Buildings 2.0

Jason Ivaliotis, AIA, Architecture & Design Expert, on Future Trends in Urbanization and Mixed-Use Buildings

In our recent episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Jason Ivaliotis, AIA, Architecture & Design Expert, who shares how he both practices and teaches the integration of digital tools like VR and BIM to enhance communication and design processes between his team and the contractors they work with. 
Jason also emphasizes the importance of understanding social contexts and reflects on the evolving nature of architecture towards mixed-use buildings and adaptive reuse projects.
Topics discussed:
Integration of digital tools like VR and BIM for enhanced communication and design processes between architects, contractors, and clients.
Navigating the evolving architecture landscape towards mixed-use buildings and adaptive reuse projects.
The importance of understanding social contexts and the importance of both owner and community needs in architectural projects.
Future trends in architecture, including urbanization and the shift towards mixed-use buildings.
Utilization of VR technology in architectural presentations to improve client engagement and understanding.
Exploration of the potential for diverse building uses and the evolving role of technology in architecture. 

The Designers Group's Blima Ehrentreu on Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality, No Matter the Space You’re Designing For

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Blima Ehrentreu, Founder and CEO of The Designers Group (TDG). She shares the firm's approach to incorporating AI in design processes for innovative solutions to even the most complex of spaces. 
Blima also emphasizes the importance of designing spaces not just for aesthetics but also for functionality, sustainability, and the overall experience of the people who are going to use them. The discussion also touches on adapting to the changing workplace landscape, balancing virtual collaboration with in-person interactions, and TDG's commitment to giving back to the community.
Topics discussed:
How education and having a strong sense of the fundamentals is crucial, but experience is also very important.
AI integration in design processes for innovative solutions that focus on functionality, sustainability, and experience, not just aesthetics.
The perks and challenges to adapting to remote work trends when the landscape has changed so quickly in just the last few years.
The importance of sustainable design practices and environmental impact considerations.
The utilization of virtual collaboration tools to enhance communication and project management.
TDG’s commitment to community impact initiatives and giving back as part of their company culture.
The exploration of current workplace design trends and strategies for future workspace planning.

Arcadis' Robin Elmslie Osler on Balancing High-Tech Tools and Human Insight in Architecture

In our recent episode of the Buildings 2.0 podcast, Jose speaks with Robin Elmslie Osler, Principal and Creative Director at Arcadis, as they explore the interweaving of creativity, architecture, and design. From the intersection of generations to the power of storytelling and technology in shaping human-centered spaces, Robin shares her insights into the enduring principles of successfully creating immersive spaces.
She also talks about the delicate balance between technology and the human element of inspiration and innovation and how she helps her team harness both. 
Topics discussed:
The influence of Robin’s family background on career choices in architecture and design.
The importance of exposure to diverse experiences in shaping design perspectives, such as traveling and looking at art.
Balancing efficiency and empathy in creating human-centered spaces: making things beautiful and captivating but also intuitive to use.
The role of storytelling in design and architecture, particularly in retail and mixed-use environments.
The evolution of design education and the impact of technology on design principles in architecture.
Nurturing a creative mindset and fostering unique design voices within herself and her team.
Creating dynamic, flexible experiences in architecture to engage and entice visitors.

Colliers' Michael Cohen on Emerging Trends in the Creative Use of Spaces That Match the People Who Use Them

In this special episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Michael Cohen, President, Tri-State Region, Colliers. Michael shares valuable lessons his mentor taught him, how a building owner might think differently about their building depending on its classification, and the metamorphosis he is seeing in New York. 
He also discusses emerging trends in how landlords in the area are trying to get creative with how they use their spaces and how technology will never replace human brokers.
Topics discussed:
The day-to-day of a broker: it's a juggling act and a little like triage.
The importance of mentors and a few lessons Michael's own mentor taught him.
How a building owner would think differently depending on the class of their building.
How New York is experiencing a metamorphosis, including the key players and what changes are coming.
Emerging trends of landlords thinking creatively of how to use spaces.
Which enterprising trends worked and which did not, as well as how some of these trends have circled back around.
How technology such as AI will never replace all the human work brokers can do.

Integrated Projects' Thomas Czerniawski on Capturing Reality with Their Scan to BIM Tool (Special Episode)

In this special episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Thomas Czerniawski, PhD, Applied Machine Learning Scientist at Integrated Projects, about the intersection of raw information and digital technology. 
They also discuss the role of reality capture in building information modeling and their building information modeling tool, for which they have received a provisional patent. Thomas also reflects on his own journey to becoming a machine learning scientist from his start as an engineer and gives the advice to "seek moments of stewardship" that future generations will be thankful for.
Topics discussed:
The intersection of raw information and digital technology: how the latter helps analyze the information.
The role of reality capture and how it differs from building information modeling.
What it would take to digitally scan all 1.6 billion buildings in existence and what that would mean for information security.
What the process of building information modeling looks like and how it has evolved over the past few years.
IP's aim to automate BIM enough that information is accurate, easy to find and use, and secure.
What role AI and automation will play in building information modeling, including phasing out jobs but leveling up to new aspirations.
How builders can find moments of stewardship in their projects to make them something future generations will thank them for.

Corporate Tax Advisor's Heather Fisher and Michael Royster on Cost Segregation and How It Might Help Building Owners

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Sales Manager Heather Fisher and Building Incentives Manager Michael Royster at Corporate Tax Advisors about cost segregation. They discuss what cost seg is, the benefits and challenges, and when a building owner should look into it for themselves. 
Topics discussed:
What is cost segregation and who it might apply to. 
Who building owners can ask whether cost seg might benefit them.
The biggest challenge of cost seg.
Nuances and considerations to cost seg, even when a business owner qualifies for it. 
When is the perfect time to look into cost seg?
How people in other fields such as engineering, along with technology, can help cost seg become even easier.

AlphaRithm AI's Serge Reda on the Need for Data-Driven Commercial Real Estate

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Serge Reda, Co-Founder at AlphaRithm AI and Chair of Fordham REI Technology Committee. They discuss technology and data science within the commercial real estate industry and how using programming tools like Python can help stitch together disparate SaaS applications. They also talk about how early adopters today will set the standards for doing business tomorrow, the need for specialized tools leveraging AI and machine learning, and how the industry can unlock the insights in dormant data sets.
Topics discussed:
Why technology is the future of the commercial real estate industry, and why its competitive advantage today will become business as usual tomorrow.
How collecting large data sets across silos and using AI tools to analyze those data sets can bring new insights to the industry.
Why commercial real estate needs tools like Python to optimize SaaS applications and integration through data manipulation.
The importance of capital and opportunity in commercial real estate and how technology might disrupt or enhance those opportunities.
Why a specialized industry needs more specialized tools, and how AI and machine learning models can help.
How applying data science to construction data can uncover insights on project risks, costs, and opportunities that traditional methods would not reveal. 

cove.tool's Patrick Chopson on the Intersection of Engineer, Architecture, and Technology

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Patrick Chopson, Co-Founder, Chief Product Officer at cove.tool. They discuss the changes the architecture industry needs to encourage innovation, training, and new software, as well as how to rethink SaaS subscription models. They also discuss the current trend in computational building, what regulations are encouraging reduced carbon buildings, and how AI can serve as a consultant.
Topics discussed:
How architectural design has vacillated between performance and aesthetic, and how the current trend is computationally deriving a building.
Why the backwards-looking model of architecture is preventing innovation, new software, training, and other growth areas.
How regulations like the Inflation Reduction Act are incentivizing the building of reduced carbon buildings.
How AI can serve as a consultant and bridge the knowledge gap for those who want to build green buildings.
How to rethink SaaS subscriptions when architecture firms may only need one-off or done-for-you services.
Lessons learned from growing a business, including measuring execution and prioritizing change management. 

PRODEA Investments’s Michael Vartholomaios on Leveraging a Building’s Data for Optimized Use and Sustainability

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Michael Vartholomaios, Head of Digital Transformation & Technology at PRODEA Investments. They discuss why property managers should collect and analyze data from their buildings, and how they can use that data to optimize a property’s use. They also talk about how data helps with sustainability efforts, how AI can make buildings more efficient, and three focus areas for digital transformation.
Topics discussed:
Why Michael is "addicted to data" and how one of his first projects at PRODEA was to centralize their database.
How collecting data on a building and its functions can help you drive digital transformation, as well as track and report on ESG and sustainability efforts.
How PRODEA is using property management software to streamline manual and time-consuming processes to free up the team.
Why real estate has been slow to adopt digital transformation in brick-and-mortar and what they should look at instead.
How architecture will need to keep up with the growing standards of sustainability.
How AI could make buildings more efficient by optimizing its systems and providing personalized experiences for occupants.
Guidance on why you should focus on people, processes, and products for a successful digital transformation.

CREvolve’s Charlie Morris on the Flexible Future of Brokerage

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Charlie Morris, Strategic Consultant at CREvolve. They discuss how office space options will continue to evolve, how the brokerage industry needs to transform away from a commission-based entity to a consultative-based service, and why businesses need to think differently about "return to the office" mandates. They also talk about how flexible workplace options allows businesses to compete for global talent and why big change involves a new approach to building valuation.
Topics discussed:
How the traditional office world will continue to exist, but will look and be structured differently.
How firms are trying to stand out with technology today, yet how they're also still stuck being transactional.
Why the push to return to the office is misguided and how varied options will create new opportunities.
Why change will be slow until the industry begins seeing building valuation in new ways.
Why flexible workplace options will allow businesses to compete for the best talent globally.
How businesses can use flexible office spaces to "figure out what they're going to be."
What will continue to stay the same in the industry, like relationship-building.