AEC Tech Journeys with Mayur Mistry

In this conversation, Jay Shah, founder and principal of Kaizen AI, shares his journey from growing up in an architecture family to founding a tech-driven real estate optimization company. He discusses the challenges of integrating technology in architecture, the importance of mentorship, and a detailed case study showcasing the impact of their work on a major real estate project. Jay also elaborates on their innovative business model that aligns incentives with clients and the significant reduction in carbon footprint achieved through their projects. Takeaways   Jay Shah's journey began in a family architecture firm. Curiosity and mentorship played a crucial role in his career. Kaizen AI focuses on real estate optimization using technology. The company employs a unique human-AI model for project execution. Real estate projects can significantly reduce construction costs and time. Aligning incentives with clients is key to successful partnerships. Sustainability is a core focus, aiming to reduce carbon footprints. The impact of their work can be quantified in millions of dollars. Innovative business models can drive faster adoption of technology. The potential for scaling their impact on a global level is immense. Chapters   00:00 Introduction to Jay Shah and Kaizen AI 05:38 Career Journey and Early Influences 08:37 The Role of Mentorship in Success 28:42 Understanding Kaizen AI's Business Model and Impact   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/

In this conversation, Patrick Murphy, co-founder and CEO of Maket, discusses the journey of his architectural tech company, focusing on the challenges and innovations in generative AI, business models, go-to-market strategies, and the importance of product design. He shares insights on fundraising, the future of AI in architecture, and the exciting developments in their upcoming platform version.   Takeaways The goal is to democratize architectural design at scale. Understanding the market's needs is crucial for product development. Business models must adapt to different customer segments. Organic growth can be more effective than paid marketing. Product design plays a vital role in user experience and growth. Building a strong personal and company brand is essential for fundraising. Networking is key to opening doors in fundraising. The future of AI in architecture is promising but requires careful orchestration of technology. Customer feedback is invaluable for product improvement. Combining software and hardware could revolutionize the construction industry.   Chapters 00:00 The Genesis of Maket: A Vision for Accessible Architecture 01:51 Navigating Challenges: Overestimations and Underestimations 03:52 Business Models in Design: Understanding Market Dynamics 06:20 Go-To-Market Strategies: What Worked and What Didn't 09:25 The Importance of Product Design in Growth 11:50 Overcoming Tough Moments: Lessons from the Journey 13:11 Fundraising Tips for Design Tech Founders 17:16 The Future of AI in Architecture: What’s Next? 20:37 Navigating Innovation: Adapting to Rapid Changes 23:12 Proudest Moments and Future Aspirations 24:28 Reflections: What Would You Do Differently? 25:33 Rapid Fire Round: Quick Insights from Patrick Murphy   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/

In this conversation, Mayur Mistry interviews Natalia Bakaeva, CEO and co-founder of ARKI, discussing her journey in architecture, the challenges faced in architectural education, and the innovative solutions ARKI provides for architecture firms. Natalia shares insights on customer discovery, the importance of communication, and the future of architecture firms in the age of AI. The discussion highlights the need for architects to embrace technology and business practices to thrive in a competitive landscape.   Takeaways Natalia's early experiences shaped her passion for architecture. The gap in architectural education affects graduates' readiness. Communication skills are crucial for architects to convey ideas. Customer discovery is essential for understanding market needs. Innovation in architecture is driven by technology and AI. Architects must adopt a business mindset to succeed. Prototyping early can lead to better product development. Feedback from users is vital for product improvement. Understanding KPIs helps measure success in projects. The future of architecture involves integrating AI into workflows. Chapters 00:00 Journey to Architecture: Early Inspirations 02:22 The Reality of Running an Architecture Firm 04:56 Bridging the Gap: Education vs. Practice 07:28 The Future of Architecture: AI and Technology 09:51 Customer Discovery: Building ARKI 14:59 Navigating the B2B Landscape 18:37 Product Development: Learning from Feedback 20:50 How ARKI Works: A Deep Dive 23:31 Innovative Features: The Magic of AI 26:10 Proud Moments: Success Stories 28:45 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs 30:56 Rapid Fire Round: Quick Insights   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/

 In this conversation, Muhammad Saqlain Awan, founder of the Rhino.Inside.Revit community, shares his journey from civil engineering into computational design. He reflects on the challenges of automating design workflows, the importance of understanding data structures, and how programming skills can elevate efficiency in engineering practice. Saqlain highlights the role of community in knowledge sharing, providing structured lessons and open resources for Rhino.Inside.Revit users. He also outlines his vision for building tools and workflows that make automation more accessible for newcomers and advanced professionals alike.   Takeaways Saqlain transitioned from civil engineering into computational design through automation. He faced challenges with automating processes and discovered the importance of strong foundations in data structures. Community-building has been critical for sharing solutions and advancing knowledge in computational design. He created a personal library of solutions for common automation challenges. Programming skills are essential for modern engineers. His community provides structured lessons and resources tailored for Rhino.Inside.Revit users. Saqlain developed a reinforcement component to address specific needs in structural design. His problem-solving approach involves breaking down components and optimizing workflows. He is focused on making computational design accessible to beginners in AEC. Saqlain encourages professionals to embrace automation and continuous learning.   Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Rhino.Inside.Revit Community 00:05 – Saqlain’s Journey: From Civil Engineering to Computational Design 09:30 – Inside the Rhino.Inside.Revit Community Structure 16:28 – Why Automation Matters in the AEC Industry 26:00 – Advice for Future Generations & Closing Thoughts   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/ 

In this conversation, David Grijalva from CIV Robotics shares his journey in the robotics industry, discussing the rapid evolution of robotics in construction, the importance of mentorship, and effective sales strategies. He emphasizes the need for flexibility in sales, the significance of building relationships, and the challenges of hiring talent in the robotics space. David also provides insights into compensation structures for sales teams and the importance of understanding the multi-faceted decision-making process in construction projects.   Takeaways   David has over 10 years of experience in robotics. The construction industry is adopting robotics faster than expected. Mentorship played a crucial role in David's career. Sales in robotics requires a deep understanding of the construction process. Building relationships is key in the construction industry. Effective communication is essential for sales success. Sales goals should be aligned with the company's yearly objectives. Hiring talent in robotics is challenging but crucial for success. Compensation structures should incentivize performance and strategic thinking. Understanding the decision-making process in construction is vital for closing deals. Chapters   00:00 David Grijalva's Journey in Robotics 01:19 The Rapid Adoption of Robotics in Construction 03:02 Mentorship and Influences in Robotics 05:50 A Day in the Life at CIV Robotics 07:57 Understanding CIV Robotics' Projects 10:36 Building a Sales Organization in Robotics 15:04 Effective Sales Strategies in Construction Robotics 20:21 Strategic Follow-Ups and Personal Touches 21:26 Quarterly Goals and Sales Metrics 25:21 Hiring Challenges in Construction Sales 29:11 Compensation Structures for Sales Teams 33:44 Sales Ramp-Up Periods and Expectations 40:35 Understanding Influencers in Construction Sales   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/