AEC Innovators Circle Podcast

In this episode, host Karl Smith, Sales Director / VP at Creative ITC, speaks with James Brogan, Founder of Brogan Strategies, former CIO and Principal at KPF for 23 years, and an AEC technology leader with more than 30 years of industry experience, to explore what it really takes to build a future-ready AEC firm in an era of constant technological change.
Together, they unpack:
-Why successful digital transformation is driven by leadership, culture, and strategy—not technology alone-How the AEC industry has evolved from AutoCAD and BIM to cloud computing, data-driven decision-making, and AI-What the changing role of the CIO means for architecture and engineering firms navigating digital transformation-Why many organisations are approaching AI the wrong way, and where the real opportunities lie-How firms can build the data foundations needed to support innovation and long-term business success-What separates the firms that continually adapt and thrive from those that struggle to keep pace with change
From the early days of CAD through BIM, cloud computing and today's AI revolution, James shares practical lessons on navigating technological change, aligning IT strategy with business objectives, and building organisations that are equipped to adapt, innovate and remain competitive in an increasingly complex AEC landscape.
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider.
Learn more at https://creative-itc.com

In this episode, host Karl Smith, Sales Director / VP at Creative ITC, speaks with Dale Sinclair, Head of Digital Innovation at WSP and Global Lead for Modern Methods of Construction, to explore why the construction industry continues to struggle with productivity and what a more industrialised future could look like.
Together, they unpack:
Why construction remains one of the least productive major industries despite decades of technological advancement
What the industry can learn from manufacturing's approach to standardisation, platforms, and continuous improvement
How industrialised construction, kit-of-parts methodologies, and product platforms can transform project delivery
Why reducing complexity and increasing repeatability is key to improving quality, coordination, and efficiency
How digital systems, AI, and connected data could reshape the relationship between design, fabrication, and assembly
What the future role of architects, engineers, and designers looks like in a more productised construction environment
Drawing on Dale's experience leading digital innovation initiatives at WSP and helping shape industry frameworks including the RIBA Plan of Work and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), this episode explores whether construction can continue operating as a bespoke industry - or whether the future belongs to systems, platforms, and manufacturing-led thinking.
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider.
Learn more at https://creative-itc.com

Welcome to the seventh episode of the AEC Innovators Circle Podcast - where industry leaders share their insights on the innovations and technologies shaping architecture, engineering, and construction.
In this episode, host Karl Smith, Sales Director / VP at Creative ITC, speaks with Martha Tsigkari, Senior Partner and Head of Applied Research and Development at Foster + Partners, to explore how architecture is evolving into a system driven by data, computation, performance, and connected decision-making.
Together, they unpack:
-What it means to think of architecture as a system rather than just a set of outputs-How computation, simulation, and machine learning are reshaping the design process-Why digital transformation in AEC can still fall short despite advances in technology-How faster feedback loops and connected data improve design decision-making-What the role of the architect becomes in a world increasingly shaped by automation and performance-driven design
Featuring insights from Martha’s work on globally recognised projects including New International Airport Mexico City, Queen Alia International Airport, and the Zayed National Museum, this episode explores how the industry must evolve to meet the growing complexity of modern architecture.
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider.
Learn more at https://creative-itc.com

Welcome to the sixth episode of the AEC Innovators Circle Podcast - where industry leaders share their insights on the innovations and technologies shaping architecture, engineering, and construction.
In this episode, host Karl Smith, Sales Director / VP at Creative ITC, speaks with Allister Lewis, CEO of Automated Data Driven Design (ADDD), to explore why technology investments in AEC sometimes fail to deliver the expected return and how firms can make their digital tools truly work for them.
Together, they unpack:
Why firms struggle to realize value from BIM, digital twins, AI tools, and cloud platforms
How to move beyond hype and focus on practical, impactful technology adoption
Strategies to improve collaboration, productivity, and project outcomes
How design and engineering-led teams can build the capabilities to leverage technology effectively
Whether you work in architecture, engineering, or construction, this conversation offers actionable insights to help firms translate digital investment into real-world results.
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider.
Learn more at https://creative-itc.com
 
ADDD website - https://www.addd.io/
ConTech Database - https://app.addd.io/
ADDDitive newsletter - https://www.addd.io/newsletter
AEC Tech Futures - https://www.youtube.com/@aectechfutures
AEC Tech Jobs - https://aectechjobs.com/
 

Welcome to the fifth episode of the AEC Innovators Circle Podcast — where industry leaders share their insights on the innovations, challenges, and forces reshaping architecture, engineering, and construction.
 
In this episode, host Karl Smith, Sales Director / VP at Creative ITC, speaks with Chris Williamson, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), to explore how the role of the architect is changing — and what the profession must do to remain relevant, influential, and fit for the future.
 
Together, they unpack:
 
-How the architect’s role has evolved in an era of rapid technological change
-Why specialisation and lifelong learning are becoming essential for modern practice
-Chris’s decision not to renew his registration with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) — and what it reveals about regulation today
-How AI, digital tools, and new workflows are reshaping design and delivery
-What the profession must do to better articulate its value to government and society
 
Whether you work in architecture, engineering, or construction, this conversation offers a candid perspective on where the profession is heading — and how architects can help shape what comes next.
 
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider.
 
Learn more at https://www.creative-itc.com/

Welcome to the fourth episode of the AEC Innovators Circle Podcast — where industry leaders share their insights on the innovations and technologies shaping architecture, engineering, and construction.
In this episode, host Karl Smith, Global Head of Sales at Creative ITC, speaks with Alain Waha, Chief Technology Officer at Buro Happold, to explore how firms can move beyond the hype of digital transformation buzzwords and focus on what actually delivers real value.
Together, they unpack:
Why digital transformation conversations are often dominated by buzzwords such as AI, digital twins, BIM 2.0, and OpenUSD
How to cut through complexity and inflated expectations to focus on practical, impactful change
What effective digital leadership looks like in large, multidisciplinary practices
How firms can build the capabilities needed to deliver digital transformation at scale
Whether you work in architecture, engineering, or construction,, this conversation offers a grounded perspective on digital realism — helping the industry move past spin and toward outcomes that truly matter.
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider.Learn more at https://www.creative-itc.com/

Welcome to the third episode of the AEC Innovators Circle Podcast — where industry leaders share their insights on the innovations and technologies shaping architecture, engineering, and construction.
In this episode, host Karl Smith, Global Head of Sales at Creative ITC, speaks with Mairéad Gallagher Morgan, BIM Lead for Europe & Middle East at Grimshaw, to explore how BIM is evolving — and what the industry needs from it next.
Together, they unpack:
Whether BIM has delivered on its original promise — and where it’s falling short
How rising pressures such as net-zero, digital twins and model-driven delivery are reshaping expectations
Why BIM’s next chapter must focus on usability, coordination and connected data
The importance of diversity, inclusion and mentorship in strengthening the future of digital practice
Whether you work in architecture, engineering, construction, or digital delivery, this conversation offers a clear, grounded look at BIM’s current state — and what it should become for the decade ahead.
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider.Learn more at https://www.creative-itc.com/

Welcome to the second episode of the AEC Innovators Circle Podcast — where industry leaders share their insights on the innovations and technologies shaping architecture, engineering, and construction.
In this episode, host Karl Smith, Global Head of Sales at Creative ITC, sits down with Andrew Victory, Global Head of Digital Design at Broadway Malyan, to explore how digital design is transforming the way we plan, design, and build cities.
Together, they unpack:
How connected, data-driven models are reshaping architecture and urban planning
The role of BIM, parametric tools, and digital twins in creating smarter, more responsive cities
What digital design means for collaboration, workflow, and the future of urban development
Whether you’re an architect, design professional, or AEC technology leader, this conversation will give you a front-row seat into how technology is driving smarter cities and smarter design practices.
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider. Learn more at https://www.creative-itc.com/

Welcome to the first episode of the AEC Innovators Circle Podcast — where industry leaders share their insights on the innovations and technologies shaping architecture, engineering, and construction.
In this episode, host Karl Smith, Global Head of Sales at Creative ITC, sits down with Nils Fischer, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, to explore one of the biggest shifts architecture firms are adapting to today: the rise of AI.
Together, they unpack:
How AI is already reshaping design and project workflows
The opportunities (and challenges) AI presents for architects
What the future holds for AI and its use in architectural design practices
Whether you’re an architect, design professional, or AEC technology leader, this conversation will give you a front-row seat into how AI is redefining building design practices.
The AEC Innovators Circle Podcast is produced and hosted by Creative ITC, the No.1 AEC Cloud Services Provider. Learn more at https://www.creative-itc.com/