Richard McGrew

About Richard McGrew

Over two decades in practice as an architect–developer across the United States and Canada, I lead high-rise, hospitality, multifamily (including affordable housing), and luxury single-family projects from strategy through delivery. Based in Seattle, Las Vegas, and Victoria, I align brand, building performance, and pro forma while creating immersive representations of concepts early in each design timeline so stakeholders can see, test, and refine ideas when decisions matter most.My production method is software-literate and operationally disciplined. Object-oriented thinking, database design, and data-driven methodologies structure the work so intent, documentation, and analytics move in lockstep. I establish coherent digital schemas—types, parameters, and machine-readable naming—then use cloud information models, automation, validation, and visualization to coordinate complex multidisciplinary teams in real time. Consultants, fabricators, and builders work from a single source of truth, with permitting and AHJ interfaces traced back to the model. On the delivery side I run highly technical construction administration with clear decision logs, structured submittal and RFI workflows, model-linked issue tracking, and schedule and quality controls that reduce rework and field risk.The design lens is place-making first: streets and lobbies that feel open and safe, terraces and amenities that invite everyday encounters, and materials that carry local meaning. Environmental strategies are biophilic and performance-driven—daylight access, thermal comfort, envelope depth, and mixed-mode opportunities—tested against lifecycle cost, resilience, and maintenance access. I value narratives that connect concept to outcomes: occupancy and leasing velocity, ADR/RevPAR, CapEx/OpEx balance, and long-term adaptability.Particularly strong in feasibility and pre-design. Site due diligence, entitlement strategy, code and life-safety, cost and phasing scenarios, and risk registers are developed alongside early visualizations so owners and lenders can make informed decisions with credible optionality.Specialties: High-rise residential; Hospitality (Resort, Hotel, Casino); Multifamily and Affordable housing; Luxury single-family; Mixed-use; Bars and Restaurants; Corporate Office; Judicial; Research and Innovation; Retail prototypes; Entertainment and Theater; Urban design; Artificial intelligence and Data-driven; Feasibility and Pre-design; Prototype standardization; Cloud information models; Technical Construction Administration.

Experience

1. Founding Principal

   Rpm Architecture

   Mar 2011 — Present · Las Vegas, NV, US

   As founding principal of RPM Architecture, Richard has assembled a diverse group of professionals whose backgrounds range from materials engineering to structural to interior design. Combined with his past experiences on large scale projects, Richard has positioned the firm to bring new ideas and strategic development to the built assets of current and future clients. Please visit our firm profile at http://rpmarchitecture.com

Education

• Georgia Institute of Technology

  Masters, Architecture

  2001 — 2003

• Miami University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Architecture

Skills

• Mixed-Use
• Food & Beverage
• Sustainable Design
• Hospitality
• Entertainment
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed)
• Concept Design
• Theatre
• Casino
• Resorts
• Leed
• Restaurants
• Architectural Design
• Construction Drawings
• Construction
• Architectural Visualization
• Banquets
• Interior Design
• Rendering
• Spas
• Submittals
• Bim
• Multi-Family
• Renovation
• Fine Dining
• Interior Architecture
• Space Planning
• Construction Management
• Green Building
• Revit
• Hospitality Industry
• High Rise
• Gaming
• Building Information Modeling (Bim)
• Brand Development
• Sustainability
• Hotels