Building Information Modeling (BIM) has gained increased adoption in the built sector globally in recent years. While there has been a lot of awareness about BIM across Africa recently, a lot of SMEs still find it hard to kickstart their BIM journey. They have attributed their poor implementation to so many barriers. In this edition of Africa's Story Podcast Series by Blaze Inc., we explored some practical steps that SMEs can take to kickstart their BIM journey. Our guest for this edition is Kaouthar JEDDA, founder and CEO of BIM Tunisia. Some of the issues we addressed are: - How an SME can define its BIM Goals. - How an SME can navigate the cost challenges associated with BIM. - Some templates and standards to put in place for optimal BIM implementation by SMEs. - Approaches to address the low level of BIM expertise in African SMEs. Here is the full video conversation with interactive Q&A: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=bim-implementation-for-smes Host: Onyema Udeze

According to the 2021 Industry Report on Digitalisation of Design and Construction of Class 2 Buildings in New South Wales, close to 40% of the interviewed firms, on average, invest less than 1% of their annual turnover on R&D activities. In this edition of the Blaze Inc. Connected Construction Podcast Series, we discussed "Why We Need More R&D in the Building Construction Industry". The guest for this episode is Dr Zulfikar Adamu - an Associate Professor of Strategic IT in Construction at London Southbank University. Some of the issues we discussed include: - Why there is currently a low level of R&D in the built sector. - How to build a strong R&D culture in a typical AEC Firm. - Some emerging trends that are worth investing research money on in the built sector. - How to create a link between Academic and Industry research in the Built Sector. Here is the full video conversation with interactive Q&A: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=more-r-and-d-built-sector Host: Onyema Udeze

Oftentimes as Architects, we get too carried away with the technical side of the training and profession. But it takes a business mindset and discipline to create and run a successful practice that can outlast the founders. This episode of Africa's Story Podcast Series by Blaze Inc., explored the business side of Architectural practice with Arc. Oludolapo Ojelabi. Some of the issues addressed are: - Lessons we can learn from the IT sector in creating scalable business in the built sector. - Strategies to create intergenerational Architectural Practices. - Ways to integrate business training right from the tertiary institutions in the profession, etc. Here is the full video conversation with interactive Q&A: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=built-sector-businesses Host: Onyema Udeze

Tech Infiltration into the built sector has been on the increase for the past few decades. However, a lot of the tech buzz seems to revolve around the design and delivery of built assets. For Developers, Real Estate/Facility Managers, their interests lie more on the final outcome - the properties. This has brought about a fast-rising sect known as PropTech. - But what exactly is PropTech? - How can PropTech reduce the Operational expenditure of built assets? - How can PropTech enhance user experience in our facilities? - What are the popular PropTech solutions in Africa? These are some of the questions we addressed in this episode of The Blaze Connected Construction Podcast Series by Blaze Inc. Our guest for this edition is Ife Makinde, a member of PropTech Nigeria. Here is the full video conversation with interactive Q&A: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=the-rise-of-proptech Host: Onyema Udeze

This episode of Africa's Story Podcast Series by Blaze Inc. features an interview with Asmau Edes' Ikhuoria to throw some light on some of the similarities and differences between Architecture and Construction practices in Nigeria and the USA. Edes is an emerging Architect and Assistant Project Manager practising in Texas, USA. She holds a BSc. and MSc. in Architecture from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria, and Masters in Construction Management from the University of Houston, TX. With about four and a half years of professional practice in Architecture and Construction in the USA, working in Design-Build Architectural, Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical Engineering designs and project management, she has some experience with some International Building Code (IBC) editions and the path to architecture licensure in the USA. As a young professional in the field of Architecture, with experience in both Nigeria and the US, we started by exploring the difference in her experience in both contexts. From the comparison, we explored the role that the Higher Education Institutions and the professional bodies in Nigeria can play in supporting young professionals to become registered members of the profession. We also explored the role that the membership and regulatory bodies can play to make the practice more inviting to the young ones, to mitigate the apparent drain of young creative talents from the profession in the coming years. We also discussed the path to licensure in the USA, for someone with a foreign degree. Here is the full video conversation with interactive Q&A: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=architecture-nigeria-usa Host: Onyema Udeze

This episode of The Blaze Connected Construction Podcast Series by Blaze Inc. features an interview with Arc. Peter Odoh - a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He started by explaining Design Autonomy and how we are beginning to lose it in the built sector? After that, we defined what Smart Buildings can be and the role of Big Tech and IoT in Smart Buildings? After that, we discussed the negative impacts of Green Tech on Design Autonomy in the built sector? Then we discussed the way forward to curtail the negative impacts of green tech on Design Autonomy without losing the promising advantages of green tech? Also, we discussed the role of the tertiary institutions in preparing the students for the massive Digital Disruptions in the built sector? Here is the full video conversation with interactive Q&A: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=big-data-dangers Host: Onyema Udeze

This episode of The Blaze Connected Construction Podcast Series by Blaze Inc. features an interview with Engr. Alonge Olusola, a Civil Infrastructure Engineer, BIM Expert, a Civil 3D and Autodesk Infraworks Trainer, and a Drone Pilot. He started by explaining what exactly Drone Technology is and the various types of Drone Technology - in contrast to other similar trends in the built sector. Such as Photogrammetry, Laser Scanning, Scan-to-BIM, etc. After that, he elaborated on the common applications of Drone Technology in the built sector, spanning the life cycle of a built asset - through Pre-design, Planning, and Design, Delivery, and Maintenance. He also explained how Drone Technology complements BIM and GIS technologies, from an Infrastructure viewpoint. After that, he deep-dived into the Untapped Opportunities of Drone Technology in the African built sector. What makes the technology a great fit for the African built sector. From his rich experience in the industry, he highlighted the common challenges of Drone Technology in the African built sector, using himself and Nigeria as a case study. Here is the full video conversation with interactive Q&A: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=drone-technology-in-construction Host: Onyema Udeze

This episode of The Blaze Connected Construction Podcast Series by Blaze Inc. features an interview with Victoria Ikede, who was a BIM and Assistant Quality Manager at ATO Architects. She's also a Product, Web, and Process Designer. She was also a postgraduate teaching assistant at the University of Sheffield School of Architecture, UK. Currently, she is an Erasmus Scholar at BIM A+. We started by addressing the reason for the topic: "So You Can Render, Now What?" After that, Victoria gave us some insights into what drew her to technology. She also gave some insights on why so many young professionals are fascinated by using software and learning to render? Working as a BIM Manager in a considerably large Architecture firm, she gave some insights on the place of software proficiency in the workplace? We also discussed some other aspects of the Architecture profession that younger professionals should learn to pay more attention to as they navigate their growth in the industry. Victoria also shed some light on the long-term impacts and dangers of young professionals being too software-focused. She also explained how she manages her visualisation tasks, being one of those tasks every Architect faces from time to time. Before we rounded up, we played a fun game: deciding which of these trends are either overrated or underrated and why: Hand sketching Rendering Knowledge of Construction BIM Smart Buildings Sustainability 3D Printing Coding Photoshop VR Animation Here is the full video conversation with interactive Q&A: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=so-you-can-render-now-what Host: Onyema Udeze

The year is 2050, and the world is wholly connected with Web3.0 - while Web4.0 is making its entry. Blockchain applications have permeated every industry. Great News: the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry has been disrupted at a level never seen before.  How did it happen? This tell-tale episode of The Blaze Connected Construction Podcast Series by Blaze Inc. is a story from the year 2050 about a Native Integrated Company in the built sector and how it consolidated the value chain of housing delivery.  The podcast argues that the beautiful empires of the built sector are not yet born, judging by sister industries. It argues that these will be companies that can connect the value chain of built assets end-to-end. This can be achieved through a smart combination of Integration and Modularisation. Here is the written version of the podcast: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=the-year-is-2050-and-the-built-sector-is-finally-transformed-like-never-before To learn more about the host, visit https://onyema.me

According to the 2021 Industry Report on Digitalisation of Design and Construction of Class 2 Buildings in New South Wales, close to 40% of the interviewed firms, on average, invest less than 1% of their annual turnover on R&D activities. This episode of The Blaze Connected Construction Podcast Series by Blaze Inc. explores some critical reasons why we need more R&D in AEC firms. While many research works are ongoing in academic and research institutions across the globe, the podcast focuses on R&D activities within business corporations in the built sector. Some of the reasons outlined in the podcast include: - Less Reliance on Other Sectors - Better Products and Services to End-users - Increased Efficiency and Productivity - Profitability and Business Bottomline - Industry Attractiveness - Talents and Investments  The podcast also explores the role of structured training within AEC firms, which is currently low. Lastly, the podcast seeks the various ways we can bridge Academic and Industry research projects in the built sector. Here is the full video conversation: https://www.blazemy.com/pages/blog?p=more-r-and-d-built-sector Host: Onyema Udeze