Arlen is a consulting architect with special skills and interests in design/construction industry contract analysis, forensic investigation, and alternative project delivery. He recently retired as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Capital Planning at Maricopa Community College District. He is an AIA Fellow and served more than a decade on the AIA Documents Committee, the group that writes and updates the industry contracts and forms that you love to hate. He serves on Building Design + Construction Magazine's editorial advising board, the Advisory Committee for AIA’s Project Delivery Knowledge Community, and has been a featured speaker at the national AIA Conventions.
Courses
Design-Build Project Delivery: Risks & Rewards for Architects
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 3-4pm ET
As owners, constructors, and architects, all parties share professional, legal, and financial interests in the success of a project. This course explores how architects can transition from a potentially subordinate position to a principal or shared role with co-managing authority within Design-Build (DB) delivery. A panel of industry expert architects from the design and construction sector within the federal, state and local government will present and explore focused remarks about architects' roles in design-build project delivery. Participants will gain insights into navigating the technical and financial risks inherent in DB agreements, such as managing contingencies and ensuring cost transparency. By focusing on early engagement and clear project criteria, architects can better advocate for design excellence while mitigating professional liability and contractual gaps. Based on the article, The Role of Architects in Design-Build Project Delivery: A Crucial Conversation about Opportunities and Risks, published in 2025 by the Project Delivery Knowledge Community (PDKC).