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1. In your opinion, how has the construction tech landscape evolved over the years? What are some of the advantages of the current technological evolution?

We have seen many technologies making their way into the Construction industry, mainly divided into three categories; software (BIM, parametric modelling, Augmented/Virtual Reality etc.), process (Lean, Agile etc.) and construction methods (digital fabrication/ construction automation via advanced CNC machining and 3d printing etc.). However, the fundamental structure and make-up of the Construction industry model itself remains relatively unchanged; a multidisciplinary compartmentalised model where the main stakeholders (Client, PM, QS, Architect, Engineer, Contractor, FM etc.) work in silos, and therefore continuously struggle to integrate their scopes, as opposed to coordinate them, and to create innovative solutions. To visualise the main difference between coordination and integration:

Coordination is like boxes neatly arranged adjacent to one another, but each box is still its own box that can easily be separated from the ones adjacent to it. This is how most buildings are put together; Structure, MEP, Façade, Fit-out etc. This model has commercial and pragmatic advantages where each element can be viewed as a product that can be easily replaced with another product. The main disadvantage of this model however is that synergies are not well-established or at least not maximised, where many opportunities for maximising efficiencies or creating innovative solutions are missed.

Integration is like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle put together where each piece is designed to fit exactly where it belongs – well integrated with its surrounding pieces. While the main disadvantage of this model is that it requires more capital time and cost, the main advantage of this model however is that it offers a more seamless and coherent solution of better quality in terms of appearance and performance. As innovation is the art of combining two or more established ideas to create a new one with added value, integration is an absolute must to achieve innovation. Lack of integration is one of the main reasons why the construction industry remains decades behind other tech industries like automotive and aerospace.

With the above said, software technology has helped in improving the coordination and execution processes in the construction industry by increasing visual communication and the ability to visualise and virtually experience the various steps and stages the process through shared platforms and models using BIM and AR/VR. However, it has not helped as much in achieving seamless integration because the latter is more of a mindset and cultural issue, and industry model make-up more so than a technological one. A major game changer however is on the rise that could disrupt – for better or worse – the entire landscape of the industry; the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of the decision-making process in the design development and construction stages of projects. This is because AI may assist in combining multiple expertise and mindsets into one, therefore – at least theoretically – helping in maximising integration and innovation. However, AI should be treated carefully to make sure that it helps in extending the human brain and not replacing it, otherwise it could spiral out of control and lead to many undesirable outcomes.Construction technology like 3d printing, CNC machining, and the use of advanced composites like carbon fibre is making it possible to construct components that are more geometrically complex and structurally robust, that could offer better appearance and performance, in a quicker and more precise manner than ever before.

In summary, visualisation, automation, and material technology standout as the main drivers behind the main advantages of the current technological evolution that we are witnessing today in the increasing visual, as described above.

2. What, according to you, are some of the challenges plaguing the construction tech landscape and how can they be effectively mitigated?

As pointed out earlier, one of the main challenges that is plaguing the construction tech landscape is the multi-disciplinary make-up of the construction model where different stakeholders work in silos, which severely undermines the ability of Project Teams to established integrated solutions. If we take an example from the Automotive industry – say Mercedes-Benz – the latter is the Developer, QS, Architect, Engineer, Contractor and FM of its vehicles – all operating under one umbrella. Therefore, it has better control over the entire process; feasibility, R&D, design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, operation etc. including the allocation of resources (time, money, people, materials, machinery etc.). R&D and Testing are not even formally recognised as a stage in most projects in the Construction industry, which is a must for achieving high performance and/or introducing innovative tech solutions. More importantly, Mercedes-Benz retains the knowledge and data base related to every stage of its vehicles, including the operation stage where it monitors the performance their vehicles are fully through its maintenance workshops and dealers, and use it to plan, refine and optimise the design and construction of its next generation of vehicles. This is in strike contrast to the Construction industry where the make-up of the project team stakeholders is different almost every new project; different client, or architect / engineer / contractor / facility manager etc. where retaining a complete set of information and data related to the entire process of the project be it during design, construction, or operation stages is extremely difficult at best and impossible in most cases to be used to refine the next project. This is one of the main reasons why there is an overwhelmingly larger number of errors, failures and breakdowns in the Construction industry than there is in the Automotive industry.

In summary, we need to find ways to transform and evolve our construction industry from a multi-disciplinary model to an inter/cross-disciplinary one where projects teams are made up of integrated stakeholders working under a single umbrella. We also need to recognise R&D and Testing as a formal and properly funded stage of a project, at least complex/innovative ones, and we need to be able to retain knowledge and performance data throughout our project stages so we can use them to improve upon the next one.

3. Do you have any advice for industry veterans or budding entrepreneurs from the construction tech space?

Invest in hiring more diversified individuals with a common collaborative mindset to build an inter/cross-disciplinary and research oriented culture prior to investing in any technology, as the latter will be a natural and organic outcome of the former, and not the other way around.