• 356: Simple homes, at home in Colorado
    Sep 26 2024
    This is episode 4 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver!

    “I think there’s a lot to be learned and to be gained by applying the principles of lean and the principles of lean manufacturing to construction.”

    In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Jeff Hopfenbeck of Simple Homes!

    Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Simple Homes. Simple Homes is a Denver-based provider of turnkey offsite construction solutions. A lifelong architecture and construction geek, Jeff is passionate about using technology to solve our nation’s housing affordability crisis. Simple Homes seeks to address this challenge by designing, manufacturing, and assembling homes using its unique turnkey panelized construction system. Previously Jeff worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he supported the firm’s industry 4.0 and private equity practices. Before McKinsey, Jeff worked for a number of leading social sector organizations, including the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, the Telluride Foundation, and El Pomar Foundation. He received his bachelor’s degree from Whitman College and his MBA from CU’s Leeds School of Business, where he focused on Real Estate and Entrepreneurship.

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    25 mins
  • 355: Offsite innovation from a Navy SEAL
    Sep 19 2024
    This is episode 3 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver!

    “So if I can summarize what we do, or what we’re trying to aspire to do, is make offsite construction so easy a caveman could do it.”

    In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Garrett Moore of Agorus.

    In football, as in life, the most important person on the field is often the least noticed – the left tackle: he protects the quarterback’s blind side.” As a quarterback at Stanford University, this simple lesson laid the early foundation for Garrett’s servant-leadership philosophy: “It’s the people you work with every day who determine your ability to make an impact”. After achieving a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford, and despite an early desire to jump right into a Silicon Valley start-up after graduation, Garrett’s passion to serve led him to San Diego to become an officer in the Navy SEALs. During this time, he was also selected to become an Olmsted Scholar (similar to a Rhodes Scholarship). After learning Hebrew from scratch, he earned his master’s degree in Cybersecurity at Tel Aviv University…in Hebrew! Living there in Startup Nation, he learned another critical lesson, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.” You might see two common denominators in these life shaping experiences – a love of high performing teams and fearlessness in the face of challenges. Garrett and his co-founder Kyle run headlong into the fray when most would hesitate. “If a problem is too hard for everyone else, it’s probably just right for us”. And for that reason, he is wholly committed to solving America’s elusive housing crisis. Garrett is married to his childhood sweetheart and loves to spend time with his family. It’s no surprise that he’s also an extreme sports guy, snowboarding, mountain biking and e-foiling whenever he can. By the way, don’t ever get suckered into a ping pong game with him. It won’t go well for you.

    AGORUS LinkedIn
    AGORUS Instagram
    AGORUS ONE Build - Tucson, AZ Project Timelapse

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    25 mins
  • 354: Building with community input
    Sep 12 2024
    This is episode 2 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver!

    “For me, it’s starting with innovating from that bottom-up piece where it’s getting the people who are going to be affected by these changes and by these designs into the conversation as early as possible.”

    In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Brent Forsberg about community inclusion in development plans!

    Brent Forsberg has been active in real estate sales, investing, and development for 22 years in the Greater Lansing area. Currently, he is the President of TA Forsberg Inc, a firm with over 60 years of experience in road and sewer construction, and land development specializing in residential and light commercial and professional office.

    Brent has led the sales teams of several large residential developments in the Greater Lansing and is a licensed broker involved in Forsberg Real Estate Company. T.A. Forsberg, Inc.’s projects have provided residential home sites for more than 1000 families within its premier lifestyle neighborhoods. He is currently involved in several urban sustainability and renewal projects within the Greater Lansing Area. Brent focuses on how to create stronger connected communities between local businesses, the arts, and residents through Place-Based Development and human-scaled design.

    Throughout his career, Brent has been active on many industry and non-profit boards including the National Homebuilders Sales and Marketing Council, the City of Mason Downtown Development Authority, and the Mason Chamber of Commerce Board, Lansing March of Dimes, The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) board, and is the 2020 President of the Greater Lansing Homebuilders Association. He is also active on many committees working on transportation issues, education, workforce development, and promotion of the arts. Brent is an active speaker and has given talks, led design charrettes, and facilitated roundtables. Topics include market research, scale and design, and new home sales. Venues have included the International Homebuilders Show, the University of Michigan, Lansing Community College, many local schools, neighborhood associations, trade associations, and non-profit groups.

    Personally, Brent is an avid outdoorsman enjoying alpine skiing and mountain biking with family and friends. He is an avid reader and enjoys writing as well. Brent enjoys cooking and participated in the celebrity chef auction for the March of Dimes for seven years. He loves working with people and being a small part of the growth in the Greater Lansing Region.

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    25 mins
  • 353: 3D printing homes with recycled plastic
    Sep 5 2024
    This is episode 1 of 6 in a Deep Dive Series on the Housing Innovation Alliance! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the HIA Conference 2024 at the University of Denver!

    “When you build so much faster, less expensive, and can reduce the environmental impact - you check so many boxes.”

    In this conversation, Devon Tilly chats with Gene Eidelman of Azure.

    From developing multifamily projects to revolutionizing the construction industry with 3D-printed homes, Gene Eidelman's journey in real estate is marked by innovation and impact. After immigrating to the US from Ukraine, Gene quickly made a name for himself, developing over 3,000 condominiums and apartments in Southern California and across the Southeastern United States. His entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there; he launched two education startups before co-founding Azure Printed Homes in 2022. At Azure, Gene and his team are breaking new ground with a patented 3D printing process that constructs entire structures from recycled polymers. This eco-friendly method is not only 70% faster but also 30% cheaper than traditional construction, revolutionizing how we think about building homes. Since May 2023, Azure Printed Homes has been delivering units ranging from backyard studios and park models for glamping resorts and RV parks to ADUs and homes, with a focus on sustainable, affordable housing for all. Gene's commitment to making a difference extends beyond real estate. He has been recognized for his efforts in resettling 6,000 refugees from Eastern Europe and has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss his refugee resettlement work. Gene is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, 3D Printing, construction and real estate. He delivered a TED talk at TEDx Wilmington on the future of housing on April 27, 2024, which will be on YouTube this summer. He also appeared on TV news programs and podcasts. His work is paving the way for a future where sustainable and affordable housing is accessible to everyone. He can be contacted at gene@azureprintedhomes.com.

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    25 mins
  • 352: The digital tape measure
    Aug 22 2024
    "Anytime I'm doing something else with the data, or measurements I'm capturing, outside of just looking at it and nodding my head with it - digitally {measuring is inarguably better."

    In this conversation, Devon Tilly and Christian Reed discuss the digitization of construction tools and the development of the REEKON platform. They explore the origin story of REEKON Tools, the integration of technology into construction tools, and the role of the Recon app in connecting the field to the office. They highlight the importance of meeting construction professionals where they are and providing innovative solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy on the job site. The conversation covers the innovative T1 Tomahawk digital tape measure and the M1 caliber, highlighting their features, benefits, and applications in the construction industry. It also delves into the importance of leveraging new technologies to build a strong brand and gain a competitive edge.

    Christian Reed is the founder and CEO of REEKON Tools, a global leader in digital construction tools. Prior to starting REEKON, Christian graduated MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and served in the US Army.

    Follow REEKON Tools on Instagram

    Watch a clip of this virtual podcast!

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    48 mins
  • 351: Demystifying EPCM, an integrated approach to construction
    Aug 8 2024
    "The biggest thing is time, right? Like time is probably the most valuable thing that we have."

    In this conversation, Devon Tilly interviews Tom Hughes, the Vice President of Construction Operations at Genesis AEC, to demystify the concept of Engineering Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM). They discuss the criticality of pre-construction and the benefits of taking a fully integrated EPCM approach. They also touch on the importance of collaboration and communication among the different disciplines involved in the construction process. Tom emphasizes the need for a cohesive team and the role of pre-construction in setting targets and controlling costs. They also discuss the scalability of EPCM for projects of different sizes. Looking to the future, he highlights the importance of embracing technology, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, to improve productivity in construction. The key takeaway is the search for continuous improvement and the willingness to embrace change.

    Tom Hughes has more than 20 years of professional experience as a project manager, project engineer, and superintendent on construction projects, focusing on safety and quality objectives. As Vice President of Construction Operations, he spearheads the entire lifecycle of construction projects, from design to commissioning. His expertise extends to the development and upkeep of preconstruction, construction, and closeout execution plans, alongside detailed project scope documentation, including comprehensive schedules and seamless construction activity coordination. Not content with merely meeting standards, Tom is a fervent advocate for pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology within construction. Under his leadership, Genesis is at the forefront of EPCM, BIM, Design-Assist, Integrated Project Delivery, and prefabrication. He consistently harnesses new resources to propel Genesis's lean construction initiatives forward, all in an effort to minimize waste and maximizing client value. Tom grew up and resides in Bucks County, PA (Philadelphia suburbs) where he lives with his wife (Alison), 2 children (Thomas III and Lana Rose), and their dog (Benson).

    Tradeline article

    The Morning Huddle Construction Show: Episode 36 – Tom Hughes, Practical Lean Construction

    Watch a clip of this virtual podcast!

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    47 mins
  • 350: Lego as serious play
    Jul 25 2024
    “I focus on one thing that I believe is going to fundamentally change the industry, and that is empathy.”

    This is episode 4 of 4 for a Deep Dive Series recorded at the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2024! If you hear any background noise, thad's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the AEC Summit!

    Join us for this episode as Devon chats with Charlie Dunn about his role as a Project Storyteller, and maybe why legos should be taken seriously!

    Charlie tells a good story. From lightning fast development on the industry in the Las Vegas strip, to oil fueled expansion in Edmonton, Alberta, to once in a generation energy plant upgrades throughout the Southeast, to global mission critical and life science construction for enterprise owners, he thrives in the challenging delivery gap between “as is” conditions and the “to be” designed state. His career highlights include the on-site project management of over 2.5 million square feet of new distribution space across North America with zero recordable injuries, and WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators) recognition for the use of 4D technology in project delivery. He knows that projects succeed because of people—what they believe, strategy—as it supports creativity and innovation, and tools—to deliver value, drive out waste, and improve safety. Charlie’s current working definition of a project storyteller is this: imagine that which is not, and take others there with you. He believes that construction may be the highest form of storytelling, for it transports humanity in a permanent way.

    Watch Charlie's TedX talk!
    Check out LCI (Lean Construction Institute) "Flow" Campaign.

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    38 mins
  • 349: Teaching forward and improving RFIs
    Jul 18 2024
    “One of the things I’ve really put more focus on is the people and the process. Right now I am so excited about sustainability, electrification…I’ve been spending a lot more of my time with the research being able to work and learn how the workforce is changing.”

    This is episode 3 of 4 for a Deep Dive Series recorded at the AEC Summit in Austin, Texas in April 2024! If you hear any background noise, that's because this episode was recorded LIVE at the AEC Summit!

    Join us for this episode as Devon chats with Josh Bone about RFIs and how to "teach forward"! #AECiSummit24

    For more than two decades Josh Bone has been implementing, training, and presenting construction technology solutions to AEC&O (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owners) professionals. Having worked with some of the top technology leaders in the industry, Josh specializes in identifying best practices and methodologies for integrating construction technology into everyday workflows. Today Josh works with ELECTRI International the non-profit foundation for the electrical construction industry as the Executive Director where he is helping to ensure electrical contractors and industry partners across North American and around the world have access to the best research, educational programming, student engagement, and international outreach. Josh has had the opportunity to share his knowledge with audiences and publications across North America as a frequent professional speaker and guest editorial contributor.

    Follow ELECTRI International on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Vimeo!

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    43 mins