Podcasts about modular construction

Andreas Rotenberg is Co-founder and COO of Pulley, an AI-powered permitting platform helping developers and operators move projects through approvals faster. Before Pulley, he was part of the team at Honest Buildings through its acquisition, then served as Chief of Staff at Procore through its IPO. Pulley has supported over $15 billion in projects approved across the U.S. Live from ICSC+Proptech in Las Vegas.(0:00) - First ever ICSC+Proptech live podcast(1:47) - Why Permitting Is a Growing Bottleneck(2:41) - What's Happening During Permitting Timelines(4:13) - Jurisdictional Complexity Across the U.S.(5:08) - What CRE Teams Underestimate About Permitting(7:35) - Why Pulley(8:18) - The Origin Story(10:53) - Combining Technology with Local Expertise(14:26) - Where AI Creates Real Value in Permitting(17:36) - Trust, Hallucinations & Accuracy(19:07) - Municipalities & Public Sector Modernization(20:40) - Second & Third Order Effects of Faster Permitting(22:41) - Collaboration Superpower: Vaclav Smil

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Richard is joined by Barrie Harrop. Barrie shares his thoughts on why advanced volumetric modular construction represents a crucial step in how affordable housing can be delivered in Australia. They discuss why conventional construction methods are no longer equal to the scale of the problem, and how a factory-based approach to building can deliver quality housing faster and more affordably than anything currently available in the Australian market.They also explore the concept of air rights and the significant untapped opportunity sitting above underutilised commercial buildings across Australia's capital cities. Barrie explains how lightweight modular construction makes this opportunity newly viable and outlines the collaborative research programme underway with Western Sydney University to map and scale this approach across Australia. The episode concludes with Barrie's views on government policy, the compliance challenges facing innovative construction methods, and why he believes the industry cannot wait for policy to catch up. About Our GuestBarrie Harrop is Executive Chairman of Thrive Construct, which he co-founded with architect Peter Billis to deliver affordable, high-quality housing through advanced volumetric modular construction. With a distinguished career spanning more than four decades and crossing continents, Barrie was the project initiator behind Melbourne Central, one of the country's most significant urban renewal projects, created Australia's first food court at Gallerie Food Affair Gawler Place, Adelaide, and was instrumental in launching R.M. Williams into their first CBD store in the world. The R.M. Williams StoryR.M. Williams story of growth began when Barrie met the late John Swain in his tin-shed office. He presented to the previous majority shareholder, the late John Swain, in the late 70s, at their modest tin-shed workshop in Percy Street, Prospect, South Australia, where 15 artisans crafted boots, saddles, whips and belts (today over 1,500 craft people make RM Williams boots).Barrie's goal was to persuade Mr Swain to open the first R.M. Williams Capital City retail store as the anchor tenant at The Gallerie. Though initially unconvinced, believing his market was limited to rural customers, Barrie presented an underwritten proposal to bring R.M. Williams to city consumers with a new brand that was more relevant to this target market, paving the way for its evolution into one of the world's leading handmade bootmakers and an enduring Australian icon.Barrie also served for 16 years as a board advisor to the Industrial Bank of Japan (IBJ). More recently, Barrie led the masterplanning of a new city for 400,000 people in Central Asia, an experience of building at extraordinary scale that now underpins Thrive's joint venture with China State Construction.Tune into the EpisodeIf you're interested in understanding how advanced volumetric construction could reshape housing delivery in Australia, and what a truly scalable solution to the affordability crisis might look like, this is a must-listen episode. Barrie's breadth of experience makes for a very compelling discussion. EPISODE LINKSBarrie HarropThrive ConstructLarge Scale Project Development ExperienceWe'd love your feedback, send us a message today.LET'S CONNECTSubscribeInstagram Website LinkedIn Email > podcast@charterkc.com.au   This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment or financial advice. This podcast is not intended to replace or supplement professional investment, financial or legal advice. Please seek professional advice based upon your personal circumstances. The views expressed by our podcast guests may not represent those of Charter Keck Cramer. This podcast may not be copied, reproduced, republished or posted in whole or in part without the prior written consent of Charter Keck Cramer.

Will Parrish is the Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer of Lula, a Kansas City-based proptech platform built to streamline property maintenance for property managers and their residents. Will co-founded Lula alongside CEO Bo Lais with a mission to make property maintenance smarter — pivoting the business during the pandemic to focus on property managers in the single-family rental space, a move that fueled rapid growth. Lula recently closed a $28 million Series A round and is expanding from 42 markets to 60, with heavy investment in AI and automation. Before co-founding Lula, Will spent nearly two decades in enterprise sales and business development, including a long tenure at Thomson Reuters. (00:53) - How Lula Started(02:34) - Trading Corporate for Startup Life(03:29) - Is Maintenance Archaic(05:49) - Where Work Orders Fail(07:30) - Scaling 100K Work Orders(12:28) - Building Vendor Trust & Quality(13:19) - Expanding Markets(16:16) - Flat Rate Pricing Playbook(19:15) - Ideal Rental Customers(21:54) - Integrations(25:47) - AI In Maintenance(30:21) - Future of Lula(32:14) - ROI for Property Owners & Operators(35:49) - Hardware play ahead?(39:12) - Collaboration Superpower: MacGyver

In this special episode of Tangent Proptech, Edward Cohen is on the red carpet at one of the most exclusive commercial real estate events of the year: the Real Estate Gala in New York City. This episode features rapid-fire conversations with founders, investors, brokers, developers, and operators across the proptech and commercial real estate ecosystem. A big focus of the evening was on AI. Namely, this question: how is AI being used in real estate right now? And possibly more front-and-center: what's hype and what's here to stay? From leasing and marketing to underwriting and financial modeling, this episode explores where artificial intelligence is already driving value in real estate, where it's falling short, and how we can close the gap.(00:00) - Welcome to the Real Estate Gala Red Carpet Interviews (02:30) - Cyrus Claffey (ButterflyMX): AI Across Product, Marketing, & Operations (06:00) - Zach Molzer (Molzer Development) & Madi Bremer (CBRE): Networking & AI in Leasing (08:30) - Gabe Einhorn (VryfID): Content, Consistency, and AI Efficiency (10:00) - Kaylan Knitowski (Franklin Street): AI Workflows and Competing with Experience (13:30) - David Auerbach (Hoya Capital): Driving Tech Adoption in Real Estate (14:45) - Adam Steiner (Rick, Steiner, Fell, and Benowitz): Document Automation & Bridging Tech and Business (16:45) - Humberto Lopes (HL Dynasty, Gotham Housing Alliance): A Human-First Real Estate Perspective (19:15) - Jovian Lopes (Gotham Housing Alliance): AI for Research vs Human Relationships (21:00) - Lauren O'Breza (Foresite CRE): AI in Brokerage & Underwriting (24:30) - Pablo Barreiro (Fortec): Simplifying Tech Adoption & the Future of Financing (26:00) - Shanti Ryle (Crexi): AI Data Enrichment & Storytelling Advantage (30:30) - Rameen Inayat (Ryan): AI for Admin & Property Tax Insights (32:00) - Collaboration Superpower: Priya Parker 

Ido Genosar is the CEO and Founder of Verobotics, the pioneering robotics solution for building façade maintenance, inspection, and upkeep. Prior to this, he led innovation at Aluminium Construction, Israel's biggest façade constructor. His diverse background in building exteriors, technology and global business development is at the core of his mission to solve deep-rooted inefficiencies with breakthrough innovation.(00:50) - “Miracle” Robotics(02:50) - What the Façade Robot Does(03:11) - Humanoids vs. Task-Specific Robots(04:28) - Why Robotics Demos Fail in the Real World(06:05) - VC Lens on Robotics(09:13) - Funding & Adoption Reality(12:48) - Façades as a Data Blind Spot(15:11) - Construction Signoff & Compliance(16:00) - Unions, Scaffolding & Safety(18:07) - New Data-driven Decisions(20:52) - Where's the Long-Term Value (29:33) - Humans in the Loop(31:48) - Best-Fit Buildings Today(33:03) - Robots in 5 to 10 Years(36:43) - Collaboration Superpower: Sir James Dyson, Leonardo Torres

Zach Schofel is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cosign, a data-driven guarantor platform helping property owners and managers boost economic occupancy while expanding housing options for renters. Cosign aims to redefine renter underwriting and help multifamily owners convert more demand into leases. He is also a Principal at Eastman Residential, the largest buyers of distress student housing in the country. He leads a portfolio of 3,000+ multifamily units across the US, with a focus on student housing and value-add multifamily strategies. (01:34) - The Eastman Residential Story (02:29) - Cosign Origin (03:39) - Limits of Credit Scores (06:46) - Fraud Screening Landscape (08:05) - Scale of the Problem (11:54) - Underwriting Signals (13:25) - Value creation in Multifamily tech (15:49) - How VC Underwrites Insurtech (18:06) - Feature: Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate 2026 in Vegas on Sep. 22-24 (20:35) - Cosign's Differentiation (24:17) - Mark Cuban's Investment (26:21) - AI in Operations(28:18) - Collaboration Superpower: Jared Kushner & Philip Hubert

Oded Noy is the Chief Technology Officer at Crexi, where he leads the development of technology transforming the commercial real estate industry. A serial entrepreneur, mentor, and investor, Oded previously co-founded TrueCar, helping scale it through its IPO, and has been a longtime managing partner at Amplify.LA, an early-stage venture fund. With a track record of building and advising high-growth SaaS companies, Oded brings deep expertise in scaling platforms, driving innovation, and building high-performing teams. Known for his philosophy that great work comes from being part of something bigger than yourself, he is also a passionate advocate for mentorship and developing the next generation of builders.(01:43) - Crexi's Evolution(02:55) - The CRE Info Problem(03:13) - Why Docs Create Bottlenecks(06:42) - Information vs Intelligence in CRE(08:54) - Proprietary Data Advantage (09:28) - Lessons from TrueCar for CRE(10:07) - Crexi Vault(11:25) - Becoming the CRE OS(13:56) - Build vs Buy in the AI Era(17:14) - Vibe Coding Inside Real Estate Firms(21:52) - Feature: Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate 2026 in Vegas on Sep. 22-24(22:43) - How AI Compresses Deal Cycles(24:29) - What Differentiates Winners in CRE(30:48) - What Gets Automated Next(35:39) - Collaboration Superpower: Geoffrey Hinton & Marcus Licinius Crassus

Ted speaks with Doug Burdge of Burdge Architects and Mike Pollari of WHS Homes about the challenges of rebuilding in fire-affected areas like Malibu, including permitting delays, insurance gaps, and rising construction costs. Doug shares firsthand insight into the long and complex process homeowners face after a disaster, and why traditional building timelines often fail to meet the urgency of rebuilding. The conversation highlights a collaborative project in Sun Valley, Idaho, where prefabricated timber frame construction and SIP panel systems were used to streamline the build process. By fabricating components off-site while site work progressed, the team reduced construction time, minimized waste, and improved coordination between architects, builders, and manufacturers. Doug and Mike also discuss why these systems are not more widely adopted, pointing to builder preferences, misconceptions around prefab, and industry inertia. Ultimately, they emphasize that while costs may be similar, the real advantage is speed—allowing homeowners to move in sooner, reduce carrying costs, and rebuild more efficiently, especially in disaster recovery scenarios. TOPICS DISCUSSED 01:10 Introduction to the Conversation 02:15 Impact of Wildfires & Rebuilding Challenges 04:15 Insurance Gaps & Rising Construction Costs 05:30 Collaboration Between Architect, Builder & Manufacturer 9:30 Building for Yourself vs. Client Projects 12:45 Lessons from Personal Projects & Design Control 15:45 Benefits of Timber Frame & Prefabrication Systems 20:00 Disaster Relief, Permitting & Construction Timelines 27:30 Efficiency in Home Building & Process Optimization 31:00 Custom Fabrication vs. Modular Construction 36:30 Rebuilding After Wildfires: Long-Term Outlook CONNECT WITH GUEST Mike Pollari  Website LinkedIn Instagram Doug Burdge Facebook Website Instagram KEY QUOTES FROM EPISODE "It's going to take 25 years to rebuild." "Speed is the key to disaster recovery." "Build smarter to prevent wildfires."

Adam Segal is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cove, a property operations and tenant experience platform used across 3,500 buildings in the US, and 15% of office buildings in Manhattan, NYC. He started as an operator, building and managing a network of coworking spaces, which led to creating Cove as an in-house solution to run building operations more efficiently. Under his leadership, Cove has grown into a unified platform that replaces fragmented systems across access, maintenance, visitor management, and tenant engagement, and is trusted by major institutional owners including RXR, Silverstein, Nuveen, and Blackstone, powering operations in assets like Chicago's Willis Tower. Adam focuses on solving real operational problems for property teams first, then scaling those solutions across portfolios to improve efficiency, retention, and overall asset performance.(02:01) - From Coworking to Cove(03:19) - Platform & Asset Focus(05:08) - Willis Tower(07:05) - How Cove Wins Buildings(10:04) - Change Management Playbook(13:11) - Operational Blind Spots(15:46) - Owner vs 3rd-party Management(18:12) - Feature: CREtech New York(19:35) - How Tenants Use Cove(23:37) - AI in Property Operations(26:36) - Real-Time Feedback(29:05) - Staying Through Asset Sales(30:36) - Collaboration Superpower: Thomas A. Edison

Brian Turner is the CEO of OTI, a master systems integrator that connects HVAC, lighting, and building systems into unified platforms to drive operational and energy efficiency, and ESG performance across the built environment. With over 30 years of experience in building automation, Brian has worked closely with major property owners to advance system integration and building data strategies. Prior to OTI, he led Controlco and later BuildingsIOT, where he helped shape the evolution of smart building infrastructure and IoT-driven operations.  At OTI, Brian is focused on transforming how buildings operate by bringing together fragmented systems into a single, intelligent layer—making buildings smarter, more efficient, and easier to manage.(01:40) - What's OTI (02:32) - 30 Years of Building Technology(04:13) - The Retrofit Opportunity(05:55) - Why LEED Performance Slips(07:03) - Investing in Energy Technology(11:17) - A Unified Brain for Buildings(14:48) - How OTI Engages Clients(16:08) - Product Roadmap(18:55) - Regulation vs Real Market Drivers(19:59) - Comfort Across Asset Classes(25:27) - Feature: Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate 2026 in Vegas on Sep. 22-24(26:19) - Local Law 97(27:49) - When Owners Take Action on Energy(34:33) - Split Incentives in Leases(38:12) - Passive House Needs Operational Technology(40:20) - Wireless & Lower Retrofit Costs(44:49) - Where AI Adds Value(48:20) - Collaboration Superpower: Albert Einstein and Claude Shannon

Adam Beattie, president of ATCO Structures, argues that modular construction can tackle the housing market's three biggest challenges: speed, scale, and affordability. He explains how ATCO's facilities can produce homes much faster and at a far greater scale than traditional construction, and why this approach has the potential to significantly expand Canada's housing supply. This episode is presented in partnership with ATCO Structures.   The Hub is Canada's fastest growing independent digital news outlet. Subscribe to The Hub's podcast feed to get all our best content: https://tinyurl.com/3a7zpd7e (Apple) https://tinyurl.com/y8akmfn7 (Spotify) Watch a video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHubCanada Follow The Hub on X: https://x.com/thehubcanada?lang=en   CREDITS: Elia Gross - Producer & Editor Sean Speer - Host

Michael Feldman is the former CEO and Co-Founder of Choice New York Companies, a group of firms providing property management, building staffing, and brokerage services to medium and large residential buildings across New York City. He built the company from zero revenue to roughly $27M in revenue and $5.1M in EBITDA before selling the business to Associa Corp. in 2021. Today, Michael remains active in the real estate industry as a real estate and tech investor and advisor, bringing decades of operational experience building and scaling service platforms in the New York multifamily market and beyond.(01:17) - From Hollywood to New York Real Estate(03:35) - How PM Models Evolved(04:50) - Decision to Exit in 2021(05:59) - Why Few New Entrants & Barriers to Entry(09:49) - AI Use Cases in Property Management(12:00) - Feature: Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate 2026 in Vegas on Sep. 22-24(12:51) - 'War' Stories(16:05) - M&A & Industry Consolidation(20:51) - Collaboration Superpower: Winston Churchill

“The most curious person in multifamily,” Moshe Crane is the VP of Branding and Strategic Initiatives at Sage Ventures, a Maryland-based real estate investment and management firm focused on multifamily and other asset acquisitions and development in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. The company manages more than $1B in assets and over 4,000 apartment units while developing and selling new homes. Moshe also hosts the Curious Wire podcast and writes the Curious Deal newsletter, where he breaks down multifamily deals, careers, and industry trends while exploring how operators build, finance, and scale real estate businesses.(01:45) - Moshe's Real Estate Path(02:32) - Deals Returning to the Market(06:05) - Sage Ventures' Market Focus(07:27) - Defining Great Operators(08:27) - The Third-Party Talent Crunch(10:17) - Systems Beat Stars(12:36) - The Sage Operations Playbook(15:47) - Fraud Screening Tools(19:01) - The Roving Team Mindset(21:05) - Moshe's Role(23:56) - Feature: CREtech New York Oct. 20–21 (25:52) - The Accidental Self-Storage Win(26:41) - Office-to-Storage Conversions(28:21) - A Scrappy Deal Mix(28:58) - Low-Basis Development Opportunities(29:46) - Pitching Flexibility to LPs(30:26) - No Gurus, Just Operators(33:58) - Discipline Over Vertical Integration(36:19) - PropTech Ecosystem Shifts(39:38) - Proptech Adoption(44:42) - Motivation, Curiosity & Faith(49:31) - Collaboration Superpower: Bill Walsh

Shahar Goldboim is the Founder and CEO of Boom, an AI-enabled property management platform for short-term rental portfolios built by operators. Shahar is an entrepreneur and builder, and he launched Boom with his two sibblings after identifying real-world operational pain points inside a large South Florida property management company as it scaled. Under his leadership, Boom delivers comprehensive software that simplifies workflows, increases revenue, and reduces costs for property managers.(02:15) - Why Short-Term Rentals Are the Hardest Asset Class(02:44) - Fragmentation and the Review-Driven Revenue Trap(04:13) - The Spark: A Miami Airbnb Experiment(05:30) - From Airbnb Host to Property Manager(07:31) - Software Fragmentation in STR Ops(07:55) - From SaaS to Baas (Business-as-Software)(09:09) - Boom, the AI PMS(12:47) - Enabling Proactive Ops(13:51) - The $12M+ Fundraise(14:47) - Winning Investors with Hospitality & Tech Credibility(16:53) - Feature: Blueprint Vegas 2026(17:46) - STR Market Context and the Vacasa Lesson(21:03) - Replacing Point Solutions(23:47) - ROI, AI Moats, Future of STR Ops(32:06) - Collaboration Superpower: Tony Robbins (Wiki)

Tiffany Yeh, MD is the CEO and Co-Founder of Eztia Materials, a climate-tech venture developing energy-efficient cooling materials to protect people from extreme heat. With a mission to advance hard tech solutions at the climate-health nexus, Tiffany draws on her unique background as a physician, engineer, and public health advocate to build technologies that improve global health in a warming world.(01:13) - Dr. Ye's Background & Inspiration (01:52) - The Heat Challenge(05:20) - Singapore and the Power of Cooling(06:32) - Why Construction Has Been Slow to Adapt (07:22) - The Human Factor(08:14) - HydroVolt Technology(09:29) - Business Model, Distribution & Competition(11:19) - Worker Comfort (15:32) - Hidden Productivity Crisis Brewing(18:18) - Feature: Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate 2026 in Vegas on Sep. 22-24 (19:21) - The Secret Sauce Behind HydroVolt (20:31) - Prototyping & Real-World Applications (21:32) - Measuring Impact & ROI (23:34) - Pitching to VCs & Investors(25:31) - Product Roadmap(29:08) - Collaboration Superpower: Lionel Messi

Frank Rohde is the Founder and CEO of Ownify, a fractional homeownership platform pairing institutional and impact investors with qualified first-time buyers to make homeownership more accessible. With a 20+ year career at the intersection of finance, credit analytics, and technology, Frank previously led Nomis Solutions, scaling it into a global mortgage pricing engine used by top banks. Earlier roles include leadership at FICO, founding the early online insurer eCoverage, and launching AI models before it was trendy. Born in Germany, Frank is a former national whitewater kayaking champion, marathon runner on all seven continents, and lifelong reader—now channeling that energy into building a path between renting and owning, one Brick by Brick™.(01:51) - Why Homeownership Is Broken(04:10) - Ownify model(06:03) - How Fractional Ownership Works(13:08) - Ownify Benefits for First-time Homebuyers(16:11) - Homeowner & Investor Alignment(23:21) - Feature: CREtech New York Oct. 20–21(24:09) - Event Opportunities(25:38) - All-Cash Offers Explained(32:40) - Underwriting & Risk Management(35:47) - Investor Returns(38:48) - Market Expansion(41:37) - Policy & Regulatory Headwinds(44:04) - Collaboration Superpower: Elon Musk

Owen Barrett is the CEO and Co-Founder of Shine, a cleantech company helping multifamily property owners maximize NOI through onsite solar. With over 20 years of experience in sustainability and clean energy, Owen previously managed $60M in projects and launched a successful energy venture for schools before founding Shine to solve the split incentive problem in solar. Shine's turnkey solution targets tenant electricity—95% of a building's usage—enabling owners to generate new income while cutting tenant costs. With 36,500+ panels installed and a recent $5M seed round, Owen is leading Shine's national expansion to transform how real estate decarbonizes.(01:31) - Owen's Journey from Finance to Clean Energy(04:27) - Multifamily Solar Challenges & Solution(09:43) - Solar NOI for Multifamily(15:16) - Installation and Maintenance(17:51) - Feature: CREtech New York 2026 (19:10) - Overcoming Industry Misconceptions(20:46) - Convincing Asset Managers(23:15) - Shine's New Solar Analysis Tool(25:31) - Targeting New and Existing Buildings(26:32) - Fundraising and Growth Strategies (27:59) - Building a Remote Team(29:43) - Collaboration Superpower: Paul Sween (Dominium Board Chairman)

Maor Greenberg is the co-founder and CEO of Spacial, the AI-powered engineering partner delivering coordinated, permit-ready structural, MEP, and energy plans for residential construction. With over 19 years of experience as a builder and founder, Maor previously scaled Greenberg Construction, Greenberg Design Gallery, and VRchitects, earning Inc. 5000 honors and multiple design awards. At Spacial, he combines deep field experience with cutting-edge AI to reduce permitting friction and accelerate housing delivery. His work has been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, and CTech, and he actively invests in forward-thinking AEC and AI startups.(01:33) - Maor's Journey to the US (02:54) - Challenges in Architectural & Engineering Processes(04:05) - The Pain Points Leading to Spatial AI (05:31) - Permitting Bottlenecks in Construction (06:05) - Design & Construction Integration Issues (08:24) - AI's Role in Streamlining Processes (09:29) - Success Stories & Milestones(15:07) - Shoutout: AmTrustRE's $217M Office Acquisition of 260 Madison(15:54) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2026 (17:02) - Standardized Pricing & Adoption (18:55) - Speed vs. Quality in Engineering (24:53) - Modular Housing (28:25) - Future Vision for Spatial AI (29:09) - Collaboration Superpower: Elon Musk

Tzvika Graiver is the co-founder and CEO of RoboChute, the company reinventing how buildings manage trash chutes using smart, autonomous robots. With a background in law and a deep commitment to environmental innovation, Tzvika brings a unique blend of strategic insight and operational grit to the built world. RoboChute's system proactively cleans, monitors, and extends the life of garbage chutes—already delivering healthier air and lower costs in buildings across Israel. Tzvika is also the longtime Chairman of KeepOlim, a nonprofit supporting new immigrants in Israel through business development and community advocacy. Whether launching robotics or empowering new communities, he's focused on building smarter, more inclusive buildings and cities from the inside out.(01:35) The Problem with Garbage Chutes(05:46) Cost & Maintenance of Garbage Chutes(07:49) VC on hardware vs. software(12:06) Challenges & Opportunities in Robotics(21:16) Future of Real Estate & Robotics(24:02) Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2026: The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on September 22nd-24th, 2026. As a friend of Tangent, you can save $300 on your All-Access pass(24:51) Robots in Real Estate Operations(25:16) The Importance of Building Automation(27:06) Innovative Solutions for Waste Management(28:23) The Role of AI in Building Management(32:03) The Rise & Fall of Roomba / iRobot & Amazon's Blocked Acquisition(35:14) Competition with Chinese Manufacturers(42:22) Collaboration Superpower: Hannah Szenes (Wiki) & Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (Wiki)

Let me start with a disclaimer—this isn't a political editorial. It's a conversation about ideas. Lessons from business, design, culture, and philosophy that might help us grow—individually and collectively. And if you disagree, email me at ConvoByDesign@Outlook.com. I welcome the debate. As this year closes, I'm feeling a mix of frustration and optimism. This moment feels chaotic—as does most of life lately—which is why I often end the show with, “rise above the chaos.” We can't eliminate it, but we can manage what's within our control. The Stoics told us that long ago: focus on what you can control, release what you can't, act with virtue, and let obstacles sharpen resilience. This essay is about taking back even a small amount of control through the work we do and the spaces we shape. The Problem with Trend-Driven Design This year, phrases and hashtags flew faster than ever—Quiet Luxury, Brat Green, Fridgescaping, Millennial Grey. Much like the “big, beautiful bill” language we've all heard tossed around in political discourse, design's buzzwords can distract from what actually matters. They generate attention, not meaning. They look good on social media, not necessarily in the lived experience of a home, workplace, or public square. So instead of centering our design conversations around fleeting edits, let's pivot toward the global innovations that are transforming the built world in ways that truly matter. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home! TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep Real Innovation Worth Talking About Across the globe, designers, architects, and researchers are developing ideas that transcend buzz. These are the concepts with longevity—the ones shaping smart, resilient, human-centered spaces: Biophilic Design, rooted in the work of Edward O. Wilson, Erich Fromm, and Japanese shinrin-yoku, continues to reframe our relationship with nature. Net-Zero Architecture, pioneered in Canada, Germany, and Australia, redefines building performance through projects like Seattle's Bullitt Center and Colorado's RMI Innovation Center. Smart Homes and Invisible Tech, building on early Asian innovation, hiding circuitry and functionality behind seamless design powered by Apple, Google, and Amazon ecosystems. Prefab and Modular Construction, originally exemplified by structures like the Crystal Palace and the Sydney Opera House, now reimagined by firms such as Plant Prefab. Passive House Design, born in Germany but rapidly shaping U.S. projects in California, New York, and the Pacific Northwest. And the list goes on: Self-Healing Concrete by Hendrik Marius Jonkers Guggenheim Abu Dhabi by Frank Gehry Bët-bi Museum in Senegal by Mariam Issoufou Powerhouse Parramatta in Australia Pujiang Viewing Platform in China by MVRDV Landscape and biophilic approaches—Wabi-Sabi gardening, edimental gardens, climate-adaptive landscapes, and indoor biophilia—are redefining how we engage with natural systems in daily life. Even infrastructure has become a site of innovation: CopenHill/Amager Bakke, Denmark's waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope Urban Sequoias by SOM—skyscrapers designed as carbon sinks 3D-printed timber in Germany, Finland, and France This is the work that deserves our attention—not the color of the week on TikTok. Rethinking the Shelter Space For years I described architecture as a language, design as a dialect, and landscape as the narrative. Mies van der Rohe famously introduced the concept of architecture as language. It caught on, and then the bandwagon effect took over. But today, the metaphor feels insufficient—especially for the shelter space, where people spend their lives, raise families, work, heal, and age. The shelter space isn't like a retail store or restaurant, where design is often intended for those who pass through briefly while the people who labor there navigate the leftover space. The shelter space must serve those who inhabit it deeply and continuously. And that shifts the conversation. Design begins with the usual questions—purpose, function, users, goals, budget. But these questions don't define design. They only outline it. There is no universal purpose of architecture or design, no single philosophy, no singular “right” answer. The shelter space varies as widely as the people living within it. So instead of treating architecture and design as technical processes, we should approach them philosophically. A Philosophical Framework for Design Stoicism offers clarity: Accept that budget overruns and changes will occur. Respect the expertise of the designer you hired. Invest in authenticity rather than dupes. Create environments that support health—clean air, clean water, noise reduction, resilience. Utilitarianism reminds us that choices have consequences. If the design decisions you make are based on influencer content instead of expertise, the result is no surprise. And now, a new framework is emerging that could transform our shared spaces entirely. Sensorial Urbanism: Designing the City We Actually Feel One of the most compelling movements emerging globally is Sensorial Urbanism—a shift from focusing on how the city looks to how it feels. It's neuroscience, phenomenology, and inclusive design rolled into a multi-sensory toolkit. Five Key Sensory Principles Soundscaping Water features masking traffic. Acoustic pavilions. Designed sound gardens. Paris' Le Cylindre Sonore. Soundscape parks in Barcelona and Berlin. Smellscaping Native flowers, herbs, and aromatic trees restoring identity—especially critical after disasters like wildfires. Kate McLean's smellwalks map a city's olfactory signature. Tactile Design Materials that invite touch and respond to temperature—stone, wood, water—connecting inhabitants to place. Visual Quietness Reducing signage and visual clutter, as seen in Drachten, Netherlands, creates calmer, more intuitive environments. Multisensory Inclusivity Design that accommodates neurodiversity, PTSD, aging, and accessibility through tactile paving, sound buffers, and scent markers. Why It Matters Because cities didn't always feel this overwhelming. Because design wasn't always rushed. Because quality of life shouldn't be compromised for aesthetics. Sensorial Urbanism reconnects us with spaces that are restorative, intuitive, and emotionally resonant. A city is not just a picture—it is an experience. The Takeaway for 2026 Rising Above the Chaos: Lessons from 2025 for a Smarter 2026 HED (3-sentence summary): As 2025 closes, the design and architecture world has experienced unprecedented chaos and rapid trend cycles. In this episode, Soundman reflects on lessons from business, culture, and global innovation, emphasizing resilience, purposeful design, and human-centered spaces. From Stoic philosophy to sensorial urbanism, this conversation offers guidance for navigating the next year with clarity and intentionality. DEK (Expanded description): Twenty twenty-five tested the design industry's patience, creativity, and adaptability. In this reflective episode, we explore the pitfalls of trend-driven design, the enduring value of service, and the innovations shaping architecture globally — from net-zero buildings to multisensory urbanism. With examples ranging from TimberTech decking to Pacific Sales' trade programs, we examine how designers can reclaim control, prioritize meaningful work, and create spaces that heal, inspire, and endure. A philosophical lens, practical insights, and actionable guidance make this a must-listen for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Outline of Show Topics: Introduction & Context Reflection on the chaotic year of 2025 in design and architecture. Disclaimer: this is a philosophical conversation, not a political editorial. Invitation for audience engagement via email. Trends vs. Meaningful Design Critique of buzzwords like “quiet luxury” and “millennial gray bookshelf wealth.” Emphasis on global innovation over social media-driven trends. The gap between American design influence and international innovation. Global Innovations in Architecture & Design Biophilic design and its philosophical roots. Net-zero buildings: Bullitt Center (Seattle), RMI Innovation Center (Colorado). Smart homes, modular construction, and passive house adoption in the U.S. vs. abroad. Focus on Service & Professional Support Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home: Pro Rewards program and exceptional service. TimberTech: innovation in sustainable synthetic decking. Importance of performance, durability, and client-focused solutions. Philosophical Approach to Design Architecture as experience, not just a visual language. Stoicism, utilitarianism, and mindfulness applied to design. Sensorial urbanism: engaging all five senses in public and private spaces. Emerging Global Examples of Innovation Self-healing concrete (Henrik Marius Junkers), Copenhill (Denmark). 3D printed timber in Germany, Finland, France. Climate-adaptive landscapes, Wabi-sabi gardening, inclusive urban design. Moving Beyond Social Media Trends Rejecting influencer-driven design priorities. Returning to performance, resilience, and quality of life. Practical guidance for designers in all regions, including overlooked U.S. markets. Closing Reflections & New Year Outlook Encouragement to rise above chaos and focus on what can be controlled. Goals for 2026: intentional, human-centered, and innovative design. Call to action: share, subscribe, and engage with Convo by Design. Sponsor Mentions & Callouts Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home TimberTech Design Hardware If you enjoyed this long-form essay, share it with a friend. Subscribe to Convo By Design, follow @convoxdesign on Instagram, and send your thoughts to ConvoByDesign@Outlook.com. Thank you to TimberTech, The AZEK Company, Pacific Sales, Best Buy, and Design Hardware for supporting over 650 episodes and making Convo By Design the longest running podcast of it's kind!

Eliza Lochner is a seasoned marketing leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups. She leads global marketing for Airbnb's real estate development partnerships and new supply initiatives, including the Airbnb Friendly Apartments program, which helps renters earn supplemental income while giving property owners transparency, controls, and new revenue opportunities. Passionate about building human connections that fuel business growth, Eliza focuses on partnerships at the intersection of housing affordability, flexibility, and real estate innovation.(01:30) - Airbnb-friendly Apartments (02:55) - Addressing Housing Affordability(04:34) - Owner & Property Manager Controls(06:28) - Program Success & Expansion(09:25) - Impact on Resident & Investor Attraction(14:24) - Revenue Sharing & Incentives(18:56) - Building Trust with Property Managers(21:14) - Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2026: The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on September 22nd-24th, 2026. As a friend of Tangent, you can save $300 on your All-Access pass(22:05) - Channel Partners & Distribution Strategy(24:00) - Boutique Hotels Partnerships(25:45) - Major Events: World Cup and Olympics(29:43) - Future of Airbnb Friendly Buildings Program(31:26) - Collaboration Superpower: Michelle Obama & Eumaeus (Wiki)

Aleks Gampel is COO and Co-founder at Cuby, a company rethinking how homes are built in the middle of a nationwide housing crisis. The cost of housing has soared while construction productivity has barely budged in decades, and today's homes are still built through slow, wasteful, and carbon-intensive processes that aren't designed for escalating climate risks. Instead of shipping prefab boxes across the country, Cuby asks what it would look like if housing finally had its assembly line moment—and the factory moved to where homes are needed. Their mobile microfactories are inflatable, rapidly deployable facilities that manufacture standardized home components on or near the job site using mostly unskilled labor, then assemble houses in a predictable, repeatable way. In this conversation, Aleks unpacks the roots of the housing shortage, why past modular attempts fell short, and how Cuby's model could change what's possible for housing affordability, waste reduction, and resilience.Episode recorded on Nov 20, 2025 (Published on Dec 16, 2025)In this episode, we cover: [4:40] Causes for the housing crisis today  [8:17] Emissions associated with housing and how Cuby differs[12:54] An overview of  industrialized construction [16:43] Main challenges with industrialized construction[19:25] Cuby's antithesis to centralized gigafactories in construction[27:08] How Cuby's inflatable mobile microfactory works[30:17] Cuby's European headquarters and China facility [31:57] Cuby's single-family home design [33:30] The company's business model[37:52] Why Cuby isn't displacing jobs [38:55] The company's funding to date [40:15] What's next for Cuby Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Kenneth Hochhauser is Partner and Head of Data and Analytics at RTL. His background includes roles as a retail executive at Macy's and GNC and as a small business and economic development officer for the City of New York. He has advised both tenants and landlords on site selection, trade area analysis, and retail strategy, including introducing Chipotle to the New York metro market and representing Duxiana nationally. His past assignments span major projects such as Brookfield Place, Trump Place, and Columbia University's Manhattanville and Morningside campuses.(02:39) - Ken's Journey(04:59) - Retail Market Trends(06:05) - Retail vs. Office Innovation(07:53) - Shopping Trends and Retail Insights(08:31) - Retail Challenges in Manhattan(10:05) - Retail's Historical Context and Future(12:14) - Tenant Preferences(17:33) - Experiential Retail & Unique Locations(20:56) - Non-Traditional Retail (23:21) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2026: The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on September 22nd-24th, 2026. As a friend of Tangent, you can save $300 on your All-Access pass(28:11) - Retail Tech & Data Utilization(34:29) - Location Indicators & Retail Expansion(38:29) - Collaboration Superpower: an economist(40:08) - US Gov. Shutdown Impact

How do we build faster, smarter, and more affordably in a world running out of patience and running short on skilled labor? Tom Hardiman, Executive Director of the Modular Building Institute, joins Alex Yuen and Libo Li to explain how modular construction can reshape the built environment. From cutting construction timelines in half to reducing waste and expanding access to housing, Tom shows why modular is not a trend but a practical tool for a more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive future. The conversation unpacks the realities behind factory based building, the politics that slow adoption, and how modular can help cities facing affordability and capacity challenges.Subscribe to Most Podern on:Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podernKeywordsmodular construction, prefab housing, offsite construction, Modular Building Institute, MBI, Tom Hardiman, affordable housing solutions, housing crisis, construction technology, manufacturing in construction, sustainable building, prefabricated buildings, industrialized construction, factory-built homes, housing innovation, construction efficiency, future of construction, how to build faster, Most Podern podcastChapters00:00 Introduction to Modular Construction00:53 Defining Modular Construction02:02 Benefits of Modular Construction04:59 The Ecosystem of Modular Construction06:51 Coordination in Modular Projects08:20 Cost Considerations in Modular Construction09:53 The Importance of Time in Construction11:30 Architects and Modular Construction12:53 Successful Modular Projects14:38 Addressing Design Concerns in Modular Construction17:32 Standardization vs. Customization19:45 Regulatory Challenges in Modular Construction20:50 Education and Resources for Modular Construction21:13 The Role of Education in Modular Construction24:27 Attracting Young Talent to Modular Construction28:32 Barriers to Adoption of Modular Construction30:56 Navigating Politics and Labor Relations34:51 Integrating Traditional and Modular Construction37:52 The Future of Modular Construction40:12 Upcoming Events and Community EngagementLinksTom Hardimanlinkedin.com/in/tomhardimanModular Building Institute (MBI)https://www.modular.org/World of Modular Conferencehttps://www.modular.org/wom/MBI Research and Resourceshttps://www.modular.org/resources/

Kevin Shtofman is the Global Head of Alliances and Corporate Development at Cherre, a real estate data platform powering over $3.3 trillion in AUM. With 20+ years of experience across real estate, finance, and consulting, Kevin leads global initiatives to integrate and contextualize data from systems, third parties, and JV partners, helping investors, operators, and asset managers make smarter decisions. At Cherre, he also oversees strategic partnerships, global expansion, and the innovation roadmap. Prior to joining Cherre, Kevin held leadership roles across the industry, including Chief Operating Officer at NavigatorCRE, and Global Real Estate Technology Strategy Lead at Deloitte, where he advised clients on emerging technologies like AI, automation, and blockchain. A recognized voice in real estate innovation, Kevin brings two decades of experience bridging data, operations, and technology across global real estate markets. Outside of work, Kevin is a golf enthusiast, occasional Ironman, and proud father of three daughters.(02:05) - Kevin's Background(05:19) - Challenges in Real Estate Data Management(06:52) - Cherre's Approach to Data Integration(13:48) - Evolution of Cherre's Platform(21:41) - Client Success Stories(24:58) - Future of Real Estate and AI(25:23) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2026: The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on September 22nd-24th, 2026. As a friend of Tangent, you can save $300 on your All-Access pass(29:58) - Introducing Cherre AI Agent Marketplace(33:58) - AI Use Cases(40:06) - The Future of Real Estate Data(42:29) - Affordable Housing and Investment(47:37) - Collaboration Superpower: William Levitt (Wiki) & Larry Brown (Wiki)

Sharon Ayalon is the co-founder and CEO of UrbanMix, a next-gen platform using AI and 3D to streamline real estate operations. An architect by training, she previously taught at Columbia GSAPP and led advanced housing simulations at Cornell Tech. Sharon pioneered Roosevelt Island's Digital Twin and XR transit experience. Her Ph.D. was awarded the President of Israel's Grant for Scientific Excellence. This is episode was recorded live at Blueprint Vegas 2025. Sharon has been helping shape Gowanus Wharf, a groundbreaking Brooklyn development led by Charney Companies turning a former Superfund site into over 1,000 apartments, parks, and public waterfront. It's one of the most ambitious examples of how environmental cleanup, zoning reform, and innovative tools can unlock transformative urban development.

This week, we're introducing Tangent listeners to another podcast in the commercial real estate ecosystem: In The Loop from LoopNet. How can workplaces endure ecologically, financially, and socially?In this episode of In the Loop, Jordan Goldstein, co-CEO of Gensler, explores the future of sustainable and resilient office design. From global design trends and innovative materials to the role of AI in commercial real estate, Jordan shares how the industry is rethinking sustainability. You'll learn why repositioning existing buildings matters, how policy and incentives drive real change, and what it takes to create workplaces built for tomorrow.In the Loop is LoopNet's commercial real estate podcast highlighting the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of work. For bonus video content, check out our YouTube channel.Timestamps00:00 - Welcome to the show and introduction of In The Loop podcast drop 01:01 - Phil Hazelhurst welcomes guest Jordan Goldstein, Co-CEO of Gensler 03:34 - How sustainability, resiliency, and “flight to quality” are reshaping office real estate 06:57 - The rise of AI in architecture & how Gensler uses tech to design smarter, lower-carbon spaces 13:38 - Materials makeover: mass timber, low-carbon concrete, and the future of building systems 19:37 - Global perspectives and the power of repositioning old buildings instead of starting new 26:24 - Gensler's own electrified office and how the firm lives its sustainability mission in practice 37:42 - Final thoughts: Why design is an act of optimism and where sustainable real estate goes next40:19 - Edward recaps conversationLinks & references: • View spaces designed by Gensler • Ready to find your next sustainable commercial space? Start your search• Learn more about this episode• Learn more about Commercial Real Estate"

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros podcast, host Erika interviews Lori Wyatt, a dynamic figure in the real estate industry. Lori shares her unique journey into real estate, starting from a college student with a small amount of savings to becoming a successful broker and investor. She discusses the challenges and lessons learned in flipping houses, the importance of having a strong team, and her vision for innovative construction methods to address affordable housing needs. The conversation highlights the significance of networking, education, and collaboration in the real estate business.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Ryan Sawchuk is the VP of Product at Crexi, where he leads cross-functional teams to build advanced, data-rich tools aimed at transforming the commercial real estate workflow. With more than 15 years in product leadership, Ryan specializes in crafting AI-enabled, scalable solutions that boost transaction velocity, improve user experience, and integrate seamlessly into CRE operations. Prior to Crexi, Ryan held senior product roles at Indeed, Procore, and LinkedIn, shaping core features and driving growth in high-scale tech environments. He earned his education from Princeton University, which laid the foundation for his data-driven, user-first product philosophy. At Crexi, Ryan's vision is to bridge the gap between real estate professionals and cutting-edge technology, making complex CRE data more accessible, actionable, and efficient. This is episode was recorded live at Blueprint Vegas 2025.

Colton Pace is a founder and currently the CEO of Ownwell, a Proptech company dedicated to democratizing access to real estate expertise and reducing the hidden costs of homeownership. Under his leadership, Ownwell helps homeowners and property owners identify and appeal overvalued property taxes, reduce insurance and utility costs, and manage other home‑related expenses through data, automation, and local expert teams. Before founding Ownwell, Colton served as an investor, asset manager, and venture capitalist, helping manage billions of dollars across various asset classes. He was part of funds that made early investments in companies such as Uber, Spotify, Redfin, Snowflake, UiPath, Zuora, and Grab. (01:05) - VC to PropTech Founder(03:10) - $797B Property Tax Problem(04:48) - Ownwell Traction: 700K+ Homes and SMB/CRE(06:18) - AI Plus 80 Consultants: How Appeals Get Done(08:50) - Success Rates and Savings: Residential vs Commercial(11:27) - Portfolio Case Study: 124 SFR Properties in Texas(13:45) - Valuation Methods and Local Differences(16:13) - Market Size: $50 to 60B Opportunity(17:29) - Feature: CREtech - Join CREtech New York 2025 on Oct 21-22 for the largest Real Estate Meetings program. Qualified Real Estate pros get free full event pass plus up to $800 in travel and hotel costs. (19:02) - Beyond Taxes: Insurance, Loans, Utilities, Concierge (21:30) - Building Trust with Homeowners and CRE Owners (24:03) - Advice for PropTech Founders Selling into Real Estate (26:49) - Collaboration Superpower: Matthew McConaughey

Dustin Lacey is the CTO at Mark-Taylor, the leading developer, owner, and investment manager of luxury multifamily communities in Arizona and Nevada, with over 135 Class A Multifamily properties. He leads the firm's tech evolution, powering the centralization of operations. Under his leadership, Mark‑Taylor has implemented innovative smart‑home integrations, centralized leasing and maintenance teams, and deployed unified resident platforms that enhance efficiency and elevate the resident experience. With a diverse background in irrigation, industrial manufacturing, and brand and marketing strategy, Dustin brings his unique experience into high-tech manufacturing from his tenure at TSMC, where he honed his skills in precision, process excellence, and product innovation.(01:36) - From Brand Strategy to Tech Leadership: Building Digital DNA in Real Estate(02:12) - Enterprise Proptech Success Story: Scaling a Multifamily Management Platform(05:16) - Class A Portfolio Strategy: Maximizing Asset Performance Through Tech(06:50) - Tech Stack Evolution: From AWS Integration to Custom CRM Development(10:29) - ROI Deep Dive: Making the Business Case for Custom Proptech Solutions(15:53) - Tech-Enabled Operations: Achieving Sub-2-Hour Response Times at Scale(20:12) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2025: Friends of Tangent receive $300 off the All Access pass. The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on Sep. 16th-18th, 2025. (21:22) - Go-to-Market Excellence: Standing Out in the Competitive Proptech Landscape(31:41) - Risk Management Innovation: Tech Solutions for Modern Property Operations(38:30) - Founder's Playbook: Key Insights for Proptech Startups Targeting Enterprise Clients

Liz Hart is President of Leasing for Newmark's operating businesses in the U.S. and Canada, where she drives the strategy of the firm's leasing platform, leads talent development and recruitment, and helps integrate technology to deliver better outcomes for clients. She also serves on Newmark's Executive Committee, reporting directly to CEO Barry Gosin. With more than 20 years at Newmark, Liz has completed close to 35M square feet of transactions valued at over $4.2 billion. She has consistently ranked among the firm's top producers and was a regular Top Five Producer in Newmark's San Francisco office. Her experience spans advising technology companies from startups to Fortune 50 giants, repositioning large-scale developments that have reshaped skylines, and leading Newmark's Technology & Innovation Practice Group to help landlords and tenants in the TAMI/TMT sectors create spaces that attract and retain talent.(01:16) - State of the Office Market: Shrinking Supply & Turning Point(05:05) - How to Approach Office Leasing in 2025(13:45) - Talent, Culture & Competitive Advantage(15:49) - Data-Driven Leasing & Advisory: Automation vs. Augmentation(18:07) - Feature: CREtech - Join CREtech New York 2025 on Oct 21-22 for the largest Real Estate Meetings program. Qualified Real Estate pros get free full event pass plus up to $800 in travel and hotel costs.(19:39) - Brand Building in Commercial Real Estate(24:32) - Flex Space vs. Traditional Leasing (27:00) - End-to-End Platform: Evolving the Leasing Function(29:02) - In-House vs. Outsourcing Tech & Data(29:41) - Data Sharing & Antitrust: The RealPage Settlement(31:31) - Collaboration Superpower: Steve Jobs

Galiano Tiramani is based in Las Vegas, Nevada where the factory for Boxable.com is located. The idea behind Boxable is optimizing the entire end to end construction process and creating an efficient shipping package that allows for cost effective transportation. By reducing as much of the site work to the bare minimum, it is possible to reduce the overall cost of construction. To connect with Galiano or to learn more visit boxable.com------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Rishard Rameez is the Co‑Founder and CEO of Zown, an AI‑powered real estate platform that makes homeownership more accessible and affordable. Zown was born from a viral Reddit post where Rishard shared his frustration over paying over $70K in real estate commissions. The outpouring of support inspired him to flip the model: instead of paying big commissions, Zown gives buyers significant upfront cash to help with their down payment and closing costs, while offering sellers flat fees. This customer‑first model has driven rapid growth, with Zown processing over $300 million in transactions and becoming Canada's fastest‑growing real estate brokerage. The platform has recently launched in California and continues expanding across North America. Rishard sparked a movement by transforming personal pain into an industry‑changing solution.(02:17) - The Broken Home Buying Process(03:02) - It All Started with a Viral Reddit Post (05:39) - Early Pivot from Flat Fee Model(14:59) - Unbundling Real Estate Services(18:06) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2025: The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on Sep. 16th-18th, 2025.(19:00) - Feature: Meow - Business banking, with interest: Unlock a high-yield business checking account that pays up to 3.52%.(20:31) - Zone's Growth Journey(28:47) - Customer Acquisition Strategy(30:36) - Recent Seed Round(32:42) - Why Own vs. Rent a Home(34:52) - Collaboration Superpower: Muhammad and Jesus Christ

Nathan Herz is the Co‑Founder and COO of Paraspot AI, a New York‑based AI company backed by RE Angels, ffVC, 97212 Ventures, SaaS Ventures & Aroundtown that applies advanced computer vision to automate property inspections for Single-family, Multifamily, Hospitality, and Logistics operators. Paraspot's platform reduces inspection costs and time, empowering operators to manage assets efficiently remotely. Since co-founding the company in 2020, Nathan has been instrumental in scaling operations, leading sales strategy, and building key client relationships.(01:28) - Nathan's Real Estate Journey & Birth of Paraspot(06:15) - Challenges & Innovations in Property Inspections(10:17) - AI-Powered Inspections(18:07) - Latest Property Management Regulation in CA & NY(21:05) - Feature: CREtech - Join CREtech New York 2025 on Oct 21-22 for the largest Real Estate Meetings program. Qualified Real Estate pros get free full event pass plus up to $800 in travel and hotel costs.(22:38) - Founder Timing & Persistence(25:58) - New Audio Feature for Inspections(28:32) - Single Family vs. Multifamily Market Fit(37:31) - New Partnership Announcement with DepositCloud(39:52) - Collaboration Superpower: Nathan's grandpa & Ryan Serhant

How do you bring clarity, consistency, and energy to a category still fighting for mainstream adoption? In this episode, Beth and Zach sit down with Audree Grubesic—Offsite Construction ambassador and founder of Offsite Dirt Network—to talk about what's really happening inside the modular movement. Audree shares how she went from builder to media creator, how modular has evolved over the past decade, and what building materials companies need to understand if they want to stay relevant as offsite continues to grow.

Send us a textImagine having precise pricing for your construction project before ever hiring an architect. That's exactly the paradigm shift that RaaP Builders wants to create in the modular construction industry.RJ Mahadev, co-founder and CEO of RaaP Builders, reveals how his company is transforming modular preconstruction through a "rooms as a product" approach that brings clarity, certainty, and efficiency to building developers. The company's innovative online platform lets developers input basic information—location, number of floors, and units—and immediately receive comprehensive designs with detailed pricing comparisons between traditional and modular construction methods. For developers building prototypical structures like affordable housing, workforce housing, or budget hotels, RaaP's system offers a potential path to greater certainty, faster timelines, and significant cost savings.Support the showListen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Andrew Ackerman is the Head of REACH Labs at Second Century Ventures, the strategic venture arm of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Backed by NAR, SCV invests in early-stage PropTech and construction tech companies, providing them with access to a vast network of real estate professionals and industry expertise. A former entrepreneur, angel investor, and accelerator director at Dreamit Ventures, Andrew has backed 70+ startups and designed structured programs to help founders raise capital and close deals faster. He is also the author of “The Entrepreneur's Odyssey,” a story-driven startup guide, and a frequent contributor to Forbes, Propmodo, and other leading publications.(01:19) – Andrew Ackerman's Journey in PropTech (03:06) – Evolution of the PropTech Landscape (06:40) – The Role of Reach Labs, Second Century Ventures and NAR (10:06) – Challenges in Real Estate Transactions (13:00) – Venture Returns in PropTech (21:01) – Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate - Register for 2025: The Premier Event for Industry Executives, Real Estate & Construction Tech Startups and VC's, at The Venetian, Las Vegas on Sep. 16th-18th, 2025. (23:03) – Qualifying Investment Opportunities (23:32) – Challenges in Portfolio Construction & Valuation Dilemmas (30:00) – The Role of Venture Debt (35:59) – The Entrepreneur's Odyssey(29:22) - Collaboration Superpower: Richard Nixon

Check out EIR here: https://eirhealthcare.com/Follow Grant here

In this episode of The Market Pulse, host Aaron Fichera dives into the future of real estate and architecture with Chris Krager, AIA—Founder of KRDB and Ma House. With deep experience across architecture, finance, and development, Chris unpacks how modular construction is transforming the way we design, build, and buy homes in today's challenging economic environment.Tune in to learn how factors like rising construction costs, supply chain disruptions, and the remote work revolution are accelerating change in both residential and commercial real estate. Chris shares how prefab innovation, design efficiency, and buyer expectations are shaping the future of urban development and affordable housing.Perfect for real estate developers, home builders, architects, investors, and anyone passionate about modern design and construction technology.

Luis Poggi is the CEO and Co-Founder of HouseWhisper, a startup at the intersection of real estate and generative AI, building tools that transform how homes are marketed and sold. A seasoned tech executive with deep experience in product, marketing, and sales, Luis previously held leadership roles at Zillow and Expedia, where he helped scale industry-defining platforms in PropTech and travel.Now focused on shaping the AI revolution in real estate, Luis blends entrepreneurial vision with hands-on execution. He also shares insights on AI and business strategy through his newsletter at substack.com/luispoggi.(01:50) - Luis' Zillow journey & lessons(02:53) - The Birth of House Whisper(04:30) - The power of zero onboarding & personalization(05:11) - AI Agents & the Future of Real Estate(09:19) - Challenges & opportunities in AI for Real Estate Agents like Serhant(14:09) - Distribution strategy(16:29) - Will AI replace Real Estate agents like travel agents?(17:48) - Feature: CREtech: Join CREtech New York 2025 on Oct 21-22 for the largest Real Estate meetings program. Qualified Real Estate pros get free full event pass plus up to $800 in travel and hotel costs. See if you qualify and apply by emailing tangentcommunity@gmail.com.(19:14) - Avoiding the freemium pricing trap(22:48) - Usage & retention: 8K+ paying agents(29:22) - Collaboration Superpower: Andrej Karpathy (OpenAI Co-founder, Wiki)

Send us a textFor years, modular construction stakeholders have struggled with traditional contracts that fail to account for the dual-site nature of prefabrication, the split responsibilities for design between architects and manufacturers, and the complex permitting processes spanning multiple jurisdictions. Now, new agreements from AIA Contract Documents  tackle these challenges head-on by clearly delineating responsibilities and risks where they're best managed.Listen as Sara Betancorth from AIA Contract Documents and Sal Verrastro from Spillman Farmer Architects detail how these new contracts were created through years of collaboration between architects, attorneys, and industry experts. Now available to the public, these contracts represent a balanced approach that acknowledges the realities of modern modular construction. The result? Contracts that reduce risk, clarify responsibilities, and ultimately facilitate smoother project delivery for all stakeholders.Whether you're an owner, architect, contractor, or modular manufacturer, these new documents promise to transform how modular projects are structured and executed.Support the show

Mark Zurada is the COO and Co-Founder of PinPoint Analytics, an AI-powered platform transforming how public works projects are estimated and bid. PinPoint harnesses advanced algorithms and historical bid data to help contractors, municipalities, and engineering firms in the $200 Billion construction industry generate more accurate, competitive estimates with unmatched precision. At PinPoint, Mark leads daily operations, AI product development, data strategy, and go-to-market execution. He also drives sales, marketing, and customer acquisition, aligning product-market fit through deep analytics, customer interviews, and stakeholder feedback. With over a decade of experience as an entrepreneur, attorney, engineer, and consultant, Mark brings a cross-functional approach to solving complex challenges.(01:29) - AI in public construction works(02:36) - Challenges in public works bidding(6:07) - Guesswork in construction(08:17) Scaling AI solutions in local governments(13:47) - Feature | Market Stadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(14:58) - Scaling construction estimates in highly localized space(18:19) - Examples of bidding processes(24:17) - AI's Impact on Public Spending and Efficiency(28:20) - Feature: Blueprint 2025: The Future of Real Estate - Register now(29:06) - Collaboration Superpower: Historical Figures

Julie Kheyfets is the CEO of Block Renovation, an AI-first marketplace platform revolutionizing the home renovation industry by connecting homeowners with contractors and streamlining project planning. She assumed the CEO role in January 2025, following seven years as the company's COO. ​Before joining Block, Julie led North American growth for Tractable, an AI company specializing in accident and disaster recovery solutions, where her efforts contributed to the company's valuation surpassing $1 billion. ​Beyond her professional achievements, Julie is an accomplished ultramarathon runner, having secured first place in the women's category at the Habanero Hundred in 2021. (01:13) - Challenges in home renovations(02:31) - Julie's journey to Block(03:43) - Building trust with AI & data(05:49) - Contractor vetting process(08:17) - Feature | Market Stadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(9:28) - An AI architect in every investor's & homeowner's pocket(12:07) - Growth playbook(16:34) - Industry Trends & Homeowner Mistakes(20:11) - Homeowners & contractors :: Landlords & renters(21:55) - Feature: Blueprint 2025: The Future of Real Estate - Register now(23:45) - Business Model & Marketplace Trust(25:51) - Collaboration Superpower: Courtney Dauwalter (Wiki) & Brian Chesky (Wiki)

Send us a textDiscover how modular construction is primed to reshape Portugal's housing landscape. Diogo Rutkowski from Bond Housing Systems explores the urgent challenges facing Portugal, including a shortage of construction workers and an overwhelming number of homes with poor energy efficiency. Diogo highlights how modular construction can create vibrant, inclusive communities, offering faster, more efficient building processes that promise to redefine the future of housing in Portugal.Diogo also unpacks the advantages of wooden and steel modular structures that promise eco-friendliness, strength, and cost stability. He explains how these sustainable solutions can address the housing shortage with rapid delivery and environmental benefits. Support the show

Frederik Hendriksen is the co-founder of Rensair, pioneering the world's first air quality ecosystem to cut carbon, costs, and pollutants through next-generation ventilation technology. Rensair's connected solutions optimize existing HVAC systems, reducing energy costs while delivering cleaner, healthier indoor air—without expensive infrastructure upgrades. Their tech traces back to Frederik's father, a ventilation engineer, who originally developed a standalone air purification system for hospital operating rooms, and to help Frederik's twin brother manage severe asthma. Inspired by this innovation, Frederik and his team are now hacking HVAC to tackle the climate crisis and transform building ventilation, ushering in a new era of carbon efficiency, cost savings, and clean indoor air.(01:49) - The tech behind Rensair(04:29) - Impact of HVAC on building energy consumption(06:00) - Rensair's energy efficiency solutions(13:31) - Feature | Market Stadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(17:51) - Business model & partnerships(19:20) - Challenges & opportunities in Climate Tech(24:23) - Leveraging AI for indoor air quality(29:44) - Feature: Blueprint 2025: The Future of Real Estate - Register now(31:55) - Greenland & Climate change(34:16) - Collaboration Superpower: Niels Ryberg Finsen (Wiki)

Sean Miller is the Chief Revenue Officer at Lessen, leading sales and marketing to expand its tech-enabled property maintenance, repairs, turns and capital improvement services platform, with 3 million work orders completed annually. With deep expertise in real estate technology and IoT, he currently serves as Built Environment advisory board member of SIA, and previously served as CRO at Sensor Industries, CEO and Co-founder of Griot, and President of PointCentral (an Alarm.com subsidiary). He has also held leadership roles at Belkin and Generac, driving smart property and remote monitoring solutions.(01:26) - Sean Miller's Career Journey(03:50) - The Evolution of maintenance in Real Estate(09:29) - Feature | MarketStadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(10:40) - Lessen's revenue levers & tech investments(14:56) Labor shortages & operational efficiency(16:42) - Data-Driven Decisions: Repair vs. Replace impact on insurance(21:10) - Cost-efficiencies from Water leak detection tech & asset tagging(27:16) - Feature: Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate - Register now(29:14) - AI & automation for Maintenance(33:17) - Collaboration Superpower: Thomas Jefferson, Michael Jordan & Croesus (Wiki)

Dennis Lee is the co-founder and CEO of MarketStadium, a real estate data platform transforming how investors analyze multifamily and single-family markets. His journey began as an urban planning researcher in South Korea, where he identified key locational advantages driving gentrification in Seoul. This insight led him to explore how urban planning research could be applied to real estate investment decisions.After studying at NYU's Schack Institute of Real Estate, Dennis joined Lionstone Investments, where he helped manage a $9 billion real estate portfolio using a location-first investment strategy. Recognizing the potential to bring urban planning insights and data analytics to the broader real estate industry, he co-founded MarketStadium with a team of urban planning PhDs, tech developers, and industry experts.(02:57) – Dennis Lee's background & MarketStadium's Origin(05:11) – Market Stadium's Vision for Offerings(07:07) – Multifamily sector insights(13:19) - Feature | MarketStadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(17:55) – Leveraging data for Real Estate investment decisions(25:10) – Climate Risk & AI in Real Estate(28:46) - Feature | Berkadia's BeEngaged - Connect with the team: Ecosystem of founders, industry professionals, and capital providers dedicated to redefining the Commercial Real Estate space.(30:20) – Advice for founders looking to partner with institutional players(31:15) - Lessons from the Korean market(31:50) - Collaboration Superpower: Leonardo Da Vinci & Sandro Botticelli (Wiki)