Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

Beyond the Facade: AI, Sustainability & the Future of Design

Simon Whelan from FenestraPro returns to Bridging the Gap for another insightful conversation—this time live from Autodesk University! In this episode, Simon and Todd Weyandt dive into the evolving world of facade design, the critical role of sustainability in architecture, and how AI is transforming the design process.
Simon shares why early design decisions matter more than ever, clears up common misconceptions about facade analysis, and explores the delicate balance between aesthetics, cost, and performance. This episode is a must-listen for architects, designers, and innovators looking to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing industry.
MEET OUR GUEST
Simon Whelan is Co-Founder and COO of FenestraPro. He has worked with global firms like AECOM, Gensler, and Jacobs to integrate real-time energy modeling and facade performance directly into their workflows, inside Autodesk Revit and Forma. With a background in architecture and environmental systems (MSc, LEED GA), he bridges the gap between design intent and performance outcomes.
TODD TAKES
Shift the envelope decisions left
Early-stage choices on glazing, shading, and orientation drive most of a building’s comfort, energy, and cost outcomes. With fast feedback loops in tools like Forma (and envelope extensions), teams can iterate on facades before documentation locks them in—letting designers be both creative and analytical where it matters most.
AI should remove drudgery, not replace design
The win isn’t “AI as auteur,” it’s automating the tedious stuff—option sweeps, target-finding, and heavy documentation—so architects and engineers can focus on judgment and intent. Treat AI like a power tool: useful, fast, and verifiable.
Sustainability works when it hits the wallet—and the workflow
Sustainability is past the hype and into everyday practice, especially when early envelope moves cut operational costs. The next unlock: stronger interoperability (ideally a common backbone) so insights flow cleanly from concept to detail without getting lost in translation.
 
MORE RESOURCES
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
Autodesk’s Website
 
Other Relevant Links: Simon’s LinkedInFenestraPro
 

Connected Workflows & Practical AI

How do we move AI from hype to helpful in civil and site design?
Live from AU 2025, ISG’s Jason Douglas shares how connected workflows across Forma, Revit, Civil 3D, and ACC are becoming real; why fast, responsive partners matter; and how Dynamo scripts eliminated version ping-pong to save time in production. We dig into training at scale, automation wins, and what it takes to keep multidisciplinary teams in sync.
You’ll learn:
How connected workflows across Forma, Revit, Civil 3D, and ACC are breaking down data silos in AEC
Why practical automation—like Dynamo scripting—creates real productivity gains for design teams
What strong partnerships and responsive support mean for successful tech adoption
How AI is shifting from hype to helpful through applied machine learning and predictive tools
Ways to keep multidisciplinary teams aligned and trained as technology evolves
Why communication and collaboration matter more than ever in achieving digital transformation
 
MEET OUR GUEST
Jason Douglas is a CAD Manager at ISG, with roots in civil design and a passion for practical tech. After starting in architectural drafting, he shifted to civil, became a go-to champion for software adoption, and now leads standards, support, and training across platforms like Civil 3D and ACC—lately extending automation with Dynamo to boost team efficiency.
TODD TAKES
Connected Workflows Are Becoming Real
For years we’ve talked about connected construction as a vision. Now, with tools like Forma and Revit integrating more tightly with Civil 3D and ACC, we’re seeing the walls between disciplines start to come down. This isn’t theory anymore—it’s the beginning of a truly unified way to design, build, and manage projects.
Partnerships Drive Practical Innovation
Innovation isn’t just about software features; it’s about the relationships and support that make technology adoption possible. The right partner listens, responds quickly, and helps translate tools into outcomes. That kind of support accelerates adoption and creates measurable productivity gains across teams.
AI and Automation Need to Deliver Value
AI has dominated headlines, but the real impact comes when it moves from hype to reality. Practical applications—whether through automation in ACC, Dynamo scripts in Civil 3D, or predictive insights—are what will change daily workflows. The key is building trust in the technology so it’s seen as a time-saver, not a risk.
 
More Resources 
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
Autodesk’s Website
 
Other Relevant Links:
Jason’s LinkedIn
ISG Website

The Real Meaning of Innovation in Construction

How do you build a culture where innovation thrives instead of being feared?
Recorded live at Autodesk University in Nashville, this conversation with Cliff Cole, Director of Virtual Design and Construction at The PENTA Building Group, dives into what it really takes to embed innovation into the DNA of a construction company. Cliff shares how storytelling, timing, and empathy create trust and drive adoption—turning change management into a shared mission instead of a mandate.
You’ll learn:
Why every construction team is already innovating (even if they don’t call it that)
How to build a culture that celebrates creativity and problem-solving
The art of storytelling to communicate innovation effectively
How timing and trust make or break new technology adoption
Ways to overcome generational and cultural barriers to change
 
MEET OUR GUEST
Cliff Cole is the Director of Virtual Design and Construction at The PENTA Building Group, a Las Vegas–based general contractor known for projects across healthcare, education, gaming, and tribal sectors. With over two decades in the industry, Cliff has built a reputation for fostering innovation through empathy, collaboration, and storytelling. He’s a passionate advocate for redefining construction’s culture—helping teams see that every challenge is an opportunity to innovate, communicate, and grow.
TODD TAKES
Innovation Starts with Culture
Innovation in construction isn’t just about adopting new tools—it’s about creating a culture where people feel empowered to solve problems creatively. Every project brings unknowns, and teams already innovate daily to adapt and deliver. Recognizing that mindset helps shift the narrative: construction is, at its core, an innovative industry.
Storytelling Unlocks Buy-In
Problem-solving alone isn’t enough—innovation needs to be communicated. Too often, teams do the hard work but don’t showcase how it’s transforming outcomes. Building the muscle of storytelling, meeting people where they are, and delivering the right message at the right time is what turns technical solutions into cultural movements.
Timing and Trust Matter in Change
Rolling out new technology or processes requires more than good ideas—it requires timing, trust, and empathy. People resist change not because they can’t use technology, but because they need to see the value in their own context. Walking in their shoes, asking the right questions, and introducing solutions at the right moment makes adoption stick.
 
More Resources 
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
Autodesk’s Website
 
Other Relevant Links:
Cliff’s LinkedIn
PENTA Group Website

From Data to Decisions: BIM Governance, AI & Interoperability

What does it take to build a data strategy that empowers people—rather than overwhelms them?
Live from AU Nashville, BIM governance leader Kirsty Hogg unpacks how to build a useful data strategy (not a data swamp), keep feedback lightweight in ACC, and prepare your teams for AI, machine learning, and cloud-first workflows. We dig into lessons-learned capture, lakehouse fundamentals, picking low-friction tools (Ideate, File Sync), and why cultural safety (“it’s OK to learn fast”) turns skeptics into champions. Plus: what seamless interoperability should look like—and how to inch toward it today.
You’ll learn:
How to frame questions before filling your data lake
Practical ways to capture “lessons learned” via ACC issues
Change management that actually sticks (and who should be the messenger)
Why fewer tools = faster wins—and where AI truly fits next
A realistic path toward interoperability and Forma-era workflows
MEET OUR GUEST
Kirsty Hogg is a BIM Governance Lead based in London, overseeing software strategy, standards, and workflows for a global engineering consultancy. She focuses on practical data governance, cloud-first delivery, and scalable processes that make ACC, Ideate, and automation work for real project teams. Kirsty champions “data with intention,” helping organizations capture the right signals for analytics and AI—while building a culture where learning fast beats perfection.
TODD TAKES
Data With Intention, Not Accumulation
Start with the questions, then collect the data. Keep data feedback capture lightweight (e.g., “lessons learned” via simple ACC issues), make it interoperable, and build your data lake to serve decisions—not to hoard. Machine learning comes after you’ve curated useful, consistent signals.
Make It Safe to Learn Fast
Change sticks when teams are allowed to “do it wrong” once to see why the better path matters. Spread champions beyond BIM—let others carry the message so the right people hear the “what’s in it for me.” The right messenger accelerates adoption.
Fewer Tools, Faster Wins
Choose tools with a low learning curve and broad utility to cut cognitive load and speed uptake. Automations and smart syncs free people from busywork so they can focus on value. Keep strategy horizons short, stay cloud-first, and design for interoperability as Forma and AI evolve.
 
More Resources 
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
 
Other Relevant Links:
Kirsty’s LinkedIn
Cundall’s Website

Making Sustainability Work: Turning Vision into Action

What does it take to make sustainability more than a buzzword?
Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation with Allison Scott, Director of Customer Experience & Industry Engagement at Autodesk, dives into how sustainability becomes real when it’s woven into the daily workflow.
Allison shares how the AEC industry is entering a hockey-stick moment—where data, technology, and culture converge to turn good intentions into measurable impact. From integrating carbon with cost to building a culture of accountability, this episode explores how innovation, accessibility, and human leadership are reshaping the built world for people and planet alike.
Highlights from the Conversation
Why sustainability must be embedded into everyday workflows
How connecting cost and carbon drives smarter business decisions
The rise of digital culture and generational change in AEC
Turning data into action: the role of tech in reducing emissions
Why transformation happens top-down and bottom-up
MEET OUR GUEST
Allison Scott is Director of Customer Experience & Industry Engagement at Autodesk, leading sustainability initiatives that bridge technology and impact across the built environment. With over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, construction, and tech, Allison focuses on transforming sustainability from a concept into a core business advantage—helping firms design, build, and operate with purpose and performance in mind.
TODD TAKES
Sustainability Must Be Woven Into the Workflow
Allison underscored that sustainability can’t be a side effort or a separate team in the corner—it has to become part of the everyday workflow. Just like BIM or digital field tools, the biggest gains happen when sustainable practices are integrated into decisions early and often.
Practicality Turns Buzzwords Into Value
Sustainability often feels overwhelming or abstract, but Allison reframed it as a practical, competitive advantage. By tying carbon data directly to cost, companies can ground big goals in everyday project choices—whether it’s reducing waste, reusing materials, or tracking embodied carbon. That shift moves sustainability from “good intentions” to measurable business impact.
Transformation Happens Top-Down and Bottom-Up
The industry is in a hockey-stick moment where both leadership mandates and grassroots champions are driving change. From superintendents using mobile tools to enterprise-level firms making sustainability part of their strategy, the cultural shift is accelerating. The future of innovation comes from aligning both forces to make sustainable, tech-enabled practices the norm.
 
More Resources 
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
 
Other Relevant Links:
Allison’s LinkedIn
Autodesk’s Website

The Fellowship of Design: Conquering AEC’s Workflow Quests

What does it take to turn AEC’s ‘impossible quests’—like coordination, data sharing, and upskilling—into victories? Every great innovation begins with a quest.
Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this episode features Jessica Brams-Miller, Director of Design Technology at Hart Howerton, as she leads us through the epic adventure of solving AEC’s toughest challenges — from the Point-Limit Basilisk to the Merge Hydra.
Jessica shares how creativity, collaboration, and a “fellowship of leaders” mindset are helping firms turn roadblocks into victories. When teams share data instead of guarding it like the One Ring, innovation becomes a shared journey — not a solo climb.
💡 Highlights from the conversation
Turning Revit monsters into teachable moments
Building a fellowship for open knowledge-sharing across firms
Using tools like Ideate and Forma to forge stronger workflows
Why innovation means breaking the rule… to rewrite it for good
Collaboration as the true magic of the modern AEC world
MEET OUR GUEST
Jessica Brams-Miller is Director of Design Technology at Hart Howerton, where she helps lead a multi-disciplinary team across architecture, planning, and interiors. With a creative spirit and technical mastery, Jessica is on a quest to make collaboration, data-sharing, and innovation part of every firm’s journey.
TODD TAKES
Creativity Unlocks the Full Value of Tools
The opportunity comes when teams think creatively about how to adapt tools to their workflows—whether that’s reimagining site modeling, tiling data, or inventing new approaches. When technology and ingenuity work together, even the toughest constraints become opportunities for innovation.
Share the Map: Open Data > Precious Secrets
Progress accelerates when teams talk early, share data, and swap playbooks. Jessica’s “fellowship of leaders” mindset—publishing cleaned workflows, comparing what works, and leaning on partners and tools like Ideate—turns isolated fixes into industry improvements. Collaboration beats siloed genius every time.
New Tech Needs New Habits
Adoption sticks when you pair tools with clear processes and upskilling. Weekly check-ins, consistent updates, baseline skills, and model hygiene turn change fatigue into momentum. Innovation, as Jessica puts it, is knowing the rules—and breaking them for the better.
More Resources
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
 
Other Relevant Links:
Jessica’s LinkedIn
Hart Howerton Website

Connected by Design: Building the Future of Construction Data

How can construction finally break free from silos and unlock the full power of connected data?
Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation with Lalith Subramanian, Global VP of Product & Engineering, explores the future of an end-to-end industry cloud — where design, preconstruction, and operations all work from the same living data.
Lalith shares insights on creating trust in AI, practical collaboration frameworks, and how selective data sharing is redefining what’s possible for teams across the built environment.
💡 Highlights from the conversation
Breaking down data silos with connected workflows
Practical ways to “trust but verify” AI in construction
Why culture and contracts matter more than code
Selective sharing: collaboration without losing control
The next evolution of intelligent design feedback loops
MEET OUR GUEST
Lalith Subramanian is the Global Vice President of Product and Engineering, driving innovation across cloud, data, and AI solutions that connect the full project lifecycle. With over two decades of SaaS and product leadership experience spanning cybersecurity, document management, and digital transformation, Lalith brings a systems-level view to construction’s modernization journey. His focus on practical collaboration, cultural alignment, and trustworthy AI reflects a mission to help teams move from fragmented processes to connected, insight-driven workflows that elevate performance across the built world.
TODD TAKES
Unify the Lifecycle to Remove Friction
Bringing ACC into Forma isn’t a feature drop—it’s the foundation for an end-to-end industry cloud where design, precon, construction, and operations share the same living data. Less handoff friction means fewer early-stage errors and better schedule and margin outcomes. This is the starting line for true lifecycle transformation.
Share Data, Keep Control
Silos won’t disappear with software alone—trust and contracts matter. The play is selective sharing: let each party keep a full-fidelity copy while securely syncing the right, current data at the right time (think “bridge,” not “dump”). That’s how collaboration grows without sacrificing accountability or IP.
AI That Assists—With Sources
AI expectations are maturing from “magic button” to “trust but verify.” The wins come from assistive AI that cites sources, accelerates answers, and leaves final judgment with people. Leaders should tailor ROI by stakeholder, pair AI with clear guardrails, and build the culture and workflows that make adoption stick.
 
More Resources 
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
 
Other Relevant Links:
Lalith’s LinkedIn
Autodesk’s Website

Culture on the Bleeding Edge: How Satterfield & Pontikes Drives Change from the Field Up

What does it take to turn skeptics into champions of innovation?
Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025, this conversation with Mark Dinius of Satterfield & Pontikes dives into how one of Texas’s most forward-thinking builders is shaping a “bleeding-edge” culture where technology, trust, and field-first innovation thrive.
From leading a major Procore → ACC migration to redefining risk management with data-driven tools, Mark shares practical lessons in change management, intentional tech adoption, and empowering teams to see value in new ways.
Highlights from the Conversation
How culture turns skeptics into tech champions
Why new tools demand new processes—not old habits
Building trust through early wins and people-first support
Why interoperability beats tool overload every time
The future of AI and object-driven data in construction
MEET OUR GUEST
Mark Dinius is Vice President of Innovation & Technology at Satterfield & Pontikes, where he leads IT, VDC, systems integration, and analytics across commercial, industrial, K–12, and healthcare projects. A BIM pioneer and Purdue alum, Mark has evolved from virtual construction within academia into driving digital transformation in the field—advancing object-driven data, process modernization, and intentional tech adoption to help his teams work smarter, not harder.
TODD TAKES
Culture Turns Skeptics into Champions
SatPon’s “bleeding edge” mindset starts at the top and spreads by proving value on real jobs. Once teams see tech remove risk and save time, the boulder rolls downhill—your hardest skeptics become your loudest advocates. Trust is earned by solving their problems first.
Be Intentional: New Tech, New Process
Their Procore → ACC migration worked because they didn’t cram old habits into new tools. Clear ownership, phased rollout, and people-first support (training, ticketing, KPIs) kept overwhelm down and adoption up. The same discipline guides AI: avoid point-solution sprawl, prioritize impact.
Make the Field’s Job Easier (Object-Driven Data)
The win isn’t “more apps”—it’s faster answers where supers already live: the plans. An object-driven approach that ties RFIs, submittals, schedule, costs, and vendor info to the element on screen beats tool-switching every time. Interoperability (and smart tools) should serve that simple goal.
 
More Resources 
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
 
Other Relevant Links:
Mark’s LinkedIn
SatPon’s Website

From Jobsite to Data Site: How Construction Tech Is Finally Solving the Real Problems

What happens when someone who’s lived the chaos of the jobsite starts leading global construction sales at Autodesk?
Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025, this conversation with Brent Ramos dives into the human side of construction tech — solving the real problems that happen every day on projects. Brent shares his journey from fourth-generation stucco contractor to Autodesk leader, revealing why technology only matters when it fixes miscommunication, eliminates rework, and frees people to focus on building.
Highlights from the Conversation
Why fixing field frustrations is the foundation of meaningful innovation
How connected data and AI unlock smarter, predictive decisions
Why “bad data” is a workflow problem — not a tech one
What it takes to build intentional, lasting innovation
How Autodesk’s Forma platform is turning connected construction into reality
MEET OUR GUEST
Brent Ramos leads Autodesk’s global construction technology sales, bringing a unique perspective shaped by decades in the field. A fourth-generation stucco and plaster tradesman by roots, Brent began his career doing hands-on work—hot carrying, patching, scaffolding—and then managed projects, founded his own construction business, and eventually pivoted into software and digital transformation. Today, as Autodesk’s construction sales leader, Brent bridges real-world experience with modern tech, guiding how connected data, AI, and purposeful innovation can solve the problems he once faced firsthand.
TODD TAKES
Solve the Real Problems, Don't Just Add Tech
The passion for construction technology comes from firsthand experience with the pain points—miscommunication, rework, and wasted time. Technology only matters when it fixes those problems. The goal should always be less paperwork, fewer silos, and more people building.
Connected Data Unlocks Smarter Decisions
Data has been messy, siloed, and disconnected for too long. The shift happening now is toward unifying information in one platform so it’s searchable, contextual, and actionable. That’s how data goes from “bad” to powerful—fueling workflows, predictive insights, and better decision-making.
Innovation Takes Intentionality and Trust
Progress doesn’t happen by chasing every shiny object. It takes an intentional, steady commitment to unify tools, embed AI where it adds real value, and build trust with customers and partners. That’s what ensures innovation sticks and makes life easier for people in the field.
 
More Resources 
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
 
Other Relevant Links:
Brent’s LinkedIn
Autodesk Website

Building Trust in Transformation: AI, Data, and Partner Agility

How do you lead through change when innovation is happening at lightning speed?
Recorded live at Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, this conversation with Rachel Tuller, VP Global Channels at Autodesk, explores how data, AI, and culture are redefining success in the partner ecosystem. The discussion dives into what it takes to build trust, communicate effectively, and stay agile in a world where technology and customer expectations are constantly evolving.
Highlights from the Conversation
Why innovation now centers on customer outcomes, not features
How connected data and AI are powering smarter workflows
The role of trust and clarity in driving successful change management
Why communication is the foundation of every transformation
How agility and collaboration keep the industry moving forward together
MEET OUR GUEST
Rachel Tuller is the Vice President of Global Channels at Autodesk, where she leads global partner strategy, programs, and enablement. With deep expertise in digital transformation, channel development, and customer success, Rachel focuses on building high-trust relationships, aligning partner value with customer outcomes, and preparing the Autodesk ecosystem for the future of AI and data-driven innovation.
TODD TAKES
Innovation Is About Customer Outcomes
The most exciting change is that innovation is no longer framed as features or transactions—it’s about outcomes. Partners and technology providers alike are leaning into solving customer problems, improving workflows, and creating measurable impact. That shift from “what’s the tool” to “what’s the result” is where true transformation happens.
Data + AI Should Power Workflows (Not Features)
The story this year isn’t about buttons—it’s about end-to-end workflows driven by connected data and embedded AI. When insights surface in real time, teams move faster and make better calls. Practical AI plus thoughtful services create a multiplier effect for productivity and project success.
Trust Fuels Change (Start with the Why)
Change management begins with clarity. When leaders communicate the “why” early and often, they build trust that makes adoption possible. Add cultural alignment and open collaboration, and change shifts from something feared to something embraced. That circle of trust is where meaningful progress happens.
 
More Resources
Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts.
Bridging the Gap Website
Bridging the Gap LinkedIn
Bridging the Gap Instagram
Bridging the Gap YouTube
Todd’s LinkedIn
 
Thank you to our sponsors!
Graitec North America
Graitec North America LinkedIn
 
Other Relevant Links:
Rachel’s LinkedIn
Autodesk Website