In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Ryan Hughes, R&D Team Lead and an AI Expert.
Learn about software adoption in construction, challenges implementing software across the AEC industry, knowledge graphs, computational design, and much more!
Tune in to find out about:
Adoption of software in construction
Mistakes that people make when integrating software
Thoughts on Design-as-you-speak software in Construction
Knowledge graphs, computational design, and many more
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Ryan Hughes | R&D Team Lead and AI Expert | 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:
(00:00 - 08:05) - Intro
(08:05 - 12:10) - Software Adoption In Construction
(12:10 - 23:25) - How can someone start with adopting software for their company
(23:25 - 33:10) - Mistakes that people make while integrating software in their company
(33:10 - 41:20) - Thoughts on Design-as-you-speak software in Construction
(41:20 - 43:30) - Construction Scenario in Copenhagen
(43:30 - 44:16) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#025 - Brian Nickel - BIM and manufacturing
On today's show we have Brian Nickel, founder and CEO at Allied BIM.
Brian has vast experience in the design sector as an architect, MEP designer and as Montana State University teacher teaching BIM.
His company Allied BIM enhances MEP, modular, and prefabrication construction firms by connecting design, fabrication, and field teams with easy to use workflow and allows tracking of the overall fabrication process.
In this episode, we talk about:
Building a startup
Design
Building Information Modelling
Future of fabrication
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Brian Nickel - CEO & Founder of Allied BIM
Adjunct Instruction of Montana State University
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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:
00:00:00 --> 00:01:30 - Intro
00:01:30 --> 00:02:13 - BETA sponsor
00:02:13 --> 00:05:01 - Brian’s history
00:05:01 --> 00:08:20 - Beginning of plumbing for the mechanical industry and the birth of Allied BIM
00:08:20 --> 00:10:25 - Introducing Allied BIM
00:10:25 --> 00:12:11 - Allied BIM’s target users
00:12:11 --> 00:14:55 - Brian’s advise for people embarking to the contech world
00:14:55 --> 00:16:33 - Understanding and partnering with competition within the industry
00:16:33 --> 00:18:20 - Brian’s thoughts on future of pre-fabrication in construction
00:18:20 --> 00:20:50 - Explaining LODs in the design process
00:20:50 --> 00:22:43 - Automation in the production process
00:22:43 --> 00:25:33 - Accessibility of the fabrication equipment
00:25:33 --> 00:27:04 - Teaching at Montana State University
00:27:04 --> 00:29:18 - Automation as a key to attract future students of the construction industry
00:29:18 --> 00:33:02 - Progress on digitalisation and automation
00:33:02 --> 00:34:26 - Is Allied BIM suited best for the US market only?
00:34:26 --> 00:37:47 - Brian’s view on how to run a business
00:37:47 --> 00:39:20 - Book recommendation
00:39:20 --> 00:44:49- Driving point in Brian’s start up journey
00:44:49 --> 00:45:32 - More about Brian
00:45:32--> 00:45:48 - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#056 - Kyle Nitchen - The Influential Project Manager - How Construction Project Managers Adopt Technology
In today’s episode of Bricks & Bytes, we have Kyle Nitchen, the Influential Project Manager.
In this episode, we learn about what makes a great project manager and why/how construction project managers like Kyle adopt technology on their sites.
Tune in to find out about:
What make a great project manager
Pain points on site that technology can solve
The importance of soft skills
What makes great leaders
Ways to improve content and writing skills
If you enjoy today’s episode, leave us a comment. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!
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Kyle Nitchen | The Influential Project Manager | ConTech
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We are travelling to Chicago to Procore Groundbreak on September 19th and 20th to interview innovators in construction technology - let us know if you are coming!
Check https://www.procore.com/groundbreak
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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:
(0:00-3:17) - Intro
(3:17-5:03) - Kyle's Exceptional Project Management Process
(5:03-7:00) - Qualities for Becoming an Influential Product Manager like Kyle
(7:00-17:30) - The Vital Role of Soft Skills
(17:30-21:00) - Unaddressed Challenges in the Construction Industry
(21:00-24:30) - Trends Shaping Offsite Construction
(24:30-31:18) - The Shrinking Workforce in Construction
(31:18-34:30) - Leading with Purpose and Vision
(34:30-38:20) - Enhancing Your Writing Abilities
(38:20) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
#022 - Will Synnott - Solving one of the key construction tech issues... IMPLEMENTATION!
"Sales is hard, Buying is harder... Implementation is hardest" ... from the great man Will Synnott himself.
Today on Bricks & Bytes, we discuss the implementation of construction technology.
Tune in to learn:
Implementation best techniques
The importance of one's digital persona in today's age
Progress tracking and legal issues using Disperse's software
The importance of being on site and in front of your customers
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Will Synnott
Engineer Turned Construction Technology Consultant 🏗 📊 | Director of Strategic Accounts at Disperse | Chartered Geologist | ConTech
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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:
(0:00:00-00:02:02) - Intro & sponsor
(00:02:02-00:05:27) - History of Will Synnott
(00:05:27-00:08:44) - Transition into another industry
(00:08:44-00:11:08) - What is the importance of digital identity at this time?
(00:11:08-00:17:25) - The implementation of construction tech on site
(00:17:25-00:21:27) - What is Disperse?
(00:21:27-00:26:04) - Benefits of using Disperse
(00:26:04-00:28:48) - How Disperse data is useful?
(00:28:48-00:30:28) - What type of project Disperse is interested in?
(00:30:28-00:33:50) - Compliance
(00:33:50-00:37:16) - Progress tracking and lawsuits
(00:37:16-00:38:16) - Books
(00:38:16-00:39:57) - Hobbies
(00:39:57-00:40:24) - More about Will
(00:40:24-00:40:41) - Outro
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$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