The Construction Corner

Dillon Mitchell

We Cover Commercial Construction. If you are in commercial construction as an Architect, Engineer, Contractor or Owner, this is the show for you. Hosted by Dillon Mitchell, PE, Founder of Kowabunga Studios

  1. 1d ago

    #432 - The Infrastructure Behind AI: Power, Data Centers & the Future of Construction

    In this episode of Construction Corner, host Dillon breaks down the massive infrastructure transformation sweeping America — and what it means for the construction industry. Dillon covers: The power grid under pressure — Why the surge in data centers and reshoring of manufacturing is driving unprecedented investment in utility infrastructure, and how FERC regulates rate increases tied to capital spending. Data center geography — Which states are winning the data center race (Northern Virginia, Texas, Eastern Oregon, Nevada, Arizona) and why California keeps losing out to regulation and permitting challenges. The $700 billion AI buildout — How the four hyperscalers (Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta) are committing historic CapEx, what a gigawatt-scale facility actually costs, and why supply chain — not concrete — is the real bottleneck. Behind-the-meter power — Why major data center operators aren't waiting on utilities and are standing up their own generation (gas turbines, solar, and even small modular nuclear reactors) to turn on racks faster. Battery energy storage at scale — How megawatt-hour battery systems are being deployed at data centers to smooth load swings, support the grid, and reduce utility dependency — and why this is very different from a home Powerwall. The AI compute race — Why demand for GPUs shows no signs of slowing, how Anthropic's revenue explosion illustrates real consumption, and why this infrastructure build likely runs for at least five more years. Construction is hyper-local — A reminder that no matter how big the macro trends are, your personal economy in construction is defined by the geography and relationships where you operate. Whether you're in the trades, engineering, or just trying to understand where the industry is headed, this episode gives you a ground-level view of the biggest construction wave in a generation.

    29 min

  2. 6d ago

    #431 - Check It Twice: How to Eliminate RFIs and Engineering Failures

    In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon breaks down the most common failure points in the traditional plan-and-spec process and explains why some projects end up buried in RFIs. He pulls back the curtain on the two sides of the RFI problem — engineering teams that don't allocate enough time or resources, and owners who haven't fully defined what they want before design begins. Dillon walks through how placeholder strategies can keep projects moving even when final details are unknown, and explains why some project types (like custom manufacturing facilities) will naturally generate more RFIs than cookie-cutter builds like chain restaurants or standard hotel rooms. His bottom line: most RFI problems come down to not having a solid checklist and not working through it methodically — so make your list, and check it twice.

    8 min

  3. May 26

    #430 - Big Projects, Big Lists: The Secret to Scaling as an Engineering Firm

    In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to manage large-scale construction and engineering projects. He talks about why mega projects are exciting but often come with confidentiality agreements that limit what firms can share publicly, then dives into the real mechanics of handling them — from building the right talent pipeline to leveraging automation tools like the in-house software built at Vertical Design Services. Dillon makes the case that AI is meant to augment engineers, not replace them, and breaks down his core strategy for tackling massive projects: one big, well-managed checklist worked through methodically, one item at a time. Whether it's a 500-room hotel or a large-scale data center, his message is clear — how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

    9 min

  4. May 21

    #429 - Coordination & Clash Detection: How to Build It Right Before You Break Ground

    In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon breaks down the importance of coordination and clash detection in Revit-based construction projects. He explains how modeling every trade's systems — conduit, duct, pipe, hangers, sprinkler heads, and more — in a shared virtual environment before breaking ground leads to smoother projects, better prefabrication, and fewer costly conflicts in the field. Dillon covers why clashes happen, how a qualified VDC team can eliminate them, and why getting all trades working in the same model is the key to clash-free construction. He wraps up with a simple but powerful reminder: a 30-minute conversation can get everyone aligned and moving in the right direction.

    8 min

  5. May 19

    #428 - Design Build Done Right: Procurement, Partnerships & Pitfalls

    In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon dives into the growing trend of design build projects and why more owners are choosing it over traditional plan-and-spec engineering. He breaks down the biggest advantage — procurement timelines — explaining how getting electrical equipment, switchgear, and mechanical units on order early can shave weeks or months off a project schedule. Dillon also covers how having engineers and contractors working as one team leads to smarter material choices, real cost savings, and smoother execution on the jobsite. He wraps up by examining why design build projects fail, pointing to misalignment between partners, unresponsive vendors, and lack of collaboration as the top culprits.

    12 min

  6. May 14

    #427 - Remote vs. On-Site: Building a Winning Culture in Construction

    In this episode of the Construction Corner podcast, host Dillon breaks down the pros and cons of remote vs. on-site employees in construction. He makes the case for in-person work as the most effective way to build a strong company culture — especially in the early stages — sharing real examples from onboarding summer interns and going the extra mile for clients. Dillon also touches on how responsiveness and attention to detail, like reconciling lighting schedules on behalf of contractors, are what set great firms apart from the competition.

    12 min

  7. May 12

    #426 - AI, Starlink, and the Future of Engineering

    In this episode, host Dillon riffs on Starlink, full-time RV living, and what it all signals about the future of work — then dives into an honest take on AI: where it's actually helping (accounting, media production, content creation) and where it still falls flat (complex customer service, reading construction drawings, reliable data throughput). For engineers and contractors, the takeaway is clear — AI is a tool to augment your work, not replace it, and knowing the difference is where the real advantage lies.

    13 min

  8. May 7

    #425 -   More Than Drawings: Spending Time Adds Real Value

    In this episode of the Construction Corner Podcast, host Dillon dives into what truly sets an engineering firm apart — and it comes down to one thing: time spent with people. Dillon explores the idea that great engineering isn't just about calculations and drawings; it's about curation, communication, and collaboration. Like choosing a favorite winemaker or craft brewer, clients gravitate toward engineers whose judgment and taste they trust. The real value lies in helping contractors understand the "why" behind design decisions, so they can have better conversations with owners, price jobs more confidently, and ultimately win more work. He also gets into the importance of treating contractors as true partners — teaching them, collaborating on solutions, and avoiding the nickel-and-dime mentality that erodes trust. From running real load data instead of relying on nameplates, to handling reasonable changes without fuss, Dillon makes the case that the best engineering relationships are built on transparency, education, and genuine investment in your clients' success. A great listen for engineers and contractors alike who want to build stronger partnerships and grow together.

    6 min
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4.7
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

We Cover Commercial Construction. If you are in commercial construction as an Architect, Engineer, Contractor or Owner, this is the show for you. Hosted by Dillon Mitchell, PE, Founder of Kowabunga Studios

Information

  • Creator
    Dillon Mitchell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    432
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dillon Mitchell
  • Show Website
    The Construction Corner

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