#041 - Sam Gregson - Synergy in Architecture: Modular Design, Computational Tools, and Machine Learning
Today, we have Sam Gregson, the lead computational designer at Modulous, joining us for this episode. Our discussion covers a range of topics, including efficient design solutions, computational design, the importance of digitized design costing programming and procurement in shaping our future, and more.
In this episode, we take a closer look at:-
Modular construction benefits: leverage computational models.
Addressing interoperability with construction plugins.
Machine learning enhances computational design effectiveness.
Gaming insights drive advancements in design.
Diverse backgrounds within the Modulus software team.
Emphasizing creativity attracts young talent to construction.
If you're finding value in our podcast, we kindly request you to share your feedback by leaving a review. Your support enables us to attract incredible guests and deliver the finest and most enlightening content on technology in the built world.
-------------------------------
Sam Gregson, Lead Computational Designer at Modulous
-------------------------------------------
Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
------------------------------------------
Timestamps:
read more
Bricks & Bytes
#062 - Aarni Heiskanen - Building Finland’s Biggest Office With Just 92 mb of memory - Decades of Disruptive Innovation In Construction
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Aarni Heiskanen, the Construction Innovation Agent at AE Partners
Learn why construction innovation is hard, how workers waste 80% of time, how digital tech cuts costs 20%, and how sustainability is driving the future.
Tune in to find out about:
Why construction's complexity makes innovation nearly impossible
Research showing 80% of worker time wasted searching for info
How on-site "mini factories" could optimize with robotics
How digital tech like BIM is already cutting quality costs 20%
Why sustainability is imperative and requires digitization
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
----------------------------------------
Aarni Heiskanen | Construction Innovation Agent at AE Partners | ConTech
----------------------------------------
Today’s Sponsor: beta – Construction and technology network platform
– connecting the tech industry with traditional construction partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
----------------------------------------
Timestamps:
(0:00-1:22) - Intro
(1:22-6:00) - Innovations happening in construction
(6:00-19:10) - Tips to increase productivity in construction
(19:10-22:10) - What works best in terms of innovation in construction
(22:10-31:10) - What people are more interested in among tangible products and software in construction
(31:10-36:10) - Benchmarks for measuring innovation
(36:10-38:00) - AEC Business
(38:00-40:10) - Strategy for growing on LinkedIn
(40:10-41:08) - Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
#035 - Matthew Byrd - Current state of Reality Capture and scanning industry
🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of Bricks and Bytes!
In this episode, we chat with Matthew Byrd - a great speaker and founder of Reality Capture about his journey in construction, technology and how he got involved in laser scanning and how it transformed his career path.
We also discuss:
potential of RealityCapture for creating digital replicas of physical assets and sites
benefits of this technology and the opportunities it presents for different industries
digital twins, 3D models and their future in construction industry.
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
---------------------------------------
Matthew Byrd | Founder of Reality Capture | Podcast & Conference Host | Speaker
---------------------------------------
Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
---------------------------------------
Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:23 - Intro
00:01:23 --> 00:02:05 - Sponsor
00:02:05 --> 00:06:15 - Matthew's background and involvement in Reality Capture
00:06:15 --> 00:11:20 - Adaption of Reality Capture in the construction industry
00:11:20 --> 00:15:45 - Discussion of iPhone's LiDAR technology and its potential uses in scanning
00:15:45 --> 00:19:20 - Explanation of laser scanning and its benefits
00:19:20 --> 00:23:53 - 3D modeling, digital twins and their potential applications in different industries
00:23:53 --> 00:27:50 - Matthew’s tips on how to get started in laser scanning
00:27:50 --> 00:32:47 - Potential use of digital twins in construction industry
00:32:47 --> 00:34:55 - Lack of awareness about a certain service as a difficulty in its adaptation
00:34:55 --> 00:36:26 - Differences in development of software versus hardware
00:36:26 --> 00:40:25 - Matthew’s history on how the technology changed his career path
00:40:25 --> 00:42:00 - Reality Capture Network events and community
00:42:00 --> 00:43:40- Reality Capture during construction and the potential for growth in the industry
00:43:40 --> 00:46:55 - Matthew’s great communication skills and who has inspired him
00:46:55 --> 00:48:16 - Variety of projects Matthew has worked on
00:48:16 --> 00:49:30 - More about Matthew
00:49:30 --> 00:49:48 - Outro
read more
Bricks & Bytes
#039 - Daniel Leech - Construction innovation, off-site and culture
Our today’s guest is Daniel Leech, the CEO of D4S (Design for Structures). With over 22 years of experience in the industry, Dan shared his journey of transforming his business from a steelwork detailing company to a full-service structural design consultancy.
In this episode, we uncover:
- Transition from 2D CAD to 3D BIM and the impact on professionals
- The potential of modular construction
- Innovation and pain points in construction industry
- Construction culture and things that need changing
- Many more!
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review! This helps us get more amazing guests to give you guys the best and most informative content on technology in the built world.
---------------------------------------
Daniel Leech CEO at Design4Structures
---------------------------------------
Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
---------------------------------------
Timestamps:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:18 - Intro
00:01:18 --> 00:01:57 - Sponsor
00:01:57 --> 00:06:19 - Dan's background and the evolution of D4S
00:06:19 --> 00:09:42 - Dan's role as CEO and the transition from a hands-on approach
00:09:42 --> 00:11:18 - Hiring strategies and the balance between recruitment and workload
00:11:18 --> 00:14:38 - The role of technology in the construction industry
00:14:38 --> 00:18:23 - Challenges in utilising BIM and digital tools effectively
00:18:23 --> 00:19:03 - Overcoming the challenges: changing the culture
00:19:03 --> 00:23:39 - Creating a collaborative and problem-solving environment
00:23:39 --> 00:26:38 - The challenge of staying up-to-date in a rapidly evolving market
00:26:38 --> 00:28:25 - The need for a shift from the lowest price to the best price
00:28:25 --> 00:34:00 - The potential of integrated project insurance (IPI) collaboration and respectful partnerships in construction
00:34:00 --> 00:37:30 - Staying on top of innovation in large / medium size companies
00:37:30 --> 00:38:08 - Exploring the percentage of residential and commercial projects in modular construction
00:38:08 --> 00:47:19 - Is modular construction the solution to the housing shortage?
00:47:19 --> 00:50:40 - Dan’s ways to relax
00:50:4 --> 00:51:01 - More about Dan
00:51:01 --> 00:51:17 - Outro
$32M Series B: How Stratus is Revolutionizing MEP Workflows
"300 billion dollars for AI infrastructure in the next few years - but who will design and build it all?" - A thought-provoking insight from our latest conversation about the massive construction needs for AI's future.
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Stratus raising $32M Series B to revolutionize MEP contractors' digital workflows.
We explored how tech giants Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are planning to spend $300B on AI infrastructure construction, creating massive opportunities in the data center space.
Through Patric Hellermann's investor lens, we discovered why focusing on core infrastructure and authoring tools might be smarter than chasing AI-first solutions.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Stratus is transforming MEP contractor workflows from design to fabrication
✅ The emerging opportunities in data center construction and infrastructure
✅ Why owning authoring tools beats single-point AI features
✅ The strategic advantage of avoiding overcrowded AI-first solutions
----
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stratus and AI in Construction
05:44 Understanding Stratus: MEP Workflows and Digital Solutions
11:21 The Role of AI in Design and Construction
17:00 The Future of Engineering: Human Touch vs. AI
24:01 Emerging Companies and Innovations in Construction Tech
24:35 Automation in Engineering Workflows
25:50 Massive Investments in AI Infrastructure
27:52 Emerging Startups in AI Data Centers
31:40 The Role of AI in Construction
35:00 Navigating the AI Gold Rush
37:33 The Inefficiency of Venture Capital Allocation
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
The Truth About 3D Printed Homes: A Deep Dive Into ICON's $450M Technology
Is 3D printing concrete homes worth the $450M investment?
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn that despite being a $2B company, ICON's 3D printed homes only show a tiny 0.5% carbon advantage over regular timber construction.
We also explored why Q4 2024 was special for construction tech - it grabbed nearly 1% of all VC funding, the second-highest share ever. Even more impressive given that 2024 saw the lowest overall VC funding since 2014.
The most striking insight came from questioning the basics - why use concrete, a material best for large-scale projects, to print single-family homes?
Tune in to find out about:
✅ What's driving Asia-Pacific's growing lead in construction tech funding
✅ Why 3D printed concrete homes struggle in wet climates
✅ Which parts of construction tech are actually getting funded
✅ How early-stage funding stayed strong while growth rounds dropped
-----
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Glitches
01:03 Recent News: ICON's Layoffs and Valuation
02:49 Exploring 3D Concrete Printing Technology
05:49 Sustainability Concerns in Concrete Printing
08:59 Comparative Analysis: Concrete vs. Timber Homes
12:04 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
14:56 Automation and Efficiency in Home Construction
18:09 Future of 3D Concrete Printing Technology
21:54 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
22:56 Market Fit for 3D Concrete Homes
24:04 Impact of Staff Reductions on Valuation
25:47 Understanding Company Valuations and Experiments
27:07 Applications of 3D Printing in Housing
29:02 First Principles of Cost in Construction
30:58 Trends in AEC Tech Funding
39:10 Market Dynamics and Future Predictions
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Building a €450M Construction Tech Giant: How Philip Schröder's Marketing Built Germany's Latest Energy Tech Giant
"Your margin is my opportunity... unless you're selling outcomes in construction tech!"
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored 1KOMMA5°'s impressive €150M pre-IPO round and their unique approach of acquiring 30+ companies since 2021 to scale their energy tech business.
We also learned about an intriguing debate around whether companies can call themselves "market leaders" in Germany, sparked by a court case between 1KOMMA5° and their competitor.
The most fascinating insight came from Patric's take on fixed vs. variable costs in construction tech: Companies that produce with fixed costs but sell outcomes (variable costs) have a unique opportunity to build generational businesses in construction - but this window might only last 10 years.
Tune in to learn about:
✅ Why 1KOMMA5°'s founder Philip Schröder's marketing genius is their secret sauce
✅ How selling outcomes beats traditional SaaS pricing in construction
✅ Why converting variable costs to fixed costs through automation is game-changing
✅ An innovative structural engineering firm reducing design time by 90%
Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
-----
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:56 Diving into One Comma Five
06:01 Understanding the Solar PV Market
11:59 Investment Insights and Market Valuation
18:03 The Role of Technology in Energy Solutions
24:02 Marketing Strategies and Competitive Landscape
30:12 Future Challenges and Business Models
31:07 The Evolution of Energy Training
32:29 Understanding Fixed vs. Variable Costs
37:38 The Impact of SaaS on Construction
43:34 Exploring IPOs and Market Trends
49:45 Emerging Trends in Construction Technology Sales
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Building a $1.6B Construction Tech Company in Australia - Lessons on Distribution vs Product
"The construction tech founders obsess over product, but distribution might matter more."
In today's episode, we discussed about VisiBuild securing a $6.6M round from Skip Capital to improve construction quality checks - going beyond just turning paper into apps.
We also discovered why Australian construction tech punches above its weight, with just two companies (Aconex and Safety Culture) putting the country third globally in unicorns.
Most valuable was Shubhankar's take on why typical SaaS metrics might not tell the whole story in construction tech's early stages.
Tune in to learn:
✅ Why the "build it and they will come" approach fails in construction
✅ How Australian founders turn their small market size into a global advantage
✅ What makes construction tech distribution different from regular SaaS
✅ Why community building matters as much as features
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear practical insights for anyone building or investing in construction tech.
-----
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Distribution in AEC Tech
03:05 Execution Moat: The Key to Success
05:59 Navigating Distribution Challenges in Construction Tech
09:08 Market Dynamics: Distribution Strategies for Different ARR Levels
12:04 Global Perspectives: Indian Founders Targeting the US Market
14:49 Comparative Approaches: US vs. Indian Founders in Distribution
18:08 Community Building: A Strategy for Distribution Success
21:00 The State of SaaS in Indian Construction Tech
24:12 VisiBuild: A Case Study in Construction Tech Investment
33:14 Exploring Visibild's Impact in Construction Tech
36:09 The Evolution of Quality Checks in Construction
40:05 Unicorns in Construction Tech: Australia’s Rising Stars
42:58 The Unique Landscape of Australian Startups
47:59 Challenges and Opportunities for Australian Founders
52:57 Assessing Product-Market Fit in Construction Tech