Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

How to Practice Continuous Improvement

Work shouldn't be wasteful and work shouldn't be burdensome. Robert Penney says that anyone who has stopped liking their work can find joy in it again through better communication, process improvement, and keeping a pulse on the latest industry best practices. Building skills looks different for everyone and the path towards enjoying your work again may surprise you.
Robert Penney is the national director of continuous improvement for Skanska and is a featured co-author sharing his expertise in the anthology, Secrets of the Construction Industry.

How To Have A Shot At Prefab

Offsite facilities are opening up everywhere. Everyone wants a shot at getting prefab 'right' and growing the industry into the massive potential that we know is there. Will the backbone of the industry still remain in hardware or are currents shifting towards software?
Anthony Montesano is a solution sales manager at StrucSoft. He is a seasoned veteran of the industry - from shipping software on CDs in the early 2000s to connecting teams with the tools to build the Las Vegas sphere and beyond.

Prefab Sees a Boost from AI

Back again from Advancing Prefab comes Amr Raafat and Stuart Meurer. Each year, these two take a longitudinal look at how the field of prefab has changed over time. The big topic this year? AI, naturally. A unique angle came from our conversation because their company Windover Construction used AI to assist in projects and were able to verify that it was indeed accurate. Perhaps over the next year we will see other companies doing similar testing and adding their thoughts to the industry at large.
Stuart Meurer is President and CEO of Windover Construction. He provides leadership for the firm and is integral to ensuring operational excellence across all project teams. Dedicated to service and collaboration, Stuart focuses Windover’s teams and resources on the needs of clients to deliver a tailored, thoughtful approach to every project. 
Amr Raafat leads Windover’s virtual design and construction team and the Innovations for Design, Engineering, and Automation (IDEA™) platform, providing leading-edge technology services to optimize project delivery. He received his master’s degree in architecture from the Boston Architectural College and received global recognition as the Innovator of the Year award at the Autodesk AEC Excellence Awards in 2019.

How to Build the Las Vegas Sphere

How do you build something that's never been tried before? How do you model something that's never been modeled before? If you're looking for the answer to those questions, Alain Michalak is your guy. He brings the "there must be a way" mindset to every project - including the Las Vegas Sphere. This episode is rich with advice for challenging the way things have always been done and paving the way for projects of the future.
Alain Michalak is a BIM Senior Specialist with passion for practicing early architectural techniques and concepts with modern innovative technology. His unique projects include the MSG Sphere at the Venetian, Allegiant Stadium, Resorts World Las Vegas and more.

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.