Human Scale - LS3P

Three years in, The Human Scale finally lands one of LS3P’s most influential—and most elusive—voices: Chief Marketing & Knowledge Officer Katie Robinson.In this wide‑ranging, deeply human, and frequently hilarious conversation, hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley go far beyond titles and org charts to explore Katie’s unlikely journey - from a childhood shaped by wildlife refuges and coastal towns, to teaching herself graphic design out of sheer necessity, to building the firmwide marketing and knowledge ecosystem that quietly powers LS3P’s work every day.This episode is equal parts origin story, leadership masterclass, and group therapy session. Katie opens up about career pivots, impostor syndrome, mentorship, and why curiosity (and asking a lot of questions) has guided her career more than any formal plan ever could. Along the way, the conversation detours joyfully through Quark and fish vectors, turtle rescues, raising teenagers, surviving truly terrible home‑cooked meals, and why good knowledge management might be the most underrated (and misunderstood) discipline in AEC.

Careers aren’t always straight lines - sometimes they’re layered, remixed, and built over time. In the latest episode of Human Scale, Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley sit down with Jordan Powers, LS3P’s in-house photographer, to trace a creative path that’s anything but linear. From audio engineering and music to graphic design, entrepreneurship, and ultimately architecture-focused photography, Jordan’s career has been shaped by curiosity, hustle, and a well-timed willingness to say yes. Jordan shares how an unconventional journey took him from Ohio to Minnesota to the Southeast - and from recording studios and wedding shoots to documenting meaningful spaces across the built environment. Along the way, the conversation digs into the power of relationships in creative work, the evolving role of photography in an increasingly AI-influenced world, and why showing up with intention still matters. Jordan also reflects on the tension between creative freedom and stability, and what led him to launch the Architecture & Design Photography Summit - creating space for community, learning, and craft in a rapidly changing industry.

In this episode of HumanScale Co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley sit down with Tim Kriegel, LS3P’s Learning & Development Manager, for a conversation that’s as insightful as it is unexpected. Tim shares how building culture through CliftonStrengths shapes our teams, and breaks down the practical differences between people management, mentorship, and coaching.Along the way, we explore his fascinating career journey - from banking, to Vegas living, to a three-month family stay in Europe - that ultimately led him to Greenville and LS3P. You’ll also hear his thoughts on coaching habits that stick, a mezcal-and-grapefruit cocktail that evolves as the ice melts, and travel stories that remind us why curiosity matters.Tune in for fresh perspectives on leadership, learning, and the experiences that shape us.

Enjoy the latest episode of Human Scale, where co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley sit down with Charlotte Office Leader Nathan Daniel for an inspiring deep dive into his journey from young architect to leading one of LS3P’s largest offices.Nathan shares pivotal moments that shaped his career—including the Centene project (now TEN30 Campus), a 1,000,000 SF collaboration that pushed the team to its limits during the uncertainty of the pandemic. Hear how resilience, adaptability, and trust carried them through. This conversation explores the evolution of workplace design, the power of client relationships, and the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of LS3P’s culture.And don’t miss the Questions from the Fishbowl segment—one of our best yet! Nathan opens up about family, travel, favorite Charlotte spots, and even weighs in on the ultimate debate: Who serves the best BBQ in the Midwest?

In this vibrant, laughter-filled episode of Human Scale,hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley launch LS3P’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a heartfelt conversation featuring Iván Martinez-Cruz, Daniela Ayers, and Michael Garcia—three inspiring members of the Diseñasteering committee, LS3P’s Hispanic and Latinx resource group.Together, they share personal journeys from Spain, Mexico,and Miami, revealing how culture, family, and resilience shaped their paths into architecture and design. Listeners will discover the origin and mission of Diseña, a passionate community within LS3P dedicated to celebrating heritage,fostering mentorship, and amplifying impact across projects and workplace culture.From the story behind tapas to the challenges of drive-throughs, this episode is packed with humor, wisdom, and heartfelt advice for aspiring designers. The team also dives into the importance of mentorship, the power of diversity, and the joy of honoring one’s roots—plus a few fun stories about food, family, and personal accomplishments beyond the studio.

This month, co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley sit down with LS3P Interior Designer Benji Martin for a conversation that’s as heartfelt as it is hilarious. From hot takes on snack choices to deeply personal reflections on identity, community, and creative growth, Benji brings it all.They share their journey from Asheville to Raleigh, the unexpected impact of Hurricane Helene, and how their upbringing shaped their design perspective. We also dive into navigating ADHD, embracing identity, and the power of finding your people—at work and in life.Whether you're here for the design insights or the butter debates, this episode is a vibrant celebration of authenticity, resilience, and showing up as your full self.

Join us for a special episode of Human Scale as we mark two incredible years of insightful conversations and engaging content! This month, co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley are joined by the podcast's talented Producer and Editor, Bailey Bresee, to answer your burning questions.In this fun and light-hearted episode, the team dives into a variety of listener-submitted topics. They reflect on the podcast's journey and progress, share their dream jobs (outside of LS3P, of course!), and even discuss which of LS3P's 12 office locations is the most haunted.Don't miss out on this entertaining conversation that offers a unique glimpse into the personalities behind Human Scale. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, this episode is sure to delight and engage.Tune in and get to know the Human Scale team a little better!

We are thrilled to present the latest episode of Human Scale! Join Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley as they welcome LS3P’s Azure Administrator, Jon Galloway. If you haven't heard Jon's story, you're in for a treat. His journey to becoming a part of LS3P's Technology team is truly inspiring. By the end of this episode, you'll feel both relaxed and awed by his incredible tale. Don't miss our "questions from the fishbowl" segment, where they discuss the movies that have had the biggest impact on their lives.

Enjoy our latest episode of Human Scale where co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley chat with LS3P’s Quality Leader Gus Aretakis and Risk Management Leader Kevin Bryant. In this episode, Gus and Kevin share how they came to find their passion for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), the mentors that helped them along the way, and some of their best advice for those newer to the industry. Stay tuned for our questions from the fish bowl as things get a little weird and a lot of fun. We hope you enjoy getting to know Gus and Kevin who prove that while the job maybe serious, they are always happy to be the life of the party. Tune in now for our first episode of 2025!

Please enjoy the latest episode of Human Scale, where co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley speak with LS3P’s Columbia Office Leader and newly appointed K-12 Practice Leader, Mary Beth Branham. In this episode, Mary Beth shares the many accomplishments she has achieved in her illustrious career. From opening the first female-led LS3P office to celebrating 20 years in Columbia, SC to becoming the newest LS3P Board member, to say Mary Beth has had a lot to celebrate in 2024 would be an understatement. Stick around for our questions from the fish bowl where Mary Beth shares her advice for all women in the AEC industry and beyond.

Enjoy the newest episode of Human Scale, where co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley welcome LS3P’s Digital Practice Manager and Senior Architect Ruth Parr. In this episode, Ruth shares her passion and efforts to standardize and automate several processes across the firm. She discusses the hurdles, accomplishments, lessons she has learned and how she hopes these efforts can help project processes. Stick around to hear how we turned the recording back on after we'd wrapped up our conversation so Ruth could share a great story about her "black market sourdough.”

[1:52 PM] Meredith Ray Enjoy the latest episode of Human Scale, where co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley welcome LS3P’s Sustainability Leader Leigh Pfeiffer! We learn how Leigh discovered her love for all things sustainability, her journey from architecture school at Tulane University to walking the streets of San Diego in search of a job, to a few quick tips for how to be more sustainable, both in your home life and at the office. Stay tuned for Questions from the Fishbowl where we learn what type of animal Leigh would love to have a conversation with (spoiler, it’s a feathered creature with a cursing problem). Human Scale is now available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible and iHeartRadio!

Enjoy the latest episode of Human Scale, where co-hosts Meredith Ray and Patrick Cooley welcome Senior Project Manager and Interior Designer Kelly Wagner. In this episode, Kelly shares the inspiring story of how she grew from an administrative assistant into a trusted advisor, forging a deep and meaningful relationship with one of the firm's legacy clients. We get to hear how she grew up cruisin' with her friends, what her dream job was as a kid, and her greatest fashion faux pas. Human Scale is now available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible and iHeartRadio!