RDG Out & About: Four Things You Should Know About Your Next Capital Project
RDG's Jonathan Martin and Steve King speak at the IAAPPA 2026 Spring Conference to share insights into successful campus campaigns.
Event Details
Date: April 15, 2026
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton, Downtown Des Moines, Iowa
Four Things You Should Know About Your Next Capital Project
Successful campus capital projects are defined not only by their initial delivery but also by decades of reliable operation and maintainability.
In this session, RDG Landscape Architect Jonathan Martin, Architect Steve King and Eric Henderson from IMEG explore four critical decision areas that are often deferred during design yet have significant long-term implications for campus facilities and grounds.
Drawing on real-world higher education case studies, presenters will examine how early choices in daily operations, stormwater and landscape maintenance, MEPT system selection, and building commissioning directly affect lifecycle costs, staff workload, and asset performance. Attendees will gain practical insights into balancing first costs with operational realities and integrating facilities perspectives earlier in the project process.
Through interactive discussion and open Q&A, participants will leave with actionable strategies to improve long-term campus stewardship and maximize the value of future capital investments.