“You can have the right tools, but if no one knows why they’re using them, they’ll always go back to what they know.” – Ryan Alexiou

In this episode of Building Stories – The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Ryan Alexiou, co-founder of Olympus Insights, to talk about the missing link in construction transformation: people.

Ryan shares his journey from hands-on residential builds to launching Olympus Insights, a consultancy that helps construction companies implement practical, people-first change.

We explore:

• Why technology fails when it’s layered over broken processes
• The reality of cultural resistance on-site
• How to build accountability into project teams
• Why leadership has to model the behaviours they expect
• What real change looks like at the day-to-day level

This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to drive lasting change—not just introduce new tools.

🧭 Key Sections:

• Ryan’s Early Days in Residential – 02:41
• Why Olympus Insights Was Born – 05:32
• Culture, Communication and Accountability – 09:45
• What’s Going Wrong with Tech Adoption – 14:18
• Making Change Stick on Real Projects – 20:54
• Advice for Builders Trying to Level Up – 29:20
• Quick Fire Round – 35:04

Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

“Everything I do is based on education. It’s sharing information, educating the people that need to be educated, and documenting it to provide evidence.” – Paul Williams

In this episode of Building Stories – The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Paul Williams, National WHSEQ Manager at Simonds Homes, to talk about the state of safety in residential construction and why education, not just compliance, is the only way forward.

Paul takes us through his personal journey from hospitality to high-vis, and how his passion for keeping people safe has fuelled industry-wide change from developing real-world induction programs to co-founding the Residential Induction Card (RIC).

We discuss:

• Why traditional inductions often fail to reach the right people
• How digital tools and video content are changing the game
• Why you can’t outsource responsibility for safety
• How the RIC card is empowering smaller builders and trades
• Where AI and automation can support a safer, more inclusive industry

Paul also shares honest stories from site and powerful insights on how the industry can, and must, do better.

Key Sections:

Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

“Technology is great. It’s adoption that moves the needle.” – Jonathan Sinclair

In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Jonathan Sinclair and Benny Huang from Preformance, a specialist construction technology company spun out of Southbase Construction.

We dive into their unique journey from the tech world into construction, the origins of Preformance, and the hard truths about why the same digital tools keep falling short, not because they’re bad, but because the adoption gap is real.

We discuss:

• Why construction projects still run on 2D prints despite advanced 3D models
• The problem with BIM as a line item, and how to reframe its value
• How cost, programme, and quality can all be improved when tech is embedded properly
• The challenge of capturing and passing on project knowledge
• Why real project outcomes must drive innovation, not just tools

This episode is full of practical insight for anyone trying to make digital transformation actually stick in construction.

Key Sections:

• From Tech to Construction – Jonathan’s Journey – 03:37
• Why Preformance Was Born Outside the Mothership – 06:02
• The Problem Isn’t BIM, It’s Adoption – 10:14
• What’s Holding Back Innovation on Site – 14:10
• The Knowledge Gap Between Projects – 24:13
• The Future of AI, Robotics, and Reality Capture – 29:32
• What Needs to Change in the Industry – 35:11
• Quick Fire Round – 42:17

Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

“On average, we only do half the stuff we plan to do. And that’s where things go wrong.” – Jon Davies

In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association, to talk about the critical role of planning in improving outcomes across construction.

We discuss:

• Why poor planning leads to higher safety risks and costly delays
• How unplanned tasks are often the root cause of incidents on-site
• Why technical proficiency and improved processes are key to breaking this cycle
• How data and AI can help teams predict risks and improve decision-making

This episode offers practical advice for construction leaders, project managers, and anyone frustrated by inefficiencies in the industry.

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Key Sections:

• Jon’s Career Journey and Industry Insights – 02:24
• Why Construction Teams Struggle with Planning – 09:00
• The Link Between Poor Planning and Safety Risks – 12:00
• How AI and Data Can Improve Decision-Making – 24:18
• The Future of Construction Planning – 30:22

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Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

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“We’re still fundamentally building in the same way we were 30 years ago.” – Matthew Mackey

In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Matthew Mackey, National Service Lead for Cost and Commercial Management at Arcadis. With over 25 years in the industry, Matthew reflects on the repeated mistakes construction keeps making and what must change to build better, faster, and smarter.

We discuss:

• Why construction has been stuck in the same cycle for decades
• The real barriers to tech adoption, and why Excel still dominates the industry
• How change management is just as important as the tech itself
• The long-term vision construction needs to break free from short-term thinking
• What smaller contractors can do to improve cost control and survive in tough markets
  

Matthew shares his experience leading internal innovation at Arcadis, highlighting the challenges of driving change in an industry built on habit.

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Key Sections:

• Matthew’s Path into Construction and Arcadis – 02:24
• Why Construction Struggles to Change – 09:00
• The Hidden Challenge of Internal Tech Development – 12:00
• How to Drive Change in a Resistant Industry – 19:30
• What the Future Holds for Construction Tech and AI – 26:30
• The Critical Role of Government Leadership in Innovation – 32:00
• Advice for Small Contractors Facing Financial Struggles – 34:50

Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

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“We have been collecting data for years. We just sit on this gold mine and do nothing with it.” – Brett King

In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Brett King, Director of Industry Transformation at Procore, to talk about the real problem with construction tech, data that never gets used.

Brett shares his journey from South Africa to the UK, working on major construction projects, and why he made the leap from contractor to construction tech. He dives into the disconnect between digital tools and real-world site workflows, why point solutions are failing the industry, and how we can finally start turning data into action.

We discuss:

• Why construction still struggles to turn data into better decisions
• The biggest mistakes companies make when adopting new tech
• Why quality needs to be a proactive strategy, not just defect management
• The importance of collaboration between design and construction teams
• What AI needs to do to truly make an impact on-site

If you have ever questioned why construction still operates in silos, why tech adoption is slow, or why the same mistakes keep happening, this episode is for you.

Key Sections: • From Graphic Design to Construction - Brett’s Career Path – 02:24 • The Love-Hate Relationship with Construction – 08:40 • Why Data Gets Collected But Never Used – 09:06 • The Real Challenges of Change Management – 22:12 • Why Construction Contracts Create More Problems Than They Solve – 29:53 • The Role of AI and the Future of Tech in Construction – 33:51Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

“You needed the scars on your back and the calluses on your hands to really understand the problem.” – Ricky Sevta

In this special episode ofBuilding Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we bring together the founding team to share the story behind Deep Space, why they took the leap, and what they’ve learned along the way.

Ricky Sevta, Michael Clothier, Sudeshan Mudali, and Luke Johnson pull back the curtain on thechallenges of building a tech company in construction, from the early days of sketching ideas over beers to scaling an industry-first AI-driven platform.

We discuss:

• Why experience matters- and why a couple of grads with a big idea wouldn’t have survived in construction tech
• The scars of building a business- hard lessons from past ventures and why timing is everything
• The Deep Space mission-how AI is changing the game for site teams, designers, and asset owners
• The industry shift-why construction can’t afford to wait any longer to embrace AI-driven decision-making
• How they are solving the complexity problem- less tech, more action, and making AI work in the real world

A raw and unfiltered look at what it takes to build a company that is set toredefine construction technology.

Key Sections:

• The Founders’ Journey – How Deep Space Began – 02:24
• Lessons Learned from Past Ventures – 09:45
• Why AI is the Next Revolution in Construction – 17:43
• The Deep Space Vision – What Makes This Different – 26:54
• What the Next Five Years Look Like for Construction Tech – 37:04

Building Stories is powered byDeep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

“We are in the middle of it. If you fast-forward 10 years, you’ll look back at now as a watershed moment.” – Bilal Succar

• How AI will reshape construction competencies and roles

“We really need to understand the essential processes before we go to just slap on some tech and hope it works.” – Erin Khan

In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Erin Khan, a seasoned AEC technology consultant and former National Director of Construction Solutions at Suffolk Construction. Erin shares her journey from civil engineering to leading tech-driven innovation in construction, offering a realistic view of where technology adds value and where it fails.

We discuss:

🔹 The biggest mistake contractors make when implementing technology

🔹 Why BIM adoption has been slower than expected and what’s holding companies back

🔹 How AI fits into construction workflows and why it won’t solve bad data problems

🔹 The role of mentorship and knowledge transfer as experienced workers retire

🔹 Why smaller contractors struggle with innovation and what they can do about it

Erin emphasises the importance of aligning technology with real-world site processes to ensure adoption, efficiency, and long-term success

Key Sections

From Music to Engineering – 02:24

The Gap Between Tech & Reality – 05:04

Understanding Process Before Implementing Tech – 06:44

Why BIM Adoption is Still a Struggle – 08:17

Risks, Challenges & Best Uses of AI – 17:43

The Future of Learning – 36:56

Quick Fire Round – 41:46

Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

“Don't tell, ask, because questions are like keys. They unlock things and they'll open doors. When you tell, you lose the ability to do that.” – Phil Walton

In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Phil Walton, a safety and risk specialist with over 20 years of experience across construction, infrastructure, and public sectors.

Phil dives into the critical role of safety and risk management in an evolving industry, highlighting the challenges of knowledge loss as experienced workers near retirement. He explores practical approaches to capturing tacit knowledge, the importance of consultation and co-design, and why embedding safety into organisational culture is vital for future success.

From navigating complex safety environments to sharing lessons on resilience and risk mitigation, Phil’s insights provide a powerful blueprint for leaders looking to drive safer, smarter workplaces.

Key Sections:

Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.