WDBE Talks

William Stewart delves into the burgeoning field of health and well-being in the built environment, a relatively new focus within real estate.

WDBE 2024 keynote speakers Amy Marks and Kevin Cardona discuss construction's 'Mission Impossible' and how to embark on it.

In this episode of WDBE Talks, Aarni Heiskanen had the pleasure of hosting two distinguished guests from the USA: Amy Peck, Founder and CEO of EndeavorXR, and Mark Bryan, Senior Foresight Manager at Future Today Institute. Amy and Mark will deliver keynotes at the upcoming WDBE 2024 conference, focusing on reshaping built environment business models for the future. Digital and physical realities The interviewees delved into the intersection of physical and digital realities, discussing the potential and limitations of "the metaverse" and the role of digital twins in transforming the built environment. Amy emphasized the importance of using technology to gain insights and improve operations, while Mark highlighted the need for better data interoperability and the potential of AI to revolutionize the industry. Adopting new technologies in the AEC sector The conversation also touched on the challenges and opportunities presented by big tech companies entering the AEC sector. Both guests agreed that while the industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, there is significant potential for growth and innovation, particularly through the use of digital twins and AI. The future Looking ahead, Amy and Mark shared their thoughts on the future of the AEC industry. They emphasized the need for strategic planning and the adoption of new technologies to stay competitive. The guests also provided a sneak peek into their upcoming keynotes at WDBE 2024, where they will explore these themes in greater detail. Connect with Amy and Mark on LinkedIn for more insights, and meet them at the World of Digital Built Environment WDBE summit in Helsinki and Tallinn on October 3rd and 4th, 2024. Remember to get your tickets for WDBE 2024 at WDBE.org. Listen to the episode and subscribe to WDBE Talks on Spotify and Apple podcasts

In this WDBE Talks episode hosted by Aarni Heiskanen, two WDBE 2024 keynote speakers, Olivier Lepinoy and Jaan Saar, discuss the significance of reimagining traditional business models within the construction sector. Olivier is the visionary founder of HYPER Construction, and Jaan is the Chief Evangelist at Future Insight. Both thought leaders have experience innovating business models and share their insights in this podcast. The discussion topics Here are the main topics of the discussion: Why has radical change most often failed so far? The industry has seen several failed attempts to make radical and quick changes. Examples include companies trying to industrialize construction through modular construction or vertical integration. Trying to digitalize construction processes consistently has also not been a great success. Successes have mostly been local, temporary, and not scalable. Why is that? What opportunities await those who pursue new business models? What is a business model, and why are new business models the key to making this industry thrive? What are the most promising areas for business model innovation? Isn’t gradual improvement enough? Construction is a project-based people business that increasingly uses digital technologies to improve productivity. Why should we consider new business models if we could already make a dramatic change by rationalizing existing processes, empowering people, and using the technology we have? How can a new business model be developed successfully? What are the best ways to explore business models and manage risks while innovating? Listen to the discussion and meet the speakers at WDBE 2024 Listen to the episode to hear the whole discussion, and subscribe to WDBE Talks on Apple’s and Spotify’s podcast platforms. Meet the fantastic keynote speakers, Olivier and Jaan, at WDBE 2024 on October 3-4, 2024, in Helsinki and Tallinn. Get your tickets now! Listen and subscribe on Apple and Spotify

In this episode of WDBE Talks, Aarni Heiskanen interviews Dr. Pallavi Mohan, a Senior Scientist and Solutions Architect at NVIDIA. They discuss Pallavi's work in the XR and digital twins research space and the potential of digital twins and extended reality technologies for the built environment sector. Pallavi shares her journey into her current position at NVIDIA and how she leverages her expertise in virtual environments to create dynamic virtual experiences. The topics of the discussion include: Pallavi’s journey into her current position at NVIDIA What digital twins are and how they can help us create more sustainable built environments The tools and technologies Pallavi uses in her work How the evolution of technology affects how we interact with the built environment What is the role of data, machine learning, and AI in Pallavi's work, and how she sees them evolving in the future How property developers, architects, and tech developers can use NVIDIA Omniverse to develop and deploy new solutions Thoughts about Pallavi’s coming WDBE keynote You can meet Pallavi at WDBE on September 19-20 and connect with her on LinkedIn. Get your tickets now! About Dr. Pallavi Mohan Dr Pallavi Mohan is a Senior Scientist and Solutions Architect at NVIDIA Germany, where she drives research collaborations with institutions on the Omniverse platform. She has a background in XR and digital twin research. Since its founding in 1993, NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) has pioneered accelerated computing. The company’s invention of the GPU in 1999 sparked the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined computer graphics, ignited the era of modern AI, and is fueling the creation of the metaverse. NVIDIA is now a full-stack computing company with data-center-scale offerings reshaping the industry. Listen to the podcast and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice

In this episode of WDBE Talks, Michelle Xuereb, the Director of Innovation at BDP Quadrangle, shares her insights on sustainability, innovation, and new approaches to creating built environments. As one of the keynote speakers at WDBE in September 2023, Michelle is a prominent voice in the field. During the interview, Michelle and Aarni Heiskanen discuss the following. Michelle’s background, her work at BDP Quadrangle, and what made her passionate about building sustainably. What are the most significant barriers or challenges the construction sector has in transitioning to sustainable practices? What we can learn from the Covid pandemic. What other aspects of sustainability besides CO2 emissions should we start considering and why. What the increasing amount of built environment data enables us to do How a residential developer should organize their project to achieve the new and upcoming environmental goals. What we should reinvent regarding how and what we build. What is the effective way to upgrade our skill sets in the AEC sector? Michelle also hints at the subjects that she’ll address during her upcoming WDBE presentation. About Michelle Over her 25-year architectural career, Michelle has dedicated herself to the intersection of design, technology, and research. As BDP Quadrangle’s Director of Innovation, Michelle acts as the periscope of the practice, identifying and analyzing how the world is changing to provide the strategic direction required to embed innovation across the firm and advocating for and affecting real substantive and effective change across the industry. Michelle is a co-director of bdplab, the firm’s internal research and development team whose aim is to create a better world by pushing the boundaries of integrated design and engineering, enabled by data and technology across the practice.  In addition, Michelle is BDP North America’s sustainability strategist, responsible for setting and implementing the firm-wide sustainability strategy.  Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn. Join us at WDBE The World of Digital Built Environment WDBE summit takes place in Tallinn and Helsinki on September 19-20, 2023. Get your personal or group tickets now! Listen to the episode and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice

What is the most feasible way to reduce construction’s carbon emissions? This was the question Pyry Haahtela and Aarni Heiskanen discuss in this episode of WDBE Talks. Pyry Haahtela has worked with the Haahtela TVD simulation model for over a decade. His mission is to develop cutting-edge technology capable of simulating the repercussions of decisions made in investments and construction projects. On WDBE talks, Pyry talks about Haahtela, the company, and their development work His background A construction project’s critical decisions regarding carbon emissions What Haahtela’s simulation model is, and how it helps clients achieve exceptional results How to balance the ecological and financial aspects of a project The future of carbon emissions mitigation in construction About Haahtela TVD TVD emerged in response to a need for a performance-oriented leadership paradigm within the construction and real estate sector. This innovative model facilitates a strategic methodology for overseeing construction projects and properties by elucidating the cause-and-effect correlations inherent in decision-making. Additionally, the software equips the project team with the requisite tools and data, empowering them to discern the optimal solutions. The TVD simulation model enhances transparency throughout the design process, concurrently exhibiting the implications of your choices in real-time. Haahtela TVD simulation software is a proprietary solution developed by the esteemed Haahtela Group. As a leading authority in Finnish construction market research, the company leverages its robust academic research foundation and data-driven management methodologies to revolutionize the construction industry by making it more structured and predictable. The company boasts a highly skilled team of nearly 180 professionals, spanning project management and development, consulting, research, and software development. In the fiscal year of 2022, Haahtela Group achieved a turnover approaching 28 million euros. Visit http://haahtelatvd.com/en for more information and connect with Pyry on LinkedIn. You can meet Pyry at WDBE in September 2023. Get your tickets now! Listen to the interview and subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice

In this episode of WDBE Talks, Vappu Id of KIRAHub interviews Aarni Heiskanen. They discuss communication, construction tech, and the World of Digital Built Environment WDBE Summit. The discussion topics include: Aarni's career path Why great construction stories often remain untold and how to fix it Examples of good communicators Memorable WDBE moments What WDBE is as an event, and is the WDBE community like The digital transformation of the industry Awarding industry trailblazers Expectations for WDBE 2023 About Aarni Heiskanen Aarni Heiskanen is a Construction Innovation Agent and the co-founder of AE Partners and AEC Business. He has a master’s degree in architecture and worked as an architect and architectural R&D manager for over a decade. He was one of the pioneers in integrated computer-aided design in the Nordics. In mid-1990s, Aarni became an internet entrepreneur and, in the 2000s, a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) helping IT organizations in strategic planning and change programs. At Thinking Portfolio, a company Aarni co-founded, he developed the first version of SaaS software for business portfolio management. It now has 400,000 users globally. Today, Aarni specializes in AECO product commercialization and communication. Aarni has authored business books and written articles for local and international magazines. He runs an award-winning blog and podcast at AEC-Business.com. You can connect with Aarni on LinkedIn. Get your ticket to WDBE! Listen to the interview and subscribe on Apple and Spotify podcast platforms

How do you take the learnings from Apple’s way of innovating products and apply them to housing? On WDBE Talks, you’ll hear how BJ Siegel pivoted from Apple to follow his passion at Juno, a proptech company. He will be a keynote speaker at WDBE 2023. In this episode, Aarni Heiskanen and his guest JB Siegel discuss: How BJ, an architect, became a commercial concept developer What did years with Apple teach him Who is Juno for, and how is it different from a traditional way of housing construction Digitalization can make a building environmentally sustainable over its life cycle What are the biggest challenges in developing industrialized construction What can make Juno a succeed What’s in the future for BJ and Juno BJ will deliver his keynote at WDBE in September. On the podcast, he gives a glimpse of what he will cover in his keynote. About BJ Siegel, Co-Founder & Head of Design at Juno BJ Siegel is an internationally award-winning architect with over 30 years of experience delivering innovative projects worldwide. In April 2019, BJ co-founded Juno, a venture-backed proptech company focusing on designing, developing, and delivering urban multifamily housing as a branded consumer product.  Previously, as the Studio Director at the multi-disciplinary experience design firm Eight Inc, BJ served as the original concept architect for the first eight years of the Apple Retail Program.  In 2009, he joined Apple Real Estate and Development to lead their Innovation Group. Within two years, BJ became the Senior Design Director for all Apple retail stores worldwide, directing the program through its flagship development and International expansion.  BJ holds a Master's in Architecture from Tulane University and Yale University and over 40 design and utility patents for innovative design work at Apple. You can connect with BJ on LinkedIn and learn more about Juno at juno.co. Get your ticket and meet BJ at WDBE in September 2023. Listen to the episode and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice

In this episode of WDBE Talks, Aarni Heiskanen’s guest is Sebastien Michaud, VC at Foundamental. They discuss investing in climate through technology, the theme of this year’s WDBE. The discussion topics include: Sebastien’s background and what led him to become a VC What is Foundamental, and what’s in its portfolio at the moment What makes up a startup that he’d invest in Application areas with the most significant positive impact on climate What drives climate-aware investments Whether investing in the environment is a viable strategy when it comes to financial gain What’s in the future for Sebastien as a VC A sneak peek into Sebastien’s WDBE upcoming keynote About Sebastien and Foundamental Sebastien Michaud is Investor at Foundamental, joining from a British-Italian background and having previously worked in Product and Commercial strategy in FinTech. Sebastien works with early-stage construction tech startups in Europe, with a particular focus on teams tackling the climate emergency. Foundamental is the largest global investor in construction tech and architecture, engineering, and design technology. Foundamental backs ambitious, early-stage founders across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe and is an early investor in several category leaders in construction technology and design technology, including Infra.Market, Wiz, Speckle, Baupal, Welcome Homes, and Mighty Buildings. You can connect with Sebastien on Twitter (seb.vc) and LinkedIn. Get your ticket and meet Sebastien at WDBE 2023. Listen to the interview and subscribe to WDBE Talks on Apple and Spotify

Ready to get inspired and learn more about sustainable construction practices? Join us for this WDBE Talks interview with Marzia Bolpagni of Mace, who shares her insights on the importance of BIM in reaching climate goals. In the interview, Marzia and Aarni Heiskanen discuss Marzia’s current position at Mace and how she advances digital transformation as a leader and influencer How standardization makes information flow across the life cycle of a building How well do BIM mandates actually work If clients already want data on a project’s carbon emissions and circularity The best strategies for getting this very inhomogeneous industry to use digitalization to become more sustainable Women in construction and how digitalization could advance their entry into the industry Marzia’s coming WDBE 2023 keynote topic. About Marzia Marzia is Head of Building Information Modelling (BIM) International at Mace, where she develops and implements Digital Construction Strategies for international clients in five different hubs using Digital Engineering.  She is passionate about Digital Transformation for the Built Environment and dedicated to filling the gap between academia and industry to inspire the next generation of professionals. She has won numerous professional awards and is a lead author of EN 17412-1, the European standard on Level of Information Need, and a TEDx Speaker. Join Marzia at WDBE 2023 where she'll be a keynote speaker, and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter. Listen to the interview and subscribe to the podcast on your platform of choice

In this episode of WDBE Talks, Daniel M. Hall, Assistant Professor at TU Delft, talks about circularity and how to boost it with digital technologies and industrialized construction. Daniel is a keynote speaker at WDBE 2023. In the interview, Aarni Heiskanen and Daniel Hall discuss How big a challenge and opportunity is circularity in the built environment Why Daniel has extended his focus from the circularity of individual buildings to the urban level What are the building blocks of systematic information management for circularity for construction; what do we already have, and what needs to be developed? How blockchain is a potential solution for retaining data of built assets over their decades-long life cycle How a product-like, industrialized way of building will support circularity What’s next on Daniel’s research agenda About Daniel Daniel is the lead of the Chair of Innovative and Industrial Construction, researching how to increase innovation in the built environment. His research and teaching focus includes lean management processes to improve productivity, digital building information modeling to improve coordination, new forms of project delivery to govern complex projects, and new organizational orientations to spark entrepreneurship for industrialized construction in the developed and developing world.  Daniel’s two main research themes are decentralized governance of the built environment and industrialized construction. One recent area of application is exploring solutions to sustainably solve the global housing crisis. Register now! Go to WBDE.org to register for the event and connect with Daniel on LinkedIn. Listen to the interview and subscribe to WDBE Talks on Apple and Spotify

Shehzan Mohammed is Director of 3D Engineering and Ecosystems at Cesium. In this WDBE Talks podcast interview, he discusses with Aarni Heiskanen the innovations in geospatial technology, game engines, and the value of open standards to the developer community. The discussion topics include: Shehzan's career pathHis visionShehzan's most significant achievements so far at CesiumWhat have been his biggest challengesHow Geospatial and BIM work togetherHow game engines and extended reality technologies open new opportunities for built environment designers and their customersThe value of open standards for the geospatial ecosystem Shehzan also shares thoughts about his WDBE keynote on the 28th of September, 2022. You can connect with Shehzan on LinkedIn and visit cesium.com for more info on Cesium. Listen to the interview and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and other platforms

How do you successfully digitalize a construction business and gain a competitive advantage? Aarni Heiskanen discusses these and other topics on WDBE Talks with Per-Erik Åstrand, Business Development Executive at SoftwareONE. Per-Erik started as a civil engineer and moved to the software business. At SoftwareONE, he drives the digitalization of the AEC industry. The interview covers: Per-Erik’s journey from civil engineering to the software businessHis missionWhat Per-Erik considers his most significant achievements in digitalizationWhat companies need to become more strategic about their overall technological developmentHow to improve communication and collaboration between project participantsHow to use technology to gain a competitive advantage in the construction sectorWhat Per-Erik plans to cover in his WDBE keynote You can connect with Per-Erik on LinkedIn and meet him at WDBE, where he will give his keynote speech on September 29, 2022. Register to experience all the fantastic presentations and connect with leading digitalization experts at wdbe.org. Listen to the interview and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Google, and other platforms

Achim Menges is a world-renowned innovator of architecture and construction. He’s Aarni Heiskanen’s guest on WDBE Talks, discussing digital fabrication and the future of the construction industry in a world facing enormous environmental and social challenges. Achim is a registered architect in Frankfurt and a professor at Stuttgart University, where he is the founding director of the Institute for Computational Design and Construction. In addition, he’s the director of the Cluster of Excellence, “Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture.” On the podcast, Achim talks about What led him into robotics and digital fabricationThe vision that’s driving him and his teamWhat he considers his most significant professional achievement so farWhat it takes to scale up ground-breaking experiments into commercially available applicationsHow the construction sector can become a positive force in solving our problems instead of creating new onesWhat he plans to cover in his WDBE keynote You can meet Achim in Helsinki on the 28th of September at WDBE. Connect online with Achim on LinkedIn. Register to experience all the fantastic presentations and connect with leading built environment digitalization experts at wdbe.org. Listen to the interview and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other platforms

Reid Senescu, Vice President of Product Management at Doxel, is Aarni Heiskanen’s guest on the WDBE Talks podcast. They discuss digitalization, the use of data, and situational awareness in construction. The interview covers these topics: What has inspired Reid most during his careerWhy Ben chose to join DoxelWhat kind of digitalization would give the highest ROI in constructionWhy do many construction companies still struggle to digitalize their on-site workflows, and what could ease their transition?How can you create value in such a construction environment with many, sometimes unforeseen, variablesHow to tackle challenges related to data quality over the project life cycleHow digitalization will change the construction industry over the next ten yearsWhat Reid is going to cover in his WDBE keynote You can reach Reid on LinkedIn and at  doxel.ai. His keynote takes place on September 29, 2022. Register to experience all the fantastic presentations and connect with leading digitalization experts at wdbe.org. Listen to the interview and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Google, and other platforms

Dr. Ben Guy, the founder and CEO of UC 3D Planning Technologies - Urban Circus - is Aarni Heiskanen's guest on the WDBE Talks podcast. They discuss the use of 3D visualization technologies to bring a human scale to urban development and construction. Ben is a keynote speaker at WDBE 2022. Urban Circus is a family-owned, 20-years-old Australian business. Examples of their work include videos, stories, VR, AR, interactive models, gamification, simulations, and planning workflows. The interview covers these topics: What brought Ben into 3D technologyBen's guiding visionHow advances in technology have improved Urban Circus's capabilities over the yearsWhat makes 3D such a powerful way to communicateExamples of the results customers have achieved with 3D visualization and simulationHow Ben uses open dataWhat the future of 3D is, and what's Ben's take on the metaverseWhat can we expect to learn from Ben's keynote at WDBE You can reach Ben on LinkedIn and at urbancircus.com.au. His keynote takes place on September 28, 2022. Register to experience all the fantastic presentations and connect with leading digitalization experts at wdbe.org. Listen to the interview and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Google, and other platforms

Aarni’s guest on this episode of WDBE Talks is Damon Hernandez, co-founder of the AEC Hackathon and an extended reality expert. Damon attends the 90 Day Finn program by Helsinki Partners. The three-month residence allows him to explore Finnish business and technology ecosystems and create new connections with built environment trailblazers. Damon has worked with various industries regarding web-based 3D, virtual environments, mirror worlds, and other mixed reality/Metaverse related technologies for over 20 years. He is passionate about the web’s convergence with other technologies, including IoT, GIS, CAD/BIM/CAM, AR/VR, mobile, and wearable devices. To help adopt new tech, he organizes various events and hackathon communities. Our discussion covers Damon’s backgroundThe current state of the AEC HackathonThe impact the hackathon has had on the industry so farWhat Damon has learned from the many hackathons across the worldWhat the metaverse, his other passion, could be in the AEC sectorHow to start exploring the metaverseThe upcoming hackathons You can meet Damon on September 28-29, 2022, at WDBE 2022, where he will be akeynote speaker. You can review the program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other platforms

Niknaz Aftahi is the CEO and co-founder of aec+tech (aecplustech.com), an all-in-one innovation platform and community connecting AEC/O professionals with the latest tools and technologies. In this WDBE Talks interview by Aarni Heiskanen, Niknaz discusses construction sector innovation and technology and how she helps AEC professionals discover the right tech solutions. Our discussion covers Niknaz’s path to becoming a construction technology advocateThe vision that drives herThe best use cases of digital construction technologyAec+tech - why she started it up, what it is, who uses itThoughts about awarding the forerunners and her keynote at WDBE 2022 Before launching aec+tech, Niknaz practiced architecture in the bay area, California, both as a design professional and a design technologist. Niknaz is a member of the AIA San Francisco design technology committee and has also been developing curriculum and teaching architecture courses online to Bahai students in Iran who continue to be deprived of university access in their own country. You can meet Niknaz at WDBE 2022 on September 28, 2022, where she will be akeynote speaker. You can review the program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview and subscribe on Apple and Spotify

I had the pleasure of meeting with Jacqueline Rohrmann to discuss the digitalization of the construction sector, her experiences as a design manager at Tesla, and the industry's future. We also touched on the themes of her upcoming keynote speech at the WDBE 2022 conference. After completing her research project on Generative Design, Jacqueline kick-started her career with a job at Tesla. Being one of the first people on the ground at Gigafactory Berlin, she wore many hats and ultimately managed the design of the entire automotive factory. She now moved on to pursue her passion to make our industry greener with an MBA degree in Building Sustainability. If she seems familiar to you, you might have watched one of her videos about BIM or Sustainability that she posts on her YouTube Channel "That BIM Girl." Our discussion covers How Jaqueline became a world-famous YouTuberThe vision that drives herThe challenges of the Tesla Gigafactory projectHow Jaqueline would change the construction industryThoughts about her WDBE keynote speechWhat’s in the future for Jaqueline You can meet Jaqueline at WDBE 2022 on September 28, 2022, where she will be akeynote speaker. You can review the program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Connect with Jacqueline on LinkedIn. Listen to the interview on Apple, Google, Spotify, and other platforms

In this episode of WDBE talks, we sat down with Rune Huse Karlstad of Varjo Technologies to talk through the real-world use of VR/AR hardware and the capacity for BIM technologies to integrate and visualise sensor data to help add value for clients. Our discussion covered the increasing role VR headsets play for the sector, obstacles to adoption, and what Covid 19 revealed about the reality of where we are with tech implementations. Rune Huse Karlstad is the Business Developer for AEC, Oil, and Gas with Varjo. After starting his career as a skilled construction worker, Karlstad became an advocate for BIM technologies after retraining as a BIM Construction Engineer at Fagskolen Oslo. This led to him operating as a BIM Technician with Rambøll and BIM Co-Ordinator with ADF Gruppen before focusing on design review, sites inspections, and remote collaboration. "I think people underestimate the potential of actually experiencing your models in 3D. Look at how things are done today – it's 3D models on a 2D plane, just a computer screen. That can make it hard to fully understand the design layout and for clients to engage with. It's often difficult for them to relate that to a drawing or understand the space they're given when starting to work on a project. Using 3D models and virtual reality allows us to experience the models one-to-one scale as they would if the building were finished. It's a huge benefit, especially when it comes to the time it takes for everyone to understand the basics and get feedback. People can lose days looking at paper drawings and not fully get the grasp of what you're building or what you're getting. But being inside VR? It's much more efficient." Our discussion covered The real-world benefits of deploying BIM and VR in unisonThe importance of securing quality client feedbackThe challenges of tech implementations during CovidThe need to remove obstacles to adoption for VR/AR technologiesFuture threats and opportunities for the industry You can meet Rune at our WDBE 2021 event on September 28, 2021, where he will be akeynote speaker. You can review our program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview (also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms)

In this episode of WDBE Talks, we sat down with Danielle Dy Buncio of VIATechnik to discuss the role sensor technology has when it comes to on-site integration and the potential it possesses for helping us quickly understand and act to address future challenges. Our talk covered the power of unified digital technologies, the need for issue resolution in the fast-paced modern built environment, and the difficulties – and learning – that spun out from the recent pandemic. Danielle Dy Buncio is the Co-Founder & CEO of VIATechnik, a leading Virtual Design & Construction firm advancing the real estate and construction industries through innovative technologies. "One of the major advantages of modern sensor technologies is being able to integrate data into BIM virtual design and add value throughout the process. Our whole thing at VIATechnik is enabling our clients to make high-quality, high-velocity decisions. That means making better decisions faster. You can't guarantee you're doing that without a good level of information which allows us to create what we call 'data insights.' Fundamentally, it's a process built around understanding. You start from the questions that you need to answer, the insights you need to make come from there," Danielle noted in our interview. Our discussion covered- The multi-strand benefits of sensor technology.The role Supersensing plays in rapid, on-site decision-making.The need for practitioners to pre-empt and collectively address climate change.The power of integrating sensor solutions with BIM to produce actionable insights.Best-practice approaches for modern problem-solving. You can meet Danielle at our WDBE 2021 event on September 28, 2021, where she will be attending as a keynote speaker. You can review our program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview (also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms)

In this episode of WDBE Talks, we sat down with Dr. Sofie Pelsmakers of Tampere University to discuss the role of sensor technology in the modern built environment and the continuing need for sustainable change within the contemporary built environment. Our conversation covered the need to address the 'performance gap' within the sector, the ethical issues surrounding data capture, and obstacles impeding change.  Dr. Sofie Pelsmakers is the Associate Professor for Sustainable Architecture and Sustainable Housing Design at Tampere University. She is a chartered architect with more than a decade of experience in building and teaching sustainable architecture with a specialty in low energy, affordable housing design. She also co-founded Architecture for Change (AfC), a not-for-profit environmental building organization that aims to change and challenge the way we currently design and build. "It's been a strange summer of highest temperature records that we never imagined we would see in such close succession. Yet, we are not really getting into gear or getting into action. I don't know what it will take, but I never give up hope. I have to keep believing that we can make the changes required. Am I okay with that? No. But I think the key is to somehow frame the discussion, not as a disaster but to highlight the benefits for our health, wellbeing, and biodiversity. We can have spaces that are better for everybody, better for the climate, and work to address the damage we have caused." Our discussion covered The industry's understanding of contemporary 'sustainability.' The role sensor technology can play in the world of design. The ethical issues surrounding data capture and analysis.The often-overlooked 'human element' in the modern built environment.The obstacles standing in our way when it comes to tackling sectoral change.  You can meet Sofie at our WDBE 2021 event on September 29, 2021, where she will be a keynote speaker.  You can review our program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview (also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms)

In this episode of WDBE Talks, we sat down with Brian Ringley of Boston Dynamics to discuss the role robots can play on-site when it comes to scanning and data capture. Our conversation covered the challenges of operating autonomously in construction, the importance of digital twins, and the renewed need for remote site access in a post-covid world.  Brian Ringley is the Construction Technology Manager at Boston Dynamics, a US-based robotics and engineering company. He currently oversees construction tech implementations and integrations for the Spot platform and recently collaborated with Trimble Inc. to help automate the capture of sensor data on construction sites.  “The ability to explore the ‘digital twin’ side of things was a real driving element of our strategic alliance with Trimble. But we quickly realized that the real value wasn’t in just ‘doing it once and doing it right’. Even if your model was updating every second, you need human intelligence to answer questions. But you can leverage these sensor tools to do quantification. You catch mistakes. You plan better. You leverage models and algorithms to answer questions for you because they have access to that frequently collected data as well.” Brian noted in our interview.  Our discussion covered- The role dynamic sensing plays in pathfinding and adapting to challenging and changeable working environments.The often unrealized benefits of ‘closing the loop’ of sensor data capture.The potential role digital twins can play on-site.The disruption, insights, and innovation that spun out from Covid. The flexibility and practicality of modern, on-site automation.  You can meet Brian at our WDBE 2021 event on September 29, 2021, where he will be attending as a keynote speaker. You can review our program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview (also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms)

For this episode of WDBE Talks, we sat down with Aviad Almagor of Trimble Ltd. to discuss sensor technology in the modern built environment. Our conversation touched on the on-site implementation of robotics and AI-based solutions, the importance of data capture, and the challenges facing the sector today and in the years ahead.  Aviad Almagor is the Division Vice President of Emerging Technologies with Trimble Ltd., a California-based hardware, software, and tech company that specializes in the development of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and recently collaborated with Boston Dynamics to automate construction processes.  “AI in construction is a very exciting topic though the industry is traditionally not very well-equipped to adopt technology in a very effective way. AI is an enabling technology that can be used to support and augment work. This means we can automate processes; predict delays in schedule; cost changes; even design issues and prescribe and provide decision-makers with the right information to be efficient and to make the right choices for projects.” Aviad noted in our interview.  Our discussion covered The challenges in integrating automated robotics and sensor data. The need for integrated, on-site software solutions.The role automated robots can play when it comes to security and remote observation.  The importance of sensor-tech when it comes to modern pathfinding. The impact of the pandemic on the appetite for digital solutions.   You can meet Aviad at our WDBE 2021 event on September 29, 2021,  where he will be attending as a keynote speaker. You can review our program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview (also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms)

For this episode of WDBE Talks, we sat down with Microsoft’s Jeff Schumacher to discuss sensor technology in the modern built environment. Our conversation covers the role the tools play in helping us evolve our spaces, understand those living in them, and the renewed importance of privacy.  Jeff Schumacher is the Global Workplace Services Lead at Microsoft, a multinational technology corporation that produces software, electronics, computers, and other digital services.  “Technology plays a huge role in helping us understand how we evolve our space and then determine what is working and what isn’t. Ultimately, it affects the overall performance of the teams. We see more engagement, more activity, and more productivity in spaces that are inspirational and motivational than we do in spaces that aren’t.” Jeff observed in our interview.  Our discussion covered Modern sensoring’s ability to supply real-time understanding and drive decision making.The overlap between physical sensor tech and digital security.Details about the ‘One Microsoft Court’ and ‘One Microsoft Place’ development projects.The connection between physical, shared spaces and professional productivity. Learnings drawn out from the threat of Covid 19.  You can meet Jeff at our WDBE 2021 event on September 29, 2021, where he will be attending as a keynote speaker. You can take a look at our program and register for the event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview (also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms)

This episode of WDBE Talks features Lorri Rowlandson of BGIS. We discuss the role sensor technology and technical innovation play within the modern workplace. Our talk covers the historic reaction to change, understanding value, and the challenges facing the industry in a post-covid world. Lorri Rowlandson is Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation at BGIS, a global provider of Facility Management, Project Delivery, Energy & Sustainability, Asset Management, Workplace Advisory, and Real Estate Services. Lorri Rowlandson "Technology drives efficiencies. It gives greater experience, greater convenience, and better data-driven decisions. It's helping us get over subjectivity with objectivity and manages emotionally charged discussions with facts. Technology empowers the building with automated activities that flex and evolve based on the changing needs of occupants. I think we're going to see technology adding sophistication to those bigger ecosystems outside of the building as well as within the building," Lorri states in the interview. Our discussion topics include The role of digital technologies and technical innovation, especially the use of sensors, in modern office environmentsThe ‘pains’ of embedding innovation in the built environmentThe key drivers and technologies that potentially impact or influence our sectorThe impact of COVID-19 on technology adoptionHow digital technologies help smoothing the ‘on-ramp’ back to the office You can meet Lorri at WDBE 2021 where she's going to be a keynote speaker on September 28, 2021. Check out the program and register for the global digital built environment event at WDBE.org. Listen to the interview (also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms)

In this WDBE Talks podcast episode, Jaan Saar, Head of Digital Construction for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications in Estonia, talks about finding and implementing a common language for digitalized construction. To unlock the real benefits of all the cool technologies like AI, VR/AR, XR, IoT, and hyper-automation, we first need to make sense of the underlying data. This is exactly what the first Community Session of WDBE, the World of Digital Built Environment, explored. The session was titled Do we really need a common language in construction. It included several expert presentations and a panel discussion. Jaan Saar "I think the consensus from all of the panelists and the kind of common message was that you need to really collaborate, you need to come out from your building silos from your head and really start collaborating with others, talking about this subject. I know, it's not an easy subject to talk about, it's not the sexiest topic," Jaan explains in the interview. "We also ended up, kind of, on a very philosophical level about empathy, or how do you really perceive the needs of others. And how you accommodate that. And what's a common language that's right." About Jaan Saar Jaan has managed processes and IT in the construction industry for over 15 years. He joined the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs & Communications in 2018 with the goal to digitally transform construction in Estonia. He is currently working on developing the "e-construction platform" which will provide the backbone for data sharing throughout the building lifecycle and the national digital twin. He is also deputy chair of the EU BIM Task Group and a member of the buildingSMART Board of Directors. Contact Jaan on LinkedIn. Listen to the Interview (also on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and other platforms)

The AEC Hackathon at BLOXHUB in Copenhagen engaged 154 attendees from 33 countries to work on interesting urban challenges over a February weekend. The two WDBE Talks guests were there but in different roles. Alejandro Mata, Automation Manager at Ramboll Denmark, was in one of the hack teams. He talks about the experience of his first AEC Hackathon and how his team won the 1st prize. Helle Stendorff is the Head of Events and Activities at BLOXHUB. This was the second AEC Hackathon she helped organize at BLOXHUB. The AEC Hackathon in Copenhagen was a pre-event of the World Summit on Digital Built Environment WDBE2020. Learn more about the conference and other pre-events at wdbe.org. You can follow Alejandro on LinkedIn and contact Helle at [email protected]. Alejandro Mata Helle Stendorff Listen to the interviews (also on iTunes, Spotify, and other platforms)

This WDBE Talks podcast episode is a prelude to the pitchfest, WWF Life EconomisE KIRA-challenge, that takes place on May 19, 2020, in Helsinki and online. It's a WDBE 2020 Pre-event, in which WWF is partnering with KIRAHub and RAKLI to find cutting-edge solutions that can support institutional investors and real estate owners in future-proofing their investment portfolios. Aarni Heiskanen's guest are Jussi Nikula, Head of Ecological Footprint Programme at WWF FinlandAnna Hyrske, Head of Responsible investments at Ilmarinen, Finland’s oldest pension companyEero Sihvonen, CFO at Citycon, a leading owner, manager and developer of mixed-use centers for urban living including retail, office space and housing We discuss, among others, what climate-proofing means and what investors can do are doing to reach the ambitious emission and climate goals. About the challenge WWF is striving for change that ensures that basically every real estate investment from now on would be ‘future-proof’. At present, the energy efficiency investments are not happening at the pace and scale needed. The different players of the real estate sector must step up to overcome the challenge. The institutional investors and real estate companies must go way beyond the business-as-usual level of energy efficiency improvements guided by the existing legislation. First and foremost, we need to ask what is adequate in light of the pressing urgency informed by climate science. WWF’s LIFE EconomisE project demonstrates how influencing financial flows for the decarbonization of building stock can deliver significant contributions towards 2020 and 2030 Climate and Energy targets, with special emphasis placed on working within the Paris Agreement’s temperature goals of 1.5/2°C. We also need new partners and clever solutions! The objective is to influence the uptake of energy efficiency measures and to bring about a shift towards low-carbon investment, explicitly focused on the decarbonization of buildings and improved climate resilience. We cannot afford missed opportunities – therefore strong collaboration and partnerships with forward-thinking organizations, big or small, is greatly needed. This episode of the podcast was produced with the contribution of the LIFE Programme of the European Union. Listen to the podcast (also on iTunes, Spotify, and other platforms)

In this podcast episode, Aarni discusses with Francesca Noardo and Rick Klooster who gave presentations at this year’s first WDBE pre-event which took place in Tallinn, Estonia. The event was about BIM-based Building Permit Process Automation.

In this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, Jaan Saar tells us about his work as Head of Digital Construction and why he thinks the public sector has a key role in the digitalization of the construction industry. Jaan has managed processes and IT in the construction industry for over 15 years. He joined the public sector in 2018 with the goal to digitally transform construction in Estonia. Jaan is Head of Digital Construction at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. He is currently working on developing the "e-construction platform" which will provide the digital infrastructure for collaborative data sharing and integrate innovative services related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of built assets. Jaan is a keynote presenter at World Summit of Digital Built Environment WDBE 2019 in Helsinki in September 2019. He's going to talk about defragmenting the construction industry with a digital platform. Listen to the interview (also on iTunes and other podcast platforms)