kari sebern

Kari Sebern

Gābl Media Main Menu My Dashboard Membership Resources All Access Series Courses CE Sessions | LYNES Presents: Going Green Gābl Media EXCHANGE Post + Beam Gābl Events Contact Podcasts Partners Start ARCAT Experts Mark R. LePage Dimitrius Lynch Kari Sebern PE Nakita Reed Jeff Echols Katie Kangas Jessica Rogers NOMA Norgerie Rivas AIA, NCARB, NOMA Elizabeth Raar RA Cherise Lakeside FCSI, SCIP Patrick MacLeamy Karen A.D. Burton Saundra Little Doug Patt Be a Guest Login Logout Kari Sebern PE A structural engineer and entrepreneur with 20 years of experience, Kari merges art and science to provide innovative structural design. Since 2010, she has led Vector Collaborative, delivering custom residential and commercial engineering solutions across Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado with a quest to be creative. Kari leads the charge in redefining the engineering profession through human connection and collaborative problem-solving. As a dedicated relationship curator, she actively engages with the American Society of Civil Engineers, focusing on providing technically sound, cost-effective solutions while passionately advocating for equal rights and doing life differently. The dynamic voice behind the Unstruct Podcast, Kari shares her unique perspective to empower professionals globally. She utilizes her platform to connect practical dreamers, fostering an environment where construction, business, and daily life beautifully intersect for her listeners. Her leadership as Founder and Principal at Vector Collaborative demonstrates her commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional structural design, advocating for practical innovation, and championing fully integrated human experiences. Kari’s journey from an engineering intern in Denver to a leading firm owner and podcaster showcases her dedication to using her diverse skills to impact the built environment positively while thriving as an artist and entrepreneur. Podcast Series Kari Sebern Embodies the Spirit of Creative Engineering, Empowering Practical Dreamers Worldwide. By producing engaging podcast content aimed at informing and inspiring professionals, Kari believes we can connect our shared passions and build a more innovative world together. Featured Content Tackling Embodied Carbon: The Boulder Hospital Reuse Project Modular Construction: Revolutionizing High-Rise Building Design Seismic Design: Strength, Ductility, and Code Compliance Explained Designing the Richmond Olympic Oval: Challenges and Sustainability Features Clear Spans and Creative Solutions: Design Process of Broadgate – Exchange House Inside Meow Wolf: The Structural Secrets Behind Denver’s Wildest Attraction Connect with Kari COME BACK SOON! Doug Patt Saundra Little Karen A.D. Burton Patrick MacLeamy Jeff Echols Cherise Lakeside Elizabeth Raar Norgerie Rivas Jessica Rogers Katie Kangas Nakita Reed Kari Sebern Mark R. LePage Dimitrius Lynch SEE MORE EXPERTS Main Menu Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Terms of Service © 2026 Gābl Media Group, Inc.  All rights reserved. A digital media network for the AEC Industry  

UNSTRUCT – Stories Behind Structural Engineering and Building Design with Kari Sebern

Unstruct

UNSTRUCT Demystifying the Structural Engineering Behind the Buildings We Live and Work In Explore the structure behind the structure. Hosted by Kari Sebern, P.E., UNSTRUCT unpacks the science of how buildings stand—making structural engineering accessible to architects, engineers, and curious listeners alike. From steel to timber, discover what’s behind your walls and beneath the surface. What is Unstruct Podcast? UNSTRUCT is a podcast that breaks down the complexity of structural engineering into stories you can understand. Hosted by professional engineer Kari Sebern, it reveals how buildings are designed, how they stay standing, and what makes their structural “bones” work. From the inside out, UNSTRUCT explores how structures stand, flex, and sometimes fail—giving voice to the engineers who shape our built world. About the Podcast From within your walls, hear the stories behind how your building stands today. Structural Engineering is a profession that studies and applies the laws of math and physics to predict building behavior and design the “bones” of man-made structures. The language of structural engineering can seem overwhelming for non-engineers, but this podcast will change that. Fluent in steel, concrete masonry and timber design, Kari Sebern, P.E. simplifies major concepts of structural design, both enlightening non-engineers about structural design and inspiring experienced engineers to look at things differently. Join Kari and fellow industry leading engineers as they dissect the structural design of buildings. From within your walls, they’ll tell the story behind their design and how the building stands today. Many UNSTRUCT episodes are AIA-approved for LU|Elective and LU|HSW credit. Check out the full course catalogue to see how you can earn credit as you listen. Why You’ll Love This Podcast If you’ve ever felt like structural engineering was a foreign language, this podcast is your translator. Whether you’re an architect, engineer, or simply fascinated by how buildings are made, UNSTRUCT takes the technical and makes it tangible—without losing the genius behind the design. Structural engineering rarely gets the spotlight—but it’s the hidden force behind every space you enter. UNSTRUCT makes this invisible discipline feel vivid, human, and even poetic. Through clear language and expert guests, the show invites you to see buildings differently: not just as finished products, but as complex systems of intention, force, and design. Whether you’re in the field or just fascinated by how things stand, this podcast will leave you with a sharper eye and deeper respect for the structures around you. Meet the Host Kari Sebern 🔍 FAQ Q: What makes UNSTRUCT different from other architecture and engineering podcasts? UNSTRUCT isn’t about trends—it’s about the timeless truths of how buildings hold themselves up. It goes deeper than surface design, into the structure that makes design possible. Q: How does UNSTRUCT explain complex engineering concepts to non-engineers? Through analogy, real-world stories, and plain language, host Kari Sebern breaks down intimidating concepts like load paths and shear walls into ideas you can actually apply—whether you’re an architect, contractor, or simply curious. Q: What types of buildings or systems does the podcast focus on? Episodes cover everything from high-rise lateral systems to residential framing quirks, diving into structural choices across materials and scales. Each one is rooted in real project insight. Q: Is this podcast valuable for experienced engineers too? Absolutely. While it’s designed to welcome non-engineers, experienced professionals will appreciate Kari’s precision and the nuanced conversations with her peers. It’s both a refresher and a challenge. Q: Why is it important to understand structural engineering in today’s design world? As buildings become more complex and the push for sustainable, resilient systems grows, understanding structure is no longer optional. UNSTRUCT arms listeners with the insight to ask smarter questions, collaborate better, and push design further. Related AIA-Approved Courses Art and Architecture (Elective) CE Sessions | LYNES Presents: Going Green Category « Project Planning & Design Approved Credit Hrs: 8.25 LU|HSW Going Green is a 2025 Signal… Learn More Art and Architecture (Elective) Advancing the Future of Construction with Bio-Based Materials Category « Project Planning & Design What if your material choices could lower carbon emissions,… Learn More Art and Architecture (Elective) Redefining Space and Culture: The Modern Vision of Lina Bo Bardi Category « Art & Architecture What happens when architecture becomes a medium for cultural transformation? This… Learn More Building Design Thriving Beyond Codes: Inclusive Design in Architecture Category « Project Development Designing for Dignity, Not Just Compliance. Architecture isn’t just about… Learn More Branding & Marketing (Elective) How HOK Redefined Architecture: Innovation, Culture, and Growth Category « Practice Management What If a Firm Was Built to Outlast Its Founders? In an era when most… Learn More Building Design Tackling Embodied Carbon: The Boulder Hospital Reuse Project Category « Construction & Evaluation What if the greenest building is the one that already exists—but… Learn More Building Design Inside the Invisible House: Perfecting Desert Living Design Category « Project Planning & Design What happens when radical design meets the unforgiving desert? This… Learn More Building Systems, Materials, and Assemblies (Elective) Design and Delivery: Bridging the Gap with Cherise Lakeside Category « Practice Management What if the biggest risk to your project isn’t a design flaw—but a communication… Learn More Art and Architecture (Elective) From Detroit to AIA Presidency: Kimberly Dowdell’s Journey Category « Practice Management Architecture isn’t just about buildings—it’s about impact. This powerful… Learn More Business (Elective) Your Business Structure: A Guide for Aspiring Architecture Firms Category « Business Development Before you lay your first brick, you have to build the foundation of… Learn More About Our Podcasts Gābl Media hosts a growing network of podcasts built for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. Each show dives deep into practice management, design impact, firm leadership, technology, public interest design, and more. Whether you’re earning AIA CEUs or listening to inspiring career stories, our content is curated to move the built environment forward. Discover all of our shows: Unstruct, Context & Clarity, EntreArchitect, Build Smart, Tangible Remnants, Spaces, She Builds, Hidden In Plain Site, Design Vault, Detailed, Build Your Brand, Emerging, Inside NCARB by the

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