Digital Construction Conversations

In the final episode of this series, Paul talks to Iftikhar Ismail - Deputy BIM Information Manager at Jacobs - about the role of the information manager, BIM and data-centric processes as they evolve in accordance with ISO 19650, and his practical help guides to the ‘nuts and bolts’ of day-to-day project delivery, sharing his knowledge with the wider industry on social media.

Paul and Iftikhar discuss the importance of great documentation, demonstrating the value of digital engineering in budgets, exploring 4D and 5D information production and learning new software platforms, the benefits of real-world project experience, what issues and inefficiencies technologies like virtual reality and holographic projection might solve, and where he has found inspiration on previous travels.

In this episode, Paul talks to the co-founders of Digital Outlook, Drs. Beth & Eleni, about their experience of delivering online education at The Bartlett and UCL, their focus on ‘soft’ socio-technical skills and use of the Harvard Teaching Case method, their wide-ranging research output on BIM and process improvement, and the importance of starting with skills not technology when teaching executives.

Paul, Beth and Eleni speak about encouraging the acceleration of digital skills across the whole supply chain, developing relevant educational content and methods, creating a safe environment for learning BIM process through shared industry experience, discussing business outcomes, the ongoing legacy of the Avanti project, blockchain applications in construction, and the potential of the next generation of digital leaders.

In this special episode recorded face-to-face, Paul talks with Richard Waterhouse, spokesperson for NBS and former CEO of the company, leaving his role as Chief Strategy Officer earlier this year after nearly two decades in the business. Richard is a central figure in the digital evolution of the construction industry and has been involved in numerous committees, societies, and working groups developing, encouraging, and standardising BIM processes globally.

Paul and Richard chat about the recent Construction Leaders’ Summit and his perspective on industry evolution, the history of NBS and its relationship to the RIBA, and how international growth and cloud-platform development has attracted new investment, with NBS recently becoming part of the Byggfakta Group, looking ahead to a bright future.

In this episode, Paul is joined by the architect Stephen Hodder MBE - Principal at Hodder + Partners, Past President of the RIBA, and Chair of the Construction Industry Council. Stephen talks about his projects, practice, and teaching roles, including his most recent appointment as Professor of Architecture at Manchester School of Architecture.

Paul and Stephen talk about achieving success as a young practice, the extraordinary regeneration of Manchester, his time at RIBA and CIC working with the breadth of the construction industry, reforming education with the aim of making the professions more accessible, the craft and legacy of Arne Jacobsen, and discuss the skill of senior practice leaders overseeing a consistent design process as digital construction technologies accelerate.

Ahead of Earth Day 2021, Paul talks with Professor Fionn Stevenson - Chair of Sustainable Design at Sheffield University School of Architecture and the author of ‘Housing Fit For Purpose’ an excellent primer on building performance evaluation (BPE) and learning from feedback, studying how much energy homes actually use and if buildings are really working well for residents.

Fionn describes how feedback supports sustainable environmental design, the urgent need for knowledge sharing among universities skilled in climate science, the ethical considerations of her research, and balancing academic life with activism. We chat about downsides to smart home technology, citizen science, and the potential in an “MoT for housing”...

Paul talks with Miranda Sharp, Commons Streams Lead of the National Digital Twin Programme at the Centre for Digital Built Britain, about the ideas behind the National Digital Twin. Miranda defines the need for better data and the benefits of connected information, talks about her experience in bringing people together to generate innovation, successful collaboration, and the potential for construction professionals to develop their skills in digital twins.

Paul and Miranda chat about Ordnance Survey, the balance of security and open data access, the importance of keeping information updated, the reasons to share knowledge beyond your own organisation, and what we’re looking forward to when offices can reopen - including a serendipitous link between architecture and chemistry…

In the first episode of Digital Construction Conversations, Paul talks to Jon Arnott, Director of Digital Practice at global design and urbanism practice Broadway Malyan, about his journey in architecture, training, and technology. Jon shares his experience in making digital transformation work across remote teams working on real projects, upskilling designers with a range of needs, and how he made the shift from design into an operational, change management role.

Paul and Jon discuss whether you need to have worked in built environment industries to successfully implement digital construction processes, simplifying terminology, the importance of standardisation, trying to stay positive in stressful situations, and how best practice might mean going back to the drawing board…