Join us as Christopher Sharples, Founding Principal of SHoP Architects, explains how manufacturing thinking, model-based delivery and a culture of trust are changing the way buildings come together. He shares what architects gain by engaging in means and methods, why lifecycle value matters more than first cost and what the next generation of AEC leaders should focus on.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

00:00 Why manufacturing and industrialization ideas belong inside a modern architecture practice.

11:14 The belief architects need to let go of to gain real influence at the project table.

17:20 How designing buildings to adapt and evolve can extend their useful life for generations.

24:03 Why standardizing process, not products, protects creativity in industrialized construction.

27:40 What it takes to bring owners, engineers and builders together around model-based delivery.

32:49 The hiring and prototyping habits that make innovation repeatable inside a design firm.

39:44 Advice for young professionals who want to solve real problems from their first day.

Thanks for listening to the "Building Better Futures" podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

SHoP Architects website, the firm behind Barclays Center and the projects discussed in the conversation:

https://www.shoparc.com

Branch Technology, the 3D-printing partner on the firm's Art Basel project in Miami:

https://www.branch.technology

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, research partner on 3D-printed bamboo and carbon fiber work:

https://www.ornl.gov

Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE, the platform the firm uses to engage directly with manufacturers:

https://www.3ds.com

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast

Join us as we talk with Tom Scarangello, Managing Principal and Senior Advisor of Thornton Tomasetti, about what it takes to build an enduring organization. Tom shares how his firm grew from 30 people to more than 2,000, why curiosity and openness to change matter for emerging leaders, and how the AEC industry advances faster through collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Why the best mentors help young leaders make new mistakes instead of repeating old ones.

05:34 The choice every growing firm faces between a lifestyle company and an enduring organization.

12:37 Why deciding what a firm wants to be is harder than deciding what it doesn’t.

14:11 What changes when a firm drives innovation into its culture instead of reacting to it.

29:56 The three things Tom looks for before backing a new idea or emerging company.

32:10 Why adoption, not the technology itself, is the hardest part of changing the industry.

35:10 How smaller firms can keep pace by collaborating with peers instead of working in silos.

41:55 Why openness to change and constant retooling now define long-term career growth.

Thanks for listening to the "Building Better Futures" podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

Resources Mentioned:

Thornton Tomasetti website, where Tom serves as Managing Principal and Senior Advisor:

https://www.thorntontomasetti.com

AEC Angels, the industry investment platform Tom helped found:

https://aec-angels.com

T2D2, the building damage detection platform developed inside Thornton Tomasetti:

https://www.thorntontomasetti.com/capability/t2d2

New York Building Congress Council on Innovation and Best Practices, the industry group Tom discusses:

https://buildingcongress.com/committees-councils/

TTWiiN, the Thornton Tomasetti technology accelerator Tom describes:

https://www.ttwiin.com/

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast

Commissioner Ahmed Tigani of the New York City Department of Buildings oversees more than 1,600 public servants and 1.1 million buildings across New York City. He joins to unpack what it takes to lead an agency at the center of housing, safety and economic development citywide.

Ahmed traces his path into public service back to his mother and the community in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, that raised him, and explains why he treats every win as a team accomplishment rather than his own.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Why embracing mistakes, not avoiding them, defines long-term success in public service.

06:14 A single mom's rebuilding story that shaped a life devoted to public service.

14:21 How overseeing 1.1 million buildings and 1,600 staff comes down to one nexus concept.

24:26 The data behind a construction safety turnaround, and what drove injuries down by half.

33:37 The leadership hires reshaping how the agency operates from the inside out.

38:12 Why credit for a win should never land on just one desk.

41:02 The mental health conversation the construction industry is only now beginning to have.

Thanks for listening to the "Building Better Futures" podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

New York City Department of Buildings, Commissioner Tigani's agency overseeing NYC's building code, safety and permitting:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/dob/dob.page

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the 24-hour crisis line Ahmed references for construction workers who need mental health support:

https://988lifeline.org

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast

In today’s special episode, Jim Hirani, President and Founder of Hirani Engineering and Land Surveying, D.P.C., and the Hirani Group, joins us to discuss what nearly four decades in engineering teaches a person about others. We explore the path from a $4-an-hour first job in New York to leading a firm, why he measures success by who is thriving around him and why he sends every young engineer into the field first.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Introduction and celebrating the 50th episode with Jim Hirani, a mentor in the field.

06:43 Growing up in Bombay, and the road from Manipal to a master’s degree in New York.

09:26 The first engineering job in America, and the night shift that pays 50% more.

12:08 How a corporate book he never asks for becomes his first company.

17:23 The question he asks every successful person he meets, and how often it works.

20:12 Why trust comes before correction when building a team.

26:48 The measure of success that has nothing to do with money.

30:14 Why every engineer belongs in the field before settling behind a desk.

32:41 The union surveying job he agrees to before he knows what a union is.

38:37 The mantra he keeps about who holds the key to your happiness.

Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Hirani Group website:

https://www.thehiranigroup.com/

Manipal Institute of Technology (referenced as the guest’s alma mater):

https://www.manipal.edu/mit/about.html

“The Magic of Believing” by Claude M. Bristol (the book Jim recommends every parent read to understand how the mind shapes what you say to your kids):

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/968009.The_Magic_of_Believing

“Hung by the Tongue” by Francis P. Martin (book recommended in the episode):

https://www.amazon.com/Hung-Tongue-Francis-P-Martin/dp/0898580145

“Buy Back Your Time” by Dan Martell, the book Jim is reading right now (referred to in the recording as “How to Buy Back Your Time” — the published title is “Buy Back Your Time”):

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/692744/buy-back-your-time-by-dan-martell/

Second Avenue Subway (project referenced in the episode):

https://www.mta.info/project/second-avenue-subway-phase-1

Infinite Cares (referenced in the episode):

https://infinitecares.com/

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast

Join us as we sit down with Michael J. Vardaro, Managing Partner of Zetlin & De Chiara LLP, to discuss the legal risks that quietly decide how construction projects end. Drawing on a career that starts with a framing crew and a civil engineering degree long before it reaches a courtroom. Michael explains why communication sits at the heart of most disputes, what firms get wrong about AI tools and indemnification language, and why the strongest firms come out of litigation with better processes rather than thicker files.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Introduction.

03:50 From construction family to laborer to framing crew to civil engineering degree.

08:07 What starting at the bottom on a job site gives you that other construction attorneys lack.

10:51 The biggest legal risk facing AEC firms today, and why it has not changed.

13:05 What AI note-takers get right, and why the fraction they get wrong ends up in dispute.

19:38 How firms come out of litigation well, and why defensive habits are the wrong takeaway.

22:48 Indemnification explained: who is liable versus who actually pays.

30:43 The qualities that make a good leader, starting with work ethic over talent.

35:08 Michael's optimism about construction, and his concern about attracting talent.

38:39 The one change he would want every listener to make.

Thanks for listening to the "Building Better Futures" podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP website:

https://www.zdlaw.com/

Michael J. Vardaro firm profile:

https://www.zdlaw.com/professionals-michael-j-vardaro

Villanova University (referenced as the guest's alma mater):

https://www.villanova.edu/

Second Avenue Subway (project referenced in the episode):

https://www.mta.info/project/second-avenue-subway-phase-1

Michael J. Vardaro LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelvardaro/

Zetlin & De Chiara LLP LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/zetlin-&-de-chiara-llp

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast

ABOUT THE HOST

Eric Hirani is the host of Building Better Futures and a principal at Infinite Consulting Corp., where he works with leaders in the AEC industry on project delivery, team building, and organizational growth.

Join us as we sit down with Kevin Khemraj, Vice President of Welkin Mechanical, to talk about building a career and a team in heavy mechanical construction. He shares what separates good contractors from great ones, why mentorship is worth asking for directly and how young professionals earn credibility long before they earn a title.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Build the right balance, don’t rush into leadership.

05:00 Kevin Khemraj traces his path from working alongside his father to engineering school and a civil engineering career.

08:00 Being the second person hired at a growing contractor, and carrying eight projects at once.

11:00 The mechanical infrastructure New Yorkers rely on daily and never think about.

14:00 What separates a good contractor from a great one on public infrastructure work.

18:00 The opportunities and relationships that carry him from intern to executive.

25:00 Building a formal mentorship program, and why one dinner can outpace a year of tuition.

36:00 Rebuilding a Lincoln Tunnel car ramp inside a 49-day window and finishing in 23.

41:00 How young professionals build credibility before they have the title.

44:00 What leaders can do this week to support their teams without micromanaging.

Thanks for listening to the "Building Better Futures" podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Welkin Mechanical Website:

https://www.welkinmechanical.com/

Iovino Enterprises, Welkin Mechanical's parent organization and the back-office partner referenced in the mentorship program discussion:

https://www.iovinoent.com/

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey (habits referenced by Kevin

Khemraj, including “begin with the end in mind”):

https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits/

CMAA - Construction Management Association of America (mentorship program referenced in the episode):

https://www.cmaanet.org/

DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America (Kevin Khemraj's credential):

https://dbia.org/

Kevin Khemraj LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-khemraj-dbia-59b73a9a/

Welkin Mechanical LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/welkinmechanical/

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast #BuildingBetterFutures

ABOUT THE HOST

Eric Hirani is the host of Building Better Futures and a principal at Infinite Consulting Corp., where he works with leaders in the AEC industry on project delivery, team building, and organizational growth.

Join us as we sit down with Phil Collin, Chief Growth Officer of Mott MacDonald, to explore what it takes to lead growth with purpose in the AEC industry. Drawing on three decades of engineering and program management experience, he shares lessons on culture, mentorship, communication and knowing your contract inside and out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Introduction.

01:00 Phil Collin introduces himself and his path from Maine to a 30-plus-year career in engineering and construction.

08:00 What the Chief Growth Officer role actually looks like day to day.

12:00 Why sustainable growth means building a stronger business, not just a bigger one.

17:00 Connecting everyday project work to a larger sense of purpose.

19:00 Revisiting the Goethals Bridge replacement, a career-defining P3 project.

31:00 Why lessons learned and project reviews matter more than most firms admit.

33:00 What leaders should do first to build a stronger culture.

39:00 Advice for young professionals on understanding the business side of engineering.

46:00 The mantra that has shaped how Phil approaches every conversation.

53:00 Fast-fire questions on music, sports and Phil’s go-to comfort meal.

Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Mott MacDonald Website:

https://www.mottmac.com/

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown (book referenced by Phil Collin):

https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/

CMAA - Construction Management Association of America (mentorship program referenced in the episode):

https://www.cmaanet.org/

Phil Collin LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-collin-29633712/

Mott MacDonald LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mott-macdonald/

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast

Edward Broderick, Chief Executive Officer of Gilbane, Inc., joins us to discuss what five generations of family ownership teaches you about leadership, trust and building for the long term. We explore how leadership evolves at every stage of a career, why humility is a practice not a destination, and how Gilbane's integrated model of construction and real estate development serves clients across the built environment.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

02:34 Gilbane starts every meeting with a "Gilbane Cares moment," pausing to recognize the community and people before diving into work.

05:32 Edward grew up in Westchester, studied finance at Manhattan College, and began his career as a laborer at Gilbane before becoming a management trainee.

11:07 Leadership evolves at every career stage — mastering skills, managing teams, setting vision and relying on experts better than yourself.

15:46 Watching five different leaders with distinct styles early in his career shaped Edward's understanding of who he wanted to be as a leader.

18:36 Public-private partnerships allow Gilbane to bring construction, development, financing and planning together in one trusted relationship.

23:06 Eastern Michigan University case study: Gilbane helped the university downscale its campus while maintaining quality, delivering a full roadmap of cost, schedule and financing.

38:28 Humility is not a fixed state — leaders lose it, and the best ones recognize that and keep listening.

41:18 Edward never entered Gilbane with becoming CEO as an aspiration. Breadth of experience and trust built over decades prepared him for the role.

44:00 Five generations of family business: core values and evolving governance, including an outside-majority board, are what keep Gilbane strong.

Thanks for listening to the “Building Better Futures” podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

Resources Mentioned:

Gilbane, Inc.:

https://www.gilbaneco.com

Trunk Tools:

https://trunktools.com

"Good to Great" by Jim Collins:

https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0712676090l

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R Covey:

https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519

#PeopleDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #AECpodcast