Digital Builder

It’s easy to throw around buzzwords like AI and innovation. But in construction, those ideas only matter if they change how work actually gets done—on the jobsite, not just in theory.
In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Steve Long, Director of Innovation and Learning at Dome Construction, for a grounded conversation on what innovation really means in construction and how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape day‑to‑day work across the field and the office.
With nearly 30 years at Dome, Steve brings a long‑term perspective on how innovation in construction has evolved—from paper plans and manual workflows to mobile tools, BIM, and now AI. Rather than chasing shiny tools, he emphasizes innovation as a steady, intentional process focused on impact: improving outcomes, reducing friction, and giving people more time to focus on building.
The conversation explores how AI is already being applied in practical ways, from helping superintendents stay mobile and reduce administrative burden to supporting office teams with document analysis, scheduling insights, and faster coordination. Steve also shares why over‑automation can be risky, how Dome is creating guardrails for safe experimentation, and what it will take to develop the next generation of construction leaders in an AI‑enabled world.
At its core, this episode is about using technology to get back to building—and keeping people, judgment, and collaboration at the center of the work.

On this episode, we discuss:
What innovation really means in construction—and why impact matters more than tools
How AI is being used differently in the field versus the office
Practical AI use cases for superintendents, project managers, and preconstruction teams
Why over‑automating can backfire and how to preserve critical thinking
Dome Construction’s long‑term innovation journey
Creating safe guardrails for AI adoption and experimentation
Using AI to reduce admin work and strengthen collaboration on projects

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas from Autodesk.

Across the United States, the housing crisis is no longer abstract. Wildfire rebuilds, rising costs, workforce shortages, and long permitting timelines are colliding at a moment when demand has never been higher. If the industry continues building the way it always has, the results will stay the same.
Recorded live from Greenbuild in Los Angeles, this episode of Digital Builder explores what it will take to deliver housing that is affordable, resilient, and scalable—without treating those goals as tradeoffs.
Host Eric Thomas is joined by Edie Dillman, CEO and Co‑Founder of B.Public Prefab, and Vamsi Kumar Kotla, Founder of ReMo Homes, for a candid conversation about what’s broken in residential construction and where meaningful progress is happening today.
Together, they examine how panelized and modular approaches can reduce soft costs, speed delivery, and improve long‑term performance—while still respecting the expertise of builders and the realities of the jobsite. The discussion also looks beyond construction itself, touching on workforce development, wildfire recovery, digital twins, and the role of building science in creating homes that perform over decades, not just at handover.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why the housing crisis is driven by more than just build costs—and why operational costs, resilience, and long‑term ownership matter just as much
How modular and panelized construction can help balance affordability, sustainability, and scalability without forcing a “pick two” compromise
Where the biggest cost savings actually live in residential projects, and why soft costs are a critical lever for change
How offsite construction succeeds when builders are treated as partners
Different perspectives on technology in housing, from digital twins and IoT to passive building science and material‑first resilience
Why solving the housing crisis will require multiple approaches—and broad collaboration across the industry

This episode offers a grounded, honest look at the future of housing, and why innovation paired with collaboration—and a little joy—matters more than ever.

As AI and cloud computing continue to scale, data centers are becoming some of the most important infrastructure of the digital age. With that growth comes increased attention on energy use, water consumption, and embodied carbon—but also a powerful opportunity to rethink how we design, build, and operate these facilities more sustainably.
In this episode of Digital Builder, host Eric Thomas is joined by Sara Neff, General Manager of Sustainability and ESG at Microsoft Cloud Operations and Innovation, for a live conversation from Greenbuild in Los Angeles. Together, they explore how rapid data center expansion and ambitious climate goals can move forward in parallel—and why the moment ahead is full of possibility.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Microsoft is scaling data center development while staying firmly committed to its 2030 goals to be carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste
Why cooling systems and HVAC equipment are a major opportunity for reducing embodied carbon—and how smarter design choices are already making a difference
Practical, “right now” uses of AI to reduce carbon, water, and energy use, from leak detection to optimizing low‑carbon concrete mixes
What radical collaboration across owners, designers, contractors, and suppliers looks like—and why it is essential for sustainability at scale
How shared standards, policy, and better measurement can help accelerate progress across the industry
Why growing AI fluency across the AECO ecosystem could unlock faster, more durable climate solutions

Rather than framing AI as a tradeoff, this conversation highlights how thoughtful planning, collaboration, and targeted use of technology can turn growth into a catalyst for positive change. The result is a clearer picture of how the built environment can support both digital innovation and long‑term sustainability.

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.