williams said. “I love that we saved this building and can give it back to the community, which provides more safe space and safer streets, but I would only get into something like this again if I knew I had the bankroll behind me.”

Transforming churches into modern use spaces is capital-intensive and requires vision. But for the right customized project, it’s an opportunity to preserve a community landmark and architectural style that a new build can never replicate.

Michelle Dinsmore sees it as her mission to transform historical buildings with architectural history into modern-day spaces. So far, she has transformed two churches—one into a vacation rental and the other into offices for the marketing studio she co-owns with her husband.

A look inside the offices of Overit.

Comparatively, the church Dinsmore purchased was better maintained than the one the Williams family purchased. With a good roof and structure, they could focus on the interior, which included reusing pews for molding, desks and conference tables. Their adaptive reuse won a Historic Albany Merit award.

One of the biggest challenges in transforming the church was designing the agency’s recording studio. The couple needed to identify architects with expertise in insulating and isolating sections of the 12,000-square-foot church and updating the air conditioning and heating system so that its operation doesn’t interfere with recording.

“You have to have a very clear purpose and understanding to get a budget to create a plan that honors the lineage of the building,” she said.

Repurposing churches may be more viable for private owners than commercial developers. Torres points to the ancient notion of spolia, the idea of repurposing cut stones or decorative elements from old buildings in new construction, as a potential opportunity. One example he points to is the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, once a Christian church, then a mosque, a museum and now again a mosque.

“Many churches have column capitals in carved marble that need to be removed for spaces to be opened up. You can save some of those stone elements and use them elsewhere in a different format,” he said, adding that it’s great “when people take what was there before and put it in a new context and celebrated instead of having it be hidden or demolished.”

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Gordon Lansford JE Dunn

What Keeps Gordon Lansford Up at Night: Leadership Insights from JE Dunn’s CEO

  • People & Project Spotlights
Dive into JE Dunn CEO Gordon Lansford’s leadership style, key challenges in construction and how he balances growth with workforce capacity

As head of JE Dunn Construction, the eighth largest construction firm in the United States, Gordon Lansford is the first non-family CEO of the 100-year-old company. Under his leadership, revenue has grown approximately four times over, from $2 billion to $8 billion. The company’s markets include aviation, semiconductor contracting, education, health care and historical preservation, among others.

As might be expected, JE Dunn has won numerous awards. Fast Company chose the company’s innovative pre-construction tool Align, a project budget estimator, as a 2024 winner of the magazine’s Innovation by Design Awards. That same year, Kansas City Business Journal named the company a Champion of Business.

Lansford said he’s especially proud of winning the Deloitte Private and WSJ Best Managed Company award again in 2024, because “it speaks to how we run our business, how we plan and execute projects and to our employee engagement scores.”

Built spoke with Lansford about his leadership style and what keeps him up at night as a construction executive. Edited excerpts follow.

Built: Why did you choose the construction industry?

Lansford: I didn’t initially. I had planned to be an accountant. After getting my accounting degree, I worked for KPMG for three years and got my CPA while I was there. I fell into working with quite a few construction and engineering clients, which piqued my interest in the industry. I left KPMG and joined JE Dunn, which, while smaller at the time, always had a significant presence in Kansas City and a fantastic reputation. I felt that if I wanted to enter the industry, coming to the company would be a great move. Two years later I became CFO. When the family’s third generation CEO, Terry Dunn, retired in 2013, I assumed someone from the construction side would become CEO, but the board asked me if I would consider the position.

Built: There was something in your background that helped draw you to the field, correct?

Lansford: Yes. My grandfather was an electrical contractor in Wyoming, and I worked with him for a couple of summers when I was in college. I enjoyed working outside on the jobsite with hard-working people and building something.

Built: What’s the best advice you ever got about this industry?

Lansford: William H. Dunn Sr., the second-generation CEO, always said, “Never take on a project if you don’t have the right talent to execute it.” I’d have to say it’s that.

Built: What advice do you have for people looking to follow in your career footsteps?

Lansford: The construction industry is exciting; you get to work with a lot of great people and build amazing, beautiful buildings, but what is most rewarding is seeing the end users—whether they’re students walking into a new school, patients being treated a new hospital or employees entering their new workplace. There are so many different roles and opportunities in the field that you may not be aware of. There’s a place for people with almost every degree in our industry, whether it’s finance or HR, or law for example, or no degree.

Built: What’s your favorite part of the job?

Lansford: We give our employees a lot of responsibility at a young age, and I love getting out and seeing our people, our projects and our teams. I try to get to all of our 26 offices at least once a year.

Built: What do you think is the most pressing issue facing the construction industry?

Lansford: The obvious one is the shortage of labor in the skilled trades, especially on mechanical and electrical sides. We rely on these people that we partner with. Beyond that, construction costs have continued to rise with the high interest rates. It’s a tough market for our developer clients right now. Our tech sector data centers, semiconductor work and advanced manufacturing markets are robust right now, but it’s an ongoing challenge to figure out where to focus our limited resource, which is our people.

Built: What keeps you up at night as an executive?

Lansford: It’s the balance of the opportunities with the capacity and mobility of our workforce. We’re an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), family-first company, but we need people to travel to where the work is, so it’s the conflicting values that keep me up at night.

Built: How do you structure your time to fix the most important issues you face in your role?

Lansford: I think we can all be better at that, but I really try to control my calendar because it can get away from you. I deliberately block out time when I can get work done vs. go to meetings. I tell our younger leaders that it’s something they should do as well because if you let your calendar control you it’s hard to have time to think, especially about the long term, when you have issues coming at you every day.

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Australian Cabins

These Australian Hiking Cabins Are a Sight to Behold

  • People & Project Spotlights
Roughing it in the great outdoors is a little more luxurious in these cabins, which underwent a painstakingly detailed and complex design and construction process (from 2023)

When it comes to roughing it in the great outdoors, most of us would be excited to spend the night in a simple log cabin or lean-to. But in Australia, which boasts thousands of miles of hiking and camping trails throughout its many national parks and wilderness areas, they do things a little differently.

So when it came time to design and construct the campsites along the challenging 13-day Grampian Peaks Trail route, planners knew they needed something special to match the natural scenery. But how could they create breathtaking structures in remote areas, many of which are unreachable by road?

Nick Griffin, Melbourne Co-Studio lead and associate director at McGregor Coxall, and Justin Noxon, architect and studio partner at Noxon Giffen, were ready to rise to the challenge.

An unmatched location

For Griffin and Noxon, the natural beauty of the site inspired an expansive creativity in the team’s approach to the design process. Also known by its aboriginal name, Gariwerd, Griffin described the area as “a significant landscape,” adding, “The environmental and cultural significance of Gariwerd drew us to the project.”

A look inside one of the cabins. Photo: Adam Gibson.

One of the most biodiverse places in Victoria and home to about a third of all native area plant species, there’s a reason this remote trail has been so perennially popular with ambitious hikers from all over the globe. “With such diverse terrain and unique natural resilience, the landscape and its systems form the primary inspiration for our design response,” Griffin said.

For Griffin and his associates, taking the time to truly immerse themselves in this landscape was an essential part of the design process. “The design team made multiple trips out to Gariwerd to spend time observing and documenting site conditions,” he said. “Immersion in each individual site took place to gain a holistic appreciation for and knowledge of the landscape in different weather conditions and at times of day.”

After spending time within each site, Griffin said the team created structures that mirrored the natural landscape that surrounded them, drawing both visually and materially from the park. “The form and placement of the architecture were inspired by the large-scale sandstone uplift evident throughout the Grampians; this is echoed in the single pitch of roof elements,” Griffin explained.

A cabin overlooks the local scenery. Photo: Adam Gibson.

Each structure even makes use of materials drawn naturally from the landscape. “The design vision included a robust and natural materials palette, considered in response to each individual site’s nature, colors and textures,” Griffin said. “For example, all rock was sourced from within each campsite.”

Designing with hikers in mind

The team knew how its structures needed to respond to the landscape—but what about the people who would be using them? Griffin said that throughout the project, the design team kept the specific experience of hikers at the forefront of their processes.

“The experiential design of all campsite elements was mindful to be specific to that of a hiking experience, therefore the comfort target for architectural elements sought to elevate only slightly from that of a tent,” he explained. “The aim was to feature architecture that would grow in parallel with the nature that surrounds it, minimizing harm to environments and keeping Gariwerd’s stunning landscape as the hero.”

Noxon said this commitment was clear from the moment the team read the key parameters that would define the project. “The brief called for the campsites to ‘touch the ground lightly,’ minimizing the impact on the environment and maintaining Gariwerd’s iconic, biodiverse landscape as the hero,” he said. “The structures were built to provide comfort and amenities for hikers, using materials that would blend into the landscape over time. Structures provide the essentials of weather protection and basic shelter, collect water, treat wastewater on-site and provide solar-powered battery charges for hiker safety for mobile phone navigation and safety within the context of a remote hiker trail experience.”

Photo: Adam Gibson.

Where and how the cabins were constructed was as important as the amenities they contained.

“Off-grid campsites are designed with mindfulness to guidelines and tracks—intuitive circulation allows for more sustainable campsites that minimize public access to dense vegetation,” Noxon said. “Accommodating to a variety of users, abilities and intensities, the walk will conserve and protect Gariwerd’s beauty, achieving the highest possible grade of environmental sensitivity through the protection of site-specific conditions such as biotope preservation, overland flow management and microclimate.”

Construction complexities

Once construction began, Griffin said the complexity of the project became clear. “The remoteness of the 11 sites represented a lot of obstacles,” he said. “One of the major challenges was to ensure a consistent quality was achieved across several sites under construction concurrently.”

Collaborating closely with their contractor and Parks Victoria, which backed the project, Griffin and his team made regular visits to the Gariwerd sites throughout the construction process, which used a modular approach that allowed for the prefabrication of all of the elements, which could then be transported via airlift or vehicle to their designated sites.

Several sites were constructed concurrently as part of a prototyping process whose lessons would be applied to the next batch of sites—a unique method that allowed the team to meet their timing and budgetary goals. When lockdowns made in-person site visits challenging, the team figured out how to do virtual inspections from afar, so construction could stay on track.

Photo: Adam Gibson.

Now that the project is open to the public, Griffin and Noxon say the response has been enthusiastic. “The feedback that the project team have received on the project has been largely positive,” Griffin said. The campsites provide a great level of amenity for hikers without inhibiting the sense of nature. The campsite interventions are true to the brief of being subservient to the natural landscape; they simply add a layer of comfort to those seeking to immerse themselves in the magical Gariwerd landscape.

Noxon added that he hopes the structures will enhance hikers’ appreciation for the beauty of the region. “The campsites are designed to support the hiker experience of Gariwerd; to become part of the landscape; to promote connection and understanding of Gariwerd,” he said. “The architectural response fosters a slow, gentle and quiet interaction, an elemental experience of place.”

Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Contractor. Landscaper. YouTube Star? Go inside the wacky world of this industry internet sensation.

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