AEC Business

What's the state of robotic construction today and how will it develop in the future? Lauren Vasey shares her views in this podcast interview.

Lauren Vasey

Lauren Vasey is a researcher, educator, and designer investigating robotics and automation within architecture and construction. Since 2014, she has been a Research Associate at the Institute for Computational Design and Construction at the University of Stuttgart, where her work has focused on developing feedback-driven robotic construction processes that enable robots to sense and react to their environment. This research has been leveraged to investigate innovative material systems, and new forms of collaboration, including multi-robot and human-robot collaborative processes. 

Her teaching and research have been recognized in international competitions including the Kuka Innovation Award as well as  AEC Hackathons. She has extensively collaborated with external research partners including Autodesk Research and recently the European Space Agency. 

In the interview, we discuss the following topics:

Why we should be interested in robotic construction right nowWhen does on-site robotics become feasible and for what purposesAlgorithmic design, digital fabrication, and roboticsHumans and robots working together on a construction siteHow robotics could they change the construction industryRecent exciting examples of robotic constructionHow to start experimenting with robotics in your business

You can connect with Lauren on LinkedIn.

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In the podcast interview with Jamiee Williams, Architectural Lead at SPACE10, we discuss the recently announced Urban Village Project. The project rethinks how we design, build, finance and share our future homes, neighborhoods, and cities.

SPACE10 is IKEA’s global research and design lab. SPACE10 is on a mission to respond to the major societal changes expected to affect people and our planet in the years to come; alongside that, they’re here to inspire IKEA to find new ways of living up to their original promise of creating a better everyday life for the many people.

Jamiee Williams, SPACE10

About the Urban Village Project

“It is clear that unless we rethink our built environment, our cities will become increasingly unsustainable, unaffordable and socially unequal. For us, shared living can offer potential solutions to some of these urgent challenges. The Urban Village Project looks at how we can create new realities that promote a sense of well-being and turn the spaces we inhabit into healthier and happier places, all while being more affordable and efficient for those that live there,” says Jamiee Williams.

Cities all around the world are facing rapid urbanization, aging populations, climate change and a lack of natural resources. At the same time, we are in the middle of a global housing crisis. ​We simply aren’t building enough affordable homes to keep up with the demand. 1.5 million people are moving to a city every week, meaning that in just a little over a decade, 1.6 billion people are projected to lack access to affordable, adequate and secure housing.

So, we have a problem. On top of this, we face another challenge: people are living closer and are

more connected than ever before, but we still feel increasingly lonely, anxious and stressed in our

cities.

It’s in the intersection of these pressing challenges where SPACE10 and EFFEKT Architects believe The Urban Village Project might offer a solution. We know that around 40% of the areas that will need to be urbanized in 2050 do not yet exist—meaning that as daunting as the task is, we have a blank canvas to explore how we want the future of our cities to look like and function.

SPACE10 researched and explored the idea of shared living for two years. Together with EFFEKT

Architects and IKEA, SPACE10 have condensed those insights into a concrete concept and vision

that they now ask the world to give feedback on.

Learn more about the project at urbanvillageproject.com. Send your feedback and questions to [email protected].

The images are courtesy of SPACE10 and EFFEKT Architects.

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In this podcast interview with Shajay Bhooshan, Senior Associate at Zaha Hadid Architects, we discuss computational design, digital fabrication, and AI.

The topics include:

Parametric, algorithmic, and generative design –are these all the same?How much computational design have Zaha Hadid Architects used in their most recent projectsHow computational/parametric design differs from a more traditional approachWhat value does the use of the new tools and approaches offerShajay's take on machine learning and AI in the context of design and construction How Shajay sees the development of digital fabricationWhere Shajay finds inspiration for his work  How to start exploring computational design

You can meet Shajay at World Summit on Digital Built Environment WDBE 2019 in Helsinki in September 2019.

About Shajay

Shajay is a Senior Associate at Zaha Hadid Architects where he co-founded and heads the research activities of the Computation and Design (CODE) group. He also works as a studio master at the Architectural Association Design Research Lab (AADRL), Master’s program in London.

He pursues his research in structure and fabrication aware architectural geometry as a PhD Candidate at the Block Research Group, ETH Zurich. Previously, he has worked at Populous, London and completed his M.Phil from the University of Bath and M. Arch from the AA School of Architecture, London

Shajay has published in scientific journals and conferences, along with contributions to architectural discourse through Architectural Design and other magazines. He has taught and presented work at various professional conferences, events and institutions across the world including Architectural Association London, ETH Zurich, Poly-technic of Milan and Bari, Tongji University Shanghai, SIGGRAPH, Autodesk University, etc. He has also made curatorial contributions to various exhibitions of Zaha Hadid Architects, including Venice Biennale 2012 and Zaha Hadid memorial exhibition in Venice 2016, apart from shows in Mexico, UK, USA, Taiwan, etc.

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In this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, Jaan Saar tells us about his work as Head of Digital Construction and why he thinks the public sector has a key role in the digitalization of the construction industry.

Jaan has managed processes and IT in the construction industry for over 15 years.

He joined the public sector in 2018 with the goal to digitally transform construction in Estonia.

Jaan is Head of Digital Construction at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

He is currently working on developing the "e-construction platform" which will provide the digital infrastructure for collaborative data sharing and integrate innovative services related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of built assets.

Jaan is a keynote presenter at World Summit of Digital Built Environment WDBE 2019 in Helsinki in September 2019. He's going to talk about defragmenting the construction industry with a digital platform.

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In this podcast interview with Ulrik Branner of LetsBuild, we discuss how technology is changing the construction sector and what it means to those working in and entering the industry.

Ulrik Branner is Executive and Board Member at LetsBuild - an end-to-end digital solution covering the construction phase with on-site planning, progress communication, and on-site follow-up communication. Ulrik is also a board member at Danish Industry Build (DI Byg) - a branch organization for all companies with a direct or indirect association to the construction industry.

In the past, Ulrik has been the CEO of GenieBelt (now LetsBuild) leading the efforts of the company to bring transparency, accountability and collaboration to the world of construction.

Prior to GenieBelt, Ulrik worked 6 years in Saxo Bank and also started up his own company in New York. Ulrik’s background as an Air Traffic Controller (AFIS) has provided an insight into how complex operations can collaborate smoothly through trust and transparency.

Ulrik is a seasoned thought leader and speaker in the areas of digital transformation of construction and speaks at numerous events and conferences, including DI Byg Annual Conference and the European ConTech Summit 2019.

You can meet Ulrik in Helsinki at World Summit on Digital Built Environment WDBE 2019 in September 2019. He's going to be one of the distinguished keynote speakers. Meanwhile, connect with him on LinkedIn.

About LetsBuild

LetsBuild constitutes the merger between GenieBelt and APROPLAN to offer the end-to-end digital platform for the construction phase.

Not only do you now get a real-time schedule with instant communication and progress reporting directly from site to office - you are also able to conduct your site inspections, snagging and checks in a user-friendly app that connects all activities together in real time.

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I had the pleasure of interviewing architect Angela Spadoni, the director of residential architecture at Skender. On this podcast episode, we discuss how the company is taking the industry forward with modular construction.

Skender is one of Fast Company’s “World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2019”. Last year, the Chicago-based construction, design and manufacturing firm launched Skender Manufacturing to produce modular apartment units. We discuss the company's new, vertically integrated business model, what makes it stand out, and the value it will provide to stakeholders.

About Angela

Angela Spadoni

Angela Spadoni, AIA is the director of residential architecture at Skender where she oversees multifamily design projects, including the design of housing modules produced in Skender’s new Chicago manufacturing facility. With more than 10 years of international and domestic experience, Spadoni brings to Skender an impressive background in multifamily, condominium, retail and high-rise design.

Prior to joining Skender, Spadoni was a director at bKL Architecture in Chicago. She oversaw the design of numerous large-scale apartment high-rises in Chicago, including three towers on North Lake Shore Drive and East Wacker Drive; Union West, comprising two 15-story apartment towers in the West Loop; and was a member of the design team for Wolf Point West, a 48-story LEED Silver luxury tower in River North. She also helped design The Selby, a 49-story luxury apartment tower in Toronto. Other notable projects include two mid-rise buildings for Chicago’s K-12 GEMS World Academy, as well as a privately-owned 10-story residential building geared towards Northwestern University students in Evanston.

Spadoni earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in design from Arizona State University. An active member in Chicago’s architecture community, Angela currently serves as vice chair of the Urban Land Institute’s Local Chicago Product Council.

You can connect with Angela on LinkedIn. Also, visit Skender.com for more information and news.

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In this interview with Ken Dooley of Granlund, we discuss sustainability from a user's point of view and how technology will help cities become more citizen-centric.

Dr. Ken Dooley is a Technology Director at Granlund in Helsinki. He has over 15 years’ experience as a consultant in the built environment and has worked in London, Sydney, Dublin and Helsinki.

His current role in the innovation and development department involves research, lean experimentation, collaboration with startups and the development of Granlund’s future products and services. The focus is mostly in the areas of end user solutions, IoT and data analytics, energy, sustainability, circular economy, sharing economy and digital platforms.

He completed his doctorate at Aalto University in March 2018. His research there was related to environmental innovations and large corporations.

In his new blog and podcast, Citizen Centrik, Ken explores examples of user-centric urban services. His core message is: "If we solve the citizen’s problems first and if we do this with intuitive and easy to use tools then all of the data to make the city more efficient and sustainable will be available by default."

You can connect with Ken on LinkedIn and follow him on Twitter at @KenDooley and @citi_cen.

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In this interview with Cristina Savian, we discuss the present and future of digital twins in the construction industry.

Cristina Savian is the founder and managing director at BE-WISE, a London based consultancy firm specialized in helping start-ups and SMEs to scale-up and bring new technologies into the construction market.

Cristina has over twenty years' experience in the civil engineering and technology industries, working from small-scale traffic calming and parking schemes in UK and Italy, through to planning major events such as playing a key role as transport manager of the Greenwich Park venue during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She then moved to work for a multinational leading technology company, Autodesk, covering several global roles as technical and commercial lead across Europe and America. 

Cristina started her career in 1998 as Land Surveyor in Italy, and holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge, a joint degree in Transport & Business Management from Imperial College London and UCL and a first class degree in Environmental Economics from the University of Turin. Cristina is a regular guest speaker at industry events and holds judge and board positions on engineering and construction panels. She recently joined the built environment industry panel and the Institute of Engineering Technology, she co-leads the business case streamed at the UK BIM Alliance as well as being a technology scout for the Process Innovation Forum in UK. 

Image: BE-Wise Ltd.

Cristina is also an official Ambassador for gender diversity and inclusion programs and due to publish a white paper on "Tackling Gender Diversity in the Construction Industry" with the Wo+Men's Leadership Centre at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

You can connect with Cristina on LinkedIn. You can meet her in person at WDBE 2019 in Helsinki, Finland, where she's going to be give a keynote presentation.

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Marilyn Grabowski leads Atlantic Infrared with a mission to protect and improve infrastructure. In this interview, we discuss her professional background, the technologies that her team uses, and why more women should consider construction as a career.

Marilyn Grabowski, known as “The Lady in Red”, and her team Atlantic Infra employees dubbed “The Red Crew” have been seamlessly filling potholes across the state of New Jersey since 2002. Under her leadership, The Red Crew uses infrared technology and unfailing attention to detail to expertly repair potholes, failed utility cuts and sunken trenches with no break in the road – creating safe and aesthetically pleasing repairs statewide, at a clip of 15,000 potholes per year.  

Atantic Infra’s InfraRed trucks are built for efficiency and only require a two man crew to take on an eight hour day of asphalt utility cuts or potholes.  With the largest infrared fleet in the world, Atlantic Infra outperforms traditional paving companies on large jobs in both price and productivity.

With 100% client retention, Grabowski continues to grow the Atlantic Infrared footprint and plans to expand beyond New Jersey. 

Grabowski is consistently recognized for her business acumen, including the 2016 Professional Women in Construction Award, the 2018 “Women of Influence" award sponsored by PNC Wealth Management, Tiffany & Co. and Foss San Filippo & Milne, and being named the winner of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Service Award in 2018 for New Jersey.

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In this interview, Roger Nickells, Partner at BuroHappold Engineering, talks about the challenges and emerging opportunities of the built environment design and engineering.

Roger is a serial engineer, and until recently CEO of the global engineering partnership, BuroHappold. He led the firm beyond the design of structures to the design of performance environments.

“Engineering” at BuroHappold is not just the shape of the structure – it’s the design for performance outcomes. The skills involved include sociology, psychology, economics, and of course information science. His teams proved it is possible to design stadiums where the home team has an unfair advantage.

Roger has an unusual passion and a clear vision for what engineering can and should be along with a clear understanding of the role that technology needs to play. Cities are the places where he sees the most opportunity for the future and where he continues to see the Nordics leading the world.

Connect with Roger on LinkedIn and see him at RecoTech on December 4, 2018.

Photo: Museum of the Future, Dubai (courtesy of BuroHappold Engineering)

Listen to the interview (also on iTunes)