#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.
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Sam Gregson, Lead Computational Designer at Modulous
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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Timestamps:
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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!
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Aarni Heiskanen | Construction Innovation Agent at AE Partners | ConTech
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Today’s Sponsor: beta – Construction and technology network platform
– connecting the tech industry with traditional construction partners.
Check www.the-beta.com
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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
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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.
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Matthew Byrd | Founder of Reality Capture | Podcast & Conference Host | Speaker
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform - connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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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
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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.
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Daniel Leech CEO at Design4Structures
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Today's Sponsor: beta - Construction and technology network platform
- connecting the tech industry with traditional partners.
Chek www.the-beta.com
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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
$500k Salaries for Mechanics, VC’s Getting Defrauded, DOT Causes Chaos
"You give me money, and I tell you, 'I'm going to circle back in 18 months and let you know what I did with your money.' That's what a safe note is."In this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Martin, Mike Powers, Dustin DeVan, and Patric Hellermann dive into the messy reality of construction tech funding, government policy shakeups, and the AI hype that's burning through millions.Key topics discussed:The brutal truth about EU vs US startup ecosystems and where the smart money is goingWhy safe notes are "stupid money" and how founders are getting away with zero accountabilityCharlie Javis sentenced to 7 years for defrauding JPMorgan with fake user numbersConstruction AI is boring: why every startup is chasing the same chatbot dreamDepartment of Transportation's new ruling that just invalidated 40,000+ DBE certifications overnightHeavy equipment mechanics earning $500K through on-demand platforms while dealers pay them $80KPlus, guest interviews with:Alex Kraft, founder of Heave, on disrupting the $180/hour equipment repair racketWissam Akra, CEO of Toughleaf, breaking down the DOT policy bomb that's reshaping billions in infrastructure contracts"Think about how absolutely stupid that method is. You come to me, you offer me money, and I tell you, 'I'm going to circle back in 18 months and let you know what I did with your money.' That's what a safe note is." From government shutdowns to mechanics making half a million on an app, this episode exposes what's really happening behind the scenes in construction tech.--------------Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com
Chapters00:00 Intro01:35 Introduction and Government Shutdown Discussion04:07 Comparing EU and US Startups05:29 The Future of Startups in the EU08:29 Investment Trends in the US and EU11:00 Challenges in Construction Tech Across Borders14:06 Transactional Models and Regional Specificity15:41 Startup Ecosystems in Construction17:17 The Future of Construction Tech Startups18:23 AI in Pre-Construction and Its Limitations22:24 Fraud in Startups: A Cautionary Tale30:52 Introducing HEAVE: A Marketplace for Heavy Equipment Repairs38:19 Transforming an Antiquated Industry40:39 Service Agreements and Customer Trust42:16 Innovative Pricing Models in Equipment Maintenance47:46 Changes in DBE Certification and Its Impact55:31 The Future of Construction Tech and Compliance
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
NEOM Cancelled, 21K Dead, SoftBank's $5.4B Bet, Track3D Raises $10M
Is Saudi Arabia's $500B Dream Dead? Plus: The $5.4B Robotics Deal That Changes EverythingIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Martin, and Patric dive into the biggest construction and tech stories shaking up the industry right now.What we cover:NEOM's collapse - Why Saudi Arabia is pulling the plug on "The Line" and what it means for construction startups in the region (spoiler: 21,000 workers died building this dream)SoftBank's massive $5.4B bet - Breaking down the ABB Robotics acquisition and what "physical AI" really means for constructionThe humanoid vs. specialized robots debate - Which will actually take over construction sites first?Calvin from CrewScope on using gamification to boost worker productivity (yes, leaderboards for drywallers are real)NK from Track3D reveals how they raised $10M to turn reality capture data into instant project insights - no BIM model requiredThe AI circus continues - From OpenAI "killing 1000 startups" to Nvidia's brilliant financing scheme with xAIKey quote: "People have been trying solutions for so long. I don't think it's on the industry - they've been trying. It's on us as technology providers. Our technology is not simple enough." - NK Chaitanya, Track3DPlus: Owen somehow gets invited to speak at an RICS conference after failing their exam three times. Sometimes persistence beats credentials.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.io
Chapters00:00 Intro01:15 Introduction and Personal Insights on Health Tracking04:01 The Impact of Technology on Health and Well-being07:22 Exploring the Neom Project and Its Challenges09:55 The Future of Neom and Its Implications for Startups12:43 Investor Perspectives on Government-Funded Projects16:02 The Robotics Acquisition and Market Dynamics24:27 Understanding the Robotics Value Chain29:17 The Impact of Chinese Robotics on Western Markets30:49 SoftBank's Strategic Acquisition of ABB Robotics32:45 The Future of Robotics in Construction34:19 AI's Influence on the Robotics Industry39:49 Exploring CrewScope's Innovative Approach to Construction52:43 Building Partnerships in the Construction Industry53:11 Transformative Labor Savings in Construction55:01 Building Partnerships for Innovation55:13 Behavioral Change in Technology Adoption56:27 Automating Construction Monitoring with Track3D58:11 Expanding Go-To-Market Strategies59:59 Simplicity in Reality Capture Solutions01:01:41 Customer Preparedness and Market Dynamics01:04:34 The Role of Technology in Construction Verification01:06:43 Pricing Strategies for Construction Technology01:08:47 Global Team Dynamics in Tech Development01:09:49 The Future of Construction Technology
This female founder just broke a construction tech record that no one saw comingIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, Maria, Kevin, and Stjepan dive deep into the biggest moves shaking up construction tech right now.Key topics discussed:- Maria Davidson's historic $94M fundraise - the most ever raised by a female founder in construction tech- Why mixing venture capital with strategic partnerships is the secret sauce for growth - Procore's surprising new CEO choice and what it means for the industry- Oracle's aggressive push into construction tech and the M&A war heating up- Why Zoom is killing your career and you need to get back to face-to-face meetings- The hidden AI revolution happening in construction companies (that management doesn't know about)- Data center boom creating massive opportunities and risks for contractors- How to build authentic relationships that actually close enterprise deals
Key quote:"I'm very surprised by this selection because this person was already on the board of Procore where Procore has been stagnant since they went IPO. You've been sitting at the table the entire time and the stock's done nothing." - Dustin on Procore's new CEO pickFrom record-breaking fundraises to controversial leadership decisions, this episode reveals the power moves and industry secrets that are reshaping construction tech forever.-----------------Chapters00:00 Intro01:25 Introduction and Technical Difficulties04:08 Celebrating Investment Success07:13 The Value of Strategic vs. Venture Capital10:04 Hiring and Building a Strong Team13:08 The Importance of Candidate Experience16:16 Future Plans and Market Expansion19:11 Navigating Industry Challenges and Opportunities25:51 Navigating the Solar Industry and Employment Challenges28:09 Strategic Partnerships and Investment in Construction Tech30:55 Innovations in Project Management and Supply Chain Solutions34:26 Procore's New Leadership and Industry Implications43:24 Oracle's Strategic Positioning in Construction Tech45:30 M&A Activity in Construction Tech46:30 Oracle's Strategic Moves48:18 The Importance of Community in Construction Tech49:22 The Future of Major Players in Construction Tech50:26 Building Relationships Beyond Zoom56:17 Cultural Considerations in Business01:00:25 AI in AEC: Perspectives and Opportunities01:04:22 Building a Business Around AI01:08:28 The Power of Authentic Communication----------🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3P7JkiN9X3N4Kh6jlDsOgi?si=91JP5nxvQbKStkp8AQdAOg 📩 Subscribe to the Bricks & Bytes Newsletter: https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/🌐 Visit our website: http://bricks-bytes.com/📲 Follow us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/ Twitter: https://x.com/bricksbytespod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
Sponsors:BuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioArchdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comEnjoying the insights? Hit that Subscribe button to stay ahead in construction tech, AI, and the future of how we build.
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Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Oracle $100B Hour, AI Government Fail, OpenSpace CEO, Barefoot Office Debate
Oracle's CEO Just Made $100 Billion in One Hour While Your Government Wastes Millions on AI That Doesn't WorkIn this episode of Bricks, Bucks & Bytes, Owen, Dustin, and Martin dive deep into the wild world of tech promises, government failures, and what's really happening behind the scenes in construction technology.Key Topics:Oracle's shocking $300 billion OpenAI deal and Larry Ellison's instant $100 billion windfallWhy the UK government's Microsoft Copilot trial was a complete disasterThe brutal truth about why companies keep buying expensive software that doesn't workOpenSpace CEO Jeevan Kalanithi reveals how reality capture is evolving beyond just taking picturesWhether going barefoot in the office makes you a genius or just weirdWhy pre-construction technology is decades behind field management toolsThe real reason AI won't save construction anytime soonSpecial guest Jeevan Kalanithi from OpenSpace joins to discuss their major Waypoint conference announcements and shares his thoughts on the AI race in construction.Key Quote: "No one's ever going to get fired because they bought Microsoft or Oracle. That's why Microsoft Teams is everywhere, even though it's trash." - DustinFrom billion-dollar stock moves to taxpayer waste to the future of building, this episode exposes the gap between tech hype and construction reality.
Chapters00:00 Intro01:45 Introduction and Travel Updates04:37 Oracle's Rise and AI Partnerships07:32 Oracle's Financial Forecast and Market Impact10:26 Productivity Trials and Microsoft 365 Co-Pilot13:05 Government Trials and AI in Planning15:52 Debate on Office Attire and Footwear27:44 The Importance of Company Culture30:13 Fashion and Professionalism in the Workplace34:46 Funding Announcements and Market Dynamics41:20 Reality Capture and Its Future in Construction55:20 Trends in RealityCapture59:11 The Importance of Data Consolidation01:02:11 Safety and Progress Tracking in Construction01:07:02 Navigating Competition in the Market01:09:58 The Role of AI in RealityCapture01:13:50 Future Directions and Company Vision
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