The AEC Disruptors

Latest Episodes:

How Healthcare Design is Evolving Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

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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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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