Building Conversations

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 speaks with two founding members of the AEC Angels—Executive Chairman of Thornton Tomasetti, Tom Scarangello, and Executive...

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 acc...

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 t...

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 de...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 cont...

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 fi...

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 t...

What does a safe jobsite look like during a global pandemic? The construction industry has experienced mass shutdowns across several regions in the US but work in the Midwest and the South has ramped up. Layton Construction operates in both regions and is currently working at record volume. On this episode, join Paul Drecksel, COO, and Jeff Beecher, EVP of operations at Layton Construction to hear...

From shutting down jobsites across entire cities in some regions, to working through the crisis in others, the construction industry has been turned upside down by the global pandemic. As the project community continues to navigate this new normal of heightened safety standards and mandated social distancing, we’re virtually interviewing construction leaders from across our markets to find out how...

What’s changed in the European data center market since IBM opened its first international office in 1956? On this episode, join Jason Monks, Structure Tone Dublin’s in-house data center expert, and Garry Connolly, president and founder of Host in Ireland, as they discuss the evolution of data and data centers, the benefits of hosting digital assets in Ireland, and why Irish contractors are the to...

In an age where landlords are more like hoteliers, how can commercial real estate technology enhance the tenant experience? On this episode, join Jonathan Schultz, an early-stage seed investor and thought leader in the CRE tech space, for a behind-the-scenes chat about the evolution of technology, opportunities for innovation within the AEC industry, and embracing change.

How can the AEC industry band together to give back? Tune in to our special bonus episode to find out how NYC's real estate and construction community has joined forces with Make-A-Wish to bring joy to little New Yorkers living with critical illnesses. 

What does it take to restore every square inch of a century-old structure? Join Rich Schneider and Mike Neary of Structure Tone New York as they discuss preserving and updating New York City’s venerated St. Patrick’s Cathedral. From hand-cleaning every inch of the interior to implementing a unique mist fire suppression system, the project was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all involved.

What happens when weeks of robust research and data collection meet workplace design? Find out how Aaron Schiller’s award-winning design firm uses in-depth analytics to help their corporate clients boost productivity.

With more women in construction management roles today than ever before, have we forgotten about tradeswomen and their fight for gender equality on site? On this episode, meet Lorien Barlow, director and producer of Hard Hatted Woman, the first feature-length documentary film about women breaking down gender barriers in the construction trades.

Imagine a world where the design team, construction team, and their subs work directly from a shared, buildable model. Join Clayton Lyons, Donal Lyons and Xinan Jiang to find out how STO's Advanced Coordination Team (ACT) is doing just that by leveraging construction technology differently. 

To build new or transform the old? Join Jason Vesuvio, vice president of core and shell firm Pavarini McGovern, as he discusses building repositioning in the ever-evolving landscape of New York City.

Ever wonder when the construction industry started paying attention to sustainability and wellness? In this episode, you'll get an inside look at the push for healthier, more sustainable buildings from Sustainable Construction Leader (SCL) and International Well Building Institute (IWBI) Award Winner, Jennifer Taranto. 

From utilizing technology in the field to searching for a more sustainable approach to building, today nearly every field in construction is pressing up against the limitations of the past. Powered by the STO Building Group, Building Conversations is a monthly interview series focused on the trends that are driving our industry to new heights.