Buildings 2.0

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. 

Airbnb’s Jesse Stein on Creating Opportunities for Hosts and Buy-In from Landlords

In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Jesse Stein, Global Head of Real Estate at Airbnb. They discuss how Airbnb is increasing opportunities for hosting by expanding their business model to renters, and the ways in which they're getting landlord and property manager buy-in by offering benefits like free marketing and revenue sharing. They also talk about emerging technology impacting the housing industry today, if there's a future in converting empty offices to apartments, and how Airbnb is using real-time data to help hosts make better decisions.
Topics discussed:
How Airbnb is expanding into the untapped rental market by partnering with property owners and landlords to offer more host opportunities.
What benefits they're offering to landlords in order to increase buy-in, like free marketing and revenue sharing.
Why scaling faster will require more education and experience to increase landlord confidence in the new product offering.
If converting empty office space to apartments will help with the housing market or won’t work at all.
What emerging technology is impacting the housing and real estate market, from smart locks to property management software. 
How Airbnb uses real-time data in their average daily rate calculator to help hosts make more informed decisions on when to rent.