• Efficiency and problem-solving have been key factors in Foley's career success.
• He faced challenges in self-belief and imposter syndrome but found success by treating people well and surrounding himself with good people.
• Gain diverse experience in the construction industry and avoid getting siloed too early in your career.
• Collaboration and empathy between different disciplines are crucial for successful construction projects.
• Share knowledge and workflows to improve efficiency and decision-making.
• Embrace new technologies, such as AI and data, to enhance productivity and problem-solving.
• Own up to mistakes, find solutions, and learn from them.
• Continuously learn and adapt to the evolving needs of the industry.

• "I wanted to be an architect when I was at school. I loved buildings."
• "I always had a fascination with buildings. I've always loved them."
• "I'm a problem solver. See your problem, fix it where you go."
• "Before you become a manager or a leader, you should have experienced every part of the project lifecycle."
• "BIM people, some of them are just BIM people now, and they actually don't have the background in construction or industry."
• "Having a mix and balance of young people and senior people in a business is important for knowledge transfer."

Adam Crouch, a BIM expert, shares his journey in the construction industry and the challenges he faced in implementing digital transformation. From a young age, Adam showed an interest in building and design, creating scale models and comics. He pursued a career in 3D animation before transitioning to civil engineering and BIM. Adam highlights the importance of changing people's mindset and overcoming resistance to change in the industry. He also discusses the satisfaction of seeing projects come to life and the long-lasting impact of civil infrastructure. In this conversation, Adam Crouch discusses the importance of learning from mistakes and pushing ideas further. He emphasizes the need for innovation and taking risks in order to achieve success. Adam also highlights the potential impact of robotics and automation in the construction industry, particularly in improving efficiency and reducing safety incidents. He suggests that construction companies should invest in data management systems and promote collaboration among project stakeholders. Additionally, Adam shares his interest in both electric vehicles and V8 engines, as well as his preference for timber in construction.

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/Eq93suECza0

• Early interest in building and design led Adam Crouch to pursue a career in 3D animation and later civil engineering and BIM.
• Implementing digital transformation in the construction industry requires changing people's mindset and overcoming resistance to change.
• Seeing projects come to life and interacting with the built infrastructure is a rewarding aspect of working in the industry.
• Civil infrastructure has a long-lasting impact and can shape cities and communities for generations. Learn from mistakes and push ideas further to achieve success.
• Embrace innovation and take risks in order to drive progress.
• Robotics and automation have the potential to improve efficiency and reduce safety incidents in the construction industry.
• Invest in data management systems and promote collaboration among project stakeholders.

Stewart Caldwell, an architect and digital engineer, shares his journey in the architecture and design industry. He discusses his early passion for architecture and how a teacher introduced him to CAD, sparking his interest in the intersection of creativity and technology. Stewart also talks about the challenges of implementing new technologies like Revit and the importance of collaboration and overcoming fear in the industry.

Video at https://youtu.be/zFeS6GJM4mc

He emphasizes the need to love what you do and not let other people's opinions dictate your path. Stewart is proud of his work in pushing the boundaries of architecture and giving others the opportunity to do great things. Stewart reflects on the importance of embracing failure and learning from mistakes. He shares a story of a major mistake he made early in his career and how he had to take responsibility for fixing it.

He emphasizes the value of humility and honesty in the face of failure. Stewart also discusses the future of the architecture industry, highlighting the need for connectors who can bring together diverse teams and navigate complex projects. He believes that while AI may replace certain technical skills, the ability to understand the human condition and foster collaboration will remain valuable.

Keywords architecture, design, technology, collaboration, fear, passion, failure, mistakes, humility, honesty, architecture industry, connectors, AI, human condition, collaboration

Takeaways

• Passion and love for what you do are essential in the architecture and design industry.
• Overcoming fear and not letting other people's opinions dictate your path is crucial.
• Collaboration and teamwork are key to success in implementing new technologies.
• Failure is inevitable in a field that involves risk and experimentation, but it should not deter you from moving forward.
• Being proud of your work means creating opportunities for others to excel and pushing the boundaries of your field. Embrace failure and learn from mistakes
• Humility and honesty are crucial in the face of failure
• The future of the architecture industry lies in the role of connectors who can bring together diverse teams
• AI may replace certain technical skills, but understanding the human condition and fostering collaboration will remain valuable

Sound Bites

• "I wanted to be an architect since I can remember talking about work."
• "I love the disruption. This is going to mess things up."
• "Working together collaboratively is not the common hymn sheet."
• "People want the accolades and the pats on the back and then don't want to get told you suck at something"
• "Humility is a huge lesson learned when facing a major mistake"
• "Failure is inevitable, but it's about putting your hand up and being honest about it"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Stuart's Background

01:47 Early Interest in Architecture and Introduction to CAD

05:39 Transitioning to Digital Tools and Embracing Disruption

09:35 2D Drafting is Stupid

10:50 Challenges of Collaboration and Industry-Wide Buy-In

23:38 Advice for Those Interested in Architecture and Design

27:21 Humility and Not Caring About Wins or Failures

40:01 The Future of the Industry: Connectors and AI

42:48 The Value of Sharing Knowledge and Experiences

48:30 The Evolving Role of Digital Technology

52:26 Collaborative and Flexible Project Teams

56:35 The Shift Towards Digitally Enabled Traditional Job Roles

In this conversation, Anthony Habashy, Group DE Manager at Mirvac, shares his journey in the construction industry and the challenges he has faced. He initially wanted to be a soccer player but ended up studying architectural technology and structural engineering. His career took a turn when he became proficient in Revit and started working as a BIM manager. He highlights the importance of embracing technology and being innovative in the industry. Anthony also discusses the challenges of implementing new technologies and the need for buy-in from stakeholders. He emphasises the value of learning from failures and continuously improving processes. Lastly, he advises newcomers to embrace technology and always look for new ways of doing things. In this conversation, Anthony Habashy discusses the practical ways in which Mirvac implements digital engineering (DE) strategies. He explains that they start by assessing the current state of DE in the company and gathering input from stakeholders. They then create a three-year strategy based on this input and communicate it to the rest of the organisation. Habashy emphasises the importance of getting buy-in from key stakeholders and presenting the strategy to various groups within the company. He also discusses the unique opportunity Mirvac has as a fully integrated business model to drive innovation at a large scale.

Watch Video here: https://youtu.be/fdqHnyrJ3rc

• Embrace technology and be innovative in the construction industry.
• Implementing new technologies can be challenging, but it is important to get buy-in from stakeholders and demonstrate the value.
• Failures are opportunities for learning and improvement.
• Continuous improvement and refining processes are essential in the industry.
• Communication, education, and stakeholder engagement are crucial for successful implementation of new technologies.
• Think about the bigger picture and involve all relevant parties in the decision-making process. Assess the current state of digital engineering in the company and gather input from stakeholders to create a three-year strategy.
• Get buy-in from key stakeholders by presenting the strategy and communicating the value it will add to the business.
• Utilize various communication channels, such as presentations and meetings, to spread the message and gain support.
• As a fully integrated business model, Mirvac has a unique opportunity to drive innovation at a large scale.

Wesley Benn, architect and founder of the Digital Built Environment Institute, shares his journey in the architecture and construction industry. From a young age, Wesley had a passion for architecture and design, which led him to pursue a career in the field. He started his own architectural practice and later became an early adopter of Revit, which eventually led him to start the Revit Technology Conference (now known as BILT).

Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9IZRUReKeM

Wesley's focus shifted towards improving the industry's productivity and efficiency, as well as addressing environmental concerns. However, he faced challenges such as the global financial crisis and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wesley Benn discusses the challenges he faced in his career, including financial struggles, health issues, and personal hardships. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in navigating difficult times. He also shares his passion for artificial intelligence and its potential impact on society.

Wesley reflects on his proudest achievement of being awarded the favorite teacher of the class he taught at the University of New South Wales and the satisfaction of inspiring and influencing the next generation. He advises individuals to learn to say no, recognize their true value, and embrace the power of data in decision-making. Wesley expresses excitement about the future of technology, particularly in the areas of drones, VR, and AI.

Takeaways

• Wesley Benn's passion for architecture started at a young age and led him to pursue a career in the field.
• He became an early adopter of Revit and started the Revit Technology Conference (now BILT) to bring together professionals in the industry.
• Wesley's focus shifted towards improving productivity and efficiency in the industry, as well as addressing environmental concerns.
• He faced challenges such as the global financial crisis and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Resilience and adaptability are crucial in navigating career challenges.
• Financial struggles, health issues, and personal hardships can test one's capabilities and shape their character.
• Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize society and raise questions about work, value, and human identity.
• Being recognized as a favorite teacher and inspiring the next generation is a source of great pride.
• Learning to say no, recognizing one's true value, and embracing data-driven decision-making are important skills in design and construction.
• Exciting advancements in technology, such as drones, VR, and AI, offer new possibilities and opportunities for exploration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 00:25 Early Years 01:32 Why This Industry? 09:29 Early Adoption of Revit 14:59 Establishing the Revit User Group 24:01 Improving Productivity and Efficiency in the Built Environment 28:58 Navigating Career Challenges 38:17 Proud Moments 41:56 Excitement for the Future 50:01 The Power of Data 52:36 Quick Fire Round 55:43 Exploring New Frontiers

Ronan Collins, a pioneer in digital engineering and BIM, shares his journey in the construction industry and the challenges he has faced. He grew up in a family of builders and was exposed to CAD at a young age. He joined Arup's in 1996 and witnessed the rapid changes in technology. In 2003, he started his own company in Hong Kong, focusing on technology solutions for engineers and contractors. Ronan emphasizes the importance of understanding the value of technology and the need for proper training and education in the industry.

Video recording on Youtube at this link

Ronan shares his personal mistakes and lessons learned in the construction industry, including the importance of not getting too big too fast and the need to set up the right infrastructure before taking on international projects. He also discusses the future of the industry, highlighting the impact of cloud technology, remote working, offshore business models, reality capture, and data analytics. Ronan emphasizes the need for contractors and consultants to focus on solving specific problems and adding value to their projects, rather than chasing after shiny new technologies.

Takeaways

• Ronan Collins grew up in a family of builders and was exposed to CAD at a young age, which sparked his interest in technology in the construction industry.
• He joined Arup's in 1996 and witnessed the rapid changes in technology, from shared computers to the introduction of 3D modeling tools like Rhino and Revit.
• In 2003, Ronan started his own company in Hong Kong, focusing on technology solutions for engineers and contractors, and played a role in promoting the adoption of BIM in the industry.
• He emphasizes the importance of understanding the value of technology and the need for proper training and education in the industry, as many professionals are still unfamiliar with BIM and other digital tools. Avoid getting too big too fast and ensure you have the right infrastructure in place before taking on international projects.
• The future of the construction industry will involve cloud technology, remote working, offshore business models, reality capture, and data analytics.
• Focus on solving specific problems and adding value to projects, rather than chasing after shiny new technologies. Train the younger generation by giving them small-scale projects to work on and learn from.
• Stay curious and open-minded to new technologies and trends in the industry.

Sound Bites

"We've got to start speaking to that and again, it's getting that message back that we haven't moved all that far in 20 years." "We've got to be really clear that we still got to sell the value of these tools and these technologies." "There's still a culture where the engineers think that BIM and CAD are some secondary kind of process that they have nothing to do with." "Getting into BIM." "We got too big, too fast, too greedy." "We got ahead of ourselves here."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 02:18 Early Exposure to Technology 04:02 Transition to Digital Engineering 05:58 Setting Up Own Business in Hong Kong 09:23 Challenges in the Construction Industry 13:03 Responsibility and Impact in the Industry 16:09 Challenges and Blockers in the Industry 24:44 The Need for BIM Capable Engineers and Architects 28:50 The Disconnect Between Traditional Design Teams and BIM Teams 32:32 Advice for Newcomers in the Industry 34:43 Mistakes and Lessons Learned 37:08 The Impact of Cloud Technology and Remote Working 38:30 The Future of the Industry: Reality Capture and Data Analytics 45:39 Finding Solutions that Add Value 51:43 Training the Younger Generation and Conducting Pilot Studies

• Passion for building and problem-solving can drive innovation in the construction industry.
• Standard operating procedures and effective communication are crucial for successful digital transformation.
• Implementing new technology requires balancing attitudes and relationships.
• Field experience and understanding the needs of the people building the project are essential for driving innovation. Learning from mistakes is crucial in the construction industry.
• Effective communication and collaboration are essential for successful implementation of BIM in the field.
• The future of construction lies in data, AI, and process optimization.
• Creativity and innovation play a significant role in driving change in the industry.

• "We could produce drawings that look like what we had with the Lego instructions."
• "Yeah, it's it saved me from trouble besides that first time again, Steve. Thank you for the lesson and being being patient."
• "Don't wear clean boots either. Like if you're coming as a tech person, don't wear clean boots."

Andrew Hannell, a digital design, construction, and engineering expert, shares his journey in the industry. From a young age, Andrew showed an interest in building and designing, which eventually led him to study architecture. However, he realized that his passion lay in the technology side of things, and he transitioned into working with BIM and digital models.

Andrew discusses the challenges of implementing new technology in a traditional industry and emphasizes the importance of focusing on people and processes. He shares his pride in working on projects like the Sydney Opera House and offers advice to those interested in the design and construction space. In this conversation, Andrew Hannell discusses the importance of working with the right people and shares his insights on mistakes and lessons learned.

He also talks about the exciting opportunities for the future of construction, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Andrew emphasizes the need for a cultural shift in the industry, where contractors and designers are willing to challenge the status quo and embrace change. He also highlights the value of freeing up highly qualified professionals to focus on higher-value work by leveraging technology and improving processes.

Takeaways

• Follow your passion and do what you love in the design and construction industry.
• Implementing new technology in a traditional industry requires a focus on people and processes.
• Don't be afraid to pursue your own path and explore different opportunities within the industry.
• The people you work with are just as important as the work itself.
• Mistakes are a valuable learning opportunity and can lead to personal growth.
• The future of construction lies in leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to make incremental improvements.
• Contractors and designers need to be open to change and challenge the status quo.
• Technology can free up highly qualified professionals to focus on higher-value work.

Quotes

"The people you work with are just as important as the work itself." "Mistakes are a valuable learning opportunity and can lead to personal growth." "The future of construction lies in leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to make incremental improvements."

Chapters

00:00 Andrew's Background and Early Interest in Building 03:38 Architecture 05:36 Challenges and Successes in Implementing Technology 07:56 The Importance of People and Processes 10:57 Advice for Those Interested in the Industry 15:37 Mistakes and Lessons Learned 19:32 AI in Construction 29:59 Cultural Shift in Construction 33:14 Future of Design 38:58 Freeing Up Professionals with Technology 40:46 Mentoring 42:06 Quickfire