Martin Preece

The Building Talks Podcast

Business EN ↓ 114 episodes

A fortnightly podcast showcasing conversations with professionals across Australia’s Built Environment—spanning Construction, Property Development, Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, Consulting (and much besides). In each episode, we explore the challenges, opportunities, and trends shaping the industry, while hearing the stories, insights, and experiences of the people behind the projects. From architects and engineers to builders, project managers, quantity surveyors, researchers, and business leaders, our guests offer valuable perspectives from across the sector. Whether you're...

Author

Martin Preece

Episodes

Talking with Hacia Atherton about Diversity & Trades: Pathways, Challenges, and Opportunities 03.07.2023 1:06:15

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! This week, I had the pleasure of having a chat with Hacia Atherton, whose family has a proud legacy in the trades industry that spans multiple generations. Her great great grandfather played a pivotal role in championing eight-hour working days for the industry. Today, Hacia is the founder of Empowered Women in Trades, a company com...

Talking with Robert Sobyra about the real data behind the housing crisis, construction insolvencies, a medium-long term look at the labour shortage, productivity and much more!! 19.06.2023 1:04:26

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's episode, I had a captivating conversation with Robert Sobyra, who is Head of Policy, at the Australian Constructors Association (ACA). Rob's unique position allowed us to delve into the data and insights behind the current state of the horizontal (commercial buildings) and vertical (infrastructure) constructi...

Talking with Sonya Miller about her career, experiences, and thoughts on Melbourne's Construction & Property sector 05.06.2023 1:08:16

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's episode, I was joined by Sonya Miller, the Founding Director of Armitage Jones, the Consulting Project Management and Development Firm, and Dynamic Property Group, a boutique property development business. Sonya and I had a wide-ranging conversation about her experiences in the construction and property industry. ...

Talking with Mark Flynn, a sub-contractor's view of the risks and challenges within the construction industry 22.05.2023 1:11:18

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this podcast episode, I was joined by Mark Flynn, the Owner and Founder of the specialised brick, block and masonry subcontractor, Brickit. During this conversation, we talked a little bit about Mark's background, setting up a sub-contracting business, looking for good clients to partner with, and his view of successfully del...

Talking with Sean Ryan about his career journey into Property Development, and all things Build-to-Rent (BtR) 08.05.2023 1:21:52

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's episode, Sean Ryan, the Development Director of Greystar, joined me for a discussion. Greystar is an international multifaceted real estate organisation and one of the largest Build-to-Rent developers in the industry. During our conversation, Sean shared insights about his career journey, starting with his backgro...

Talking with Cian Brennan about construction contract risk, margin and cash-flow, and an up to date look at the current financial issues affecting the building industry 25.04.2023 1:13:23

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Cian Brennan, the Managing Director of Quantum Contract Solutions. Cian has an extensive experience in the construction industry, having worked in Ireland, the Middle East, and Australia. His company now operates in New Zealand, Australia, and the US, supporting buildin...

Talking with David de Propertis about Consulting Project Management, Build to Rent (BtR), his unique experiences working in development, consulting Project management, quantity surveying and within head contracting 10.04.2023 1:26:34

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's episode, I was joined by David De Propertis, Director of Essence Project Management, a national project management consulting company with offices in Sydney, Brisbane and of course, Melbourne! David has a unique perspective on the industry. He began his career as a Quantity Surveyor in the consulting QS space, befo...

Talking with Mike Ashcroft, Co-Founder of EstimateOne. We talk start-ups, technology and taking the step from construction, into SaaS 27.03.2023 1:09:13

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast episode, we’re joined by Mike Ashcroft. Mike is one of the Co-founders of EstimateOne, the web-based tendering platform that many construction professionals in Australia (especially those involved in estimating), will have been using (or at least, aware of), for a number of years. EstimateOne is an Austral...

Talking with David Caputo & Andrew Deveson - celebrating 5 years of Kapitol Group! We discuss the business, challenges and aspirations of a head contractor and the future for the market 13.03.2023 1:31:55

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast episode, we speak with David Caputo & Andrew Deveson, the Founders and Directors of Kapitol Group, the No1 Best Company to work for in Australia (2022) and who join us in this episode to celebrate their 5th birthday as a company. We talked about their background in Construction prior to founding Kapitol...

Talking with Simon McCarthy and Adam Jordan about Pre-fab, Modern Methods of Construction, DfMA construction philosophy and all things modular 27.02.2023 1:17:31

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this first episode of Season 3, I was joined by Simon McCarthy, Principal Engineer and Adam Jordan, the Asia Pacific Lead who both work at Bryden Wood. A multi-national company and a pioneer in the MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) and the Platform approach to DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly). In this episode of the p...

Talking with Jono Conley about all things Built Environment Recruitment 19.12.2022 1:16:13

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast episode, we speak with Jono Conley, the Director of Concise Recruitment and one of Melbourne's most successful recruiters in the commercial construction building space. Jono has the best part of 20 years of expertise recruiting in the construction industry, both here in Melbourne and in the UK. He is...

Talking with Dan Hill about the Design of Melbourne's CBD and suburbs, and the effect of the built environment on culture and the spaces we live, work and play within 12.12.2022 1:23:05

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this podcast episode, we talk with Dan Hill, who is currently the Director of the Melbourne School of Design, in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne. Put simply, Dan has unique experiences as a designer, urbanist, educator, and leader across multiple industries - and has lived and work...

Talking with Michael Bowles about mental health & suicide in the construction industry 28.11.2022 1:15:03

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast episode, we talk with Michael Bowles, a former Estimator who is now a Suicide Researcher & Academic specialising within the construction industry. In this podcast, we talk about Mick's experience working in the construction industry and his progression in the role of an Estimator - and then what t...

Talking with Charles Hammersla about managing large portfolio's of properties, and all things Facilities Management 14.11.2022 1:01:41

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this podcast episode, we talk with Charles Hammersla, who heads up the Facilities Management team at Cushman & Wakefield, overseeing in excess of 600 properties across Australia, on behalf of the National Australia Bank (NAB). Charles is the Facilities Management Association (FMA), Facilities Manager of the year for 2021! So wh...

Talking with Clem Newton–Brown about the future of air taxis and freight drones and how the property industry can jump into this billion dollar industry 01.11.2022 53:23

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast episode, we talk with Clem Newton-Brown, the Founder and CEO of Skyportz. Clem served as Melbourne's Deputy Lord Mayor from 1999 to 2001. He has an extensive experience in government relations, critical strategy, politics in general, tourism, planning, consulting, and project management, which enabl...

Talking with Dan Gaebler about his book The Centred Tradie, rage and anxiety in the construction industry and how he overcame them 17.10.2022 1:16:28

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this podcast episode, we spoke with Dan Gaebler. Dan is the owner of Laser Plumbing, a specialist subcontractor in Sydney operating across commercial and residential & maintenance sectors. He is also the Author of a best selling book called "The Centred Tradie" - detailing his experiences with anger, anxiety and li...

Talking with Tony Isaacson about his 40-year career at Kane Construction and his love for all things construction 03.10.2022 1:27:14

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast episode, we talk with Tony Isaacson - current Chairperson of the Robin Boyd Foundation, whilst amongst many other interests part of the Portable Buildings World Heritage Nomination Task Force (better known as PBWHNTF ...😂😂😂) and as a Tutor at the University of Melbourne. With a 40 year career at Kane Con...

Talking with Ruth Wilson about the role of an Architect and Architectural practice in the Built Environment, the process of designing buildings, and 21 years of Architectus 19.09.2022 1:16:14

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this podcast episode, we talked with Ruth Wilson – a hugely well-regarded leader within the Architecture sector, Board Member & Principal at Architectus. Architectus are a leading national Architecture practice with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Ruth talks about the early stages of her career and...

Talking with Dr Natalie Galea about her (construction) research into the 5 day work week, gender equality, work hours, and the mental & physical health impacts from working in the construction industry 06.09.2022 1:27:36

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast episode, we talk with Dr. Natalie Galea – Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at The University of New South Wales, and former Australian Olympian! After representing Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in Judo, she worked in the construction industry for 15 yea...

Talking with Alice Hanna about the role of People & Culture in Australia's No1 Place to work (2022) 23.08.2022 1:00:27

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this podcast episode, we talked with Alice Hanna – People and Culture Manager at Kapitol Group. Alice has recently been nominated for Australian and HR Manager of the Year and has worked tirelessly to have helped Kapitol Group pick up #1 Best Places to Work in Australia for 2022! She knows her stuff! Alice gives us her insights...

Talking with Gemma Nugent about the Legal terms within Construction, Engineering, and Property 08.08.2022 1:12:03

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast, we talk with Gemma Nugent – the principal lawyer at SoundLegal. She is a construction, engineering and consulting contract specialist. Gemma holds a unique perspective on the Construction & Property industry, having worked extensively with subcontractors, contractors, principals and consultants on maj...

Talking with Barry Laycock about all things Quantity Surveying and construction costs into the future 26.07.2022 58:35

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this podcast episode, we talked with Barry Laycock - Director of Slattery, a national Quantity Surveying firm based in Melbourne. Barry give us his expert opinion of the strong fundamental position of the Melbourne Construction & Property Sector and some insight into the pressures currently faced by the industry. In addition,...

Talking with Aaron McEwan about hybrid work environment, working from home, and the future of leadership 12.07.2022 1:21:02

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast, we talk with Aaron McEwan – a Psychologist, Business Coach, Strategic Advisor, and Vice President for Research & Advisory at Gartner, a specialist consulting organization within the HR space. Aaron is about as well placed a specialist as anyone in Australia to discuss the future of work conditions in a...

Talking with Marty Sadlier about cost inflation, construction costs, the unintended effect of The Home Builder Grant and underinsurance, 28.06.2022 1:05:19

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this podcast episode, we talked with Marty Sadlier - Founding Director & Owner of MCG Quantity Surveyors, a national Quantity Surveying firm with nine offices around Australia. We talked about cost inflation, insurance, and issues relating to Australian properties with a bit of focus on the residential home building market. We...

Talking with Nathan Theos about good relationships and engagement between developers, general contractors, and subcontractors for project success 14.06.2022 1:16:27

Got a question about the show? Click here & Send us a text! In this week's podcast, we talk with Nathan Theos, a well-known construction professional who has worked for large Tier one organisations like Probuild, Multiplex, and Built. He’s also the Managing Director at Construction Collaborative, his own company. We spoke about his view on the D&C contract, ECI and competitively tend...