Digital Builder

Join us for our milestone 100th episode of the Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at AU 2024, the Design & Make conference!We sit down with Esteban Corrales, Senior Technical Sales Manager at Autodesk, and Jenna Pellegrino, Senior Manager of Customer Experience Strategy at Autodesk, to talk about their experiences at Autodesk University so far, what to check out throughout the rest of AU, the conversations and interactions they've been having with customers, and the importance of empathy and trust for building effective partnerships.Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Join us for this special episode of the Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at AU 2024, the Design & Make conference!We sit down with Jim Lynch, Senior Vice President of Autodesk Construction Solutions, to talk about what he's been hearing from Autodesk's partners and customers over the last year, the current and upcoming trends in the AEC industry, and how technology is not just transforming how companies approach construction, but it's even changing how those same companies see themselves.Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Getting Preconstruction right is no easy task—it takes effective leadership, great communication strategies, and strong relationship-building skills. When it’s done well, projects can meet deadlines, budget expectations, and owner expectations , but when it's done poorly, the results can be catastrophic, from overspending to unexpected project delays, entire projects can be threatened by poor preconstruction strategies. Alongside its importance to the overall construction process, there’s also never been a better time to build a career in Preconstruction. In this episode, we sit down with two precon powerhouses: Taimoor Khan, VP of Preconstruction at Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, and JD King, VP of Preconstruction at LEMOINE, to get a more thorough look at what’s happening in the precon world, how leaders can better manage their teams, and how to navigate the complex relationships GCs can have with subcontractors, trades, and specialty contractors. Here’s what we cover: The state of Preconstruction in recent years Nurturing trade partner relationships for successful precon How subcontractors, trades, and specialty contractors can position themselves to find and win more bids Why it’s a great time to build a career in preconstruction How to prevent burnout and create a healthy working environment The biggest organizational barriers to innovation and growth, both for team members and for the organization as a whole Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

The move toward increasingly sustainable construction practices requires more than just a strategy. Without a significant paradigm shift that makes reducing our carbon footprint a top priority, sustainability will always remain just out of reach. That’s why we are excited to talk with Webcor's Senior Sustainability Officer, Sarah Rege.  In this episode, we dive into Sarah’s career transition from architecture to being a sustainability leader at a general contractor, how Webcor is integrating sustainability across their entire business, and how prioritization is enabling successful sustainability initiatives.  Here’s what we cover: Webcor’s electric vehicle fleet initiative The significance of data in tracking emissions How to discuss sustainability in owner conversations The U. S. Green Building Council’s TRU Zero Waste for Construction system How health and wellness principles are influencing the way buildings and workspaces are developed Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Discover the vital importance of collaboration between architects and contractors in successful construction projects. Explore how effective relationships can transform project outcomes and alleviate confusion. Learn about transitioning from architecture school to professional practice and the value of self-advocacy for career advancement. Delve into the art of pitching ideas and the role of feedback in professional development. Gain insights on nurturing future architects through mentorship and leadership.

Innovation, purpose-built tools, and the labor shortage have initiated an unexpected shift in roles across the construction industry, especially when it comes to superintendents. Traditionally, the majority of superintendents have a background in the trades and deeply engrained experience from the field. Now, more than ever, superintendents are entering the role from a variety of backgrounds, creating a unique mix of experiences, perspectives, and approaches to the role.  In this episode, we are sitting down with Erin Saiki, who pivoted from her career in Civil Engineering and now has fully embraced the superintendent role at DPR Construction. We explore her career journey and how she sees the superintendent role evolving alongside the construction industry. Here’s what we cover: Erin’s unique career path from civil engineer to superintendent The growing variety of experiences and leadership styles among today’s superintendents The superintendent’s role in streamlining and shortening project schedules The rising importance of trade skills for future superintendents How purpose-built tools are bridging the gap for newer superintendents How superintendents can empower the field more effectively Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

A core goal of Digital Builder has always been to highlight innovative approaches to the way companies are designing and making our world, which involves so much more than workflow processes, RFPs, and the often-overhyped threat of AI taking all of our jobs. Some of these innovations are happening at a much more granular level, which is what our friends at BamCore are doing with sustainable building materials like eucalyptus and timber bamboo.  In this episode, we sit down with two leaders from BamCore, Kate Chilton, the Chief Sustainability Officer, and Zack Zimmerman, Co-founder & Chief Commercial Officer. BamCore is dedicated to developing building solutions that minimize waste and shorten construction timelines with the goal of achieving a “beyond-zero” carbon footprint.  We discuss: What makes BamCore unique as a green construction startup Common myths around alternative construction materials The advantages of timber bamboo and eucalyptus as construction materials Other, non-material factors that impact sustainability in construction projects Influencing a culture shift in North America that encourages builders and owners to consider new materials  How BamCore’s emphasis on climate-smart practices and sustainability address a wide variety of objections If you want to hear about more organizations doing work with sustainable building materials, go check out Episode 84 where we talk with Ariana Cohn about mass timber’s growing popularity, as well.  Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

As more and more companies are adopting data strategies and AI into their processes, they are also starting to see other areas of the business that data can empower. Thiago Da Costa, Co-founder & CEO at Toric, believes one of those areas is monetization.  We sat down with Thiago at Autodesk University to pick his brain on all things data monetization: how proper data implementation can save companies money, how it can empower new revenue streams in project bids, and how that same approach also naturally leads to stronger relationships with project stakeholders.  Here’s what we cover: The gaps in data collection and curation in AEC Best practices for data monetization Why data monetization strategies also help companies stay competitive The risks of trying to adopt AI without a robust data strategy already in place How and where to deploy AI tools in your operations Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Leaders face the challenge of balancing rapid growth with technology integration. The conversation highlights the evolution of tech adoption in construction over the past 15 years. Empowering teams and fostering a culture of inclusivity are essential for navigating change. The shift to remote work has transformed collaboration, emphasizing clear communication. A strong data strategy is crucial for competitive advantage. Additionally, advancements in quantum computing and accessible tech enhance decision-making and project outcomes.

Intentional investment in raising an organization's data quality, improving its access to information, and creating and implementing robust, purpose-built technology deployments in the field is already proving to be transformative for all stakeholders across construction projects.   For leaders like Christy Steffen, Assistant Director of Gaylor University at Gaylor Electric, and Brandon Floyd, Director of Quality at Rosendin, they are already seeing the major upside to upskilling their teams and implementing these tools on site. In this episode, we’ve invited them to share how their teams are approaching the implementation of data-driven tools, team training programs, and more. We discuss: Ways to maintain a safe environment within a culture of continuous improvement How Gaylor Electric and Rosendin are approaching data training and implementation How project management technology has advanced over the last 10 years in the AEC industry The biggest challenges facing specialty contractors with project delivery and on-site safety How better data and on-demand access are already making field teams more efficient Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.