Zach Murphy

Zach Murphy is on a mission. Years ago, when he saw the cost and budget efficiencies of prefabrication being bogged down by expensive, time-consuming design reworks, he helped find a solution. Historically, there has been a widening gap between design intent documentation and truly executable, detailed design. Zach’s role as Design-to-Build leader is to guide and inspire teams to bridge that gap by integrating design, constructability and manufacturing principles early in the process. DPR’s Design-to-Build approach begins with design integration, working hand-in-hand with customers, designers and trade partners to deploy a detailed process framework. This framework helps to ensure DPR’s work in the field flows as predictably as an assembly process.

Experiencing continuous, incremental improvements to enhance the building process has driven Zach throughout his career. He joined DPR in 1996, working first as a project engineer on biotechnology projects, and then moved into healthcare and advanced technology/mission critical work taking on additional responsibilities as a project manager and project executive. Around 2015 is when Zach found his true calling as he transitioned from building projects to helping to build teams and new ventures such as vConstruct, EIG and Digital Building Components (DBC). It was during this time that Zach conceptualized Design-to-Build and has worked diligently to drive consistency and predictability in project delivery from initial concepts through occupancy.

Whether at work or at home, Zach is always building. He enjoys engineering and physics as much as building foundations. His sweet spot at DPR is helping to start new businesses, building them up, solving problems and scaling them. He is also a licensed general contractor who has permitted and built various residential projects.

Away from the day to day, Zach likes to spend time with his family, run, practice yoga, work on his house and his old car. He loves to learn and “deliberately puts himself in positions of discomfort” that force him to expand mentally and drive continuous improvement.

• Favorite DPR core value: Ever Forward because it contains two equally important messages. First, never settle and continuously improve the process of advancing the industry. Second, resilience, when you get knocked down, get back up..
• What you love about construction: Every project is an opportunity to work with new people and improve the building process. Our industry provides a lot of opportunity for companies and people who lean into these challenges.
• Desired superpower: Clairvoyance
• Favorite subject in school: Thermodynamics