Sean Madden on Kaleidoscope Mural

Building LA

The population of Southern California surged by 52% in the 1940s and 1950s, prompting the initiation of the Huntington Beach energy project in response to the region's increasing energy demands. Fast forward to 2020, my guest Sean Madden's company, SPM Design, had the incredible opportunity to transform the power plant into a work of art. This massive effort was in collaboration with the AES Corporation, the city, state, and community of Huntington Beach. 1,600 gallons of paint later, the Kaleidoscope Mural adorns over 121,000 square feet of the surface area of the power plant, making it the largest mural in California.

In our conversation, Sean discusses the process and permits necessary for the project, the beautification effort, and why the team chose the story behind the mural. We touch on how the project was inspired by the community of Huntington Beach, the unique challenges posed by working on a power plant during the COVID shutdown, and the positive impact it has had on the area.

Sean talks about founding SPMD and growing his team to offer comprehensive design solutions to global clients. SPMD's approach to art and execution is unique, combining artistic vision with engineering expertise, risk management, and community collaboration. Sean also opens up about the challenges of running a business, emphasizing the importance of investing in people and continuous learning.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• The historical significance of the site
• The artistic beautification effort at the power plant
• Why the project reflects the community of Huntington Beach
• Kim West’s involvement and the story behind the mural
• The city and community approval process for the project
• How the Covid shutdown impacted the project
• Sean’s interests and inspirations at the start of his career
• SPMD's early stages, team building, and initial clients
• The process of founding and running a business

Guest Info:

• Connect with Sean on Linkedin
• Learn more about the mural on spm-design.com/kaleidoscope
• Learn more about SPMD on spm-design.com

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• Visit the Building LA website
• Connect with Sam on LinkedIn