Lifelong writer Sean O’Keefe is a construction and design writer focused on the built environment. Sean’s career as a construction and design writer began as a marketing assistant at a super prime – soup to nuts/ bridges to buildings – in 2001. He spent 14 years in the Get-Work chair as a top-notch marketing professional working for architects, engineers, and contractors and with developers, consultants, and subcontractors of every sort. During that time, Sean orchestrated 1,000 RFPs, shortlisting for 750 of them. Fundamentally, beyond words, Sean understands what matters to architects, engineers, and contractors – and more importantly, why.
“Marketing is a measurable win-lose proposition. Consequently, it takes a careful eye and pen to show clients that our team is qualified to bring their program to reality. Sean is a master at clear-headed analysis. He is professional, energetic and resourceful; all key attributes to a firm whose mission is to expand their capture in a very competitive marketplace.”
- Joe Poli, AIA
Co-founder: Humphries Poli Architects
Sean O'Keefe
Construction and Design Writer
More than 20 years of experience
As a result of nearly 25 years of experience, Sean offers specialized knowledge of commercial and residential construction and design that content writers can’t. Likewise, his work benefits building product manufacturers and the magazines and associations that inform the AEC industry. In 2015, Sean O’Keefe launched his architectural writing business with immediate success.
writing about architecture, engineering, and construction
Today, Sean is a nationally recognized construction and design writer and AEC industry insider. Copywriting clients stretch across aspects of architecture, engineering, infrastructure, products, development, and industry product manufacturers and material suppliers. Editorial clients include national, regional, and local publications and organizations focused on architecture, engineering, and construction. Technical writing clients include construction managers, architects, and urban planners who need precise writing for specific functional purposes – RFPs, SOPs, Framework Planning, and organizational-facing communications. Awards submissions, websites, case studies, white papers are all made simple by Sean’s straight-forward writing process.
Professional Writing for Construction and Design
The following is a cross section of clients. Click headers above to see specific writing processes and additional clients.
Pepper Construction
Geneal Contractor and Construction Manager
Internal-facing Construction Writing
Working with Pepper’s Sr. Leadership, the program involved developing Standard Operating Procedures for dozens of key operational processes to unify the workflow across all future operations. Team interviews of just 30 minutes per topic resulted in confident statements about who is expected to do what, when, where, and why in less than 500 words per process.
“Our team worked with Sean to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Pepper Construction of Ohio’s construction processes. After interviewing our teams via bi-weekly Zoom meetings, Sean developed concise, easy-to-follow procedures for dozens of complex topics that required almost no adjustment on our part. Sean’s experience and guidance made the entire project effective, efficient, and enjoyable. We will work with Sean on other projects and would recommend him to others.”
Brian Linsink, Project Director
Pepper Construction
D2C Architects
Architecture | Planning | Interiors
B2B Architecture and Construction Writer
This growing architecture practice sought to establish themselves as an emerging brand in Colorado’s crowded commercial architecture industry. D2C took advantage of Sean’s strategic thinking and hands-on marketing expertise to reconsider their business interests and ambitions before rewriting their firm profile, website, and marketing materials. Sean’s services as an architecture writer and strategic consultant included brand analysis and guidance; developing proposals and marketing collateral; and publishing subject matter expert articles.
D2C improved their potential to reach a larger audience with a more focused message through a comprehensive rewrite of their firm narratives used in all RPF submissions.
"Sean helped us revamp our marketing image, brand, and approach. Through his creative efforts and focused delivery, we were able to open new doors and strengthen existing relationships. Sean without question can help you position your firm for success."
Eric Combs, Principal
D2C Architects
Bomanite
Decorative Architectural Concrete
B2B and B2C Architecture and Construction
Bomanite is the world-wide originator of decorative concrete industry. Sean’s role as a construction industry copywriter began with a strategic analysis of the relationship between Bomanite and franchisees. Next, Sean developed tailored firm profiles for more than 25 independent Bomanite Licensees nationwide to give everyone an equal voice in shared success. This involved interviewing each owner, content writing, review and approval, and publishing. Dozens of case study articles were written with franchisees and published to great success. The contributed articles reinforced brand awareness and broadened market reach through national publications. Product profiles, website copy, and continued articles helped ownership shine, and vendors reap the rewards.
“Our involvement with Sean came as a result of a referral from one of the most highly-regarded contractors in the decorative concrete industry. Sean's experience and knowledge in the construction industry directly improved our ability to communicate with building and design professionals. The work Sean has done for us has been of high quality. Numerous articles have led to opportunities for our customer base. We view our relationship with Sean as a partnership - and as an integral part of our marketing efforts.”
Terry Grimble, Technical Director
Bomanite Corporation
Concepts in Millwork
Architectural Millwork and Specialty Finishes
Architectural Writer for Award
Concepts in Millwork is one of Colorado’s most well-respected specialty contractors dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship and customer service in custom millwork for commercial construction. Building the new U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone involved. Professional services were engaged to develop an AGC Awards submission including content writing and photography. Sean interviewed the Concepts in Millwork team as well as the General Contractor as Architect-of-Record to develop a 360-degree perspective. This project won the top award in its division.
"Sean was recommended to us as an architecture and construction writer and we are so glad he was available to partner with us! Since it was our first time working with Sean, it was helpful that he set clear expectations upfront to get the best results and that made the process flow very smoothly with everyone involved in our company. Next, Sean’s understanding of the construction industry was invaluable as he was able to easily take our input and turn it into a beautifully written award submission that showcases our custom work. We’ll be competing for a building industry AGC/C ACE Award with Sean’s writing and know that we have a stand-out submission that will WOW our judges! We look forward to future opportunities to partner with Sean again!"
Sherry Lindsay, VP of Sales and Marketing
Concepts in Millwork
Denver South Economic Development Partnership
Economic Development
Architectural Writer for Urban Planning
The Denver South Economic Development Partnership is a nexus between public and private sectors in south metro Denver. Their urban planning writing request was a little unusual. They asked Sean to rescue project that had been written and rewritten several times already to no success. Taking a fresh perspective, the rewrite involved interviewing key Denver South Board Members and getting constituent buy-in. The revisited work was coordinated with a graphic design team for the final brochure. This Framework to Advance and Preserve the Corridor was undertaken in anticipation of substantial population growth throughout metro-Denver. It intends to succinctly assess existing conditions, thoughtfully identify challenges, and present both visionary and practical approaches to controlling circumstances that could erode the quality of life in Denver South.
"Sean has a distinct voice and confidently communicates complex topics. He has an ability to cut through industry jargon or buzzwords to find and amplify what really resonates with his audience. His writing is extremely relatable to a broad readership."
Tom Brook, Executive Director
Denver South
Colorado Hardscapes
Architectural Concrete Contractor
B2B and B2C Architecture and Construction Writer
The Front Range’s premier decorative concrete contractor, Colorado Hardscapes has been leading product innovation, durability, and beauty nationally since the industry’s inception nearly 50 years ago. Operating as an extension of staff, writing assignments included marketing, and public relations services integrated into monthly workflows to routine benefit.
"Sean has done a great job for us on many occasions. His ability to capture the project details while engaging the audience is tremendous. Thank you Sean for all of your hard work!"
Torrey DeMasters, President
Colorado Hardscapes
Editorial Writing for Construction and Design
Building Dialogue
Commercial Real Estate Magazine
Real Estate Development Editorial Writer
Building Dialogue is the premier commercial real estate development magazine in metro Denver. Features articles, firm profiles, and thought leadership conversations center on high-profile projects and the professionals that put them together. From the intersection of building and business, compelling and informative stories convey the vibrance of metro Denver. Sean explores the finer points of design and construction on every assignment with a simple philosophy – people make projects.
"Sean has a keen understanding of the Front Range construction market. His elevated understanding takes readers behind the scenes while uncovering the most interesting details. His public relations and marketing experience lays the foundation for his ability to tell a great design and construction story."
Kris Opperman Stern, Publisher
Building Dialogue
Recently Published Commercial Real Estate Editorial
Denver Water
CSU Spur
FreshLo
Learning By Design
Design for Education Magazine
Architectural Editorial Writer
Market-driven Learning By Design attends to a national audience of educators, architects, builders, and product manufacturers whose goods and services improve educational environments. Project features, roundtable conversations, and thought leadership conversations are pragmatically synthesized to get the facts on the table while maintaining brand awareness and non-promotional sensitivity in paid advertorials. The magazine works hard to bring cultivated content to a broad audience by fostering association partnerships, sponsoring awards programs, and hosting education design dialogues through seminars and industry events. Feature articles profiling educational design innovations, projects, products, and service providers with an informative, user-driven focus on the changing landscape of spaces for learning.
“I worked with Sean to build a successful program to bring forward the expertise of our advertisers to the readers of our magazine. With Sean’s help we have been able to extoll professional knowledge from a variety of points of view that best explain the benefits and uses of products, services and standards that help impact the quality of education and the environment for future students, faculty, and support staff. Sean’s work development process is efficient, straight forward, and yields great results."
Mark Goodman, Publisher
Learning By Design Magazine
Recently Published Architecture for Education Editorial
Industry Icons Education & Design
Pivot Point
Natural Selection
Informed Infrastructure
Infrastructure Construction and Design Magazine
Construction and Design Editorial Writer
Informed Infrastructure is a national publication focused on heavy civil engineering and the world’s many interconnected forms of infrastructure. From airports, rail, road and bridges to telecommunications and water resources, the built environment is far more complex than most will ever understand. Therefore, feature articles dissect the who, what, where, when and why of large-scale infrastructure like the Scottish Canals or the California High Speed Rail Line from LA to SF.
"Love working with Sean. He writes from his heart and is very thorough. And we've heard nothing but good things from those he interviewed and worked with outside our organization."
Todd Danielson, Editor
Informed Infrastructure
Recently Published Infrastructure Editorial
CTA Red and Purple Lines
Laguardia Terminal B
Geospatial Intelligence
More than 20 years of AEC Marketing Experience
B.A. Journalism / Communications
University of North Carolina (1995)
Peace Corps Volunteer / English Teacher
Peace Corps Benin, W. Africa (1998 – 2000)
Owner / Photographer
Sean O’Keefe Professional Imaging (2001 – 2016)
Winner / 1st Place
Mary E. Phillips Elementary Mini-Marathon (1982)
Sean O’Keefe Marketing Professional
2001 – 2014
Sean O’Keefe began his career as a construction and design writer at an ENR top 500 firm in 2001. As such, during 14 years as an architectural writer and marketing professional, Sean wrote and coordinated more than 1,000 RFP/RFQ submissions. Then, shortlisting for 75 percent of submissions, Sean orchestrated some 750+ interview presentations to win the work.
Sean O’Keefe Communication and Strategy
Established 2015
Today, there can be no doubt, that Sean offers specialized knowledge of the development, design, construction, and commercial building products industries. Over countless assignments, for a wide range of construction and design writing clients, Sean’s ability as an architecture and construction writer for the built environment is full spectrum.
Honed over many years of providing marketing and public relations services to leading design and construction firms, Sean helps clients articulate the complexities, camaraderie, and delights of imaging and delivering built environments, one project at a time. As a professional marketing strategist, Sean helps businesses assess their position in the competitive landscape and chart a course for sustained success. As an acutely experienced construction and design writer, Sean writes the story of how and why the built environment continues to change around us.
Prior Professional Experience:
Marketing and Public Relations Specialist: Construction Writer
Adolfson and Peterson Construction (2011 – 2014)
Director of Marketing and Public Relations: Architecture Writer
Humphries Poli Architects (2006 – 2011)
“Marketing is a measurable win-lose proposition. Consequently, it takes a careful eye and pen to show clients that our team is qualified to bring their program to reality. Sean is a master at clear-headed analysis. He is professional, energetic and resourceful; all key attributes to a firm whose mission is to expand their capture in a very competitive marketplace.”
Joe Poli, Principal
Humphries Poli Architects
Marketing and Public Relations Manager: Architecture Writer
Coover-Clark & Associates Architects (2005 – 2006)
“Sean redesigned our marketing collateral, established a new format for our approach to proposal response and structured an information system for marketing that is largely still in place and useful to the company many years later. Personally, I consider Sean to be among the best marketing professionals with which I have worked.”
Dave Clark, Principal
Coover-Clark & Associates
Orchestrating more than 1,000 RFPs and 750 shortlist presentations
Regional Communications Coordinator: Engineering Writer
Short Elliott Hendrickson Engineering (2003 – 2005)
Marketing Coordinator: Architectural Writer
Arrowstreet Architecture (2002 – 2003)
“Sean spearheaded a process for designing and producing client presentations that has greatly enhanced not only the appearance of these materials but the flexibility with which we can produce them. Undoubtedly, Sean will make a positive contribution to every firm that hires him.”
Kathleen Born, AIA
Arrowstreet
Marketing and Public Relations Assistant: Engineering Writer
Edwards and Kelcey Engineering (2001 – 2002)
Certified Grant Writer / Nonprofit Writer
Nonprofit Ready.org (2022)