85. Making Building Fun Again w/ Zachary Miller
Aug 26, 2026
Episode Highlights:
How and why do we need to make it easier to build?
How the Industrial Revolution led to housing expansion in the midwest.
Permitting reform process in Cleveland.
Creating clear paths to move smoothly through the system.
Building is fun!
Housing is an assembly of details.
How do we go beyond cool concepts and actually make a model that works?
Deregulation of the system to give some more ownership to the builder!!
"“I think the goal is, someone can come with [home building plans] and not feel like they have to quarterback their own project”
- Zachary D. Miller, AIA, NCARB
Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro to Ep 85 and Zachary Miller.
02:50 - What are some of the challenges and frustrations to housing?
04:30 - How do we make it easier to build?
Cleaning up the review and permit process.
05:20 - How has the building process remained the same over the years, and where is there room to grow and change?
Buildings are the product of ownership.
09:00 - The problem is much bigger than just the construction typology.
10:57 - Impact of the Industrial Revolution and housing stock
12:56 - Rebuilding the process between different departmental reviews.
19:09 - We need to encourage people to build in the city by laying it out for them as easily as possible.
21:05 - Reviving the fun of building!
25:40 - Detroit’s hostility toward developing new housing.
26:28 - How does the city respond to alternative construction styles?
Uphill battle for consumers and installers to apply new styles.
21:15 - Traditional construction methods are less risky.
32:02 - How Cleveland is staying forward thinking.
35:04 - How do we make more all-inclusive options? — Consolidation.
39:53 - Beyond cool concepts — a model that works for the market.
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