Building Stories

Luke Johnson and Michael Clothier

Come here for funny, honest stories about Building, Design, Engineering and Construction! We will welcome expert guests and discuss industry trends. Powered by Deep Space - Mission Critical Construction AI

  1. 06/10/2025

    Episode 28 – Ryan Alexiou – Why Construction Change Needs a Human Fix

    “You can have the right tools, but if no one knows why they’re using them, they’ll always go back to what they know.” – Ryan Alexiou In this episode of Building Stories – The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Ryan Alexiou, co-founder of Olympus Insights, to talk about the missing link in construction transformation: people. Ryan shares his journey from hands-on residential builds to launching Olympus Insights, a consultancy that helps construction companies implement practical, people-first change. We explore: Why technology fails when it’s layered over broken processesThe reality of cultural resistance on-siteHow to build accountability into project teamsWhy leadership has to model the behaviours they expectWhat real change looks like at the day-to-day level This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to drive lasting change—not just introduce new tools. 🧭 Key Sections: Ryan’s Early Days in Residential – 02:41Why Olympus Insights Was Born – 05:32Culture, Communication and Accountability – 09:45What’s Going Wrong with Tech Adoption – 14:18Making Change Stick on Real Projects – 20:54Advice for Builders Trying to Level Up – 29:20Quick Fire Round – 35:04 Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

    45 min

  2. 04/30/2025

    Episode 27 – Paul Williams – Safety Isn’t a Tick Box

    “Everything I do is based on education. It’s sharing information, educating the people that need to be educated, and documenting it to provide evidence.” – Paul Williams In this episode of Building Stories – The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Paul Williams, National WHSEQ Manager at Simonds Homes, to talk about the state of safety in residential construction and why education, not just compliance, is the only way forward. Paul takes us through his personal journey from hospitality to high-vis, and how his passion for keeping people safe has fuelled industry-wide change from developing real-world induction programs to co-founding the Residential Induction Card (RIC). We discuss: Why traditional inductions often fail to reach the right peopleHow digital tools and video content are changing the gameWhy you can’t outsource responsibility for safetyHow the RIC card is empowering smaller builders and tradesWhere AI and automation can support a safer, more inclusive industry Paul also shares honest stories from site and powerful insights on how the industry can, and must, do better. Key Sections: From Publican to WHSEQ Leader – 03:07 The Power of Early Safety Education – 07:30 What’s Changed in Construction Safety Over the Years – 13:37 The Logic Behind the RIC Card and Its Impact – 28:14 Why Smaller Builders Are the Real Winners – 32:20 The Future of AI, Multilingual Support and Site Safety – 50:34 Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

    52 min

  3. 04/16/2025

    Episode 26 – Jonathan Sinclair & Benny Huang – Why BIM Alone Isn’t Enough

    “Technology is great. It’s adoption that moves the needle.” – Jonathan Sinclair In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Jonathan Sinclair and Benny Huang from Preformance, a specialist construction technology company spun out of Southbase Construction. We dive into their unique journey from the tech world into construction, the origins of Preformance, and the hard truths about why the same digital tools keep falling short, not because they’re bad, but because the adoption gap is real. We discuss: Why construction projects still run on 2D prints despite advanced 3D modelsThe problem with BIM as a line item, and how to reframe its valueHow cost, programme, and quality can all be improved when tech is embedded properlyThe challenge of capturing and passing on project knowledgeWhy real project outcomes must drive innovation, not just tools This episode is full of practical insight for anyone trying to make digital transformation actually stick in construction. Key Sections: From Tech to Construction – Jonathan’s Journey – 03:37Why Preformance Was Born Outside the Mothership – 06:02The Problem Isn’t BIM, It’s Adoption – 10:14What’s Holding Back Innovation on Site – 14:10The Knowledge Gap Between Projects – 24:13The Future of AI, Robotics, and Reality Capture – 29:32What Needs to Change in the Industry – 35:11Quick Fire Round – 42:17 Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

    41 min

  4. 03/25/2025

    Episode 25 - Jon Davies - Why Tackling the Right Risks Will Change Construction

    “On average, we only do half the stuff we plan to do. And that’s where things go wrong.” – Jon Davies In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association, to talk about the critical role of planning in improving outcomes across construction. We discuss: Why poor planning leads to higher safety risks and costly delaysHow unplanned tasks are often the root cause of incidents on-siteWhy technical proficiency and improved processes are key to breaking this cycleHow data and AI can help teams predict risks and improve decision-making This episode offers practical advice for construction leaders, project managers, and anyone frustrated by inefficiencies in the industry. ‍ Key Sections: Jon’s Career Journey and Industry Insights – 02:24Why Construction Teams Struggle with Planning – 09:00The Link Between Poor Planning and Safety Risks – 12:00How AI and Data Can Improve Decision-Making – 24:18The Future of Construction Planning – 30:22‍ Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI. ‍

    1h 6m

  5. 03/11/2025

    Episode 24 - Matthew Mackey - Why Construction Keeps Repeating the Same Mistakes

    “We’re still fundamentally building in the same way we were 30 years ago.” – Matthew Mackey In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Matthew Mackey, National Service Lead for Cost and Commercial Management at Arcadis. With over 25 years in the industry, Matthew reflects on the repeated mistakes construction keeps making and what must change to build better, faster, and smarter. We discuss: Why construction has been stuck in the same cycle for decadesThe real barriers to tech adoption, and why Excel still dominates the industryHow change management is just as important as the tech itselfThe long-term vision construction needs to break free from short-term thinkingWhat smaller contractors can do to improve cost control and survive in tough markets Matthew shares his experience leading internal innovation at Arcadis, highlighting the challenges of driving change in an industry built on habit. ‍ Key Sections: Matthew’s Path into Construction and Arcadis – 02:24Why Construction Struggles to Change – 09:00The Hidden Challenge of Internal Tech Development – 12:00How to Drive Change in a Resistant Industry – 19:30What the Future Holds for Construction Tech and AI – 26:30The Critical Role of Government Leadership in Innovation – 32:00Advice for Small Contractors Facing Financial Struggles – 34:50Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI. ‍

    46 min

  6. 02/24/2025

    Episode 23 - Brett King - The Data Problem No One Wants to Talk About

    “We have been collecting data for years. We just sit on this gold mine and do nothing with it.” – Brett King In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Brett King, Director of Industry Transformation at Procore, to talk about the real problem with construction tech, data that never gets used. Brett shares his journey from South Africa to the UK, working on major construction projects, and why he made the leap from contractor to construction tech. He dives into the disconnect between digital tools and real-world site workflows, why point solutions are failing the industry, and how we can finally start turning data into action. We discuss: Why construction still struggles to turn data into better decisions The biggest mistakes companies make when adopting new tech Why quality needs to be a proactive strategy, not just defect management The importance of collaboration between design and construction teams What AI needs to do to truly make an impact on-siteIf you have ever questioned why construction still operates in silos, why tech adoption is slow, or why the same mistakes keep happening, this episode is for you. Key Sections: • From Graphic Design to Construction - Brett’s Career Path – 02:24 • The Love-Hate Relationship with Construction – 08:40 • Why Data Gets Collected But Never Used – 09:06 • The Real Challenges of Change Management – 22:12 • Why Construction Contracts Create More Problems Than They Solve – 29:53 • The Role of AI and the Future of Tech in Construction – 33:51Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

    33 min

  7. 02/11/2025

    Episode 22 - Deep Space Founders - Why We Took the Risk

    “You needed the scars on your back and the calluses on your hands to really understand the problem.” – Ricky Sevta In this special episode ofBuilding Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we bring together the founding team to share the story behind Deep Space, why they took the leap, and what they’ve learned along the way. Ricky Sevta, Michael Clothier, Sudeshan Mudali, and Luke Johnson pull back the curtain on thechallenges of building a tech company in construction, from the early days of sketching ideas over beers to scaling an industry-first AI-driven platform. We discuss: Why experience matters- and why a couple of grads with a big idea wouldn’t have survived in construction tech The scars of building a business- hard lessons from past ventures and why timing is everything The Deep Space mission-how AI is changing the game for site teams, designers, and asset owners The industry shift-why construction can’t afford to wait any longer to embrace AI-driven decision-making How they are solving the complexity problem- less tech, more action, and making AI work in the real world A raw and unfiltered look at what it takes to build a company that is set toredefine construction technology. Key Sections: The Founders’ Journey – How Deep Space Began – 02:24 Lessons Learned from Past Ventures – 09:45 Why AI is the Next Revolution in Construction – 17:43 The Deep Space Vision – What Makes This Different – 26:54 What the Next Five Years Look Like for Construction Tech – 37:04 Building Stories is powered byDeep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.

    1h 6m

  8. 01/28/2025

    Episode 21 - Bilal Succar - The Future of BIM and Digital Transformation

    “We are in the middle of it. If you fast-forward 10 years, you’ll look back at now as a watershed moment.” – Bilal Succar In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Bilal Succar, a globally recognised specialist consultant, performance assessor, and independent researcher in digital transformation and BIM. Bilal shares his unique journey from starting in business and interior design to becoming a leading figure in BIM adoption and digital transformation policies. He reflects on the evolution of construction technology, the critical role of AI, and the challenges of standardising processes across a fragmented industry. We discuss: • Why BIM terminology evolves but the foundations remain the same • The challenges of connecting digital tools with real-world site workflows • How AI will reshape construction competencies and roles • The importance of integrated supply chains for long-term learning and efficiency • Why technology alone isn’t enough, process and value are key This episode offers actionable insights for anyone passionate about improving efficiency and innovation in construction.‍ Key Sections: From Interior Design to Digital Transformation – 02:24 Why Labels Change but the Core Stays – 04:18 AI and the Next Generation of Spatial Tools – 09:45 The Importance of Process in Technology Adoption – 20:28 Why Integrated Supply Chains Are Crucial – 26:54 Change Agents and Their Role in Industry Transformation – 37:04 Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.‍

    46 min
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About

Come here for funny, honest stories about Building, Design, Engineering and Construction! We will welcome expert guests and discuss industry trends. Powered by Deep Space - Mission Critical Construction AI

Information

  • Creator
    Luke Johnson and Michael Clothier
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Luke Johnson and Michael Clothier
  • Show Website
    Building Stories