How Gilbert Architects Harnesses Drone Storytelling to Win Big

In the not-so-distant past, drone technology was considered a novelty.  Now, its one of the most powerful storytelling tools in the AEC industry.  Every firm faces the challenge of communicating the complexity of their work, and few mediums capture the energy of a project in motion quite like drone video.  This year, Gilbert Architects demonstrated just how powerful this approach can be, earning the top spot in the 2025 Marketing Excellence Award (MEA) Drone Video category with their entry, Elevating Educational Design: The Storytelling Power of Drones. 

Their winning entry demonstrates that drones are more than just high-flying cameras.  They’re a way to bring clients into the heart of each project, provide communities with a transparent view of construction progress, and showcase completed designs in a dynamic, visually compelling format.  It may have started as an experiment in digital storytelling, but it has grown into a defining part of Gilbert Architects’ marketing and client service strategy—setting a new standard for how architecture can be shared and celebrated. 

Just a few years ago, the firm was faced with a clear challenge.  Traditional project photography and written updates weren’t enough to capture the full story of their work.  Designing schools and educational facilities is a complex process.  Their clients—school boards, administrators, and community members—needed more than static images and lengthy reports.  They needed a way to truly understand progress on active construction sites. 

To tackle this challenge, the firm set out two main objectives.  First, they needed to find a way to provide real-time, visual construction updates that could be shared at school board meetings, distributed to stakeholders, and used to engage the broader community.  Second, they needed to create a library. Of high quality, long-term marketing content that would showcase their design excellence for proposals, case studies, social media, and marketing. 

Drones emerged as the perfect solution.  Unlike traditional photography, drones could better capture the scale, movement, and evolution of a project from groundbreaking to completion.  Drones provided better transparency, enhanced client communication, and offered a new way to highlight the creativity and craftsmanship behind each design.  Gilbert Architects embraced drones and soon found themselves able to bridge the gap between immediate client success and lasting brand value. 

The success of their drone initiative ultimately rests on the people who brought it to life.  When the firm first began exploring drone storytelling, they knew they needed more than just equipment.  They needed equal parts expertise and vision.  That came when they added Sara Wolf to the team.  She had an extensive background as a drone pilot and video editor and had been creating construction videos for general contractors since 2019.  Immediately, Wolf demonstrated a keen ability to read active jobsites and anticipate meaningful moments.  This allowed the firm to plan flights that captured not just footage, but stories in motion. 

Working alongside her was Jamee Thobe, Gilbert’s Design Leader, who took the initiative to earn her own drone license.  With a refined design sensibility and natural eye for composition, Thobe’s work brought a level of polish and artistry to finished project videos.  Together, these two formed a powerful creative partnership that balanced technical knowledge of construction with a keen sense of architectural storytelling. 

Perhaps most importantly, this program was developed entirely in-house.  Rather than outsourcing production, Gilbert’s team was able to collaborate closely with firm leadership and project managers to ensure that the videos aligned with client needs while also looking great.  This was a hands-on approach to overcoming challenges, but it meant the firm could respond quickly, stay authentic, and keep costs low—while still producing content that elevated their brand beyond expectations. 

When their drone program was first launched, the intention was clear and straightforward: create eye-catching marketing content.  But the initiative quickly gained momentum, and it soon became clear drones were delivering far more than slick visuals for proposals and social media.  They had tapped into a tool that changed the way clients, communities, and even their own staff engaged with projects. 

They soon found that drone footage offered something invaluable to clients—clarity.  School boards could now see progress unfolding in real time.  Community members now felt a sense of transparency that gave them confidence that projects were moving forward as promised.  And, for the Gilbert Architects team, seeing their designs come to life from the air instilled a sense of pride and ownership that went beyond the drafting table. 

The drone program also expanded the firm’s reach.  Drone videos weren’t limited to being shared on the firm’s website of social media channels.  They were being reposted by school districts, contractors, and partners.  This was powerful because it extended their visibility well beyond traditional marketing avenues.  It may have started to showcase design excellence, but it has evolved into a platform for connection, trust, and storytelling.  In many ways, drones have elevated more than the projects.  They’ve elevated the firm’s identity. 

What stands out about Gilbert Architects’ drone program is its consistency and intentionality.  Drone flights are not an occasional add-on for them.  They’ve built a structured process to ensure every major project is documented from start to finish. 

During the construction process, monthly site visits are scheduled to capture drone video and photography.  These regular updates give clients a dependable visual record they can use in board meetings, community forums, and stakeholder briefings.  When a project is completed, the team returns to film polished footage that highlights the architecture in its finished form, creating material that lives on long after the ribbon cutting. 

Their disciplined approach turned their drone program into more than a creative experiment.  It became an integral part of Gilbert’s communication strategy—building trust, strengthening relationships, and keeping the firm’s brand visible across multiple channels. 

For an investment of less than $2,000, Gilbert Architects has built a drone program that delivers exponential returns in both measurable metrics and in client trust.  Since launching their first video in late 2024, the firm has seen a 9,300% increase in Facebook reach, a 536% rise in website visits, and nearly doubled content interactions.  Their clients and communities now rely on drone storytelling as a clear, transparent way to track progress and celebrate finished projects. 

What began as a marketing experiment is now a defining part of Gilbert’s identity, elevating their brand and strengthening their relationships with the people they serve.  Winning first place in the 2025 MEA Drone Video category is more than a recognition of their creative success.  It’s proof that innovation, when rooted in authenticity and service, can transform how an architecture firm communicates.  For Gilber Architects, drones aren’t just capturing building.  They’re capturing trust, pride, and the very essence of educational design.