The Off Site Podcast

Construction is one of the largest industries in the world, yet the way we talk about it has not evolved at the same pace as the technology reshaping it.In this episode, we turn the microphones around on Owen and Martin, the founders of Bricks & Bytes. Owen is a quantity surveyor by background and Martin a structural engineer, both having run their own construction businesses before building one of the most recognised media platforms in construction tech. They share why they started the podcast, what they saw missing in the industry conversation, and how their experience on real projects shapes the way they approach media.We get into why many construction events feel disconnected from project reality, the tension between niche tech audiences and boots-on-the-ground professionals, and whether AI and robotics are moving toward real adoption or just another hype cycle.

In this episode of the Off Site podcast, Jason and Carlos are joined by Andrew Chapman, CEO of the Queensland Major Contractors Association (QMCA), to discuss the changing landscape of major project delivery in Queensland as the state prepares for a significant decade of infrastructure investment ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The conversation explores the broader pressures facing the construction industry, including workforce capacity, delivery timelines, productivity, and the role of long-term planning in supporting sustainable growth. It also touches on how major events can act as catalysts for infrastructure investment, and the importance of ensuring these projects deliver lasting value beyond fixed deadlines.A wide-ranging discussion offering context and perspective on what it takes to deliver major infrastructure programs at scale, and what the coming years may mean for Queensland’s construction and engineering sectors.

In this episode, Jason and Carlos sit down with Martin Roby, Head of Planning at Volker Fitzpatrick and Volker Stevan. Martin brings decades of experience from major UK contractors, including Balfour Beatty and BAM, and has earned deep respect across the industry.The conversation takes an unexpectedly philosophical turn as Martin challenges some fundamental assumptions about how construction projects actually work. Using everything from sat-nav analogies to stories about Friday nights in the pub 30 years ago, he unpacks why the industry might be making things harder for itself than necessary. There's a fascinating discussion about what's changed in construction culture over the past few decades and what that means for how teams operate today. Martin also shares some provocative thoughts about where the real problems lie, and they're probably not where you think.If you've ever wondered why construction projects sometimes feel more complicated than they need to be, this conversation might just reframe how you think about delivery.Timestamps:01:40 - Establishing the core challenge04:09 - Understanding project navigation through analogy18:45 - Cultural shifts in construction over three decades34:19 - The natural tendency to react rather than prepare

Will Thompson and Mitch Corrigan traded the predictability of Australia's tier-one contractors for something most people said was impossible: helping build a rail business from scratch in the United States.In this episode, they pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to compete in one of the world's toughest construction markets and why the approach that's working might surprise you. We explore the uncomfortable truths about why talented people leave construction, what happens when you strip away the layers of approval processes, and the counterintuitive hiring strategy that's attracting people from completely unexpected backgrounds.If you've ever wondered why some companies feel completely different to work for, or what it really takes to break into a new market as an international contractor, this conversation will give you answers you won't hear anywhere else. Topics covered: Breaking into the US market, building culture that retains top talent, unconventional hiring approaches, fast-moving project delivery, and what makes some contractors fundamentally different from others.

In this episode, Jason and Carlos are joined by Thomas Schultz and special guest Peter Fitzpatrick, Project Commercial Director, to explore a role that's either fundamental to how construction projects work or potentially unnecessary, depending on where you stand. The conversation examines how quantity surveyors and commercial teams operate on major projects, unpacking the significant differences between markets like the UK and Australia. The team debates specialised roles versus the generalist engineer approach, discussing what gets lost and gained when responsibilities shift between team members.  he discussion moves into the relationship dynamics between engineers and QSs, bridging technical knowledge with commercial reality, and how contract structures like NEC shape collaboration on major infrastructure projects. Peter shares insights on disputes, contract administration, and whether the burden of process actually prevents bigger problems down the line.The episode wraps with each guest proposing one change they'd make to contract structures or delivery models to drive better outcomes.Timestamps:04:46 - How the QS role differs between the UK and Australia22:25 - Do disputes cost more than prevention?30:53 - Can contracts force collaboration, or is it all about culture?39:59 - If you could change one thing about contracts, what would it be?

Join Jason, Carlos, and returning guest Thomas Schultz as they tackle one of construction's most fundamental yet unresolved challenges: how should master schedules actually function in project delivery?🏗️ Core Questions Explored: Can one schedule serve both contract reporting and day-to-day construction coordination? The tension between commercial requirements and construction team autonomy Why detailed master schedules often conflict with on-site realities The trade-offs between control, flexibility, and project speed⚖️ Key Discussion Areas: The gap between planning teams and construction delivery Resource allocation and schedule ownership across project phases How contract structures influence scheduling approaches The challenge of updating versus adapting to site conditions🎯 Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction from South London, Clapham & Germany05:35 – Why master schedules play multiple roles on projects14:06 – The trust gap between planning and construction teams28:53 – Commercial recovery vs. delivery optimization46:06 – Should schedules be planned to Level 5 detail?1:00:04 – Connecting everything to one schedule: promise or problem?Check out the Off Site Newsletter: https://offsite.aphex.co/

Join Jason and Carlos for their 100th episode, joined by members of the Aphex team with construction backgrounds. Kelvin (Engineer), Thomas Schulz (Engineer/Quantity Surveyor), and Cam Rainger (Engineer).Breaking away from polished industry success stories, the team discusses why the most valuable learning in construction comes from project failures. The conversation explores professional mistakes and their consequences, covering trust and verification on construction teams, documentation failures, commercial risk management, and the balance between proactive problem-solving and following procedures. Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode 100 introduction and celebration 03:24 - Team introductions and new format explanation 08:06 - Cam's Story 16:01 - Thomas' Story 25:40 - Carlos' Story 32:38 - Kelvin's Story  Check out the Off Site Newsletter: https://offsite.aphex.co/

Join Jason, Carlos, and special guest Sam Hanisch as they dive into three developments shaping the global construction landscape:🏗️ Southeast Asia's Construction Giants: Explore the $500 billion Southeast Asian construction market growing at 6% annually. Discover major players from state-owned Indonesian contractors to international specialists, plus massive projects like the $40 billion Trans-Sumatra Highway.🤖 Trunk Tools' $40M AI Revolution: Analyse the construction AI startup's massive Series B funding and their RAG platform connecting construction documents, drawings, and schedules. Examine what this means for AI in construction versus existing solutions.⚡ The Future of Planning Professionals: Discuss a controversial post claiming expensive planners earning $200-400K are becoming obsolete. Evaluate whether technology will replace traditional planning roles or transform them.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:26 - Southeast Asian construction market analysis12:40 - Trunk Tools funding and technology breakdown34:29 - The obsolete planner debateCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos as they tackle three construction industry topics:🏗️ China's Mega Dam Project: Exploring the $140 billion Yarlung Zangbo Dam - three times larger than Three Gorges Dam and requiring 12.5 miles of tunnels through Tibet's deepest canyon.📊 Mega Project Success Framework: Analyzing MACE's 10 pillars for successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects and what separates winners from costly failures.🤝 ConTech Sales Strategy: Examining whether construction technology companies should sell directly or through reseller partnerships - and what this means for customers. Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction03:05 - China's Yarlung Zangbo Dam09:46 - MACE's Project Delivery Report24:16 - Construction Tech Go-to-Market StrategyCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos as they explore three major developments in construction and technology:🏗️ Mega Projects Surge: Analysis of Mace's new report showing 11,000+ live megaprojects worth $15 trillion globally - a 4x increase since 2010. Why are projects getting bigger, and what's driving this trend?🌐 AI Browser Revolution: The emerging battle between Perplexity, OpenAI, and Google for AI-enabled browsers that could automate construction workflows from form-filling to document control.💰 UK Infrastructure Wave: Major project approvals including Sizewell C nuclear, A66 highway expansion, and the Midlands Rail Hub connecting 50 stations.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:32 - Mace’s Mega Project Report19:00 - AI Browser Revolution32:23 - UK Infrastructure WaveCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos in this episode of The Offsite Podcast as they tackle three fresh topics from the world of construction:🎯 Design Management Best Practices: Explore the persistent challenges of scheduling and coordinating design in construction projects. Discover why design delays plague major projects and examine effective strategies for managing complex design workflows, resource constraints, and multi-disciplinary coordination.⚖️ Oracle Licensing Controversy: Dive into the contentious terms of service surrounding Oracle's Primavera P6 software. Uncover the implications of data ownership policies and licensing requirements that are sparking industry-wide debate about customer rights and software vendor practices.🤝 Who Should Own The Project's Tech: Analyse a LinkedIn discussion about who should drive technology decisions on construction projects. Examine the pros and cons of clients, contractors, or supply chain partners taking the lead on software selection and implementation.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Autonomous Highway Construction03:22 - Design Management Deep Dive16:41 - Oracle Licensing Terms Analysis29:36 - Who Should Own The Project's TechCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos in episode 95 of The Offsite Podcast as they tackle three complex topics shaping modern construction delivery:🏗️ Construction Roles Decoded: Jason and Carlos break down the confusing world of mega project delivery roles - from general contractors to delivery partners and managing contractors. They explore when you'd use each role and how risk flows through these contractual relationships.📋 Framework Projects Deep Dive: The duo discuss the rising trend of framework-style project delivery that's reshaping infrastructure. They examine why clients choose frameworks over traditional delivery and the unique challenges of managing geographically dispersed work.🚢 Tanzania's $10 Billion Port Gamble: The pair analyses the on-again, off-again mega port project backed by China's Belt and Road Initiative. They discuss the trade-offs countries face with international infrastructure funding and 99-year lease agreements.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Bridge Design Disasters03:09 - Construction Delivery Roles Analysi 20:17 - Framework Projects Discussion37:26 - Tanzania Port Project UpdateCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos in Episode 94 of The Offsite Podcast as they explore three major developments shaping the construction industry:🛣️ Abidjan-Lagos Corridor: They dive into the $15 billion, 1,000-kilometre coastal highway connecting five West African nations. The duo explores funding challenges and potential contractors for this transformative infrastructure project serving 300 million people.🤖 Contractor AI-Powered Tools: They explore how contractors like Skanska and Granite Construction are using AI to build custom solutions like "Asphalt Guru" and "Safety Sidekick." Does this fundamentally change the build-versus-buy equation for construction technology?💰 Outcomes as a Service in Construction: They analyse the emerging pricing model where companies pay for results rather than software access. The hosts examine the benefits and complexities of this approach, from risk allocation to outcome measurement challenges.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:42 - West African Highway Project07:58 - AI Development in Construction Companies24:23 - Outcomes-as-a-Service Deep DiveCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos in Episode 93 of The Off Site podcast as they explore three topics shaping the construction industry:🔗 The First End-to-End Tendering Platform: Dive into the merger between Australian platform E1 and UK-based C-Link, creating the industry's first connected solution from quote to contract. Discover why the gap between pre-contract estimating and post-award procurement has persisted for so long.💰 The VC Money Rush: Analysis of the record-breaking $3-4 billion flowing into construction tech startups in early 2025. Explore whether this venture capital influx actually benefits contractors, including the hidden costs of VC-backed software and how investor expectations shape products.🏆 League Table Shake-Up: Acciona tops the UK contractor league table for the first time with a £400 million waterworks win. What does this mean for competition and international contractors in the UK market?Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & German Bunker News05:08 - E1 and C-Link Merger Analysis19:51 - Construction Tech VC Investment Discussion30:50 - Acciona's League Table WinCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos as they dive into three compelling construction topics:🚄 Poland's €30 Billion Transport Hub: Poland's most ambitious infrastructure project, combining a new airport with 2,000km of high-speed rail - can they deliver by 2032?🏗️ Motif vs Autodesk: Former Autodesk CEO launches cloud-based design platform to challenge the industry giant's dominance in construction software.👷 The Strategic Corporal: How individual site leaders can make or break technology adoption on construction projects, plus the key personas that shape change. Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & 3D Printed Bridge Discussion03:41 - Poland's Central Communications Port Project12:06 - Motif vs Autodesk: The Design Software Battle24:20 - Construction Project Personas & Tech AdoptionCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos as they explore three major infrastructure and technology developments:🚄 Japan's $60 Billion Maglev Project: Explore Japan's ambitious $60 billion Chuo Shinkansen Maglev project connecting Tokyo to Nagoya in 40 minutes. Discover the engineering challenges of building 250 kilometres of tunnel through earthquake-prone terrain and fault lines deep underground.💰 Germany's €500 Billion Bet: Germany announces a massive infrastructure fund to transform its roads, railways, and digital networks. Learn how this fiscally conservative nation plans to double its infrastructure spending over the next decade.🏗️ Construction Tech Headlines Test: Jason, Carlos, and producer Olu examine whether construction technology companies communicate their services through a guessing game, analysing real website headlines to see if they can identify what each company does.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & AI Blackmail Discussion04:58 - Japan's Maglev Project Deep Dive11:52 - Germany's €500 Billion Infrastructure Fund22:01 - Construction Tech Headline ChallengeCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos for episode 90 of The Off Site podcast as they explore three industry topics:⚡ Germany's Largest Offshore Wind Farm**: Examining a massive 960-megawatt project in the German North Sea and what it means to work on entirely privately-funded infrastructure versus government-backed projects.🇬🇧 UK-EU Trade Deal Reset**: Breaking down the new trade agreement's potential impact on construction costs, material imports, and workforce mobility across British building sites.💼 Construction vs Sales Background Hiring**: Discussing the ongoing debate around whether construction tech companies should prioritise industry experience or traditional sales expertise when building their teams.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction04:05 - German Wind Project13:20 - UK-EU Trade Deal24:05 - Industry Hiring DiscussionCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos on The Off Site Podcast as they explore three major developments shaping the construction technology landscape: 💰 WakeCap's $28M Series A: The Saudi-based construction tech company secures major funding for smart hard hat workforce tracking. Explore the competitive landscape of labour productivity tracking, privacy concerns, and the technology debate between wearables, apps, and camera-based solutions.🎪 The State of Construction Events: A candid discussion about the current conference landscape in construction - what's working, what's not, and creative ideas for making industry gatherings more valuable for attendees who sacrifice site time to attend.🎯 Market Strategy Debate: Examining a thought-provoking LinkedIn post about go-to-market approaches in construction tech. Should startups focus on niche markets or aim broadly? The hosts debate the merits of different growth strategies in a fragmented industry.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Autodesk's controversial ad05:32 - WakeCap's funding and workforce tracking21:20 - Construction events discussion33:22 - Market strategy debateCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos as they explore three key topics shaping the construction landscape:⚡ Empire Wind Project Suspension: A look at New York's $5 billion offshore wind farm recently halted by a federal stop work order, and what project suspensions mean for construction teams.🤖 AI Liability in Construction: Who's responsible when AI tools provide inaccurate information? The hosts examine the complex relationship between users, technology providers, and legal frameworks.🏗️ The Long Tail of Construction: Should construction tech companies focus on the ENR 400 or the thousands of smaller firms? The hosts debate the merits of both approaches.Follow The Offsite Podcast for weekly insights into construction and infrastructure.00:00 - Intro03:10 - Empire Wind Farm15:15 - AI Liability in Construction30:40 - The Long Tail of ConstructionCheck out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex

Join Jason and Carlos as they explore three topics in construction and technology:💰 Contractors as Tech Investors: Examine the trend of major contractors like Turner launching venture capital arms to invest in construction technology, questioning whether this strategy delivers real value or creates conflicts of interest.📋 Effective Planning Routines: Dissect a viral LinkedIn post on seven key planning habits for construction projects, evaluating which practices actually keep projects on schedule versus creating unnecessary administrative burden.🔍 ConTech's Missing Pieces: Discover the untapped opportunities in construction technology, from comprehensive commercial forecasting tools to integrated field data capture systems that could bridge critical gaps in project delivery.Key Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & Weekend Recap03:45 - Contractors as Tech Investors18:37 - Planning Habits Analysis32:27 - ConTech Opportunities Check out the Off Site newsletter hereFollow Carlos on Linkedin | Follow Jason on Linkedin | Check out Aphex