Earlier this summer, Spire announced its newest client, Halff, the nationally known engineering and architectural firm. It’s an exciting B2B partnership we are building from the ground up. That’s why Account Supervisor Angie Vasquez has constructed our newest Spire on Spotify playlist, Vol. 12: Building Momentum.
As summer starts to wrap up, the construction industry continues to face a set of unique challenges, largely brought about by the pandemic. With skilled labor shortages and soaring material costs, construction in the U.S. was largely slowed during the pandemic. However, even with the current challenges, commercial construction starts have been valued at $9 billion as of February 2021, based on a report compiled by Statista.com. And total commercial construction is expected to reach a value of $135 billion in 2022, contrasted with a value of $79.9 billion in 2020.
We’ve all had to rethink material use, create efficiencies, and pull together in ways we never imagined.
Across the spectrum, commercial or public, there’s more to successful execution than concrete and steel. Engineering, architecture, and successful planning are just as important.
In other words, the human element.
This is where Spire’s newest client, Halff, a Dallas-based engineering and architectural firm, continued to provide smarter engineering and architectural solutions during the construction boom. At Halff, “Smarter Solutions” is not just a tagline, it’s the definition of how they work.
Halff was founded by Dallas engineering legend Dr. Albert Halff in 1950 and is one of America’s largest firms with over 1,000 employees across 26 offices in five states. Halff’s full suite of services includes engineering, architecture, environmental, planning, landscape architecture, right of way, surveying, and information technology services for public and private sector clients in the government, corporate, development, education, energy, and transportation markets.
Angie, what is the name of your album?
The title of this album is Building Momentum. It is wonderful to see how a project or an idea can flourish when it starts with a small idea then builds into something even greater.
How would you describe this mix?
I would describe this as a mix of different genres intended to inspire and motivate people in the construction, engineering, and architectural development space. The blend of songs from hip hop to 80s to rock all showcase how music can pull an idea together and inspire you to create and build. The songs selected are designed to get people moving and singing along to the tunes.
What was the inspiration behind it?
Halff provides full services to so many different industries, so I wanted to capture songs that speak to construction, building, and architecture within that space. There are also some fun songs that you would hear at a work site to keep you energized and motivated.
What is your favorite song, and why?
My favorite song on this playlist is a classic from the 90s, “Love Can Build a Bridge” by The Judds. It brings back a lot of happy memories from my childhood. My mom loved The Judds and she would turn up the volume so we could all sing this song at the top of our lungs. I also love the meaning behind the lyrics—that love can build a bridge—which is also our tool for communicating and finding common ground with other people.
If your playlist was a brand, what would it be and why?
If my playlist was a brand, it would have to be Home Depot. Their slogan, “How doers get more done” demonstrates the idea of everyday people making improvements. Just like Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus says, “At the end of the day, we are in the people business,” this aligns perfectly with Halff and what they stand for: People before profit. That is the key to their success.
Any specific memory that comes to mind when you listen?
I love the variety of the songs. This reminds me of family road trips when we would go from city to city and listen to the local stations hearing new and old classics alike. It was always such a great memory of family time and building memories together.
What makes your playlist unique?
In order to build the best creations, you have to include a variety of people with different skills sets. This playlist includes a very diverse set of genres, styles and beats which makes it an unexpected compilation, but its uniqueness makes it work. Enjoy!
Thanks, Angie, for this playlist that lays the groundwork for our next one. So stay tuned to the Spire Blog and Spotify Channel for the release of our newest album.