Building Conversations

Breaking Ground: Circularity Through Partnerships

How can the construction industry shift from a “take, make, waste” cycle to a circular economy? In celebration of Zero Waste Week, host Jennifer Taranto, VP of Sustainability at STO Building Group is joined by Tim Conway, VP of Sustainability at Shaw Industries, and Avery McKitrick Sustainability Coordinator to explore how takeback programs and supplier partnerships are transforming waste management on jobsites.

Boston’s Circular Shift: Building Smarter, Greener, Better

In celebration of Zero Waste Week, join Jennifer Taranto, VP of Sustainability at STO Building Group, Michael Orbank, Sustainability Manager, Northeast Region at STO Building Group, and Andrea Love, Principal and Director of Building Science at Payette, as they explore how Boston teams are turning demolition into deconstruction—leveraging partnerships across owners, designers, contractors, and vendors while navigating policy, storage, and market challenges.

Inside NYC’s Push for Material Circularity

In honor of Zero Waste Week, join Jennifer Taranto, VP of Sustainability at STO Building Group, Ryan Hughes, Sustainability Manager at Structure Tone New York, and Tiffany Williams, Sustainability Manager at Rudin, as they explore how selective deconstruction, material recovery, and take-back programs are transforming NYC construction.

Ask the Expert: Mastering Building Façades with Michael Signorile

In the latest episode of Ask the Expert, Michael Signorile, Exterior Envelope Supervisor at Pavarini McGovern, dives into the world of building façades. From design considerations and constructability reviews to cutting-edge technologies like BIPV and electrochromic glass, Signorile shares strategies for delivering high-performance, energy-efficient, and visually striking façades on complex projects.

Built to Chill: Exploring Cold Storage Construction

What does it really take to build high-performance cold storage facilities in today’s market?
Join Layton Construction’s National Building Group as Executive Vice President Eric Nay hosts a dynamic conversation with Thomas Gubbins, Director of Client Relations and Pre-Construction, Christopher Webb, Design Manager, Sean Doherty, Project Manager, and Mike George, Vice President of Operations on the booming world of cold storage construction. From refrigeration systems to convertibility, automation, and emerging trends, the team shares real-world insights and what sets Layton apart in this highly technical and fast-growing sector.

Ask the Expert: The Elevator Playbook with Michael Walsh

In the latest episode of the Ask the Expert, series, Michael Walsh, Vice President of Elevator Construction Consultants at STO Building Group, shares key insights into elevator system planning, coordination, and innovation. From design-phase red flags to the rise of AI-powered elevators, Walsh breaks down strategies that keep projects on schedule and performing at their best. 

Next-Level Building: Drones, AI, and Reality Capture

How is reality capture technology changing the way we build? Join Greg Dunkle, STO Building Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Jon Ferguson, Vice President of Virtual Design and Construction at Layton Construction, Austin Lay, Senior VDC Manager at Layton Construction, and James Pipe, Chief Product Officer at Drone Deploy as they explore how tools like drones, 360 cameras, and AI are transforming project accuracy, documentation, and data management on today’s jobsites.

Ask the Expert: Safety Innovations with Keith Haselman

In the latest episode of the Ask the Expert series on the Building Conversations podcast, STOBG’s Senior Vice President of Safety, Keith Haselman, explores the cutting-edge innovations—like drones, wearables, AI, and radar—reshaping how we keep jobsites safe.

Stacking the Deck: The Rise of Mass Timber in Modern Building

Could mass timber be the catalyst for the next era of construction efficiency and sustainability? Join Doug Kroll, Director of Business Development at Layton Construction, Pete Kobelt, Director of Mass Timber at STO Building Group, and James Litwin, Vice President of Construction at Harbor Bay, as they dissect how this groundbreaking material is streamlining project delivery, enhancing design flexibility, and reducing environmental impact.

Ask the Expert: The Future of Workplace Design with Stephen Dennis

In the latest episode of the Ask the Expert series, STOBG’s Global Services Account Executive, Stephen Dennis, breaks down the biggest cost trends shaping commercial interiors in 2025—from finish levels and permitting pain points to post-pandemic design priorities. Join Stephen as he dives into practical insights on workplace densification, sound design, and how companies are planning for the next decade of office space.