Buildings 2.0

Buro Happold’s Kevin Morrisroe on Practical Steps for Sustainable Building Upgrades

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Kevin Morrisroe, Associate at Buro Happold, shares practical steps for landlords to transition their buildings to net-zero, highlighting the importance of prioritization and phased implementation for the highest return on investment. 
Kevin also explains the impact of Local Law 97 in New York City and how city initiatives like it are driving change. Additionally, Kevin explores emerging trends and technologies that are reshaping the industry, offering valuable insights into creating smarter, more sustainable buildings. Kevin also touched on advancements in water reclamation and the potential role of AI in enhancing day-to-day tasks for engineers.
 
Topics discussed:
Practical steps and strategies for landlords to convert their properties to net-zero emissions, emphasizing phased approaches and prioritizing investments.
The impact of New York City's Local Law 97 on building emissions and how financial penalties are driving sustainability efforts in NYC and elsewhere.
New technologies and trends reshaping the industry, including smart building systems and water reclamation.
How implementing smart technologies can optimize energy use, improve efficiency, and provide better data for building management.
The growing importance of treating and reusing water within buildings to reduce demand and manage wastewater more effectively.
Identifying the highest ROI upgrades, such as replacing boilers and windows, to make buildings more energy-efficient.
Common objections to sustainable upgrades, primarily focused on upfront costs and the learning curve for new technologies.

KPF’s Rutger Huiberts on Designing Cities with Data-Drive Architecture on a Human Scale

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Rutger Huiberts, Design Director at KPF, shares his journey to leading innovative architectural projects worldwide, including the influence Japanese design principles have had on his own ideas and the value of beauty, art, and preservation in even the most data-driven processes. 
Rutger also reflects on the importance of designing cities on a human scale and the integration of data-driven approaches in modern architecture. He discusses the practicalities of translating these philosophies into everyday work, from virtual meetings to on-site visits.
 
Topics discussed:
The importance of designing cities and buildings with a focus on human needs and uses, making spaces livable and interactive.
How technology and parametric design tools can create smarter, more artistic buildings that respond to human needs and environmental challenges.
Rutger and KPF’s commitment to sustainability, including the integration of green technologies and eco-friendly practices in architectural projects.
Navigating the complexities of working on projects across different time zones and continents, ensuring cohesive design and effective communication.
Inspiration from the modularity and adaptive reuse principles of the Japanese Metabolism movement, emphasizing flexibility and sustainability in design.
The increasing importance of using analytical tools to provide data-driven insights for improving building performance and sustainability.
How different local regulations impact architectural design and the importance of working with local experts to navigate these frameworks.
Trends in urban development, such as the integration of mixed-use spaces and the shift towards more livable, walkable cities.
The significance of maintaining face-to-face interactions and consistent involvement of team members throughout the design and construction process.

Waterfront Alliance’s Cortney Koenig Worrall on Climate Resilience and Urban Transformation

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, I spoke with Cortney Koenig Worrall, President and CEO of Waterfront Alliance, who talks about the importance of consulting help, the catalysts and turning points of climate change that apply to the building industry, and the significance of the Waterfront Edge Design guidelines. 
Cortney emphasizes the positive impacts of collaborative efforts from not only the building and real estate industry but from all fields to implement the systemic changes we need to see to become more sustainable and mitigate climate change impacts. She also touches on the future outlook of housing, work, and parks in the next 50 years.
Topics discussed:
Historical context of climate change awareness, with a spotlight on Hurricane Sandy's impact on New York and New Jersey.
The importance of consulting help for building owners, focusing on energy efficiency and resilience amidst changing regulations and climate impact demands.
The role of the Waterfront Edge Design guidelines in promoting climate resilience and ecological soundness in waterfront projects.
Discussion on the need for systemic change and community involvement in combating climate change.
Success stories of projects like offshore wind developments and resilient industrial facilities adhering to high standards.
Future projections of greener urban landscapes, elevated infrastructure, and adaptive waterfront designs for climate resilience.
Economic benefits and return on investment in climate resilience initiatives, emphasizing the long-term value of sustainable practices.
The challenges in balancing high initial investment with long-term benefits, including the need for innovative insurance and financial solutions.
The importance of public involvement, advocacy, and industry support in driving systemic changes for a sustainable future.

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.