# Episode 15: The Master Builder

By [Brandon Donnelly](https://paragraph.com/@brandondonnelly), 2017-01-14

architect, architect-developer, ben-stevens, developer, interview, jonathan-segal, real-estate-developer, skyline, uncategorized, video, vidfe

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My friend Ben Stevens runs a blog called Skyline where he interviews people involved in the built environment (architecture, real estate, planning, and so on). You might remember that [I did an episode with him](http://theskylineforum.com/episode-6-architect-or-developer/) about a year ago where we talked about the overlap between architecture and development.

His [most recent episode](http://theskylineforum.com/episode-15-the-master-builder/) is with San Diego-based [architect-developer Jonathan Segal](http://www.jonathansegalarchitect.com/). I’ve mentioned Segal before on this blog and that’s because he is well known and admired in certain circles for (re)creating a process that places the architect in the position of “master builder.”

He is singularly driven by one goal: to have ultimate control over the architecture that he creates. Making money is secondary. It is a byproduct of goal number one.

To achieve this, he has worked to cut out every conceivable middle person. Design is in-house. Construction management is in-house. Property/asset management is in-house. He even avoids bringing on investors for his projects, out of fear that they will start to dictate what he can and can’t do.

If this approach resonates with you, I definitely recommend you watch the interview. [Click here](http://theskylineforum.com/episode-15-the-master-builder/) if you can’t see it below.

\[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7UT--CAS1g?rel=0&w=560&h=315\]

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*Originally published on [Brandon Donnelly](https://paragraph.com/@brandondonnelly/episode-15-the-master-builder)*