Engineering in Plain Sight: A Book That Makes You See Things Differently

Rediscovering the Built World

Every once in a while, a book comes across your desk. It’s mentioned in a quiet conversation with someone you respect. And it makes you stop and look at the world a little differently. Engineering in Plain Sight by Grady Hillhouse is one of those books.

Infrastructure, Made Simple

This illustrated field guide walks through the everyday structures that shape our lives: roads, bridges, dams, water systems. It breaks them down in a way that’s clear, visual, and surprisingly engaging. It’s not written for engineers or architects. It’s written for anyone who’s simply curious.

And curiosity is where all great building begins.

The Craft of Building

At Clayco, we talk a lot about making the invisible visible. It's about seeing how a great project comes together long before a shovel ever hits the ground. This book does just that, laying out the complex systems behind our built world with clarity and purpose. Great construction is more than steel and concrete. It’s about understanding how things fit together, how systems interact, and how people move through space. This book is a reminder that the craft of building is also the craft of explaining. When done well, it makes complexity feel simple and delivers work that lasts.

An Invitation to Look Closer

For young minds thinking about engineering, design, or even technology, this book is an excellent starting point. For those of us who’ve been in the business for decades, it’s a thoughtful reminder of why we started. It turns complex systems into stories. And it invites us to look around, with curiosity and respect, at the incredible built environment that surrounds us.

That kind of inspiration goes a long way.

A Year of AI at Clayco

Change is scary. When I first heard about the potential of AI—how it could reshape jobs, blur what machines can do—I felt it, too: that unsettling tug. It’s natural to worry. I worried that AI might widen economic gaps or replace human skills. But then I looked at why we worry, and realized those fears often mirror our greatest ambitions: curing diseases, building sustainable homes, accelerating innovation. What if AI could help solve those fears?

I’m Bananas for this Book about Mark Twain

I've always liked Mark Twain—who doesn't? But author Ron Chernow digs into the man behind the mustache in a new way. Mark Twain isn't just a great biography—it’s one of the best books I’ve read in the last few years. It’s sharp, packed with fascinating details, and laugh-out-loud funny. And in a world that can feel pretty heavy some days, it really cheered me up.

June's Inspiration of the Month: Mia Hamm

If you're building something bold — a startup, a career, a movement — then you know this already: talent gets you started, but character keeps you in the game. That’s why Mia Hamm’s recent commencement speech at UNC-Chapel Hill hit home. She didn’t talk about winning World Cups. She talked about how to lead, how to last, and how to show up for the people around you when it matters most.