Digital Builder

In this engaging discussion, Alison Tripp, National Talent Acquisition Leader at DPR Construction, shares her insights on transforming talent acquisition. She emphasizes building an internal recruitment team that partners with business goals and adapts to workforce challenges. Alison highlights the need for fresh talent, fostering diverse hiring, and creating a positive candidate experience. She also discusses strategies for employee retention, combatting burnout, and enhancing benefits, all while promoting a culture of trust and inclusion in the construction industry.

Recorded on-site at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. where we sat down with Aileen Fuchs, the museum’s President & Executive Director, to explore how the museum celebrates the built world and is driving important conversations that will ultimately guide the construction industry's future. The location for this episode is visually stunning, so make sure to check it out on our YouTube channel! We discuss: The history of the National Building Museum How the museum creates memorable visitor experiences The museum as a center of national dialogue The universal appeal and impact of the National Building Museum How the museum educates people about the built environment Upcoming museum initiatives and exhibits How to get involved as a visitor or a partner Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

At the start of last year, we featured Ariel Castillo, Innovation Director at Miller-Davis Company, and Brad Buckles, VP of Technology and Innovation at Charles Perry Partners, Inc., to look at what technology trends were going to impact 2024.   Now, we’ve brought them back to explore if 2024 lived up to expectation and to see what lay ahead for construction in 2025. Here’s what we cover: AI’s continued relevancy in construction Thoughtful communication in change management Strategies for pre-construction improvements Sustainability and carbon-neutral trends  The growing importance of BIM and prefabrication How AI could impact project estimating  Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Dealing with contract disputes is a common headache for construction firms. They can hold up project schedules, consume a large number of resources to navigate, and when not handled properly, can stress important relationships between contractors and project owners We sat down with Sarah Keyte, Technical Director at HKA, and Cliff Moser, Executive Consultant for Architecture at HKA, to learn about their work in contract disputes, hear some of the horror stories from their experiences, and to share how collaborative delivery methods and new tech are making the contract dispute process much more manageable. Here’s what we cover: Overview of contract claims and disputes Tools and techniques for managing disputes How integrated project delivery (IPD) and technology are reducing the frequency and complexity of contract disputes How thorough and accurate records can save your company in a contract dispute Ways AI could make contract disputes easier to resolve  Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Finance is one of those topics that intersects with every single facet of construction—whether it’s tech adoption, labor and training, research, and supplies. You name it, finance impacts it. That’s why it’s critical for organizations to fully understand what kind of value they are driving through any strategy they adopt. We had the privilege of sitting down with Rexine Jones, Chief Financial & Information Officer & Company Secretary at Hansen Yuncken, during Autodesk University to do a deep dive into how she balances people, profitability, and technological advancement.  We discuss: A day in the life at Hansen Yuncken Balancing innovation and training with profitability and sustainability Zipping up the communication flow during a project Why giving workers meaningful voice ensures impactful tech adoption An important perspective shift on partnerships How Hansen Yuncken is approaching AI Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

Estimating, Scheduling, Budget Management, and Document Controls—these are the Four Pillars of Project Controls, each being a key part of the foundation for every successful project. That’s why having the right people and technology to manage Project Controls effectively is so important.  We were thrilled to sit down with Emily Rech, Director of Project Controls at Pond Company, during AU2024 to break down what an effective Project Controls system looks like, what new technology is on the horizon, and how it all falls apart without great communication skills.  We discuss: The Four Pillars of Project Controls What is needed to develop a robust Project Controls system Why Project Controls relies on effective communication Document management The evolution of 4D construction Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

In this episode recorded live at AU2024, we are exploring the accessibility and powerful impact of community within construction with three powerhouse community leaders: Steven Bloomer, BIM Lead at GHD, Laurie Yaneff, BIM Technician at Stone Group Architects, and Michaela Alexander, Senior Manager of Global Customer Advocacy & Engagement at Autodesk.  We discuss: How community empowers people to bring their whole selves into their career space. What is Autodesk’s Big Room community? The opportunities for digital and local community building The tangible career impacts of joining the Big Room and attending Autodesk University The difference between formal and informal mentorship and how both can help propel your career Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

We sat down with David Purdon, Technical Director at NTI Diatec, live at AU2024 to explore how companies are leveraging automation, data, and AI tools to optimize their business operations while mitigating risk improving consistency. More and more organizations are seeing how these tools are transforming the AEC landscape. We discuss: Custom-built tools vs. off-the-shelf solutions How companies are maturing in their approach to AI-based tools The immense value of common data environments How automation and common data environments are reducing risk and improving consistency How to properly leverage AI in automation Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

The role of mentorship is becoming more important than ever as new technology is taking the AEC industry by storm, while many new workers are starting their construction careers from non-traditional backgrounds outside of the AEC industry. There is so much valuable knowledge that is at risk of being lost if we aren’t intentionally connecting these newer entrants into the industry with seasoned workers and leaders. In this episode, we are sitting down with Graham Condit, Director of Emerging Technology at Skanska, to dive into the convergence of emerging technologies, mentorship, and recruitment to explore how those of us currently in the field can empower those that will follow in our footsteps. We discuss: What is the ACE Mentorship program How leaders can get involved in mentorship programs How mentees can find strong mentors How adaptive automation is making Construction careers more attractive The bridge between emerging tech and adaptive skills for new workers Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk. 

One of the most common industries for veterans to transition into when they return to civilian life is construction, and with that comes an opportunity to ensure that transition process can be as smooth as possible. In this episode recorded live at AU2024, we will be diving into the role of veterans in the construction industry, personal stories of civilian life transition, how we can empower employers and veterans to be more successful as they continue their career journey. What better way to highlight how we can offer support than to sit down with veterans who have successfully transitioned into civilian life and a leader facilitating how we train them: Ron McGuire, the Senior Program Administrator for the International Training Institute Sarah Velez, the Senior Technical Program Manager a& Global Co-Lead of Autodesk Veterans Employees Resource Group Anthony Williams, the OSM Project Coordinator for Dynamic Systems, Inc. Throughout the episode, you will hear about: Effective support and training programs available to veterans looking to transition into the construction industry or the trades How to translate military skills into civilian jobs Comparisons between leadership and teamwork in the Armed Forces versus in the workforce Why veterans can be very favorable hires in the construction industry,How employers can make that transition process easier for veterans  Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.