The ConTechCrew

The Construction Tech for Architects to Enable Real-Time Rebuilds & Save Millions - Benjamin Urban


Listen Later

In this episode, Jeff Sample and Nathan Wood sit down with Benjamin Urban, the CEO of DIRTT, to explore how their innovative approach to off-site construction is pushing the boundaries of prefab with a focus on Design for Disassembly (DfD). Benjamin shares how DIRTT’s proprietary software and modular systems are revolutionizing how we build, adapt, and reuse spaces especially in healthcare, education, and commercial offices.

DIRTT’s process enables cost certainty, labor efficiency, sustainability, and real-time reconfigurability. You’ll also hear fascinating insights into how DIRTT was quietly solving the same problems that caused others like Katerra to fail.


Key Takeaways
  • DIRTT builds flexibility into buildings by focusing on Design for Disassembly, not just construction.
  • Their tech stack allows real-time pricing, manufacturing instructions, and product design from a single software interface.
  • Healthcare facilities can repurpose spaces within hours a game-changer for real-world patient care demands.
  • Labor and cost savings are huge due to streamlined processes and reduced reliance on traditional trades.
  • Their approach enables micro changes in buildings without shutdowns or full-scale renovations.
  • Lead times of 10 days and plug-and-play installation make DIRTT a true industry outlier.

Timestamps

[00:00] - Introduction

[03:26] - Benjamin’s construction & tech background

[04:38] - The origin of DIRTT and Java connection

[13:51] - Overcoming prefab industry skepticism

[15:51] - Million-square-foot case study: reconfiguring mid-construction

[24:32] - COVID’s impact on space adaptability

[33:13] - Relevance over time: escaping the “sawtooth” model

[39:35] - Involving the trades: GCs, framers, and drywallers

[46:14] - Final thoughts + where to learn more


Follow the Guest & The Company:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-urban-9295b98b
  • Linkedin(Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/dirtt/ 
  • Website: https://www.dirtt.com/ 
  • Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/DIRTTConstructionSystems 
  • Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/dirtt/ 
  • Twitter (Company): https://x.com/DIRTT 
  • Youtube (Company): https://www.youtube.com/c/DIRTT 

Follow the Host:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ironmanofit/

Follow the Co-Host:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanaec/ 

Follow The ConTech Crew:
  • Website: https://thecontechcrew.com/ 
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBDRThvRmSpyTZmMWY4EAjg 
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contechcrew/ 
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConTechCrew/ 
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecontechcrew/?hl=en 
  • Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecontechcrew 
  • Twitter: https://x.com/TheConTechCrew 
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The ConTechCrewBy Jeff Sample

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

69 ratings


More shows like The ConTechCrew

View all
WSJ Tech News Briefing by The Wall Street Journal

WSJ Tech News Briefing

1,650 Listeners

Motley Fool Money by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool Money

3,195 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,299 Listeners

Daily Tech News Show by Tom Merritt

Daily Tech News Show

1,388 Listeners

a16z Podcast by Andreessen Horowitz

a16z Podcast

1,040 Listeners

The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence) by Sam Charrington

The TWIML AI Podcast (formerly This Week in Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence)

441 Listeners

Y Combinator Startup Podcast by Y Combinator

Y Combinator Startup Podcast

222 Listeners

The Best One Yet by Nick & Jack Studios

The Best One Yet

9,607 Listeners

The Journal. by The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

The Journal.

5,956 Listeners

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

9,236 Listeners

The Construction Dorkcast by Travis Voss, Jonathan Marsh, Jeff Sample, Trent Leinenbauch

The Construction Dorkcast

10 Listeners

A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

A Bit of Optimism

2,190 Listeners

The Build Show Podcast by Matt Risinger

The Build Show Podcast

360 Listeners

The Economics of Everyday Things by Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett

The Economics of Everyday Things

1,627 Listeners

The AI Daily Brief (Formerly The AI Breakdown): Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis by Nathaniel Whittemore

The AI Daily Brief (Formerly The AI Breakdown): Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

491 Listeners