Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

AI Makes Its Construction Debut

AI has already become integral in society. How is it affecting the construction industry—and what do we see as its long-term effects? Join host Todd and guest Patrick Murphy as they discuss generative AI in construction, the journey from congressman to construction startup founder, how Togal.AI addresses expectations and misconceptions about artificial intelligence, and next steps for the professionals who are just beginning their journey with AI.
Patrick Murphy is a former Congressman and serves as CEO and Founder of Togal.AI, which won first place at the 2022 eMerge Americas Global Startup Showcase and The Big 5’s 2022 Startup City Global Pitch Competition. Additionally, he currently serves as an Executive Vice President of Coastal Construction, the largest General Contractor in Florida.

Do Cyborgs Take Sick Days?

Perhaps we will soon find out. Workers who use smart powered suits like those made by German Bionics often have a better quality of life. People who once came home and iced their back for hours now have time to play with the kids or pursue hobbies. People even take fewer sick days from being in pain. From the company side, there is a reduction in worker's comp, those seasoned industry experts can stick around longer and pass their knowledge on. In this episode Meghan Kennelly will take us on a deep dive into our future of assistive technology.
Meghan Kennelly is the head of marketing at leading European Robotics Firm German Bionic. She has an innate passion for introducing cutting-edge technology to businesses.

"We've Always Done It This Way"

What does it take to become fully carbon-neutral in this industry? What are some practical steps we can take in that direction? Join host Todd and guest Ben Meyer as they discuss the current conversation around sustainable practices, common pitfalls and misconceptions about carbon neutrality, and how essential it is to take collaboration and partnerships into account when we’re planning for the future of our business.Ben Meyer serves as the Building Enclosure Business Director for Siplast. He also serves as the chair of the ASRAE 90.1 Envelope Committee, Director of the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), member at Large on the NIBS BETEC board, past LEED Technical Committee member, and past Technical Advisor of the LEED Materials (MR) TAG.

Innovation is Our Livelihood

Is there a way to balance innovation and tradition? The answer is yes, but it takes mindfulness and strategy. Join host Todd and guest Chris Tatge as they discuss the “old guard” in the timber industry, reckoning with new tech and sustainable practices, the ever-changing field of the supply chain, and Chris’s journey in scaling a self-made business to the top of the market.
Chris Tatge is a 25-year veteran framer and Founder, President of DC Materials. A Wisconsin construction company recognized as one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies in the US that specializing in providing turnkey framing solutions and supplying quality lumber materials for multi- family and commercial projects. He also believes in paying it forward by mentoring the next generation of construction professionals, addressing the skilled labor shortage and setting new standards in construction.

Implementing Tech The Right Way

New cost management tech is taking the world by storm. How can you identify which software is best foryou? Join host Todd and guest Brad Buckles as they discuss the most common misunderstandings in techimplementation, Autodesk Build’s popular Cost Management tool, ERP system integration challenges,and more.
Brad Buckles is the VP of Technology and Innovation at Charles Perry Partners. Brad, a technologist atheart with an expedition into the construction industry, has been blending these two worlds for nearly12 years. His background in technology laid the foundation for a career that has since evolved to focuson how technological innovations can revolutionize the construction sector. With almost three decadesof experience in technology and a significant chapter in construction, Brad brings a unique perspective tothe table, emphasizing the importance of integrating cutting-edge tech solutions into constructionprocesses.

Mycelium Paves the Way for 2030

Is the future of construction mycelium-based? That’s what Thomas van Haren asks in sustainable building initiative. Join host Todd and guest Thomas as they discuss Thomas’ work on Project Phoenix, the essential nature of sustainable housing, cost benefits of mycelium-based building materials, and the collaborative partnerships that have helped Project Phoenix take flight.
Thomas van Haren is the Chief Operating Officer of Ecovative, where he is responsible for the mycelium composites and raw materials business lines across the United States and Europe. Ecovative’s composite products are focused on replacing single use plastics, such as EPS and PU, for applications ranging from packaging to construction materials, while the raw materials business produces spawn and substates that are required for growing these products.

Your Brand is a Hiring Make or Break

What does it mean to successfully rebrand a company? Why is it so essential to have a brand “story”? Join host Todd and guests John Lenker and Assaf Arie as they discuss best practices in attracting and retaining top talent, the role of brand perception in hiring, how behavioral science relates to marketing, and much more.
John Lenker is the Founder and CVO at LENKER. He is a marketing strategist and communications artist who helps clients develop and promote products and services that attract, inform, and invoke. His prognostications regarding the future of marketing communication arts and technology are detailed in his book, Train of Thoughts: Designing the Effective Web Experience (New Riders, 2002).
Assaf Arie is the Chief Executive Officer at LENKER. He is an entrepreneur, business strategist and growth hacker, as well as Partner and CEO of LENKER. He has successfully raised over 22M USD for business ventures from private investors and financial institutions, and has seen double-digit IRR on all investments under his management. In his time as CEO at LENKER, the company’s revenues have grown by 20x.
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The Product Platform Approach

Designers and engineers are under a lot of pressure to design all of our future infrastructure. In fact, it may be an impossible task right now. KOPE's Head of Industry Strategy Charlotte-Frances Garrett says that the product platform approach will be the silver bullet. She said that standardizing the way we build is a must. We don't have to reinvent the wheel with every new building.
Charlotte-Frances Garrett is the Head of Industry Strategy at KOPE. She is a qualified architect with extensive experience in the offsite sector having led on design, managed complex multidisciplinary teams and advised on the delivery of numerous projects across the UK.

Experience Fuels Our Organizations

Why is experience and wisdom a key for organizations? The wise fuel knowledge. We have to leverage experience so we avoid repeating the past and avoid making mistakes that come with time. Many organizations are asking the same question: how do we unlock and leverage the wealth of information that lies with seasoned veterans and how do we combine this with new technology hitting the market? Technology Consultant Catherine Walmsley dove into these questions during AU 2023.
Catherine Walmsley has her own firm where she reimagines what's possible with connected platforms. Her digital transformation leadership has been accelerating the design to delivery process in western Canada by working with builders using Autodesk products - connecting data from Inventor, Vault, Revit and the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
 

Function Over Flash

What if saving an hour a day could revolutionize the construction industry? DPR's Kyle Knauer explores this provocative idea. Discover how simple tech solutions are more than just time-savers; they're life-changers. Knauer delves into the challenges of integrating new technologies in construction, balancing flashy features with functional simplicity. This episode offers a deep dive into understanding user needs and adapting to varying project requirements, highlighting the transformative impact of technology in construction.
Kyle is an Integration Manager at DPR Construction servicing Phoenix and San Diego business units, along with national efforts related to construction technology. Kyle is coming up on his seventh year at DPR, where he started on the project management side until he switched roles to become an integration manager.