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The move toward increasingly sustainable construction practices requires more than just a strategy. Without a significant paradigm shift that makes reducing our carbon footprint a top priority, sustainability will always remain just out of reach. That’s why we are excited to talk with Webcor's Senior Sustainability Officer, Sarah Rege.
In this episode, we dive into Sarah’s career transition from architecture to being a sustainability leader at a general contractor, how Webcor is integrating sustainability across their entire business, and how prioritization is enabling successful sustainability initiatives.
Here’s what we cover:
Webcor’s electric vehicle fleet initiative The significance of data in tracking emissions How to discuss sustainability in owner conversations The U. S. Green Building Council’s TRU Zero Waste for Construction system How health and wellness principles are influencing the way buildings and workspaces are developedDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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The most important factors to successful construction projects often revolve around effective collaboration between project stakeholders, and as innovation is happening throughout the industry, our efforts to work together and communicate effectively need to evolve, as well. This collaboration commonly breaks down between architects and contractors, as questions are left unanswered, and construction can be brought to a standstill until the confusion is cleared up.
In this episode, we are diving into the world of executive architecture with Alma Jauregi, Principal at House & Robertson Architects - San Francisco, to more deeply explore the relationship between architects and general contractors, how to succeed at early collaboration efforts, and how to find success early in your career journey.
Here’s what we cover:
What differentiates House & Robertson from other architecture firm types How to collaborate effectively with different project stakeholders before construction starts to influence planning and design choices How to build strong Contractor/Architect relationships Why self-advocacy is vital to securing new opportunities early in your career and how to do it effectivelyDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Innovation, purpose-built tools, and the labor shortage have initiated an unexpected shift in roles across the construction industry, especially when it comes to superintendents. Traditionally, the majority of superintendents have a background in the trades and deeply engrained experience from the field. Now, more than ever, superintendents are entering the role from a variety of backgrounds, creating a unique mix of experiences, perspectives, and approaches to the role.
In this episode, we are sitting down with Erin Saiki, who pivoted from her career in Civil Engineering and now has fully embraced the superintendent role at DPR Construction. We explore her career journey and how she sees the superintendent role evolving alongside the construction industry.
Here’s what we cover:
Erin’s unique career path from civil engineer to superintendent The growing variety of experiences and leadership styles among today’s superintendents The superintendent’s role in streamlining and shortening project schedules The rising importance of trade skills for future superintendents How purpose-built tools are bridging the gap for newer superintendents How superintendents can empower the field more effectivelyDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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A core goal of Digital Builder has always been to highlight innovative approaches to the way companies are designing and making our world, which involves so much more than workflow processes, RFPs, and the often-overhyped threat of AI taking all of our jobs. Some of these innovations are happening at a much more granular level, which is what our friends at BamCore are doing with sustainable building materials like eucalyptus and timber bamboo.
In this episode, we sit down with two leaders from BamCore, Kate Chilton, the Chief Sustainability Officer, and Zack Zimmerman, Co-founder & Chief Commercial Officer. BamCore is dedicated to developing building solutions that minimize waste and shorten construction timelines with the goal of achieving a “beyond-zero” carbon footprint.
We discuss:
What makes BamCore unique as a green construction startup Common myths around alternative construction materials The advantages of timber bamboo and eucalyptus as construction materials Other, non-material factors that impact sustainability in construction projects Influencing a culture shift in North America that encourages builders and owners to consider new materials How BamCore’s emphasis on climate-smart practices and sustainability address a wide variety of objectionsIf you want to hear about more organizations doing work with sustainable building materials, go check out Episode 84 where we talk with Ariana Cohn about mass timber’s growing popularity, as well.
Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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As more and more companies are adopting data strategies and AI into their processes, they are also starting to see other areas of the business that data can empower. Thiago Da Costa, Co-founder & CEO at Toric, believes one of those areas is monetization.
We sat down with Thiago at Autodesk University to pick his brain on all things data monetization: how proper data implementation can save companies money, how it can empower new revenue streams in project bids, and how that same approach also naturally leads to stronger relationships with project stakeholders.
Here’s what we cover:
The gaps in data collection and curation in AEC Best practices for data monetization Why data monetization strategies also help companies stay competitive The risks of trying to adopt AI without a robust data strategy already in place How and where to deploy AI tools in your operationsDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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When experiencing a period of rapid growth and fast-paced transformation, leaders can get caught up in optimizing processes and finding fast solutions to new problems. This means you may miss opportunities to build deeper connections between your teams and struggle to nurture a strong culture of trust that is ready to adapt to changes on the fly.
There are already so many important elements of the organization that need to be balanced, so how can leaders effectively navigate these high-growth periods without making their workforce feel like they’ve been left behind?
We sat down with Tomislav Zigo, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President at Clayco, during AU2023 to talk through these complex processes, how complex companies like Clayco are changing the way they handle tech deployment, and how leaders can properly invest in their teams now to navigate these periods of rapid growth, new technology, and massive workforce culture shifts.
We discuss:
How tech adoption practices have evolved over the last 15 years How Tomislav evaluates new technology for potential adoption How to empower leaders in a fast-scaling model How broad workforce culture shifts are impacting the way organizations scale The need for companies to adopt a strong data strategy to remain competitiveDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Intentional investment in raising an organization's data quality, improving its access to information, and creating and implementing robust, purpose-built technology deployments in the field is already proving to be transformative for all stakeholders across construction projects.
For leaders like Christy Steffen, Assistant Director of Gaylor University at Gaylor Electric, and Brandon Floyd, Director of Quality at Rosendin, they are already seeing the major upside to upskilling their teams and implementing these tools on site. In this episode, we’ve invited them to share how their teams are approaching the implementation of data-driven tools, team training programs, and more.
We discuss:
Ways to maintain a safe environment within a culture of continuous improvement How Gaylor Electric and Rosendin are approaching data training and implementation How project management technology has advanced over the last 10 years in the AEC industry The biggest challenges facing specialty contractors with project delivery and on-site safety How better data and on-demand access are already making field teams more efficientDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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As new AI tools enter the scene at a rapidly increasing rate, they will transform the way CAD or Computer Aided Design is integrated into our existing workflows. From managing data security and intellectual property to transforming the workflows of workers at all levels of involvement in a project, there is a lot of noise for organ?
That’s why we sat down with Autodesk’s Global VP for Product Management & Development, Marcus O’Brien. In this episode, Marcus shares the history behind CAD, how it originally revolutionized the industry, and cuts through the noise to share the tangible ways that new AI and ML tools are shaping the way we work.
We discuss:
The history and purpose of both CAD and AutoCAD Which ML & AI tools are making a meaningful impact in AEC workflows How AI tools can avoid becoming another “Clippy” Organizational safety and data security when working with cloud-based AI tools How AI tools can empower better and wiser decision-making when utilized properly How AEC organizations are shifting from communication and documentation tools to collaborative tools How common data environments could affect the future of AECDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Contractors that are still opting for outdated payment management processes, like paper checks and double entry accounting, are starting to experience trouble in the form of higher subcontractor prices and potentially fewer options of partners to bring into projects. With these problems growing in frequency and severity, there is an urgent need to modernize our financial processes.
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Milligan, Chief Growth Officer GCPay, an Autodesk Company, to explore the ins and outs of payment systems throughout the AEC ecosystem and make a strong case for why the financial side of our operations should be included in our technology adoption roadmaps.
We discuss:
How payment systems vary by region whether by culture or regulations The harmful mindset that is holding companies back from digitizing their payment systems How utilizing digital payment solutions builds stronger relationships with sub-contractors The first steps to modernize your company’s payment systemDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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One of the most important contributors to meeting project deadlines accurately and safely is having access to the most updated and accurate project information. For many years, issues like distance, storage, and communication methods have been major obstacles to onsite decision-making, project adaptations, and even building trust between on-site and off-site teams.
Thanks to new technology, federal partnerships, and innovative approaches to these old problems, Departments of Transportation around the United States are seeing major improvements in how quickly they work, how much more they can accomplish, and how much more robust their team operations are.
During last year’s Autodesk University, we sat down with Andrew Pangallo, Construction Digital Delivery Lead Engineer at The Indiana Department of Transportation, and Kelly Barber, Division Chief for Systems Management at The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to hear more about how they are seeing these innovations are transforming the way their organizations work.
We discuss:
Core functions and goals of DOTs How INDOT and PennDOT are using technology to build trust between field and office workers, enable faster decision-making, and empower onsite leaders How INDOT and PennDOT are interfacing with the FHA’s Digital Construction Program How they are maintaining strict regulatory compliance while adopting new technologies How ongoing federal and industry partnerships are empowering innovationDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programs are growing in their impact and importance across the entire AEC industry. When implemented correctly, DEIB improves profits, worker productivity and satisfaction, collaboration across business units, and makes companies more attractive to new and upcoming talent.
We had the chance to sit down with Randi Lucas, former Project Manager at CNY Group (now with Cord Meyer Development Company), and Reana Maglis, BIM VDC Manager at Hansen Yuncken, during Autodesk University to explore how you can create a high-impact, successful DEIB program in your organization.
In this episode, we explore:
Why DEIB Matters in Construction How Diversity in multiple categories improves creative thinking and problem solving A closer look at how Hansen Yuncken and CNY Group are approaching DEIB Current “gaps” in DEIB across the industry Where to start when building a DEIB program How to scale your DEIB programDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Construction is a balancing act from start to finish, that includes careful supervision of the finer details of each project like safety, budget, quality, while also managing multiple stakeholders, on and offsite teams, and staying on schedule.
That’s why improving predictability at all phases of a project is a top priority at companies like DPR Construction. At Autodesk University, we had the chance to sit down with DPR’s CTO Atul Khanzode and Tim Gaylord, DPR’s Corporate Director of Innovation to learn more about how DPR is approaching technology deployment across all levels of the organization, how IPD is transforming collaboration throughout the entire construction process, and how other organizations can benefit from their learnings.
In this episode, we cover
Why consistent predictability is a challenge in construction How to maintain employee confidence when implementing new processes or technology How to win support for IPD DPR’s approach to technology deployment The advantages of specialization and how subject matter experts can bridge the gaps between various business unitsDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Intuitive Machines aimed to be the first private, US commercial company to send a spacecraft to the moon. On February 22, 2024 they accomplished that goal. Helping Intuitive Machines realize their dreams was today’s guest, Stephen Brooke, a Digital Delivery Manager at Burns & McDonnell.
With the recent completion of the SuperBAB operations and testing facility in Houston, TX, Stephen joined us at Autodesk University to share how the project was brought to life, how Burns & McDonnell approaches value delivery and client success, and how data and AI will continue to impact the future of the AEC industry.
We also talk about:
Stephen’s career journey through the industry Intuitive Machines’ testing facility How to encourage an innovative mindset in the next generation Collaborating with vendors to bring value to clientsAssets Mentioned:
The MuralDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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One of the most exciting ways the AEC industry is continuing to find new ways to increase sustainability and safety is through mass timber construction. That’s why we’ve invited Ariana Cohn, a Digital Construction Engineer at Timberlab, an organization dedicated to advancing the mass timber’s mainstream adoption.
Whether it’s mass timber’s impact on the environment, or its ease of use in prefab and modular construction, there is so much potential for it to be a game changer for the industry.
Here are some of the topics you can look forward to in this episode:
The top misconceptions about mass timber Timberlab’s approach to its mission A day in the life of a Digital Construction Engineer at Timberlab The biggest obstacles for mass timber’s mainstream adoptionDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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This week, Autodesk’s Chief Marketing Officer Dara Treseder, joins Eric at Autodesk University to break down the 2023 State of Design & Make report, including the key focuses of the study, narrative shifts across the AEC industry, and the competitive difference between Digital Transformation and Digital Maturity.
In this episode, you will learn:
How companies across the AEC industry are experiencing the benefits of converging technologies Why companies focusing on Digital Maturity are maintaining a statistically significant competitive advantage How to engage the next generation of talent Why the future of AEC innovation is going to focus on augmentation in our workforceAssets Mentioned:
The 2023 State of Design & Make ReportDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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The rise of Gen AI has put organizations in a race to remain competitive. Those who are successfully integrating AI into their processes are seeing improvements in efficiency and output quality, but that rush to adopt AI carries some significant risks, ones that can spell disaster for companies if they are not careful about their approach to using AI.
We've invited May Winfield, Global Director of Commercial, Legal and Digital Risks, at Buro Happold, to reveal what some of the biggest risks are when using Gen AI, what questions organizations should be asking as they adopt AI, and why sometimes the best way to move quickly is to slow down.
We discuss:
Identifying AI’s five biggest risk categories in AEC: reliance, confidentiality, copyright, personal data, and ethics Why copyright and content attribution are such tricky issues with AI The limitations of using in-house AI models trained on proprietary data Why client requests are becoming more informed and specific (and why this is good!)Assets Mentioned:
Joint Study from the Harvard Business School & Boston Consulting GroupDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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One of the most exciting ways that innovation is taking construction to the next level is when companies like DPR Construction implement new and innovative strategies into their culture. We’ve invited Jacob Skrobarczyk, VDC Technology Lead at DPR Construction, to share his experience with data visualization and how he is using it to shift the narrative around Construction careers and changing the way the next generation is learning about Construction.
Listen to hear about:
Construction’s perception problem Why data visualization is so impactful How DPR is approaching innovation and the adoption of new technology Keeping people as the center of the industry Improving benefits and apprenticeship programs for craft workers How to better highlight non-linear career paths in ConstructionAssets Mentioned:
Jacob's Presentationhttps://www.dpr.com/company/careersDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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The landscape of construction is changing, and technology is at the helm. How can your organization stay on top of that changing landscape to remain competitive throughout 2024?
Ariel Castillo, Innovation Director at Miller-Davis Company, and Brad Buckles, VP of Technology and Innovation at Charles Perry Partners, Inc., join the show this week to explore the latest trends in construction, from AI and data-driven insights to the importance of tech literacy and collaboration.
We discuss:
Which trends are real and which are all hype? How 3D modeling, wearables, and robotics are increasing field safety How the latest trends are allowing the industry to move from reactive processes to becoming proactive decision makers. Why modern technology is enabling multigenerational knowledge sharing experiences, giving experienced and new workers opportunities to learn from each other How new technologies can reduce waste and increase sustainable construction practicesDigital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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Content warning – this episode and description has some heavy conversation topics including a discussion on suicidal feelings and mental health struggles.
Construction has a mental health crisis. According to research from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the CDC, the rate of suicide among US construction professionals is five times higher than the number deaths caused by workplace and safety-related accidents. Across the industry, companies cannot afford to talk about safety, innovation, and growth without also addressing the need for real, practical, and immediate solutions to the mental health crisis facing our people.
Mark Dyke, Licensed Professional Counselor and Tenured Associate Professor at Ferris State University, joins Eric Thomas during Autodesk University for an intensely practical conversation about the mental health crisis, burnout, and how addressing the mental health crisis can help secure a bright future for the AEC industry. We will share not just why mental health needs to be addressed, but we will also give specific, practical advice for workers to identify and address mental health issues early and effectively.
We discuss:
How to identify internal and external symptoms of burnout How the leadership culture sets the tone for organization-wide mental health How managers at all levels of an organization can support their team members How Millennials have changed the way we talk about mental health Why mental health and emotional wellbeing need to be top priorities to convince the upcoming generation to join Construction.If you or someone you know are having trouble coping with work-related stress, talk with someone who can help: In the United States, call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Hotline or visit https://988lifeline.org/.
For those living outside the United States, you can find local resources here: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/.
Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
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As more BIM mandates are being put in place around the world, impacted organizations are working to ensure they are BIM compliant—while many in the construction industry are still trying to figure out not just if BIM and other digital tools are right for them, but how to begin even implementing them in their business operations.
Digital tools are transforming the way construction companies are operating, demonstrating countless benefits to adopting them, but there are still many unanswered questions for companies and contractors who are trying to find the most cost-effective strategies for managing all these new innovations and requirements.
That’s where our guests come in. David Purdon, Technical Director at Diatec, and Marek Suchocki, Head of Industry Associations Strategy at Autodesk, are two industry veterans who have seen first-hand the rollout of Europe’s BIM mandates and how companies are responding. In this episode, they will break down some of the myths around BIM mandates, what the true intent of the mandates are, and much more.
We discuss:
The rollout of BIM mandates in the UK faced challenges in managing the information exchange process The complex intersection of BIM modeling and the production supply chain How BIM modeling and technology integration ensures the longevity of construction organizations The difficulty many organizations face in balancing the long-term vision of digital tools with their immediate needs Why BIM allows organizations to derive better value from public construction investments How to get started on your BIM journey if you’re impacted by a BIM mandate.Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.
- Visa fler
