Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

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.

The Changing Purpose of Construction Sites

Has traditional construction changed for good? Industrialized construction and productization are creeping in. We're moving away from the old ways and stepping into a new realm of streamlined, efficient, and innovative building processes. 
This episode takes us through the seismic shift towards a productization mindset in construction. This change isn't just a trend; it's a necessity, offering significant gains in efficiency and sustainability. Our guest Bertrand de Peufeilhoux also explores how this evolution demands greater accountability and fosters enhanced communication among stakeholders. Tune in to understand how transparent communication is becoming the cornerstone of modern construction practices.
Bertrand de Peufeilhoux is a project manager at Bouygues Construction. He has a depth of experience in both structural engineering and software management, working on a number of high profile projects across France.

The Rapid Adoption of Industrialized Construction

Is the future of construction being built in the cloud? Listen in to find out. Brandon Ionata, a senior solution director at Graitec StrucSoft, discusses the evolving landscape of off-site construction and its integration with technology. He emphasizes the growing importance of cloud data connectivity, data sharing, and the convergence of construction and manufacturing. He highlights the shift towards more integrated and efficient construction processes, breaking down traditional industry silos. Ionata also touches on the role of software in enhancing coordination and collaboration, and the potential impact of AI and machine learning in optimizing manufacturing efficiency. 
Brandon Ionata is the Solution Line Senior Director for StrucSoft, a market leading wood and light gauge steel framing software. He has over two decades of industry experience and takes a solutions-based approach to customer challenges.

The Critical Role of GIS in Construction

Could deeper GIS integration simplify or complicate your projects? Are you overlooking potential efficiencies by not incorporating GIS data? Mortenson VDC Director Brian Nahas addresses these key questions.
Brian's conversation raises important questions about AI, deep learning, GIS, and their role in the future of construction. He suggests how evolving technologies, such as image recognition, might transform productivity tracking and project planning. Is the construction industry approaching a new era of data-driven, interconnected workflows? This episode goes beyond current technology, offering a glimpse into a future where construction could see significant advances in efficiency and project management.
Brian Nahas is an experienced Virtual Design & Construction leader with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry across the U.S. on high-profile, complex sports venues, and an internal DfMA incubator, focused on rewriting the approach and enabling vertical integration.