Innovative Real Estate with Three Squared, Inc.

How do we fix the broken permit process and actually make building houses fun again? 

We sit down with Zachary D. Miller, AIA, NCARB—a Cleveland-based registered architect and Plan Examiner for the City of Cleveland's Building and Housing Department. Having worked on both sides of the drawing board, Zachary brings a uniquely practical perspective on what it really takes to move a project from a cool concept to a f...

We are joined by Luis Antonio Uribegan (Design Think Tank) and Antje Steinmuller (University of Michigan) to break down a radical new vision for homeownership: Personal Apportion Dwellings, or P[A]D

Instead of buying a rigid, permanent building, what if you owned the individual modular components of your home and slotted them into empty commercial shells? We discuss the concept of "Open Building," why there's still resistance to man...

We dive deep into the future of construction: Design for Deconstruction (DfD) and the Circular Economy. Instead of swinging wrecking balls and dumping tons of waste into landfills, what if we designed buildings to be taken apart, repurposed, and regenerated?

Jill and Leslie break down how Three Squared is challenging convention. We discuss the perks of DfD for developers to real-world examples like preserving historic barns ...

Welcome back to the Innovative Real Estate Podcast! In this episode, we are pulling back the curtain on one of our most exciting developments yet: Cochrane Commons. We dive deep into the background of this project, exploring its planned social impact, community amenities, and how we are designing dynamic new retail and live/work spaces just steps away from major city landmarks.

We also discuss a massive industry shift: our pivot...

Welcome to another episode of the Innovative Real Estate Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Zackery Belanger, the visionary founder of the acoustic studio Umbel. Zack brings a wealth of unique educational and hands-on experience to the table, reshaping how we think about the relationship between physical structures and the soundscapes they create.

We dive deep into the fascinating world of architectural acoustics, ex...

Welcome to our brand new mini-series called Duke it Out with DeShawn Wilson of Duke Investments where we sit down with our Development Associate, DeShawn! This series is dedicated to expanding on conversations DeShawn runs into through meeting with Detroit contractors, investors, and innovators. In this first installment, we are diving into the process of developing on Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) properties. 

We cover th...

In the Season 2 premiere of Innovative Real Estate, the Three Squared team explores Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield’s ambitious initiative to deliver 1,000 new single-family homes across the city over the next four years. Drawing from firsthand experience developing housing projects in Detroit, we dive into the realities of navigating permitting, infrastructure, land development, tax incentives, and affordable housing initiative...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome back a very special guest, J.T. King, the founder of Royal Developments. J.T. joins us to discuss the recently completed Innovative Housing Showcase in Fort Wayne, a groundbreaking project that highlights four cutting-edge building typologies. 

Throughout the conversation, J.T. shares his experience of simultaneously managing the development of four unique projects, and he offers ...

If you have been following along for a while then you know TSI's very own Director of Design, Breck Crandell has been on a journey of building his own home here in the city of Detroit.

In this episode Breck shares his thoughts about the journey a month post completion.

Breck shares insights into what it was like to not only design, but to also build his own home, what lessons he learned from the process, and most impo...

In this episode, we sit down with Jill Ferrari, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Renovare Development, to explore her journey in real estate development and the unique perspective women bring to the industry. From overcoming the 2007 financial crisis to building social impact equity projects, Jill shares insights on how women can thrive in a male-dominated field and make lasting change in communities.

We discuss the origin of Reno...

This past summer TSI's very own Jill Ramirez had the opportunity to travel to Finland and attend a mass timber conference and workshop. 

Mass timber is an innovative and eco friendly building material that has been gaining popularity in Europe that last decade or so and is not starting to be implemented in the United States thanks to collaboration between US and european policymakers, tradespeople, and architects. ...

In this episode we sit down award winning Detroit native architectural photographer Jason Keen. 

Jason's impressive portfolio includes collaborations with some of the most influential architecture and design firms worldwide, including Library Street Collective Ford, Bedrock, Smithgroup, ROSSETTI, inFORM Studio, Quinn Evans, HED, and more! 

He has also won numerous awards including the 2023 AIA Michigan, Buil...

If you've been following along for a while then you know that we call Detroit home - a wonderfully city that has had it's fair share of challenging history, and vibrant culture. 

Now the city that we love is having it's renaissance - posing as an ideal landscape for growth and development.

In this episode Leslie shares why she chose Detroit as the home for her business, and how forming a great relationship with t...

General Contractors play a pivotal role in the AEC industry. Not only do they manage the construction of projects, they also act as a liaison between clients and architects, along with many other responsibilities. 

It takes the right kind of person to do this job and do it well, and we are lucky enough to work with a great local Detroit GC - Ty Petrie. 

In this episode we sit down with Ty to talk about the A...

What role do robots have in the future of architecture and construction? 

In this insightful episode as we sit down with Dr. Sara Codarin, Assistant Professor of Architecture at Lawrence Technological University.

In this episode, we dive into the transformative potential of robotics in both academic settings and the real world. Sara shares how innovative technologies are reshaping the way we design, build, and re...

Shipping containers are a module that we have been working with for years and has led us to now being not only prepared but experts in modular construction housing. 

In this episode Breck, Jill, and Leslie sit down to discuss the role modular construction has on the future of housing and how TSI is already one step ahead when it comes to providing modular solutions. 

They also talk about why developers shoul...

Let's talk about feasibility studies aka: finding out what it takes to actually getting a building built! 

In this episode Jill and Leslie sit down and talk about the importance of conducting feasibility studies especially for multi unit developments. We share our expertise in how we conduct our studies with developers in order for them to maximize their lot and get their projects approved by municipalities across the c...

Since 2017 our Director of Sales and Marketing - Claire Ollila has been an integral part of Three Squared, Inc. She has been along for the ride every step of the way and has been one of the driving forces to make our firm everything it is today. 

Although we are sad to see her go, we are excited to reflect back on Claire's time at TSI and support her as she pursues her passion as a breathwork mentor.  

In th...

Have you ever wondered why we have been building the same way for centuries? Or why the AEC industry is the hardest industry to enact change in? 

In this episode we sit down and talk about the history of building  and how we have gotten to where we are today...still mostly building with sticks and bricks like we have for hundreds of years. 

Breck gives a quick history of building, shares the implication...