The AEC Disruptors

Getting Your Share of the AEC Industry Apr 28, 2022

How can we build wealth within the industry that we are in? Investor and director of construction Justin Smith likes to emphasize the term live-live balance over work-life balance. With busy projects, rising costs, and industry curveballs, he encourages us to be mindful of how we spend our time in and outside of work.

Justin Smith is the director of construction at Greystar and principal at Relequity Enterprises LLC. He is passionate about multifamily architecture, engineering, and construction and runs a popular segment on LinkedIn called #ConstructionTipTuesday.

The Foundations of Fractional Leadership Apr 21, 2022

What is fractional leadership? Is it a growing fad or already part of mainstream business concepts? How is the Great Resignation going to affect your industry? Find the answers to all of these questions and more on this episode of The AEC Disruptors with host Christopher Riddell and Guest Beau Billington.

Beau Billington is the Founder & CEO of strategic recruiting firm The Free Agent and host of Finding that Next Gear and the Free Agent Podcast. Beau's wealth of experience across industries has allowed his business to "be the connective tissue between high-value leaders and the companies that need them for extraordinary journeys."

Why Learning and Development is Critical for your Organization Apr 14, 2022

The rapid growth of technology products and solutions coupled with the disruption of the pandemic have created a perfect storm for rethinking how people within organizations learn and ultimately spread and share the knowledge they learn and create. In some respects, it is the lifeblood of success for design firms.

Suzanne Miks is leading the way in design technology learning innovation. With almost 20 years of experience in the industry, she is a passionate advocate for learning and development and has seen first hand how it can make or break an organization.

50 Episodes of Disruption and a Big Announcement Apr 07, 2022

We're a half-century old in episode years. That's a unit of measurement, right? Over the past few years, disruption as a concept has moved from strategic thinking to mission critical for organizations, and we have been honored to cover it all over the course of 50 episodes.

Listeners, thank you for joining in to hear about the 10-day hospital, the rise and fall of Katerra, sustainability, leadership and company culture, digital twins, and so much more. Here is to 50 more jam-packed episodes and beyond.

The Two-Way Street of Employee Engagement Mar 31, 2022

With the onus of engagement being mostly on employers to encourage engagement, what responsibility falls to the individual? How much should a manager rely on direct reports to speak up and keep track of their own engagement? Find the answers to these questions and much more during our second jam-packed episode with Debbie Phillips.

Join host Christopher Riddell with guest Debbie Phillips as they discuss employee engagement, even more management books to read, the 'Genius Zone', and much more.

Debbie Phillips, Ph.D., CPM is the President of The Quadrillion. She is an entrepreneur and real estate professional with over 30 years of industry experience. Debbie has a multi-faceted career managing diverse real estate assets, including developing world-class leadership development programs and talent management strategies.

How to Stop Employees from Leaving in Droves Mar 24, 2022

What does it mean to ensure employee retention? How can you best encourage and embrace change within your company? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat with guest Debbie Phillips as they discuss burnout, accepting room for improvement, the importance of accountability, and how best to delegate initiatives.

Debbie Phillips, Ph.D., CPM is the President of The Quadrillion. She is an entrepreneur and real estate professional with over 30 years of industry experience. Debbie has a multi-faceted career managing diverse real estate assets, including developing world-class leadership development programs and talent management strategies.

The Future of Sustainable Design Mar 17, 2022

When it comes to adopting new innovations, the industry is hesitant. How can we change that? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat with guest Satpal Kaur as they discuss the current difficulties in designing with sustainability, how we can start changing industry mindsets, the necessity in embracing new technologies, and more.

Satpal Kaur is an innovative designer and building systems thought leader with over a decade of experience implementing cutting edge technologies. She uses a holistic approach in integrating clients to actively become part of the sustainable revolution pursuing comfortable and healthy living environments at zero additional construction costs in NYC. Her expertise has branded her as a high performance building Activist with a 40 Under 40 Award by Building Design+Construction.

Is Your Company Growing Too Quickly? Mar 10, 2022

Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat with guest Ed Newton as they discuss the rewards and conflicts inherent in the construction industry, distinguishing your company in the growing world, what the leadership of a general contractor should look like, and more.

Ed Newton is the President/Executive-in-Charge at Newton Group Ltd. He has over 25 years of experience uniquely encompassing a wide range of projects from conventional Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) construction to innovative parking structures; prefabricated buildings; precast concrete bridges; and solar power design and installations.

LEGO Master Talks User Experience Nov 22, 2021

Sure, we use devices and software, but are they also using us? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Randall Wilson as they discuss the hidden world of finding out how customers interact with interface, the psychology behind user design experience, and the creative minds that are behind “making things work.”

Randall Wilson II is the Co-Founder of the HUE Design Summit and a LEGO Master. He has additional experience as a Creative Director, Design Lead, and Freelance Graphic Designer. He currently lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Using 3D Printing to Build the Future Nov 18, 2021

What's next for the sustainability of homes, commercial buildings and structures of all kinds? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Sam Ruben as they discuss using 3D printing to manufacture homes, how to approach collaboration “with humility,” and what kind of construction processes we can expect to see in the near future.

Sam Ruben is the Chief Sustainability Officer/Co-Founder of Mighty Buildings. He has served in roles from strategic re-branding, sustainability coaching, and financial modeling to website redevelopment, online dashboard creation, sustainable building assessments, and everything in between. He is passionate that today’s organizations consider sustainability as a core aspect, not merely as a moral principle but as an avenue towards an improved bottom line and increased brand value.

The Evolution of Technology on a Jobsite Nov 11, 2021

When you step back and think about it. Many technologies that have been here for years and even decades are still being used, but the way they are used have changed. In this episode, Steve Lindsey and Dave Studdert CTO and CRO of LiveView Technologies join us to talk about how safety and loss prevention on a jobsite have turned, like many other technologies, into a business intelligence tool.

Lindsey joined LVT in 2011 after leading technology, software, engineering, and development teams at multiple companies including i3 Technologies and Novell. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic and information technology from Brigham Young University.

Studdert officially joined the company as a consultant in order to expand the clientele to state governments, departments of transportations, and other government agencies. Soon, he was appointed LiveView Technologies’ Chief Sales and Marketing Officer with a particular emphasis on business development. He holds a degree in international law and diplomacy from Brigham Young University

How to Make Time to Improve Your Processes Nov 04, 2021

How do you make time to innovate and improve your processes? A lot of the times this question circles around cost, both time and money. Can you afford to innovate or can you afford not to innovate? Suffolk Construction's Alexis McGuffin joined us on the show this week to show her process for bringing new thinking to traditional problems and then scaling that inside of an organization.

Alexis now leads Business Development in New York For Suffolk, one of the nation’s most cutting-edge Construction Management firms. In her current role, Alexis helps define strategy for the New York office while cultivating client relationships and increasing Suffolk’s visibility in the market. She focuses on bringing outside-the-box solutions to traditional problems and educating clients on how developments in technology can help better realize their project goals.

What‘s Up With Vertical Farming? Oct 28, 2021

Where does your food come from? Wouldn’t it be nice to build community and create functionality out of the space we have at the same time? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Jim McCutcheon as they discuss vertical farming in landscape architecture, biophilic design, what happened to the farms we used to see, and “bringing farms back into the city.”

Jim McCutcheon is the President of Copiana and CEO of HighGrove. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial success, he provide a wealth of knowledge in Business Management, Sales, Client Relationship Development, Team Development and Management, Operations and Creativity.

What Can AEC Learn From Manufacturing? Oct 21, 2021

Another industry podcast joins the show today: Forging Manufacturing! Hosted by Dave Hampton and Jason Flores, we continue to bring different perspectives onto The AEC Disruptors. This dynamic duo shares a wealth of manufacturing industry knowledge and advice, as well as an in-depth look at how AEC and manufacturing are both converging and diverging.

Dave Hampton is the Director of Manufacturing at Applied Software and the host of the Forging Manufacturing Podcast. He focuses on trends, opportunities, and challenges that large AEC and manufacturing companies face in order to drive significant business value.

Jason Flores is a Strategic Industry Consultant for Applied Software. He focuses on manufacturing initiatives like facility layout, supply chain optimization, cost reduction, and more in order to bring value to large organizations.

Construction is the Antidote to Destruction Oct 14, 2021

Rene Morkos, founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies joined us on this episodes and he has one of the most unique perspectives of any guest on the podcast. Earlier in his career, Rene was working for a company that did construction in Afghanistan. He said "construction is the antidote to destruction." When you build something in this part of the world, you can see a huge tangible impact. If you are building a factory, it might be the first of its kind in the entire country. If you lose a bag of nails, you might be delayed for weeks because there is no market in which to buy another. The stakes are totally different.

René Morkos is the founder and CEO of ALICE Technologies and teaches at Stanford University’s Ph.D program in Construction Management. The son of a civil engineer, René grew up in the construction industry. He has worked on construction projects worldwide. His professional experience ranges from working as a project manager in Afghanistan to building an underwater pipeline project in Beirut, from driving automation engineering on a $350 million gas refinery expansion project in Abu Dhabi to leading the development of a virtual design and construction model for Amsterdam’s cruise ship terminal.. René received his Ph.D in Construction Engineering and Management from Stanford University, his MSCE in Construction Management from USC, and his BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from American University of Beirut.

Is Hemp the Next Great Sustainable Building Material? Oct 07, 2021

You heard that right, hemp is here and here to stay. Bob Escher, founder of Escher Design, Inc. and the United States Hemp Building Association gave us the rundown of hemp as a building material. He says that this carbon negative plant is the key to solving a lot of the problems around climate change and sustainable building.

You are guaranteed to come away from this episode enthusiastic about the future, having learned a bushel of new information.

Bob Escher is the owner of Escher Design and founding president of the United States Hemp Building Association. His son, Alex, introduced him to industrial hemp in 2017, and since then he has espoused the merits of this miraculous material.

The Leadership and Ingenuity of the Panama Canal Sep 30, 2021

In her work with the Panama Canal Authority, Ilya Espino de Marotta has seen the importance of managing a lot of moving parts. In this episode Marotta explains what it’s like being a high-level manager sporting her pink hardhat and safety vest in the engineering field, which has traditionally been thought of as a production-centered man’s world.

Marotta also shares some wisdom on managing large operations with a varied set of stakeholders across many disciplines. In addition to large decision matrices, skilled operators, and the need for efficiency and safety, at the end of the day, clear communication keeps everyone on the same page.

Energy and Waste in AEC Sep 23, 2021

Every heard of embodied carbon? It's all the energy and carbon emissions associated with making and placing a material. Skanska's Mark Chen sets the table in this episode for real goal-setting and goal achievement in sustainability. The secret is pretty simple: break down the larger sustainable goals into smaller pieces and start with what's important to your company.

Mark is a Senior Sustainability Engineer with the general contracting arm of Skanska in Seattle, WA. In his current role, Mark oversees Skanska’s project-specific construction site carbon, water and waste accounting and reduction measures, embodied carbon efforts, healthy materials research, and green building certification project delivery.

Data and Location Intelligence Sep 16, 2021

What gives you a sense of place? Is it that intangible feeling of right-ness? This seemingly intangible feeling is becoming more quantifiable by the day with the advent of data intelligence and location intelligence. Sara Maffey describes her work at Local Logic as akin to creating a digital twin of cities. Thousands of factors like trees, walkability, parks, and more play a part in scoring different locations for real estate investment and consumers.

Sara Maffey is the Head of Industry Relations at Local Logic, a location intelligence company, where she combines her passions for real estate development and placemaking with data analytics and PropTech

Digital Twins: The Future of Construction Jul 08, 2021

Are you familiar with digital twins? How about how they can improve your job? Not many people are aware of the benefits that come with adopting them. Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Danielle O’Connell as they discuss the definition of digital twins, the overwhelming influx of unused data in the field, and making the leap to embrace innovation and disruption.

Danielle O’Connell is the Director of Emerging Technology at Skanska USA Building. She has experience as an Account Services Manager, a Project Manager, and a Manager of Design Technologies Integration. She holds a BFA in Architecture and Design from UMass Amherst.

How Healthcare Design is Evolving Jul 01, 2021

Healthcare design is moving towards functional scenarios. We are no longer just planning for the current space, but rather what the space could be in 5 or 10 years under an entire matrix of different scenarios. This is precisely where evidence-based design comes in. Architects in general are good at keeping information behind the curtain, but what if they were to publish their findings? Together we can grow the evidence base and elevate the practice altogether.

Josh Crews is a healthcare architect and serves as the Regional Healthcare Practice Leader at Nelson Worldwide. His career lead him to Georgia Tech where he studied evidence-based design. He has used this discipline to design everything from small healthcare buildings to high-rise hospitals.

How Do IT Directors Sleep At Night? Jun 24, 2021

How do IT Directors sleep at night? We keep hearing new stories about the increasing number of ransomware attacks on large companies. Engineering firms are especially vulnerable to these attacks due to the sheer complexity of operations. An IT director joined us on this episode to tell us just how he and others like him are able to sleep peacefully knowing that their data and files won't be compromised.

Clay Pilkilton is the IT Director for M&S Engineering, a professional and full-service engineering firm whose humble beginning started in a shed on 23 acres near Bergheim, Texas. Clay has led the charge at his company to leave servers behind and move the business to the cloud.

Jason Schmidt is an AEC industry specialist and Technology leader, with over 29 years of progressive IT & Design Technology experience, helping enhance AEC processes and workflows. He has the experience to interact and communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals and groups, including all levels of management.

Why Your Work Won't Scale Jun 17, 2021

Automation can help not only workflows for designers, but also those in construction management as well. Paul Wintour cautions that despite what you may think, money isn’t usually hindering the progress of construction, there is usually something deeper going on under the surface. In this episode, we take a look under the surface of big projects and uncover hidden inefficiencies.

Paul is the founder of Parametric Monkey and a registered architect in NSW and the UK. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) and has a detailed understanding of the complexities within the construction industry, having worked extensively in Australia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and The Netherlands. He has taught at the University of Technology Sydney, the University of New South Wales, the Queensland University of Technology, the University of Hong Kong, and the Architectural Association.

Katerra: What Went Wrong? Jun 10, 2021

Katerra seemed to be the perfect company in terms of what we’ve been talking about on this podcast: it had huge growth momentum, dozens of high-profile projects, massive funding, and more. So, what happened to it? Was it a matter of execution? Was it leadership? Operations?
Rarely have we seen a first mover (think computers and smartphones) knock it out of the park the first time around. A lot of these examples end up in history books and serve as examples for the next company in line that’s trying to do the same thing. In this special episode, join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat as they take a deep dive into what happened to Katerra, what we can learn from the company, and a possible path towards Katerra 2.0.

An Academic View of Construction Jun 03, 2021

Do you remember what it was like before you were out on the field—how you saw construction from afar or from the classroom? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Manish Dixit as they discuss how academia and construction communicate with each other, how technology is changing the industry norms both in and outside the classroom, the industrial strides that construction has made as a whole, what the most disruptive technology will be in the near future, and much more.

Manish Dixit is a LEED Accredited Professional and Assistant Professor in the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University. He currently lives in College Station, Texas.

Rebuilding AEC Through Technology May 27, 2021

If you were starting a firm today, what does that firm look like? Better yet, if you were to restart your firm today, how would you structure it? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Anthony Zuefeldt as they talk about the trend of new companies in AEC being 'technology-first'.

Anthony Zuefeldt is a Senior Solutions Specialist at Applied Software. He works with companies to systematically unify their business operations and workflows with best practice methodologies and emergent technologies. Parallel to his work with Applied Software and design technology, he runs Zuefeldt Design, a full service residential design firm that specializes in single family housing. The firm's ethos is to marry expert knowledge of building science and best construction practices with creative expression of design.

Why is Blockchain Important for AEC? May 20, 2021

Have you heard of blockchain? You might not know about the enormous potential it can have for you and your company. Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Lou Verenini as they discuss cryptocurrency, the technological innovation of geolocation, how blockchain technology has recently changed ownership and workflows in projects, and the connection between shared risk and shared incentives.

Lou Verenini is an Architectural Solutions Specialist at Applied Software. He also has years of experience as a BIM Technical Consultant and a Designer and is licensed as a Revit Structure Professional, Autodesk Instructor, and Bluebeam Support Representative.

Connections Between Time and Tasks May 13, 2021

What can automation do for you and your company? So far, do you think it’s helped or hindered what you do? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Patrick Chopson as they discuss the differences that automation has and will have on the AEC industry, making informed decisions on the job site, how to optimize data collection, and harnessing AI to achieve both climate and social change.

Patrick Chopson leads cove.tool, a web-based design software for buildings using machine learning and automation to drive decision making. He oversees product development and customer acquisition as a Co-Founder. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a Master's in High Performance Buildings, he is a licensed architect with over 17 years of experience in architecture, research, and mechanical engineering firms. Prior to cove.tool he co-founded a successful building performance consulting firm Pattern r+d. Multiple publications include Architect Magazine, Tech Crunch, Site Selection, ArchDaily, and more.

Seeing Disruption as a Force for Good May 06, 2021

Does change drive you crazy, or do you go with the flow? How might you handle change in a better way? Join hosts Christopher Riddell and Jackson Sensat and guest Bianca Coury in the kickoff episode of their third season! They discuss the culture around the AEC industry, the differences between sectors of the industry, how to really be prepared and adapt to “what’s next,” and how to think of disruption in a better, more feasible way on the job site.

Bianca Coury is a Construction Technology Manager at Eagle Point Software. In addition to being a Construction Progress Coalition (CPC) Delegate and a member of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), she is a LEED Green Associate with a strong background in sustainability, strategic project management and forward-thinking, creative abilities.

The Culture of Growth Mindset - Special Crossover with The Bridging the Gap Podcast Apr 22, 2021

In another crossover podcast with the Bridging the Gap, join hosts Christopher Riddell and Todd Weyandt and guests Marcello Sgambelluri and Anthony Zuefeldt as they discuss the difficulty we have with defining computational design in the industry, how to achieve a “cultural buy-in” when you’re introducing something new, the importance of a willingness to take chances, whether or not we’re being “too nice” when it comes to introducing change, and Marcello’s new book, “Dynamo and Grasshopper for Revit Cheat Sheet Manual”.

Todd Weyandt is the Director of Creative Marketing at Applied Software and host of the Bridging the Gap Podcast, winner of the 2020 Best Construction Podcast. He is a champion of industry dialogue to support companies as they try new things, advance and thrive. Todd has a deep knowledge of how to increase awareness of a brand, communication strategy and plays a major role in elevating corporate culture.

Marcello Sgambelluri is internationally recognized at one of the top BIM leaders and contributors to the education and implementation of BIM technology in the building industry. He provides training and consulting the AEC industry. He continually speaks at AU and RTC BILT where he has received the 1st place speaker award for a record 17 times between 2012 and 2020 between both conferences. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering, and he is also a licensed Civil and Structural Engineer.

Anthony Zuefeldt is a Senior Solutions Specialist at Applied Software. He has a deep background in A.E.C. technologies and workflows. In addition, he serves as an enterprise and solution architect for architecture firms, design build firms and fabricators, and the home building industry.

Building Digital Resiliency: A Special Crosspod Recapping Digital Agility Summit Jan 25, 2021

Join this special episode as Bridging the Gap joins forces with our sister podcast The AEC Disruptors hosted by Christopher Riddell to recap the biggest takeaways for the Digital Agility Summit. Todd and Christopher are joined by solutions engineer and cloud infrastructure strategist Jason Schmidt of Applied Software to unpack whether the intensity of work has changed over the past year, the potential future technology trends of the AEC industry, the ways in which we’ll need to adapt to technology, and what we can look forward to when it comes to digital transformation.

Christopher Riddell is the Director of Innovation at Applied Software and host of the AEC Disruptors podcast. Over the last several years, he has placed an emphasis on utilizing technologies such as Dynamo to extend the power of Revit and other BIM technologies. He is passionate about the transfer of knowledge from one group to the next, which he believes is the key to overall success in the AEC industry.

Jason Schmidt is an AEC industry specialist and Technology leader, with over 29 years of progressive IT & Design Technology experience, helping enhance AEC processes and workflows. He has the experience to interact and communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals and groups, including all levels of management.

Challenge, Change, and Commitment in the Architectural World Nov 05, 2020

Join host Christopher and Simon Whelan of FenestraPro as they discuss the “2030 Challenge,” changing the ways we perceive and utilize sustainable solutions, applying effective methodologies to an entire firm, and what our goals should be when it comes to helping the environment.

Simon is a Founder and Chief Operating Officer of FenestraPro, based in Dublin, Ireland. As one of the founders, Simon has evolved FenestraPro from concept, through start-up phase, and is now in scaling, with FenestraPro being used by some of the largest architectural practices in the world. Simon holds a Master’s in Architecture (Advanced Environmental and Energy Systems), is a certified LEED Green Associate, and is an expert in Building Performance Analysis.

Disrupt or Be Disrupted Oct 29, 2020

What disruptions have you accepted for the betterment of your company? What disruptions have been forced on your company? And what’s the difference between the two? Join host Christopher and guest Sam Coats of CallisonRTKL as they discuss wanting to make the industry better, creating positive systematic change, and encouraging creativity and diversity in teams.

Sam Coats is a Senior Research Strategist at CallisonRTKL. He is an experienced innovation strategy leader within the AEC industry. With 10 years of industry experience, he leverages his unique architecture and business background to grow ideas and hunches to breakthrough insights and services. Throughout his career, he has led innovation and strategy efforts at global firms such as Gensler. He is currently the Senior Research Strategist at CallisonRTKL where he is working to launch a newly formed global research division.

Driving Efficiency from Day One Oct 22, 2020

What tech have you recently noticed in the field that wasn’t around ten—or even five—years ago? Join host Christopher and guest David Smigel of Circle Computer Resources as they discuss the growing complexities of technology, “geeking out” about construction tech, and what it means to collaborate clearly and concisely on projects. If you’re going to get something done, it’s important to do it right.

David has been a member of the Circle Computer Resources (CCR) core leadership team since 2011. Before that, he pursued (and found success in) various entrepreneurial endeavors, which exposed him to every aspect of the work lifecycle and the importance of strategic technology adoption. His roles have spanned IT consulting to sales to operations and large-scale project management. In his time at CCR, David has contributed to and influenced the launch of several technology services products and business units within the organization.

As of Q4 of 2018, David has assumed a lead role in CCR’s newest division – ConstructEDGE Technology Services (CTS). CTS has experienced early success in its target market (top 400 GC’s in North America), offering technology solutions that focus on connectivity to the jobsite. This success is in large part to David’s strong leadership and visionary mindset around the future of the construction industry. He has made it his mission to understand the true needs of construction companies and projects to design a suite of technology services that enable safety, productivity via real time data and communication.

Fostering Culture in Innovation Oct 15, 2020

Join host Christopher and guest Todd Weyandt of Applied Software, and host of the award-winning Bridging the Gap podcast, as they discuss creating a corporate culture that fosters innovation, how to champion innovation with your team, and how to utilize culture change for the betterment of your company. Learn more about why we shouldn’t necessarily punish failure, take time to analyze, and how to get your ideas to their highest potential through consistency.

Todd Weyandt is the Director of Creative Marketing at Applied Software and host of the Bridging the Gap Podcast, winner of the 2020 Best Construction Podcast. He is a champion of industry dialogue to support companies as they try new things, advance and thrive. Todd has a deep knowledge of how to increase awareness of a brand, communication strategy and plays a major role in elevating corporate culture.

Hello, Resource Management! Oct 08, 2020

When you think of a project going well, what’s the first detail you think of? Accessibility? Collaboration? Data delivery? Join host Christopher and guest Jason Schmidt as they discuss the downsides of trying to force productivity, what it means to look at workflows differently, and the difference between the wrong way and the different way to get the job done.

Jason Schmidt is an AEC industry specialist and Technology leader with over 29 years of progressive IT & Design Technology experience, helping enhance AEC processes and workflows. He has the experience to interact and communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals and groups, including all levels of management. He is a proponent of Cloud First technology and the design & implementation of Cloud technology to further an organization’s strategic goals. He has extensive Design, CAD, Surveying, and Engineering experience and a comprehensive understanding of AEC users, their challenges, and the complexity of technologies within both large and small organizations.

Looking Back in Time with Tech Oct 01, 2020

Join host Christopher, co-host Jackson Sensat, and guest Paul Aubin as they discuss using modern technologies to preserve history, possibilities for growth in the aftermath of the burning of Notre Dame’s cathedral, and finding unexpected ways to uncover the stories behind historical places and structures.

Paul F. Aubin is the author of many Revit book titles, including his "deep dive" into the Revit family editor: Renaissance Revit. He has also authored dozens of Revit video training titles on LinkedIn Learning covering all levels of Revit, Dynamo and ReCap software. Paul is an independent architectural consultant providing content creation, implementation, and training services to Architects and building design professionals.

His career of over 30 years includes experience in design, production, BIM management, coaching, reality capture and training. Paul is an active member of the Autodesk user community and has been a top-rated speaker at AU and other industry conferences for many years. Paul is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), an Autodesk Expert Elite and the founder of ChiNamo; the Chicago Dynamo Community.

The Mysterious Innovation of Digital Twins Sep 24, 2020

Join host Christopher Riddell and guests Daniel Buckner and Brett Settles of Revitzo for the AEC Disruptors podcast as they discuss operating in a data-driven world, the mystery around the definition of a digital twin, and the benefits of Revitzo,

Daniel Buckner has been in the AEC technology industry since 2008, helping customers adopt and transition to BIM workflows. Growing up in a family supported by Caterpillar Heavy Equipment, he spent his high school summers around bulldozers and excavators, learning about construction technology from the ground up. Managing the Southeast Territory for Revizto allows him to share his experiences with reality capture, model data transfer, and project delivery with Architects, Engineers, General Contractors, and Owners.

Brett Settles is the Global Director of Customer Success at Revitzo. He has nearly 20 years of experience implementing, managing, teaching, and using new technology in Geospatial, Mining, and AEC. He is a dedicated design and construction technologist looking to use data, emerging technology and innovative workflows to better the experiences of those in design, fabrication and construction.

Being "The Technical Guy" Sep 17, 2020

Join host Christopher and guest Jake Hauptmann of Borton-Lawson Engineering as they discuss the importance of forward-looking vision, what it means to have the right people on your team, how to open your mind to innovation, and the hurdles of bigger tech. Learn more about using technology as a differentiator and what the process of restructuring may really look like for you.

Jake Hauptmann is the Innovation Leader at Precise Visual Technologies & Borton-Lawson Engineering. He has over a decade of experience in the engineering world and currently resides in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He has an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD from Berks Technical Institute.

The Importance of Half-Baked Ideas Sep 10, 2020

What do you think is the most vital aspect of innovation? What really drives us to achieve what we achieve? Join host Christopher and guest Keith Besserud of Gresham Smith as they kick off the season 2 of the AEC Disruptors by discussing the importance of feedback, supercharging the innovation culture, and creating a safe space for that brilliance and innovation to happen.

Keith Besserud, AIA, is the Director of Innovation at Gresham Smith where he leads the strategic and tactical efforts to help position the firm to take advantage of the volatile forces that are rocking the AE industry. These efforts are currently manifested in the realization of two different foundational platforms within the firm: Studio-X (a product development incubator) and Future Lab (a practice evolution compass). Prior to joining Gresham Smith, Keith co-founded a startup that leveraged computer vision technologies to help clients develop clear insights into the utilization patterns and human experiences of their real estate assets. Earlier in his career he founded and directed an advanced computational design team at SOM called BlackBox, and then moved on to Gensler where he helped initiate the firm’s development of a firmwide Data Strategy.

Solving Homelessness One Tiny House At a Time Mar 26, 2020

Austin's homeless crisis is so dire, a nonprofit built an $18 million tiny-home village to get the chronically homeless off the streets. Faced with rising numbers of a homeless population several entrepreneurs got together to create a community village where the homeless can recapture what they may have lost. Building a sense of community is everything and this village has it. Listen in to Christopher and Jackson as they break down how this community is thriving in Austin.

Pass the Time with these Amazing Stories Mar 23, 2020

AI is being used to clone the departed, and stolen iPhones are making an American famous in China! Join Jackson and Christopher for a delightful distraction from the news.

What does Vanilla Ice Have to do with Collaboration vs. Cooperation? Mar 12, 2020

Join us for an episode with Christina Holden and John Ade about collaboration!

Valentine's Day Edition: My Much More Creative Better Half Feb 13, 2020

How could you possibly fit in relationships, designing for health and wellness, and autonomous vehicles impact on urban design into one Podcast? Well.... I figured out how.... Join in to find out as I sit down with my most favorite guest. She is what they call a double jacket with an undergrad in Architecture and a masters in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech. She is a member of the design studio in a local firm , Croft & Associates, and oh by the way she is my much more creative better half. Briana Riddell Listen in to learn a bit more about us and stick around for when she gives her thoughts on how the autonomous vehicle will impact the urban landscape.

Can VR Help You Find Closure? Feb 12, 2020

VR technologies are being used for all sorts of things in and out of our industry. Whether its video games, websites that let you place furniture, or even simulations of the built environment, our world looks more like Black Mirror every day. But what if you could use this technology to help you find closure? Help in your grieving process and help you take the next step forward. Listen in as Christopher and Jackson discuss a recent use of the technology when a South Korean woman had the chance to reunite with her young child.

What's up with the Ten Day Hospital? Feb 06, 2020

Join us for a special episode on how the Coronavirus forced the Chinese to use using prefabrication and military drafting to build a hospital in ten days. Christopher sits down with Anthony and Jackson to discuss how this is possible, and if the United States could/should replicate this effort.

Christopher has 8+ years of practicing experience within the AEC industry where he served as a BIM manager for an AE firm. His architectural experiences range from large healthcare facilities to places of worship to senior living facilities. Over the last several years, Christopher has placed an emphasis on utilizing technologies such as Dynamo to extend the power of Revit and other BIM technologies. He is also passionate about the transfer of knowledge from one group to the next. He believes it is key to the overall success of the AEC industry.

This podcast is brought to you by Applied Software. With solutions for the modern project, Applied Software is on a mission to transform industries by empowering clients and championing innovation with real-world expert consultants. Their comprehensive array of solutions for AEC, MEP and manufacturing has a singular focus – helping you achieve higher performance. Visit asti.com and let them know we sent you.

Sustainability - 10 Years from the 2030 Challenge Jan 30, 2020

Sustainability has been a buzz word for a long time. With the growing concern around climate change and industry initiatives like the 2030 Challenge we continue to see companies push to be more environmentally conscious. Today's guest certainty has a passion for being sustainable and helping push the industry forward. I'm very excited to have the chance to speak to Sandeep Ahuja. In 2019 she was named to Forbes 30 under 30 list , and is the co-founder and CEO of Cove Tool . It'll be great to see where she things moving in 2020.

Welcome to the conversation. This is the AEC Disruptors podcast and I’m your host Christopher Riddell.

TDLR Topics:

Forbes 30 under 30
Cove Tool origin story
Sustainable architecture
2030 Challenge
Blackrock investment on sustainability

Why Can't We Get Along? Jan 16, 2020

Do architects really wear black turtle necks? Do contractors actually build things? Ever wonder why architects and contractors do not get along? Are these myths ? or is it real? Today's guests , Tyler Campbell and Eddie Campbell, the hosts of the popular podcast Construction Brothers, join me to debunk these myths and together we discuss how we can get along, how we should collaborate, and how do we move forward...

Let's Talk Chick-fil-A Dec 09, 2019

Join Christopher as we talks with Corey Overton from Chic Fil A about the direction the architecture industry is going.

Managing Design with Michael LeFevre Nov 17, 2019

Michael LeFevre discusses his new book, “Managing Design: Conversations, Project Controls and Best Practices for Commercial Design and Construction Projects.” He offers excerpts from interviews with more than 40 industry thought leaders. Through the voices of others – architects, engineers, academics, contractors, and technologists – he offers a collective vision of future collaborative practice. In search of “Design Management Excellence” he shares issues and opportunities you can explore for use in your future projects.

Not an Issue, Case Closed: BIM 360 Coordinate Oct 24, 2019

Happy 21st birthday BIM! You are a mature adult now and able to take on bigger challenges. BIM model coordination, interference checking and clash detection technologies are some of those challenges, and they have come a long way since the early days of BIM over two decades ago. Join Christopher Riddell and guest Rabi Sidawi for a dive into how we can coordinate with each other.

Challenges of Technology Change and Adoption Sep 16, 2019

Join Christopher Riddell and John Ade as they discuss the challenges of technology change and adoption. Get inspired on how to overcome the greatest impediment to Revit adoption: the fear of learning it and being successful using it.

Machine Learning and AI Sep 05, 2019

Hello fellow Disruptors!

Become an AEC News Frontrunner in thirty minutes or less with Christopher Riddell. Episode one will focus on the concepts of machine learning and artificial intelligence. We will look at various applications within the AEC industry and discuss how they are impacting the disciplines involved and will also discuss future possibilities and where we AI is heading!

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