The SiteVisit

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In the Weekly Site Report, James and Christian dig into current news, topics and trends related to Construction, Culture and the Built Environment.

In this episode, we start by discussing the completion of "The Post", Amazon's incredible retrofit project of the old Canada Post building in Vancouver, highlighting the impressive feat and the impact it will have on the local economy. We then delve into the aging dilemma faced by the construction industry, where 20% of the labour force is over 55 and nearing retirement, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions and new talent recruitment. We explore how AI and ChatGPT can complement contractors' work, dispelling the notion that they threaten jobs and livelihoods. Shifting gears, we shed light on the opioid crisis, particularly in Ontario, Canada, revealing alarming statistics and its devastating consequences. We conclude by discussing the introduction of Naloxone, a lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication, on all job sites in Ontario, effective June 1st, 2023, and its potential to save lives and create safer work environments.

EPISODE LINKS:

Amazon's "The Post" Project:
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/amazon-the-post-office-vancouver-transformation-complex
utm_source=newsletter.readsitenews.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=zoned-out
Construction's Age Dilemma:
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/construction-labor-retirement-recruiting-dei/651184/
Contractors vs. AI and ChatGPT:
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/contech-conversations-chatgpt-construction-try-ai/651068/https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cst_3QWRsaw/utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Naloxone Kits on Construction Sites: https://torontosun.com/news/provincial/naloxone-kits-on-ontario-construction-sites-mandatory-as-of-june-1?utm_source=newsletter.readsitenews.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=zoned-out

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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In this episode, James and Christian are joined by Adam Corneil, Founder & CEO of Unbuilders, Canada's foremost deconstruction company.

Adam shares his journey in the construction industry and the inspiration behind starting his own business. They discuss the distinction between demolition and deconstruction, highlighting Unbuilders' unique approach to salvaging materials. The value of reclaimed wood, the practical side of unbuilding, and the impact on the industry are explored. They delve into the future of construction, focusing on innovation, prefabrication, and the importance of sustainable practices. Adam also shares insights on the value of deconstruction, the output side of the business, and the goal of being a catalyst for change in the industry. The conversation touches on the significance of being environmentally conscious, Adam's take on plastic straws and his experience on Dragon's Den (Spoiler, they made a deal!). Overall, the episode offers a comprehensive look into the world of deconstruction and its potential for transforming the construction industry.

Adam Corneil is a builder and entrepreneur with an extensive background in Passive House construction, deconstruction and reclaimed wood use and is the Founder & CEO of Unbuilders and Heritage Lumber. While building homes, Adam saw a need for major changes in the demolition industry and thus began his journey to start Unbuilders. Passionate about his family, mountain sports, and protecting our environment, he is committed to providing a more conscious and efficient future for the next generations to enjoy.

Unbuilders is Canada’s foremost deconstruction company. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, they unbuild homes by hand and salvage almost everything, including irreplaceable old-growth lumber, windows, doors, cabinets, fixtures and appliances. Unbuilders maximize the material salvage to minimize the cost, hassle and environmental footprint. The salvaged goods are then donated to charity generating a tax receipt for the building owner and reducing our cost below traditional demolition. Their preferred charity, Habitat for Humanity, uses proceeds from material sales to build affordable housing. Thus, hiring Unbuilders satisfies the triple bottom line - planet, people, and profit. They are proud to hold the City of Vancouver’s highest recorded salvage and recycle rate at 99.2% of a single-family home.


EPISODE LINKS:
Adam Corneil LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-corneil-20799989/
Unbuilders Website: https://unbuilders.com/
Unbuilders LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unbuilders
Unbuidlers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbuildersdeconstruction/?hl=en

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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In this episode, the inaugural Weekly Site Report, James and Christian dig into current news, topics and trends related to Construction, Culture and the Built World.

Something the hosts have wanted to do for quite some time, they kick things off by exploring the groundbreaking construction tech investment by EllisDon, a leading, Canadian-based general contracting company investing in construction tech startups. They highlight the potential impact of this move on project efficiency and sustainability and its influence on fostering a culture of innovation within the industry. Moving on, they take a deep dive into the world of robots on the jobsite, focusing on SuperDroid Robotics and their cutting-edge and economically priced robots designed for construction sites. They discuss the advantages and applications of these robots, along with potential challenges and the future prospects of this technology. Lastly, the hosts tackle the somewhat polarizing topic of the 15-minute city, examining both sides of the debate and discussing the benefits, challenges, and potential for hybrid models. Tune in most Tuesdays to the Weekly Site Report for more engaging discussions around construction, culture, and the built world.


EPISODE LINKS:
EllisDon ConTech Accelerator: https://readsitenews.com/ellisdon-launches-construction-tech-accelerator/
Superdroid Robotics: https://www.superdroidrobots.com/unveiling-an-affordable-autonomous-reality-capture-robot/?utm_source=newsletter.readsitenews.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=going-nuclear
The 15-Minute City: https://youtu.be/TQ2f4sJVXAI
CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/15-minute-city-conspiracy-theory-essex-county-council-1.6808005
National Post: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/what-the-15-minute-city-means-and-why-its-nonsense

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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In this episode, James and Christian are joined by Josh Levy, Co-Founder & CEO of Document Crunch. Josh shares his background, including his experience working for a prominent construction firm in the Greater Atlanta Area as Senior Counsel of their Eastern business unit. The discussion revolves around the importance of leveraging technology to increase efficiency in the construction industry, particularly in the areas of reviewing and drafting contracts and ensuring contract compliance. Document Crunch is introduced as a solution that empowers everyone in the construction industry to understand their contracts, reducing risk and making construction more accessible. The episode concludes with insights on the slow adoption of tech, the entrance of AI in construction, and its potential to transform the industry are discussed, emphasizing the importance of understanding its capabilities and avoiding misconceptions.

Josh Levy is the Co-Founder & CEO of Document Crunch and has spent much of his career building upon extensive leadership and expertise in counselling the construction industry. He has worked for ENR's Top 50 firms and has led departments earning $1 billion annually. Josh graduated with honours from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami, graduating magna cum laude. Document Crunch is the culmination of all of these experiences. His vision is to raise the bar of the entire construction industry.

Document Crunch is a company that simplifies construction contracts for professionals in the industry. Founded in 2019 by two experienced construction attorneys with over 30 years of combined experience, the company was born out of its frustration with the time-consuming and expensive process of reviewing lengthy contract documents. Despite offering these services, they realized that many professionals in the industry lacked a clear understanding of their construction contracts. Document Crunch's mission is to simplify construction contracts by quickly identifying critical risk provisions and providing teams with guidance to make informed decisions throughout the entire project lifecycle. The company achieves this through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology that identifies critical provisions in construction contracts, insurance policies, plans/specifications, and many other documents.


EPISODE LINKS:
Josh Levy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-levy-a7766711/
Document Crunch Website: https://www.documentcrunch.com/
Document Crunch  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/document-crunch/
Document Crunch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/documentcrunch/?hl=en

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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Day 2 Episode 3 | In this episode, from the conference floor at the VRCA Construction Leadership Forum 2023, James and Christian are joined by Donna Grant, President of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association and Host of the annual Construction Leadership Forum.


EPISODE LINKS:
Donna Grant LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-grant-86993474/
VRCA Website: https://vrca.ca/
VRCA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vancouver-regional-construction-association/
VRCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanconstruct/
VRCA Twitter: https://twitter.com/VanConstruction 

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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Day 2 Episode 2 | In this episode, from the conference floor at the VRCA Construction Leadership Forum 2023, James and Christian are joined by Adam Timler, Business Development Manager at Metal Building Group and Emcee, at this year's Construction Leadership Forum.


EPISODE LINKS:
Adam Timler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtimler/
Metal Building Group Website: https://www.metalbuildinggroup.ca/

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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Day 2 Episode 1 | In this episode, from the conference floor at the VRCA Construction Leadership Forum 2023, James and Christian are joined by George Benson, Senior Manager of Economic Transformation at the Vancouver Economic Commission.


EPISODE LINKS:
George Benson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gprbenson/
Vancouver Economic Commission Website: https://vancouvereconomic.com/

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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Day 1 Episode 5 | In this episode, from the conference floor at the VRCA Construction Leadership Forum 2023, James and Christian are joined by Scott Foran, Co-founder & Director of Sales at 505-Junk and Chair of Young Construction Leaders (VCRA) with over 500 members.


EPISODE LINKS:
Scott Foran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sforan-505/
505-Junk Website: https://505junk.com/
Young Construction Leaders: https://vrca.ca/membership/young-construction-leaders-network/

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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Day 1 Episode 4 | In this episode, from the conference floor at the VRCA Construction Leadership Forum 2023, James and Christian are joined by a construction legend, Rick Wagner, President at Maxwell Floors.


EPISODE LINKS:
Rick Wagner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-rick-wagner-1a068116/
Maxwell Floors Website: https://www.maxwellfloors.com/

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit

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Day 1 Episode 3 | In this episode, from the conference floor at the VRCA Construction Leadership Forum 2023, James and Christian are joined by Regina Marklund, Construction Manager at Turner Canada and Katy Fairley, Consultant at BCCA and Principal at Fairley Strategies.


EPISODE LINKS:
Regina Marklund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-marklund-aba04b42/
Turner Construction: https://www.turnerconstruction.com/
Katy Fairley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-fairley/
BCCA: https://bccassn.com/

PODCAST INFO:
the Site Visit Website: https://www.sitemaxsystems.com/podcast
the Site Visit on Buzzsprout: https://thesitevisit.buzzsprout.com/269424
the Site Visit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-site-visit/id1456494446
the Site Visit on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cp4qJE5ExZmO3EwldN1HH

FOLLOW ALONG:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesitevisit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesitevisit