Built Different

More tech doesn’t always mean better outcomes, in fact, having a large suite of point-solutions can often slow you down and negatively impact builder quality of life. 

In this episode of Built Different, we met with the innovative leaders at Ryan Companies, vice president of field ops, Josh Bergstrom, and director of IT applications, Lucas Manos. During this conversation, we explored Ryan Companies’ tech evaluation process and the parameters they use to overcome tech fatigue by finding and cutting the solutions that aren’t solving anything. We also took a look at some of their big tech wins from the field and how Ryan Companies uses the results from those wins to achieve executive buy-in. 

Ryan Companies is a national builder that utilizes cutting-edge construction technology to deliver a distinct and meaningful impact on every project, blending innovation with client-focused solutions. This approach ensures enhanced experiences, vibrant communities, and superior, safe buildings.

To get the most out of your technology you have to do more than just use it, you have to build a culture around that technology that empowers innovation. 

In this episode of Built Different, we met with the innovative leaders at DPR construction, director of strategic investments and partnerships, Kaushal Diwan, and west coast innovation lead, Josh DeStefano. During this conversation, we explored the impact of DPR's innovative community and how freeing up builders at the beginning of a project can help inspire executive leadership buy-in on the tools that work. We also explored the biggest misconceptions around technology and how you can identify the changemakers at your organization.

DPR Construction stands as an innovative, self-executing general contractor and construction management firm, expertly navigating the intricacies of sustainable, technologically advanced projects across various sectors. The scope of DPR’s work spans from extensive new builds to minor tenant enhancements and distinctive projects.

Leveraging technology in construction can revolutionize your results, but integrating it seamlessly into your workflow is key. 🏗️

Join us on the latest episode of the Built Different podcast as we sit down with construction leaders from Layton Construction – construction manager Sean Farrell and senior VDC manager Randy Christiansen. We take an insider look at their innovative project at Vanderbilt University and explore how starting with tech at the foundational level can optimize outcomes. Plus, discover the immense value of fostering strong relationships in the construction community and how it can drive company-wide adoption of transformative tech solutions.

Established in 1953, Layton Construction is a top-tier builder, proudly boasting projects in all 50 states. Their enduring commitment? Elevating the construction industry by offering predictability in an unpredictable industry. 

If you’re building something, why would you not use a digital representation of that project from the very beginning? For Turner Construction, this is just common sense. 

In this episode of Built Different, we flew over to Nashville Tennessee, to visit Turner Construction to see how they’ve ingrained technology into every step of their workflow. During our visit, we got the opportunity to chat with VDC regional manager, Gary Chapman and senior VDC manager Cole Milberger all about how they win more work by building trust both internally and externally. During the conversation, we got deep into how Turner uses digital representations of their sites and why you need to get tech involved at the ground floor to see the best results. 

Turner is the largest domestic contractor in the United States, completing $12 billion of construction on 1,500 projects each year. 

The construction industry isn’t going to die anytime soon, but there is a significant risk that if we don’t transform we won’t thrive. 

In this episode of Built Different, Grant Hagen flew down to Sydney, Australia to sit down with CEO of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) Jon Davies and Autodesk’s industry strategy manager, Sumit Oberoi. During the episode, we turned our attention ahead to the future of construction, and why the industry as a whole must improve builders’ day-to-day if it wants to thrive and how tech plays a role in helping attract the next generation of builders.

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) represents industry leaders across Australia, ensuring builders are supported in delivering infrastructure to communities across the country. The ACA’s mission is to build a more sustainable and collaborative construction industry in Australia. 

Autodesk is a construction software company specializing in helping the industry amplify the way that they build. From AutoCAD to Revit, Autodesk provides construction teams with a full suite of tools to help them create more awareness on their project allowing for broad collaboration across teams. 

Good tech is meant to augment and improve builders’ lives – not replace them. 

In this episode of Built Different, we visited Choate Construction’s VDC office to chat with VDC director Todd Barrett and assistant project manager David Talley. During the conversation, we discussed the steps and elements needed to build a tech-forward company culture and how to tackle the challenge of quantifying successful tech adoption. More importantly, we went deep into how tech should only work to better builder experiences and never replace them. 

Choate Construction is a 100% employee-owned and ENR top 400 construction company that executes projects from coast to coast. Choate’s builders are dedicated to forging lasting relationships through superb construction solutions that deliver exceptional results. Choate puts their people first and focuses on the innovations that improve their teams’ quality of life.

The Built Different Podcast is back for season 3!

This season we took the show on the road, meeting teams in site trailers, offices and even a few podcast studios to discuss how the latest innovations are having an impact within their organizations.

To kick off the season, we visited Juneau Construction’s podcast studio and sat down with VDC manager Wilson Haworth and VP of operations Greg Cornwell to discuss what success looks like for new tech. From laser scanning to drone facade inspections, we shined a light on the tools Juneau is using for their biggest projects and how they’ve been able to separate the good from the bad. 

Juneau Construction is a premiere builder of higher education facilities and multifamily buildings throughout the Southeast. Founded in 1997, Juneau boasts more than 185 employees with offices in Atlanta, Miami and Tampa. Among many of their large scale projects, Juneau taps the latest in reality capture technology to track progress, validate work and execute successfully on a wide variety of projects.

The Built Different podcast is back!

And that’s a wrap on season 2 of the Built Different podcast! 

To end it with a bang we invited the rest of our guests back for a virtual roundtable to talk about how the industry has changed since recording their episodes 9 months ago and why not all tech is good tech for your business. 

Part two of our special reunion episode features: 

And don’t forget to register for our upcoming livestream Q&A with the hosts of Built Different on July 13th, 3PM CT! Register here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/89950013/admin/

Season 2 of the Built Different podcast is coming to a close.

And to wrap it up appropriately, we invited our guests back to share some of their most memorable moments and impactful learnings from the season, as well as just spend some time together and have a few laughs. 

To make room for everyone, we broke the reunion roundtable discussions into two parts. In part one, we hone in on how the construction industry is steadily becoming more tech-forward and how builders can make the most of the changing times. 

Part one of our special reunion episode features: 

Stay tuned for part two and our upcoming season finale on July 13th!