"Quartz has become the go to product, even supplanting natural stone because of its uniqueness and characteristics," said Don Luther of Hanwha Surfaces L&C on this episode of the AEC Podcast.

Luther shared the trends he's seeing for quartz counter-tops and bathroom surfaces--both commercial and residential--in the market, and why this manufactured stone is getting the attention of a new generation of home buyers.

The best way to approach a workplace injury is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Traditionally, one of the most dangerous workplace environments can be found in the construction industry. Technology is helping reduce the perilous nature in various ways, but advancements in drone functionality are drastically improving the landscape. Sean Heath sat down with Jonathan Ramirez, an account representative from Hangar to discuss the help that Hangar is providing for California's wildfire relief, the resistance that drone deployment has to face, how repeatable programming can significantly improve project management, and what the actual future might hold for machine PLUS human collaboration.

Pivot doors have been around for millennia, first recorded in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. You've probably seen them in movies like Indiana Jones or TV shows like Atlanta as secret panel doors. They're not a new technology, but in the United States, seeing them as the front door of a home feels pretty new.

The trend is making it's way from across the seas, and with upgrades in installation technologies, manufacturers and designers are looking to pivot doors as the next upgrade for the traditional hinged door. John DeRosa, part of the Building Development team at Bridgeport Worldwide, came on today's AEC Podcast to give insight on why pivot doors are finally taking mainstream hold in the States, how Bridgeport is aiming to be the point-of-contact for pivot door solutions, and how both their aesthetics and practicality shouldn't be ignored.

Zoning is more than permitted uses and petitions; it’s about making the livability of neighborhood blocks better for everyone. In this episode of the AEC podcast, we spoke to urban planner Olivia Jovine and Andrew Kalish, head of strategic partnerships at Localize.city, a New York-based artificial intelligence startup that provides multiple sets of real-time, complex data together in a usable app.

They shared a fascinating background on New York City zoning and how boroughs like Brooklyn have twice-evolved to create more affordable living and work space in an otherwise inhospitable New York real estate market. Apps like Localize.city bring an immense amount of data that is typically only available in user-unfriendly formats and puts it to good and easy use.

Zoning is more than permitted uses and petitions; it’s about making the livability of neighborhood blocks better for everyone. In this episode of the AEC podcast, we spoke to urban planner Olivia Jovine and Andrew Kalish, head of strategic partnerships at Localize.city, a New York-based artificial intelligence startup that provides multiple sets of real-time, complex data together in a usable app.
They shared a fascinating background on New York City zoning and how boroughs like Brooklyn have twice-evolved to create more affordable living and work space in an otherwise inhospitable New York real estate market. Apps like Localize.city bring an immense amount of data that is typically only available in user-unfriendly formats and puts it to good and easy use.

On today's podcast, Sean Heath had a chat with Masoud Akbarzadeh, an assistant professor of architecture in Structures and Advanced Technologies and the director of the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory (PSL) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design (PennDesign).

They discussed the history of geometrical concepts in architectural design (and how Antoni Gaudi applied this approach), the intuitive challenge of tools being based on analysis instead of actual design, the sociological perspectives that current students of design bring into the field, and the growing impact that environmental concerns will have on all future construction and how that can change the basic principles of design.

On today’s podcast, Sean Heath had a chat with Michael Adlerstein, former Adjunct Professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture and recently retired Assistant Secretary General for the Renovation of the United Nations.

They discussed the awe that accompanies that type of project, the critical need to preserve a building’s original intent when restoring it, balancing the energy needs with the structural integrity, and what it feels like to be responsible for such historic places. (Sean might have gotten a little speechless. Seriously.)

With law makers across the nation loosening up cannabis laws, we’re beginning to see a rise in cannabis manufacturing and distribution plants. Michael Greenblatt, President of Surface Technology, Inc., joined us to talk about how he and his company are tackling flooring solutions for this soon-to-boom industry.

We also talked about why having the proper flooring solution is so necessary, and tested Michael’s on the spot knowledge flooring knowledge in a game of Greenblatt Flooring Advice.

Japan, once known for its innovative architecture, is now one of the leading nations in regards to its construction inefficiency. Dana Buntrock, professor of architecture at UC Berkeley and Chair member for the Center for Japanese Studies, discussed what led Japan to the point, how their construction inefficiency affects climate change, and what it would take to fix the problem.

On today's podcast, our host Sean had a chance to talk with Ben Cohen, COO of Cohen Architectural Woodworking. They discussed the ways in which customer expectations have changed for woodwork, how technology can positively affect craftsmanship, the customer benefits of being able to actually touch a product before they purchase it, and Sean got one step closer to building his own canoe. (Seriously. A canoe.)