Building Conversations

Innovation & the AEC Angels, Part 1

In an industry that’s been historically slow to adopt the latest technologies, the architecture, engineering, and construction fields present incredible opportunities for tech investors and developers alike. Determined to drive innovative change from within the industry, Thornton Tomasetti, STO Building Group, Syska Hennessy, and SHoP Architechs formed the AEC Angels to assess, test, fund, and accelerate promising AEC technologies. Join Rob Leon, executive VP of STO Global, as he discusses the origin and purpose of the AEC Angels group with two founding members—Executive Chairman of Thornton Tomasetti, Tom Scarangello, and Executive Chairman of STO Building Group, Jim Donaghy. This is PART 1 of our two-part interview with Tom and Jim.

The US Northeast Corridor: A Life Sciences Supercluster

With all eyes on the industry developing and manufacturing the vaccine, five markets across the US Northeast—Boston-Cambridge, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York City—were named in the top ten US life science clusters by CBRE. Join Kaitlyn Blazer, business development manager at Structure Tone Philadelphia, as she discusses the life sciences construction boom with experts in the region: Pat Toner, STO VP and national life sciences sector leader, Stephen Neeson, SVP of operations and life sciences sector leader for Structure Tone New Jersey, and Nick Cassaro, senior life sciences project manager for Structure Tone Boston.

Mass Timber Construction: The Carbon Sequester

From the embodied carbon associated with construction materials to the operational carbon produced throughout a building’s lifecycle, the design and construction industry has the opportunity to make a big impact when it comes to carbon. Join STO Building Group’s director of sustainability, Jennifer Taranto, as she interviews two subject matter experts: David Briefel, sustainability director and design resilience leader at Gensler, and Jeff Morrow, president of J. Morrow Solutions, as they discuss the ingredients of net zero carbon buildings and how mass timber construction can fit into the equation. 

A Holistic Approach to Flex Space with Hana, Part 2

What can the physical workplace offer the next generation of workers? Join Executive Vice President of STO Global Services, Rob Leon, in PART 2 of STO’s two-part interview with Hana’s Director of Brand & Communications, Lindsay Wester, and VP Global Head of Product & Experience Design, Andrew Kao, as they discuss the Hana Innovation Partners program and how COVID-19 could transform the way future workers think about the office.

A Holistic Approach to Flex Space with Hana, Part 1

Creating spaces where people with purpose can accomplish great things—that’s Hana’s mission. But what does a flexible workplace look like in the post-pandemic world? Executive Vice President of STO Global Services, Rob Leon, spoke with Hana’s own Director of Brand & Communications, Lindsay Wester, and VP Global Head of Product & Experience Design, Andrew Kao, about how the flexible space provider is preparing their spaces for what’s coming in the short-, medium-, and long-term. This is PART 1 of our two-part interview in Lindsay and Andrew.

Taking the Lead to Return to the Workplace

As COVID-19 shifted what a “workplace” should look like, organizations across the globe have mobilized to pull together new protocols and practices for their workspaces as they consider when and how to bring back staff. In April, the Govan Brown team began discussing this very challenge with clients, many of whom really weren’t sure how to approach their return. Join Govan Brown’s SVP of corporate development, Trevor Howie, as he interviews VP of human resources and CSR, Sarah Paul, and special projects manager, Jordan Winter, about how they turned Govan Brown’s own COVID-19 playbook into a guide to help their clients and nonprofit partners return to the workplace.

A Look at AEC Remote Learning with ENR

In construction, the best education is the one you get on the job. But in a world where remote learning is the only option, how is the AEC industry—particularly the hands-on field of construction—teaching, mentoring, and hiring students and new graduates? That’s what Debra Rubin, ENR’s Editor-at-Large for management, business, and the workforce, was hoping to find out when she reached out to Greg Dunkle, CAO of STO Building Group, back in September. Now as the college semester is coming to a close, Greg and Debra reconnected to discuss her findings.

The Post-Pandemic Workplace

With millions still working from home, what does the post-pandemic workplace look like, and how is the corporate interiors market preparing for this new normal? Join Executive VP of STO’s Global Services group, Robert Leon, and STO’s Director of Sustainability, Jennifer Taranto, as they discuss the pandemic’s impact on commercial real estate, design, and construction—from short-term infection control measures and tech solution to new sustainability, wellness, and safety standards.

Construction Across the Tri-State

When New York shut down construction earlier this year, Connecticut and New Jersey followed suit—or so it seemed! With active projects in New York, New Jersey, and across Connecticut, Pavarini North East juggled three sets of state guidelines and continued building in several COVID hotspots. Join PNE’s director of operations, Brian Boyce and director of project administration, Katlyn Tracey, to find out what it was like to continue operating while surrounded by shutdowns. 

Mission Critical in the Age of Social Distancing

When the world transitioned to working, learning, and socializing from home in the blink of an eye, how did the internet—and its critical infrastructure—keep up? On this episode, we talk to Terence Deneny, VP of STO Mission Critical, about how internet providers, telecommunication firms, and social networking companies have handled the influx of traffic and how he thinks the pandemic will affect the future of mission critical real estate and construction.