AEC Tech Journeys with Mayur Mistry

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/ 

In this conversation, Paarija Saxena shares her journey as a design technologist in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. She talks about her educational background, the role of mentorship, and how design technology is rapidly reshaping architecture. Paarija stresses the importance of curiosity, problem-solving, and embracing experimentation. She emphasizes that architecture is not just about aesthetics it’s about execution, adaptability, and continuous learning. She also highlights how innovation in generative and parametric design, as well as new approaches in education, can empower the next generation of architects and designers to navigate their careers with confidence.   Key Takeaways Architecture is not just about beauty, it’s about execution. Be curious, and take it seriously. Tech in AEC is evolving fast; keep learning and adapting. Don’t get stuck chasing perfection progress matters more. Being a generalist can be a strength. Learning is problem-solving, not memorization. Mentorship is crucial to growth in this field. Experimentation drives innovation in design. Chapters 00:00 – Journey from Jaipur to Design Technology 02:24 – The Role of Technology in Architecture 05:05 – Generative Design and Its Impact 07:36 – Navigating Challenges in the AEC Industry 10:08 – The Importance of Mentorship and Continuous Learning 12:56 – Transitioning to Government Projects 15:25 – Interoperability in Large-Scale Projects 18:11 – Advice for Aspiring Architects 20:12 – The Role of Curiosity in Design 22:56 – Exploring 4D Printing and Material Behavior 25:35 – Courses and Learning at Novator 29:35 – Rapid Fire Round and Closing Thoughts   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/ 

In this conversation, Mayur Mistry hosts Nuno Mourão and Mohamed Khan, discussing their backgrounds in property development and software architecture. They explore the challenges and innovations in the construction industry, particularly focusing on the evolution of their product, Podium, which aims to streamline project management and enhance collaboration among stakeholders. The discussion also delves into technical challenges, lessons learned from their startup journey, and valuable advice for aspiring founders and CTOs. Takeaways   Mohamed has a deep-rooted passion for property development. Nuno transitioned from healthcare to construction, focusing on innovation. Podium aims to digitize the property development process. The importance of collaboration among stakeholders is emphasized. Data management is crucial for effective project execution. Learning from failures is a key part of the startup journey. Early involvement of all stakeholders can reduce project risks. Automation can significantly speed up the design process. Understanding industry complexities is vital for newcomers. Taking chances can lead to significant personal and professional growth. Chapters   00:00 Introduction and Backgrounds 04:58 Mentorship and Influences 10:11 Product Development Journey 15:48 Technical Challenges and Solutions 20:58 Advice for Founders and CTOs 25:51 Rapid Fire Round and Closing Thoughts   📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter: https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/