“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:
This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to drive lasting change—not just introduce new tools.
🧭 Key Sections:
Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.
“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:
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.
“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:
This episode is full of practical insight for anyone trying to make digital transformation actually stick in construction.
Key Sections:
Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.
“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:
This episode offers practical advice for construction leaders, project managers, and anyone frustrated by inefficiencies in the industry.
Key Sections:
Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.
“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:
Matthew shares his experience leading internal innovation at Arcadis, highlighting the challenges of driving change in an industry built on habit.
Key Sections:
Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.
“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:
If 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.
“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:
A raw and unfiltered look at what it takes to build a company that is set toredefine construction technology.
Key Sections:
Building Stories is powered byDeep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.
“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.
“We really need to understand the essential processes before we go to just slap on some tech and hope it works.” – Erin Khan
In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we’re joined by Erin Khan, a seasoned AEC technology consultant and former National Director of Construction Solutions at Suffolk Construction. Erin shares her journey from civil engineering to leading tech-driven innovation in construction, offering a realistic view of where technology adds value and where it fails.
We discuss:
🔹 The biggest mistake contractors make when implementing technology
🔹 Why BIM adoption has been slower than expected and what’s holding companies back
🔹 How AI fits into construction workflows and why it won’t solve bad data problems
🔹 The role of mentorship and knowledge transfer as experienced workers retire
🔹 Why smaller contractors struggle with innovation and what they can do about it
Erin emphasises the importance of aligning technology with real-world site processes to ensure adoption, efficiency, and long-term success
Key Sections
From Music to Engineering – 02:24
The Gap Between Tech & Reality – 05:04
Understanding Process Before Implementing Tech – 06:44
Why BIM Adoption is Still a Struggle – 08:17
Risks, Challenges & Best Uses of AI – 17:43
The Future of Learning – 36:56
Quick Fire Round – 41:46
Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.
“Don't tell, ask, because questions are like keys. They unlock things and they'll open doors. When you tell, you lose the ability to do that.” – Phil Walton
In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Phil Walton, a safety and risk specialist with over 20 years of experience across construction, infrastructure, and public sectors.
Phil dives into the critical role of safety and risk management in an evolving industry, highlighting the challenges of knowledge loss as experienced workers near retirement. He explores practical approaches to capturing tacit knowledge, the importance of consultation and co-design, and why embedding safety into organisational culture is vital for future success.
From navigating complex safety environments to sharing lessons on resilience and risk mitigation, Phil’s insights provide a powerful blueprint for leaders looking to drive safer, smarter workplaces.
Key Sections:
Early Inspiration: Castles, Lego & Safety Foundations – 02:38 Resilience and Lessons from Career Challenges – 14:30 The Growing Risk of Knowledge Loss in Safety – 23:09 Practical Steps for Future-Proofing Safety Practices – 29:28 The Role of Consultation in Risk Management – 40:33 Quick Fire Round: Tools, Insights, and Christmas Plans – 46:41
Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.
