For Paul Chan, architecture isn't just about spaces - it's about the stories that unfold within them. After years of wrestling with spreadsheets that disappeared into the void between projects, he found something that felt surprisingly obvious: a system that actually remembers.
“The issue with the spreadsheet is that there is no institutional knowledge - it doesn't carry from one project to another.”
Paul ChanFounder
For years, Paul watched valuable project data disappear. Every new project meant rebuilding schedules from memory, recreating product lists, reformatting approval processes. "The issue with the spreadsheet is that there is no institutional knowledge - it doesn't carry from one project to another."
Now, Paul takes his Finishes Schedule format from Elorea LA and applies it directly to Days of Being. Same structure. Same categories. Same supplier relationships. Setup time dropped from days to minutes.
Paul's schedules run deep. His latest project tracks 30+ furniture pieces across custom and retail categories. Each item carries specifications, lead times, supplier details, and approval status. His team monitors which items need 8-10 week lead times versus what's in stock. No scrambling when a client approves that custom dining table - everyone knows it needs ordering immediately.
The Finishes Schedule alone manages hundreds of selections: specialty finishes, trim details, paint specifications, wood veneers, flooring, stone, glass, ceramic tile. Each category branches into specific products with attached quotes, delivery windows, and installation sequences.
“I send a link to a client and they literally have to go in and just say, approve, approve, approve. We don't like that. Can we change that?”
Paul ChanFounder
Paul's clients see exactly what needs approval. For example, the ENCORE FOSSEY Golden Oak wallpaper for his latest project, client reviews the product details, sees the MDC Interior Solutions specification, checks the lead time status, and approves - all in one place. No PDF attachments. No "which email had the latest version?" confusion.
Los Angeles
When Paul's team starts a new hospitality project, they pull from their retail and residential work. That lighting schedule perfected for one project, becomes the foundation for the next restaurant. The approval workflow refined through three residential projects? Now standard practice across all project types.
His Project Files show consistent schedule types across every project: Hardware, Appliances, Windows, Electronics, Door, Finishes, Accessories, Lighting, Furniture, Technology, Display Hardware, Plumbing. Each schedule maintains the same information architecture regardless of project scale or type.
“It's about organizing information in a pre-thought-out way that Programa has already done for us.”
Paul ChanFounder
Paul's Product Library grows with each project. The GL Veneer relationships from Ewing House carry into future projects. The Schuller supplier delivering to multiple sites gets consistent documentation. Lead times become predictable. Pricing stays current. Reorder information stays accessible.
Paul's projects now share DNA. Information compounds instead of disappearing. Client approvals happen in days, not weeks. Project managers onboard faster because formats stay consistent.
“Having a vision in the beginning and being able to carry through... having a steady handle on that is the key to success.”
Paul ChanFounder
“Using Programa is proof.”
Paul ChanFounder
