Digital Builder

Decarbonization is often discussed in abstract terms—net-zero targets, long-term commitments, and high-level goals. But for teams working in the built environment, progress ultimately comes down to everyday design, material, and supply chain decisions.
Recorded live at Greenbuild in Los Angeles, this episode of Digital Builder features Jack Rusk, CEO and co-founder of C.Scale, for a practical conversation on what decarbonization really means for AEC teams today—and how it shows up across design, construction, and operations.
Jack breaks down decarbonization as a lens for understanding how buildings move energy, materials, and labor through a global system. Together, Eric and Jack explore why early design decisions matter most, how carbon data can inform better tradeoffs, and where emerging technologies like AI are beginning to reshape carbon-informed workflows.
On this episode, we discuss:
What decarbonization means in the context of the built environment—and why it looks different across industries
How early design decisions, material choices, and supply chains directly influence a project’s carbon footprint
The role of adaptive reuse and “building with less” as both a climate and cultural strategy
Why lifecycle assessment needs to move earlier in the design process to support better outcomes
How data, AI, and digital tools can help teams shift from carbon reporting to carbon-informed decision-making
Practical advice for teams getting started on their decarbonization journey

Whether you’re an architect, contractor, owner, or sustainability leader, this episode offers a grounded, real-world look at how decarbonization connects to the decisions you’re already making—and where intentional design can have the greatest impact.
Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.

Recorded live at Greenbuild in Los Angeles, this episode of Digital Builder features a wide-ranging conversation with Ben Stapleton, Executive Director of USGBC California, on what it takes to rebuild communities after catastrophic wildfires — and how climate resilience, education, and coordination can shape better outcomes long term.
Using the 2025 Southern California wildfires as a starting point, host Eric Thomas and Ben explore the realities of recovery, from trauma and displacement to supply chain constraints, insurance challenges, and the opportunity to rebuild more sustainable, all-electric, and fire-resilient homes at scale. The discussion expands beyond wildfire to examine how climate change is reshaping communities — and what builders, owners, and local leaders can do now to prepare for what’s ahead.
On this episode, we discuss:
Why rebuilding after large-scale natural disasters often takes 5 to 10 years, even in regions with strong resources
How education, coordination, and shared standards can dramatically improve recovery outcomes
The role of home hardening, landscape design, and material choices in reducing wildfire risk
Where resilience and sustainability overlap — and why rebuilding is an opportunity to address both
The challenges homeowners and contractors face, including supply chain limits, labor shortages, and rising costs
Why insurance, electrification, and contractor education are critical — and where gaps remain
How community-level tools like shared marketplaces and digital twins can support collaboration and cost reduction
Why people, not technology alone, remain the most important tool in building climate resilience

This episode is especially relevant for professionals working in construction, sustainability, planning, and housing — as well as anyone navigating rebuilding, preparedness, or long-term climate risk in their own community.
Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas sits down with Michael Baim, Vice President of Venue Infrastructure at the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Allison Scott, Director of Sustainability Growth and Engagement at Autodesk, to explore what it takes to deliver the LA28 Games with fewer than 1,000 days to go. As Los Angeles prepares to host the Olympic Games for a third time, and one of the most ambitious Olympic and Paralympic Games in modern history, Michael and Allison's conversation highlights the scale, complexity, and collaboration behind LA28’s no-new-permanent venues plan, their ambitious commitment to build LA28’s footprint by adapting existing or building temporary infrastructure.
Michael and Allison discuss how Autodesk’s Design and Make platform, including Autodesk Construction Cloud will help teams coordinate logistics, data, and planning across an unprecedented program. They also touch on balancing historic venue preservation with modern upgrades, the long-term community legacy LA28 aims to create, and opportunities for contractors, designers, and builders to get involved in bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to life.
Get involved here today: https://www.rampla.org/s/

Recorded live at the Autodesk Technology Center in Boston, this episode of Digital Builder explores how human‑centered construction can support resilience, recovery, and long‑term community impact.
Host Eric Thomas is joined by Joshua Dobbs, New England Patriots quarterback and aerospace engineer, and Gerard Georges, Director of Architecture at Build Health International, for a cross‑disciplinary conversation on empathy, leadership, and design.
In this episode, we discuss:
What human‑centered design looks like in practice—and why putting people first leads to stronger, more resilient communities
How collaboration and stakeholder engagement shape healthcare and community projects in high‑stakes environments
Lessons from professional sports—preparation, composure, and teamwork—that translate directly to construction and design teams
How technologies like VR and data‑driven design help teams visualize outcomes, align earlier, and make better decisions
Why empathy and adaptability are essential leadership skills on the job site, in crisis response, and beyond

Dobbs shares how his experience as a quarterback—operating under pressure, leading diverse teams, and preparing for critical moments—parallels the demands faced by AEC professionals working on complex projects. Georges adds a global healthcare perspective, highlighting how thoughtful design can help communities heal and thrive over time.
This episode was recorded during the launch of Autodesk’s Make It Heal film series and the 2026 Design & Make It Real program.

In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas talks with Power Design CTO Raghu Kutty and Autodesk’s Sid Haksar about how one of the industry’s most innovative specialty contractors is reshaping construction through intentional structure, unified workflows, and forward‑looking tech adoption.
Key topics include:
Power Design’s unified “one office, one culture” model
Taking control of the supply chain (in‑house switchgear, trucking, warehousing)
Field‑first, mobile‑first technology and connected data workflows
Preparing for AI through clean data, platformization, and change‑ready culture
How deliberate training + standards enable scale and rapid tech transformation

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.