In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, Valentin Noves sits down with Josh Dorfman, a climate entrepreneur and storyteller whose career spans sustainable manufacturing, media, e-commerce, and real-world climate innovation.

Known for his sharp blend of humor, practicality, and vision, Josh brings a candid perspective on what it really means to build a low-carbon future—without losing your sanity in the process.

Josh shares a formative moment early in his career, when he realized that the U.S. consumer economy is one of the most powerful forces shaping planetary outcomes.

As he recalls, “We live in America in a consumer economy. 70% of what drives this economy is what consumers spend.” He cared deeply about the planet and sustainability, but found himself suffocating in the political and academic angles of his PhD program.

In his own words, “I can’t stay in this PhD and learn about environment and political side one second longer, because I’m gonna blow my brains out. I’m just going to go try to help consumers make better choices.”

That pivot set the tone for the career that followed—one rooted in action, honest communication, and solutions that meet people where they are.

Throughout the episode, Josh and Valentin explore the pressure of being “green green green” all the time and how sustainability work can feel overwhelming. Josh argues that real progress comes from finding the balance between idealism and practicality, and from building solutions that reduce friction instead of adding more complexity.

His travels, including time spent in China, broadened his perspective on materials, manufacturing, and the global systems that shape climate innovation. Those experiences directly influenced his decision to found Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials company focused on replacing conventional wood-based structural boards with high-performance alternatives made from ultra-fast-growing perennial grass.

Josh breaks down the moment he realized the material supply chain needed reinvention. He was using high-grade FSC-certified plywood—sourced from Oregon—and watched quality go down while prices went up.

The inconsistency pushed him to think: How are we still cutting down forests to justify sustainability claims? That question led to Plantd’s core innovation: engineering structural panels from compressed grass fibers.

In Josh’s words, “We take a grass that has some real structural integrity in it and we slice it way thinner than you can slice a tree… you’re just getting way more structural fiber compressed together.”

The result is a board with the same strength as oriented strand board, but with no orientation, meaning it’s equally strong in every direction. For builders, that translates directly into performance consistency and a dramatically lower carbon footprint.

The conversation also touches on operational efficiency and energy usage in buildings—a critical theme for the AEC industry. As Josh explains, running a building as low-carbon as possible isn’t just achievable; it’s profitable.

He notes, “Certainly to operate a building as low carbon as possible is easy and saves money and goes right to the bottom line.” Cutting-edge tools in energy management, like those used by large REITs and multi-tenant operators, are becoming essential. In fact, Josh argues that failing to use available technology is “a vast disservice to your investors and your stakeholders,” given how quickly the landscape is evolving.

Despite the technical depth, the episode stays fun, accessible, and full of personality—from sustainability storytelling to travel anecdotes to the famous moment when Josh rode a bicycle onto The Martha Stewart Show for Earth Day.

Josh describes himself as “a startup person,” and his energy reflects exactly that: scrappy, curious, relentless, and optimistic about the ability of innovation to unlock a better built environment.

Whether you work in construction, materials, sustainability, or building operations, this episode offers a refreshing, insightful look at where climate innovation meets the real world—and how the AEC industry can help lead the way.

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, Valentin Noves (CEO) sits down with Traci VanDalsem, a fourth-generation contractor who grew up immersed in the construction world long before technology reshaped the industry.

Traci opens the discussion with a simple but powerful idea: everything in construction is a process. Teams in the AEC industry naturally operate through workflows, routines, and repeatable methods.

Yet, as she explains, technology often disrupts those processes—not by replacing them, but by reshaping how they function. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it forces teams to rethink tasks they’ve done the same way for decades. But that friction is where transformation begins.

She also emphasizes one of the most overlooked realities in construction tech: ROI isn’t always immediate. You may invest in a platform or workflow change and not see measurable impact for a year.

A major theme in the episode is the importance of buy-in. The people who approve a technology purchase—often C-suite or financial leadership—are not always the ones who will use it every day.

They focus on cost, efficiency, and risk reduction. But the true test of adoption happens at the project-level, where PMs, superintendents, and office administrators interact with the tool constantly.

For them, technology must make their lives easier. It has to reduce friction, not add steps. As Traci puts it, “the best tool is the one your team will actually use.”

She illustrates that idea through the work she does at RedTeam, a cloud-based construction management software purpose-built for General Contractors and Project Managers. In her own words:

“RedTeam is a construction management software platform that takes a construction project all the way from bidding and estimating all the way through closeout. We manage all the document control in between. We have the ability to issue contracts, subcontract agreements, do change management, create owner bills where we of course can put together an owner pay application and send it over to the owner.”

RedTeam is designed to manage every phase of the project lifecycle in one place—an approach that aligns perfectly with Traci’s belief that teams need tools they adopt fully, not partially.

This is an episode for anyone navigating the intersection between construction and technology: GCs seeking smoother workflows, PMs looking for better tools, and leaders working to drive meaningful change across their organizations.

Urbanly founder Federico Fernandez breaks down how geospatial visualization engines evolved into decision systems for planners.

We trace his path from Synthesity/UrbanSim to Autodesk (and the work that won an Autodesk CEO Award), then into Urbanly’s platform that fuses multi-source data with scenario generation and KPIs.

We discuss productizing scripts, modeling organic city growth, and why generative AI must be calibrated against empirical data—not treated as ground truth.

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, Valentin Noves sits down with **David Alpert, CEO and co-founder of Geopogo**, to explore how real-time visualization and AI-driven tools are reshaping the architectural profession.

Alpert, an award-winning architect turned product innovator, shares his journey from managing landmark projects to building Geopogo Cities, a platform that leverages Unreal Engine, AR/VR, and BIM integration to transform the way architects, contractors, and clients engage with design at scale.

The conversation begins with a striking reality check: in the United States, architects are involved in just 25% of projects, and only 1% of residential work.

This leaves a massive gap where design expertise could add value but remains inaccessible, often because architectural services are perceived as too expensive.

For Alpert, technology holds the key to unlocking this market. By making architectural workflows more efficient and outputs more affordable, digital tools can expand the reach of the profession while maintaining its creative essence.

Importantly, he emphasizes that while automation and AI are critical enablers, they will never replace the human creativity and client connection at the heart of architecture.

The episode also delves into Geopogo’s mission to bridge design data with urban context. With Geopogo Cities, architects can drop Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad, and other models into fully rendered city-scale environments for instant design reviews and stakeholder presentations.

This capability not only accelerates decision-making but also ensures projects are viewed in context, supporting better collaboration and transparency.

Beyond pure visualization, Alpert raises thought-provoking points about privacy and visibility in the digital age. Drawing from a personal anecdote about using Google Street View in Madrid to locate his daughter’s building, he reflects on the limits of current tools and the ethical questions they raise.

While it’s now possible to navigate neighborhoods and evaluate design impacts virtually, interior visibility remains off-limits—and in some countries, entire views are restricted due to concerns like terrorism. This sparks a discussion on what the future might hold as digital visibility expands and how architects must balance transparency with security.

Alpert also underscores the shift architects must make when stepping into the product world. Developing Geopogo required leaving behind a purely architectural mindset and learning to think like product builders—understanding user adoption, scalability, and the broader tech ecosystem. It’s a shift many in the AEC industry will face as technology becomes an integral layer of practice.

For architects, engineers, and construction professionals, this episode provides a deep dive into the intersection of design, data, and digital ethics. From market gaps in architectural services to the promises and pitfalls of city-scale visualization, the conversation with David Alpert is a reminder that the tools we build today will define how the built environment evolves tomorrow.

In today’s rapidly evolving AEC ecosystem, staying ahead is no longer about adopting the “next shiny tool.” It’s about finding the right tool, mapping how it integrates into your workflow, and ensuring real adoption across teams.

This episode of AEC Trailblazers dives into that challenge with Niknaz Aftahi, CEO and co-founder of aec+tech, an innovation platform bridging AEC professionals with cutting-edge digital solutions.

Niknaz shares her unique vantage point at the crossroads of architecture, technology, and entrepreneurship. With her background as a practicing architect and design technologist, she knows firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate the fragmented landscape of AEC software.

Too often, firms rely on word of mouth or generic searches to identify tools—only to end up with solutions that don’t fit their project phase, sustainability goals, or tech stack.

That’s where her latest venture comes in. Alongside her co-founder Stefan, Niknaz is building a new platform focused on tech discovery, mapping, and adoption.

More than a directory, it’s a system of smart filters, categories, and workflows designed to help contractors, engineers, and designers quickly pinpoint the most relevant technologies.

Whether it’s narrowing down by project lifecycle phase or filtering for sustainability-driven solutions, the platform aims to cut through noise and complexity to surface what truly matters.

But discovery is just the start. Niknaz emphasizes that mapping and adoption are equally critical. Knowing how tools interconnect with existing workflows—and how they’re actually used in the field—determines whether a solution drives real impact or becomes shelfware.

For her, the challenge isn’t just technical; it’s cultural. Adoption requires buy-in from stakeholders, iterative feedback loops, and a focus on long-term integration rather than quick fixes.

Throughout the conversation, we also explore her role as a connector between founders, investors, and AEC professionals.

Niknaz regularly engages with startups developing new products, offering them feedback informed by practitioners’ needs, while also guiding firms through the overwhelming tech landscape. This dual role gives her a rare perspective on where the industry is heading and which solutions are likely to shape the future of design and construction.

The episode highlights not only technical strategies but also the broader mission behind Niknaz’s work: empowering AEC professionals to make informed decisions in a crowded and fast-moving market. For leaders seeking to optimize their workflows, adopt sustainable practices, and avoid the pitfalls of failed implementations, this conversation offers practical guidance and a forward-looking vision.

From tool filters to tech stack mapping, sustainability categories to adoption strategies, Niknaz Aftahi is helping the industry move beyond fragmented discovery toward intentional, data-driven decision-making. Tune in to learn how her approach is redefining innovation in the built environment—and what it means for the next generation of AEC professionals.

The future of engineering software is being shaped by a radical shift: moving from manual Python scripting to leveraging large language models (LLMs) that generate working applications directly in the browser.

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, Stijn Jansen, Chief Product Officer at  VIKTOR, explains how this evolution is transforming the way engineers and architects approach automation.

Stijn shares how VIKTOR’s platform uses LLMs to automatically produce Python code based on natural language prompts. Instead of requiring engineers to build from scratch or manage local installations, the platform delivers fully functioning apps in the browser, instantly testable and editable.

This approach not only lowers the technical barrier for professionals unfamiliar with coding but also accelerates the process of developing tools that integrate with workflows like IFC model analysis or parametric design.

What makes this innovation so impactful is the combination of accessibility and flexibility. For engineers already familiar with Python, the generated code can be manually refined, providing full control over complex applications.

For those without programming expertise, the ability to simply describe a task, such as extracting data from an IFC file or designing structural components parametrically, and have an app built in seconds is a paradigm shift.

Stijn emphasizes that “the real power lies in enabling engineers to focus less on repetitive, manual scripting and more on high-value problem-solving”.

By bridging the gap between coding knowledge and domain expertise, platforms like VIKTOR democratize digital tools for the AEC industry.

He highlights examples of how LLM-powered automation is helping teams rapidly build solutions that would traditionally require weeks of custom development, streamlining both internal workflows and project delivery.

The episode also touches on broader industry implications. As regulatory requirements, sustainability goals, and project complexity increase, the demand for scalable digital solutions is rising. Tools that combine LLMs with Python not only accelerate productivity but also address the shortage of skilled engineering talent by empowering a wider range of professionals to build, test, and deploy digital workflows.

For Stijn, this is more than just a technical leap; it’s about reshaping the culture of engineering. The shift to browser-based, LLM-driven applications reflects a new philosophy: engineers should spend less time writing boilerplate code and more time innovating solutions for climate change, infrastructure resilience, and housing challenges.

If you’re curious about how natural language prompts are evolving into production-ready apps, why Python still anchors engineering workflows, and how AI will redefine the skillsets needed in the AEC industry, this episode is essential listening.

📌 Don’t miss the event “App Builder Launch: Automate Engineering Tasks Without Coding.”

Join this free webinar for an exclusive first look at the VIKTOR App Builder — and get hands-on access to try it yourself.

Save the date: October 28. Live demo, client showcase, and interactive Q&A included.

Reserve your spot now: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7375856853530079232/

The material bottleneck is one of the least glamorous but most decisive pain points in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. From studio sketches to specification deadlines, architects spend an outsized share of their time chasing fragmented material data, navigating opaque manufacturer catalogs, and copying specs across projects.

For Vardhan Mehta, architect-turned-entrepreneur and co-founder of Acelab, this gap wasn’t just an inconvenience — it was the trigger to build a platform where material science meets architectural practice.

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, Vardhan shares his journey from a small town in central India to Harvard GSD, where his obsession with architecture collided with the reality of material research cycles.

“At the end of the day, a firm should have two or three platforms they rely on, ideally ones that are valuable for other stakeholders too” he explains.

This principle became the backbone of Acelab’s Materials Hub, a marketplace that ingests manufacturer data, normalizes specifications, and surfaces options against constraints like cost, lead times, embodied carbon, and code compliance.

What sets Acelab apart is its push toward AI-assisted search and parametric filtering. Rather than sifting manually through endless PDFs or outdated libraries, architects can now query structured data that aligns directly with project parameters.

As Vardhan puts it: “The next big trend in AEC is everything where we don’t have a system of record. That stuff in 2025 should not be a thing — it should be totally automated.”

This conversation digs into both the promise and the pragmatism of AI in materials sourcing. While there’s excitement around generative design and the next evolution of BIM, Vardhan cautions against overselling. He is a strong advocate for human-in-the-loop AI, where designers calibrate machine outputs with empirical evidence and historic project data.

Without structured datasets, even the most advanced models are limited. “If you don’t have all the right data, making decisions based on historic specs can still require hours of digging through folders to find something written two years ago,” he notes.

This episode is a call to rethink how the industry treats materials. Beyond aesthetics, every choice has consequences for performance, budget, and sustainability. As Vardhan frames it: “The goal is not just efficiency, but decision quality at spec time, where architecture truly meets impact”.

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, we sit down with Albert Bou Fadel, CEO and founder of SmartBarrel, to explore how real-time data, AI, and field-tested hardware are reshaping construction workforce management.

With seven years of experience scaling SmartBarrel into a trusted partner for contractors across North America, Albert blends technical expertise with hands-on construction insights to challenge how the industry approaches technology adoption.

Albert begins by reflecting on the practical needs of contractors: while tech entrepreneurs often chase advanced AI solutions, many construction firms still struggle with basic inefficiencies such as tracking hours or updating schedules.

As he notes, sometimes the real value lies in solving “basic” problems with reliable, scalable tools rather than deploying over-engineered systems that fail to address field realities.

From there, we dive into the unique dynamics of construction as an industry. Unlike other verticals weighed down by heavy corporate politics, construction offers a surprisingly direct path to decision-makers.

A contractor, CIO, or even a COO can often be reached without layers of bureaucracy. But this accessibility comes with a major caveat: the cost of a failed implementation is extremely high. In an industry marked by pride and strong personalities, a single poorly executed rollout can shut the door for future innovations.

Albert illustrates why timing and data accuracy are mission-critical. He offers a vivid example from Miami: imagine 15 workers stuck idle during a sudden rainstorm. With real-time weather and site data, management can redirect crews to nearby locations within minutes, saving hours of lost productivity across the team.

Multiply this by hundreds of workers and dozens of projects, and the economic impact of timely, actionable information becomes undeniable.

We also discuss the technical backbone behind SmartBarrel’s solution: AI-powered facial verification ensures accurate time tracking, while solar-powered devices reduce site infrastructure needs.

By capturing field data directly and feeding it into workflows, SmartBarrel provides contractors with clean, reliable inputs for payroll, compliance, and resource allocation. The emphasis here is not just on data collection, but on transforming raw field activity into insights that drive measurable ROI.

This episode is both a technical deep dive and a candid reflection on industry culture. It’s about understanding that digital transformation in AEC is not achieved through complexity, but through relevance, timing, and data precision.

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, we dive into the often-overlooked side of construction tech: the sales process.

Valentin Noves sits down with Erick Vargas, President of Followup CRM, to talk about how relationship-driven businesses can modernize their operations without losing their personal touch.

Erick shares his journey from tech and business to construction, and why the AEC industry was the perfect place to apply customer-focused digital tools. “The whole industry is just getting started with technology,” he says, highlighting how many contractors are still using email inboxes and cell phones as makeshift CRMs.

The conversation explores:

* The gap between operational tools and sales technology in construction

* Why even large firms often don’t have a proper CRM system

* How Followup CRM serves as the first step toward digitization for many companies

Erick explains that some of the firms he works with have over 100 users across 10 locations—while others are one-person operations. The goal is always the same: put all critical data into one place to increase productivity, preserve relationships, and prepare for future growth.

He also talks candidly about the risks of doing nothing: “If your customer list is only in your phone or email and that employee leaves… the company loses everything.” With average tenure hovering around 18 months, institutional knowledge is slipping away faster than most firms realize.

From cloud-based collaboration to AI-powered forecasting, Erick sees the role of technology expanding beyond admin support—it’s now a driver of culture and long-term value. Whether helping a firm prepare for acquisition or simply keeping their contacts organized, Followup CRM is more than just a tool—it’s a mindset shift.

For contractors, estimators, and business developers looking to scale without losing their edge, this episode offers a clear path to smarter, more resilient relationship management.

Procurement is often seen as a behind-the-scenes process—mundane, transactional, and filled with red tape.

But what if procurement was the key to unlocking greater speed, accuracy, and collaboration across construction projects?

In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, we sit down with Alastair Blenkin, CEO and Founder of ProcurePro, to uncover how his company is reshaping one of the most overlooked areas in the built world. A former lawyer with deep insight into commercial and risk management, Alastair brings a unique perspective to Construction-Tech.

After realizing how outdated subcontractor procurement was—defined by spreadsheets, PDFs, and manual approvals—he set out to build something better. That something became ProcurePro: a fully digital procurement platform now powering over 3,000 projects globally, valued at more than $70 billion.

Alastair shares how the real issue wasn’t just inefficiency—it was lack of visibility. Without centralized workflows or data trust, contractors were making critical decisions based on incomplete or scattered information. That insight became ProcurePro’s core value: connect everything, deliver transparency, and remove friction from every step of subcontractor management.

From Australia to the UK and Ireland, ProcurePro has quickly become the procurement backbone for thousands of contractors. But it’s not just about scale—it’s about ambition. With a goal to save one billion hours of construction admin, the platform aims to free up time for what really matters: quality, safety, and better-built environments.

We also explore Alastair’s transition from legal to tech, his take on high-performance culture, and how building the right team—and replacing the wrong ones—is one of the toughest, but most essential parts of scaling a company.

If you’re in construction, procurement, or tech—this episode is your roadmap to what the future of operational excellence really looks like.