Shows
ConfluenceUnlocking Ancient Secrets with AIIn the final episode of season 2 of the Confluence podcast, Brent Seales of University of Kentucky joins the show to talk about his groundbreaking work using AI and CT scanning to digitally unwrap ancient Herculaneum scrolls buried by Mount Vesuvius, making previously unreadable texts accessible. The conversation includes insights on collaboration with Nat Friedman, the Vesuvius Challenge, and the intersection of technology and humanities scholarship, along with Seales' new role directing an AI and Humanities Institute funded by Eric Schmidt's foundation.Episode Links:Brent Seales on LinkedInUniversity of Kentucky websiteConfluence S2E8 - Audacity, Antiquity, and...2025-05-151h 04ConfluenceNavigating The Evolution of AEC TechRichard Harpham of Skema joins the podcast to talk about his insights from decades of experience in AEC technology. From witnessing the early days of BIM adoption to leading new software development initiatives, Harpham discusses the industry's evolution and current transformation. He explores how emerging technologies are reshaping architectural workflows, the challenges of market education, and his optimistic vision for the future of AEC software. This engaging conversation offers valuable perspective on where the industry has been and where it's heading.Episode Links:Richard on LinkedInSkema websiteSkema on LinkedInWatch this episode on YouTube...2025-04-301h 41ConfluenceAn Aspiration and Appetite to InnovateIn this episode of the Confluence podcast, hosts Randall Stevens and Evan Troxel welcome John Cerone, Principal at SHoP Architects. John discusses his journey with SHoP Architects, emphasizing the integration of technology and design in architecture. He shares insights into SHoP’s use of 3D modeling, digital twins, and collaborative processes to streamline construction, reduce costs, and deliver better-built environments. Highlights include the Barclays Center project, automation in construction, empathy in design, and the future of data-driven architecture.Episode Links:John Cerone on LinkedInSHoP Architects websiteSHoP Architects on InstagramConfluence S1E5 - “Looking Forward with AI in A...2025-03-201h 26ConfluenceInnovating with AI in Civil EngineeringRob Sinclair of Wade Trim joins hosts Randall Stevens and Evan Troxel on the Confluence podcast to talk about how their innovative AI initiatives and their strategic partnership with Yegatech has evolved their business. Rob shares insights on the firm's AI journey, from establishing an AI task force to developing enterprise-level chatbots and automated image recognition tools. The episode also highlights the cultural challenges of AI adoption and the importance of ongoing education and communication. Additionally, Rob recounts his fascinating international work on reality capture projects in Italy, showcasing the integration of cutting-edge technology with historic preservation. ...2025-02-2755 minConfluenceAudacity, Antiquity, and AIIn this episode of the Confluence Podcast, hosts Randall Stephens and Evan Troxel are joined by special guest Christy Chapman from the University of Kentucky to discuss how AI has unlocked antiquity.The discussion focuses on the origins of the Vesuvius Challenge, highlighting its key figure, Brent Seales, a research professor at the University of Kentucky. Christy, who works closely with Brent, shares insights about the ambitious goal to virtually unroll and read ancient scrolls carbonized by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.Using advanced technology and AI, Christy explains the significant progress made, including the...2025-02-131h 16ConfluenceThe Evolution of Computational Design and AI in Structural EngineeringRobert Otani of CORE Studio at Thornton Tomasetti joins the show to talk about about his journey from a structural engineer in the 90s to leading the CORE Studio at Thornton Tomasetti. This episode covers the importance of computational design, BIM, and the impact of AI and machine learning in the engineering and architecture industries. Rob also shares insights from their recent AEC hackathon, the creation of CORE Studio, and innovative projects like developing an AI tool by capturing the depth of knowledge shared in the emails of a late colleague. Episode Links:Connect with Rob...2025-01-2356 minConfluenceData Governance and the Cloud in AECJoin us in this episode with special guest Aaron Vorwerk from Egnyte. Today Aaron tells us about Egnyte's role in AI and machine learning within the AEC industry. He shares his background, discusses data governance, the evolution of cloud platforms, and Egnyte's focus on cybersecurity. Listen as we explore how Egnyte enhances workflow efficiencies and manages content lifecycle, making it an indispensable tool for AEC professionals.Episode Links:Aaron on LinkedInEgnyte on LinkedInEgnyte websiteWatch this episode on YouTube or Spotify.-----The Confluence podcast is a collaboration between TRXL...2025-01-0852 minConfluenceThe Evolution of 3D VisualizationIn this episode of the Confluence podcast, hosts Randall Stevens and Evan Troxel sit down with Phillip Miller from Chaos Group. The discussion navigates through Phil's extensive background in the 3D technology and AEC industry, highlighting his contributions to Autodesk, Adobe, and NVIDIA. Phil introduces Chaos Group’s latest product, Envision, a standalone real-time ray tracing tool designed for the architectural industry. He breaks down the journey of its development, the intended user personas, and its innovative features. Tune in to get a behind-the-scenes look at how Envision aims to revolutionize architectural visualization and animation workflows.Episode Li...2024-12-201h 02ConfluenceBringing Newforma to the CloudCarl Veillette of Newforma joins the Confluence podcast to talk about the transformation and integration of BIM Track with Newforma to revolutionize project management in the AEC industry, while bringing it all to the cloud for collaboration.In this episode, Carl shares his journey from architecture to leading product development and the challenges of merging two powerful platforms. Dive into the evolving role of 3D models and data integration, the impact of AI on project activities, and strategies for bridging communication gaps between field and office teams. Learn how they are enhancing user experience, adopting asynchronous communication...2024-09-181h 21ConfluenceAI in Architectural PracticeCharles Portelli of Perkins&Will joins the show to talk about the themes presented in his talk at the Confluence event in Brooklyn, New York, focusing on the application of AI and machine learning in architectural practice. Key discussion points include strategies for handling unstructured data, the practical implications of AI for project management and design, and how emerging technologies can revolutionize architectural practices.As a Digital Innovation Strategist at Perkins&Will, Charlie takes us behind the scenes and offers a deep dive into the dynamics and evolving processes within architectural teams and shares his experiences in...2024-08-141h 00ConfluenceAR for Construction with SitelinkJesse Vander Does and Adrian Hatch of Sitelink join the Confluence podcast to talk about their work in the construction tech industry.Sitelink is developing a location-aware augmented reality (AR) BIM viewer for iOS devices. This tool helps general contractors and field workers access and interact with information rich building information models in real-world construction environments.Today we go behind the scenes of the current development of their app and cover the history, challenges, and future outlook of AR technology in construction, the importance of real-time data, and technology adoption on job sites....2024-07-1056 minConfluenceBringing AI to the Synthesis Intranet PlatformChristopher Parsons of Knowledge Architecture joins the show to talk about In this episode of the Confluence podcast, Chris Parsons of Knowledge Architecture joins us to discuss bringing AI to their Synthesis intranet platform. He takes us behind the scenes showing various functionalities including activity streams, document libraries, and project directories, with a focus on the upcoming integration of AI into Synthesis’ search and video transcriptions.Chris also shows advancements in next-generation search, vector search, and future LMS capabilities. We also explore AI's impact on firm-wide knowledge capture, improved search relevance, and the creation of AEC-specific models th...2024-06-121h 41ConfluenceThe Evolution of TonicDMIn this Confluence podcast episode, host Randall Stephens talks with Reg Prentice from TonicDM to discuss the development and evolution of architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) technology. Reg shares his journey from working with Frank Gehry and dabbling in amateur coding, to developing a project management web app called iShare at Gehry's office, which laid the groundwork for TonicDM. The conversation touches on early experiences with software development, the principles of keeping technology simple and intuitive, and the importance of user feedback in shaping software features. Reg and Randall get into the features and philosophies driving TonicDM...2024-05-201h 01ConfluenceVeras, the AI-Powered Rendering ToolBenjamin Guler of EvolveLab joins the show to talk about Veras, the AI rendering tool for Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, Vectorworks, and most recently Autodesk Forma that is used for creating stunning architectural diffusion-based visualizations. Ben takes us behind the scenes to give us a glimpse into its unique features, its development process, and the team's ambition to further innovate it.EPISODE SPONSORChaosFor a limited time, get a 20% discount on Fixed and Floating Annual License of Enscape. Head to https://chaos-enscape.com and use code RES24 at checkout to supercharge your design...2024-02-281h 02ConfluenceDemocratizing 3d Content with FoveaCorey Rubadue of ArchVision joins the show to talk about Fovea, a tool that simplifies the process of translating and sharing 3d content across different 3d platforms and 3d file formats. In other words, it allows users to import data from various sources, process it, and then export it in a format that can be easily used in other applications. This eliminates the need for manual file conversions and reduces the risk of data loss. Fovea also supports a wide range of file formats, making it a versatile tool for 3d content creation and sharing with a user-friendly, simple...2024-02-221h 10ConfluenceBuilding IMEG’s AI-AssistantSteve Germano of IMEG joins the show to talk about developing an in-house AI assistant named Meg, which functions as a conversational chatbot and search engine for company data running within Microsoft Teams. We talk about the goals and capabilities of the first release and how the dev team is considering adding workflows to Meg's capabilities. We also discuss the platform they have chosen to build on, what the biggest challenges have been getting to this point, early feedback from staff and leadership, what the potential ROI on a project like this is, and more....2024-02-141h 14
ConfluenceNavigating the Legal and Ethical Landscape of AI in AECDave Peterson and Sarah Causey of Flad Architects join the show to talk about the legal and ethical aspects of AI in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Our guests today highlight the importance of data ownership, confidentiality, and validity in AI applications. We also talk about the need for understanding the inherent bias in AI models and the responsibility of licensed professionals in reviewing and verifying AI-generated data. EPISODE LINKSDave on LinkedInSarah on LinkedInFlad Architects websiteFlad Architects on LinkedInThe Techno-Optimist Manifesto by Marc AndreessenWatch this episode on YouTube or Spotify.2024-02-071h 15ConfluenceOverhauling Knowledge Architecture’s Synthesis v6Christopher Parsons of Knowledge Architecture joins the show to talk about the major overhaul of their Synthesis intranet platform that’s been recently released for AEC firms. Chris talks us through the transition from building previous versions on top of Microsoft SharePoint to building their own platform, and emphasizes the importance of tackling big projects with ease and joy while maintaining a focus on quality of life.Episode Links:KA Connect Talk ArchiveKnowledge Architecture websiteKnowledge Architecture on LinkedInKA’s Synthesis intranet platformChristopher Parsons on LinkedInKnowledge Architecture on TwitterCommon knowledge management program elements in AEC firms...2024-01-031h 27ConfluenceAI Governance and Ethics in AECSam Zolfagharian of YegaTech joins the show to talk about In this episode, hosts Randall Stevens and Evan Troxel are joined by special guest Sam Zolfagharian in a comprehensive overview of AI (Artificial Intelligence) governance and ethics in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry.Sam is the CTO at YegaTech and is an AEC Data & AI Strategy Consultant.Today we explore various aspects of AI governance and ethics in the AEC industry. The episode begins by discussing the definition and importance of AI governance, address the ethical principles that should be considered in AI...2023-12-1351 minConfluenceLooking Forward with AI in AECAdam Chernick of Amazon Web Services (AWS) joins the show to talk about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in AEC. Exciting developments include Luma Labs' scanning application for 3D Gaussian Splatting (G-splats), XR headsets including the Apple Vision Pro, and the use of LLMs (large language models) to connect and streamline architectural processes with spatial computing. We also talk about the opportunities for the AEC industry to leverage spatial computing and create immersive experiences and improve productivity in our daily workflows with AI.Episode Links:Adam on LinkedInAmazon Web Services (AWS) websiteAWS on LinkedInLuma AIWhat i...2023-11-291h 07ConfluenceVIM’s PowerBI DashboardsJoel Pennington of VIM joins the show to talk about the use of PowerBI as the front end for VIM to enable real-time, interactive analytics of BIM data.Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify.-----The Confluence podcast is a collaboration between TRXL and AVAIL, and is produced by TRXL Media.Learn more about them at https://trxl.co/media and https://getavail.comLearn more about the Confluence podcast at https://confluence.getavail.com/podcastLearn about the Confluence events at https://confluence.getavail.com2023-10-1157 minConfluenceCreating the Revit 2024 Sample ProjectPaul Aubin and Harlan Brumm join hosts Randall Stevens and Evan Troxel to share their experiences and insights into the creation of a new, long awaited sample project for Revit 2024. The conversation revolves around the backstory and development process of the project, as well as the goals and challenges they encountered along the way.Episode Links:Twinmotion for Revit (the video with the Revit sample project is on this page)Snowdon Tower Sample Project for TwinmotionRevit 2024: The making of Snowdon Towers (YouTube)Paul Aubin’s websitePaul Aubin’s LinkedIn Learning PageHarlan Brumm on LinkedInPaul Aubin on Linked...2023-09-201h 09ConfluenceDesigning AVAIL’s Channel GroupsRandall Stevens of AVAIL joins Evan Troxel in this episode to discuss the development process behind AVAIL’s new channel groups feature, including its evolution and the tools used behind the scenes for team communication and project management.Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify.-----The Confluence podcast is a collaboration between TRXL and AVAIL, and is produced by TRXL Media.Learn more about them at https://trxl.co/media and https://getavail.comLearn more about the Confluence podcast at https://confluence.getavail.com/podcastLearn about the Confluence events at https://co...2023-09-061h 24ConfluenceWhat is the Confluence Podcast?What is the Confluence podcast all about? Why does it exist? In this episode we’ll answer that question.Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify.-----The Confluence podcast is a collaboration between TRXL and AVAIL, and is produced by TRXL Media.Learn more about them at https://trxl.co/media and https://getavail.comLearn more about the Confluence podcast at https://confluence.getavail.com/podcastLearn about the Confluence events at https://confluence.getavail.com2023-09-0615 min
TRXL080 : ‘All of the Clouds’, with Randall StevensSpecial guest Randall Stevens of AVAIL joins the podcast to talk about the inner day-to-day workflows of architecture and engineering professionals, teams, and offices. Randall quantifies the large number of software titles used and talks about the ways in which we deal with the enormous amount of data that we create. The age-old question of ‘where do I put my stuff’ is still alive and well, and in this episode we talk about how his team is working on that issue, among others. We also talk about the struggle of knowledge capture, encoding knowledge, the problem with turnover in the...2022-04-261h 09
TRXL051: ‘A Closet Full of Hats’, with Randall StevensSpecial guest Randall Stevens of AVAIL joins the podcast to talk about some of the more difficult problems in AEC, the struggle of different team members having different incentives, assets and liabilities, vulnerability, and so much more.LinksRandall on LinkedInAVAIL on LinkedInAVAIL websiteAVAIL on TwitterThe Infinite Game by Simon Sinek (Amazon | Bookshop)Building Content Summit (Facebook Group)Check out my other podcasts too: Archispeak and PeopleverseMy YouTube channelConnect with EvanTwitterLinkedInInstagramYouTubeEmailSponsorsArchIT offers Complete IT Solutions for Architecture, Design, and Engineering firms. Tired of dealing with ge...2021-07-271h 10