How Community Engagement Elevates Building Design with Eleftherios Pittas of Tishman Speyer
Today, we’re joined by Eleftherios Pittas, Senior Director of Design and Construction of Tishman Speyer. Eleftherios shares his background in civil engineering and how it shaped his approach to real estate development and problem-solving. He highlights the value of community engagement, volunteerism and cross-functional collaboration in delivering meaningful, resilient projects.
From navigating regulatory complexity to redesigning buildings mid-construction, Eleftherios explains how a growth mindset and team support can carry you through the most challenging builds. He also reflects on career advice for the next generation and the importance of staying curious beyond your own discipline.
Key Takeaways:
(05:56) Technical training helps develop a problem-solving mindset.
(08:31) High-quality delivery goes beyond meeting requirements.
(09:40) Community collaboration adds long-term project value.
(10:16) Volunteer work fosters purpose and connection.
(17:14) Design flexibility is key to adapting under pressure.
(19:06) Team support makes complex work manageable.
(23:41) Career development requires patience and curiosity.
(28:43) Navigating regulations requires persistence and creativity.
Resources Mentioned:
Tishman Speyer | Website
Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.
#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast