Revitalizing with Purpose: Construction’s Role in Cultural & Historic Preservation Projects
As cities grow and change, so does the responsibility of construction professionals to preserve the soul of a place. It's history, architecture, and community identity. At Catalyst Construction, we view revitalization as more than just renovation; it's a form of stewardship, a mindset I’ve adopted throughout my career and one that fuels my passion for the work we do at Catalyst Construction Southwest. While I’m now based in Phoenix, my foundation with Catalyst began in Wisconsin, where I had the opportunity to work on several adaptive reuse and historic preservation projects. Those experiences shaped my perspective and continue to guide [...]
Building the Right Team: Key People You Need to Drive Your Project Forward
Building the Right Foundation Starts with the Right People At Catalyst, we’ve seen it time and time again: the success of a building project doesn’t hinge on the blueprints or budget, it hinges on the people. Whether it’s a school building a STEM wing or a church expanding worship space, having the right team early makes the difference between a smooth, mission-driven project and one with setbacks. For mission-driven schools and churches, especially in the private or faith-based space, this guide will help you build with purpose, not just concrete. Our goal is to help you think differently—not just about [...]
Building with Purpose: How Catalyst and TRIUN3 Empower Ministry Growth Together
After spending 25 years in media and commercial real estate, I took a turn that changed the way I think about impact. I stepped into nonprofit leadership, serving as the CEO of a church, school, and daycare in Wisconsin. That role opened my eyes to the unique challenges—and opportunities—faith-based organizations face when they try to grow their ministries. Now, with TRIUN3, I have the privilege of helping these organizations across the country navigate finances, HR, and long-term planning. But even the best strategy needs the right partners to bring it to life. This is where Catalyst Construction steps in. Shared [...]
The Secret to Getting Your Construction Project to Break Ground
How Catalyst’s Readiness Assessment helps churches, schools, and nonprofits build with clarity and confidence—before they ever break ground. Starting a building project is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. For many churches, schools, and nonprofit organizations, the desire to expand or improve their space is clear, but the path forward is anything but. Some teams begin a construction project and get stuck. Others don’t start at all because they’re unsure of what step comes first. Either way, time, trust, and resources can be lost before the first shovel even hits the ground. At Catalyst Construction, we offer a complimentary [...]
Building on Mission: A Partnership Rooted in Purpose
By Dr. Jamie Luehring, President of Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School At Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School (KMLHS), our mission is to guide students toward success that’s not just academic, but spiritual and personal. We’re preparing young adults for whatever path God has laid before them—whether it’s college, the military, an apprenticeship, or entering the workforce. This purpose requires more than just a curriculum—it requires a culture, leadership, and facilities that support growth. That’s where Catalyst Construction comes in. A Proven Partnership: From HOPE Schools to KMLHS My relationship with Catalyst actually began before my time at KMLHS. I first [...]
Value Engineering in Construction: 5 Key Ways the Church Can Apply It to Its Design
Meet Pastor Sam. Sam wants to expand his church’s gathering space to include elegant finishes and a modern design. He imagines engaging the community with multimedia screens, comfortable seating, beverages, and ample lighting for gatherings and meetings. However, the church budget doesn’t align with his dream, and he’s disappointed, to say the least. So, the question is: how do you honor God’s vision for your church while still making practical decisions? Churches often struggle to create spaces that inspire and serve their communities while remaining within tight financial constraints. This is where value engineering comes in—and early in the process. [...]
Church Construction for Music Ministry: Designing Spaces for Sound and Worship
Music is a powerful form of worship that demands thoughtful and purposeful planning from church leaders. When constructing a church building focused on its music ministry, creating a space where every note resonates and word is clear is essential. People need to focus on worship and not be distracted by poor sound systems. Jesus could communicate effectively with large crowds aided by the natural acoustics of seas, mountains, and God's grace. While your church may not be situated near large water and landforms, you still have divine guidance on your side, so follow the calling of the Lord as you [...]
4 Practical Design Tips for Budget-Conscious School Construction Projects
In today's world of social media, Pinterest, and educational influencers, creativity is playing an increasingly vital role in education and child care. And most educators operating on a shoe-string budget can feel overwhelmed. As a leader preparing for your school construction project, you have likely heard exciting requests from future members of your school community: full-scale musicals, large art studios, computer rooms, and clubs of all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, not all schools have the budget to realize these requests. Creating modern, functional schools within tight budget constraints can be challenging. But the good news is that with thoughtful planning [...]
Optimizing the Post-Construction Process for Better Outcomes
It was the year 1395 when stone masons set the last brick to mark the completion of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Picture the pride of religious leaders as they admired centuries' worth of work and devotion, now brought to life. But instead of opening the doors immediately to the public, they needed to take meticulous steps to ensure the cathedral was ready for the community (and beyond). Fast-forward to the 21st century. Despite the enormous strides made in construction (it no longer takes 200 years for a project to be complete!), the post-construction process is still of the utmost [...]
4 Tips for Effective School Construction for STEM Education
Meet Sara, a fourteen-year-old student who became fascinated with coding after being introduced to robotics at summer camp. However, as she entered high school, she was devastated to learn that her school was not equipped to teach the skill—not because the teachers were not knowledgeable but because there simply wasn’t enough room for a maker space. STEM education just wasn’t at the forefront of the school’s design or curriculum. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education lies at the heart of modern learning because it is the basis of everyday life for children and adults. STEM equips students with the [...]
