Digital Builder

We sat down with David Purdon, Technical Director at NTI Diatec, live at AU2024 to explore how companies are leveraging automation, data, and AI tools to optimize their business operations while mitigating risk improving consistency. More and more organizations are seeing how these tools are transforming the AEC landscape. 

We discuss: 

• Custom-built tools vs. off-the-shelf solutions 
• How companies are maturing in their approach to AI-based tools 
• The immense value of common data environments 
• How automation and common data environments are reducing risk and improving consistency 
• How to properly leverage AI in automation 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

The role of mentorship is becoming more important than ever as new technology is taking the AEC industry by storm, while many new workers are starting their construction careers from non-traditional backgrounds outside of the AEC industry. There is so much valuable knowledge that is at risk of being lost if we aren’t intentionally connecting these newer entrants into the industry with seasoned workers and leaders. 

In this episode, we are sitting down with Graham Condit, Director of Emerging Technology at Skanska, to dive into the convergence of emerging technologies, mentorship, and recruitment to explore how those of us currently in the field can empower those that will follow in our footsteps. 

We discuss: 

• What is the ACE Mentorship program 
• How leaders can get involved in mentorship programs 
• How mentees can find strong mentors 
• How adaptive automation is making Construction careers more attractive 
• The bridge between emerging tech and adaptive skills for new workers 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

One of the most common industries for veterans to transition into when they return to civilian life is construction, and with that comes an opportunity to ensure that transition process can be as smooth as possible.

In this episode recorded live at AU2024, we will be diving into the role of veterans in the construction industry, personal stories of civilian life transition, how we can empower employers and veterans to be more successful as they continue their career journey. What better way to highlight how we can offer support than to sit down with veterans who have successfully transitioned into civilian life and a leader facilitating how we train them: 

• Ron McGuire, the Senior Program Administrator for the International Training Institute 
• Sarah Velez, the Senior Technical Program Manager a& Global Co-Lead of Autodesk Veterans Employees Resource Group 
• Anthony Williams, the OSM Project Coordinator for Dynamic Systems, Inc. 

Throughout the episode, you will hear about: 

• Effective support and training programs available to veterans looking to transition into the construction industry or the trades 
• How to translate military skills into civilian jobs 
• Comparisons between leadership and teamwork in the Armed Forces versus in the workforce 
• Why veterans can be very favorable hires in the construction industry,How employers can make that transition process easier for veterans  

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Industrialized construction brings several benefits to construction, including cost reduction, improving safety, and building at scale.  In this episode, we sit down with Ben Cochran, VP of Developer Enablement at Autodesk, and Tarika Jain Bhartiya, Co-founder and Head of Business at nCircle Tech, to talk about the global state of industrialized construction and its intersection with the AEC industry. 

Here’s what we cover: 

• Risk factors associated with industrialized construction 
• Improving collaboration between manufacturing and construction 
• How purpose-built data tools are bridging the gaps between design, manufacturing, and construction 
• The biggest challenges and opportunities for companies to embrace 
• The complexities of balancing bespoke requests with manufacturing standardization 
• Augmentation versus Replacement with AI’s growing adoption 

 Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Join us for this special episode of the Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at AU 2024, the Design & Make conference!

In this episode, Eric celebrates the different milestones Digital Builder has reached this year, including 100 episodes, over 150 guests, and more than 500,000 streams across all platforms. In addition, he will also give you sneak peek into some of the episodes that have been recorded live during this year's Autodesk University.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Join us for our milestone 100th episode of the Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at AU 2024, the Design & Make conference!

We sit down with Esteban Corrales, Senior Technical Sales Manager at Autodesk, and Jenna Pellegrino, Senior Manager of Customer Experience Strategy at Autodesk, to talk about their experiences at Autodesk University so far, what to check out throughout the rest of AU, the conversations and interactions they've been having with customers, and the importance of empathy and trust for building effective partnerships.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Join us for this special episode of the Digital Builder Podcast, recorded live at AU 2024, the Design & Make conference!

We sit down with Jim Lynch, Senior Vice President of Autodesk Construction Solutions, to talk about what he's been hearing from Autodesk's partners and customers over the last year, the current and upcoming trends in the AEC industry, and how technology is not just transforming how companies approach construction, but it's even changing how those same companies see themselves.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Getting Preconstruction right is no easy task—it takes effective leadership, great communication strategies, and strong relationship-building skills. When it’s done well, projects can meet deadlines, budget expectations, and owner expectations , but when it's done poorly, the results can be catastrophic, from overspending to unexpected project delays, entire projects can be threatened by poor preconstruction strategies. 

Alongside its importance to the overall construction process, there’s also never been a better time to build a career in Preconstruction. In this episode, we sit down with two precon powerhouses: Taimoor Khan, VP of Preconstruction at Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, and JD King, VP of Preconstruction at LEMOINE, to get a more thorough look at what’s happening in the precon world, how leaders can better manage their teams, and how to navigate the complex relationships GCs can have with subcontractors, trades, and specialty contractors. 

Here’s what we cover: 

• The state of Preconstruction in recent years 
• Nurturing trade partner relationships for successful precon 
• How subcontractors, trades, and specialty contractors can position themselves to find and win more bids 
• Why it’s a great time to build a career in preconstruction 
• How to prevent burnout and create a healthy working environment 
• The biggest organizational barriers to innovation and growth, both for team members and for the organization as a whole 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

The move toward increasingly sustainable construction practices requires more than just a strategy. Without a significant paradigm shift that makes reducing our carbon footprint a top priority, sustainability will always remain just out of reach. That’s why we are excited to talk with Webcor's Senior Sustainability Officer, Sarah Rege.  

In this episode, we dive into Sarah’s career transition from architecture to being a sustainability leader at a general contractor, how Webcor is integrating sustainability across their entire business, and how prioritization is enabling successful sustainability initiatives.  

Here’s what we cover: 

• Webcor’s electric vehicle fleet initiative 
• The significance of data in tracking emissions 
• How to discuss sustainability in owner conversations 
• The U. S. Green Building Council’s TRU Zero Waste for Construction system 
• How health and wellness principles are influencing the way buildings and workspaces are developed 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

The most important factors to successful construction projects often revolve around effective collaboration between project stakeholders, and as innovation is happening throughout the industry, our efforts to work together and communicate effectively need to evolve, as well. This collaboration commonly breaks down between architects and contractors, as questions are left unanswered, and construction can be brought to a standstill until the confusion is cleared up.  

In this episode, we are diving into the world of executive architecture with Alma Jauregi, Principal at House & Robertson Architects - San Francisco, to more deeply explore the relationship between architects and general contractors, how to succeed at early collaboration efforts, and how to find success early in your career journey. 

 Here’s what we cover: 

• What differentiates House & Robertson from other architecture firm types 
• How to collaborate effectively with different project stakeholders before construction starts to influence planning and design choices 
• How to build strong Contractor/Architect relationships 
• Why self-advocacy is vital to securing new opportunities early in your career and how to do it effectively 

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.