Michael Green, Principal, MGA | Michael Green Architecture
Michael Green is an award-winning architect, speaker, and author known for using design to create meaningful, more sustainable built environments that benefit both people and planet.
A leader in wood and bio-based construction and innovation, he has completed some of the most significant timber buildings in the world, and has been recognized with over fifty international awards for design excellence, including the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Firm of the Year, Architizer’s Revolution in Design Award in 2023, Best in North America Firm Award in both 2021 and 2022, four Governor General’s Medals, two RAIC Innovation Awards, and the American Institute of Architects Innovation Award.
Michael lectures internationally on the future of design and construction, including his TED talks, “The Natural Building Blocks of Sustainable Architecture” in 2023 and “Why We Should Build Wooden Skyscrapers” in 2012. He serves as a government policy advisor on mass timber design and is the co-author of the first and second editions of “The Case for Tall Wood Buildings” and “Tall Wood Buildings: Design, Construction and Performance.”
An avid traveler and adventurer, Michael has explored remote regions of every continent. These journeys through nature are what inspire his work.
Alice Leung, Principal, Brick & Mortar Ventures
Prior to joining Brick & Mortar Ventures, Alice worked for DPR Construction building and implementing construction technologies on large acute-care hospitals and data centers. She has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area and helped start up DPR’s Southeast Asia HQ in Singapore.
Robert Murdoch, Director, Architecture, Engineering and Construction, Esri Canada
Robert Murdoch is the Director of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) team at Esri Canada. With over two decades of experience in the field, Robert has a deep understanding of how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can transform construction, infrastructure and urban planning projects. He has a proven track record of helping organizations leverage spatial data and cutting-edge technologies to improve project outcomes, optimize workflows and enhance collaboration.
At Esri Canada, Robert plays a key role in fostering innovation within the AEC sector, particularly in the integration of AI, digital twins, automation and other emerging technologies with GIS. His leadership focuses on providing clients with comprehensive solutions that enhance decision-making, reduce risks, and streamline the construction lifecycle—from planning and design to project execution and asset management. Robert works closely with industry leaders, clients, and teams to ensure that Esri Canada’s offerings are at the forefront of digital transformation in the construction and engineering sectors.
Hamzah Shanbari, Director, Innovation Strategic Initiatives, Haskell
Hamzah Shanbari is a published author, TEDx speaker, and an accomplished professional in the construction industry. Hamzah holds a PhD from the University of Florida and has extensive experience in construction. Currently, he leads innovation efforts within Haskell. In his role at Haskell, Hamzah is responsible for driving innovation and leading the development and implementation of new technology and processes. His innovative mindset and technical expertise have made him a thought leader in the industry, and he regularly speaks at conferences and events on the topic of technology in construction.
What are some of the biggest challenges with the increasing use of automation and AI in the construction industry? How are you responding?
Alice Leung, Brick & Mortar Ventures
Some of the biggest challenges are around companies’ opinions of what is considered proprietary data and the current state of that data (cleanliness, structure, and its readiness for AI). In regards to proprietary data, a lot of construction companies believe that their historical data (pricing, schedule, etc) is what helps them win against their competition. My hot take is that data helps when you can leverage it, but what makes a construction company successful is execution. In regards to the current state of that data, a lot of construction companies have highly siloed and unstructured data that cannot be leveraged for automation or AI, thus many construction companies are not ready for AI.
Some of the biggest opportunities for leveraging automation and AI is definitely in augmenting our workforce in both the field and the office/trailers, whether it’s automating reclining expenses and receipts to implementing autonomous excavators.
Brick & Mortar Ventures invests in construction technology startups and we continue to talk to industry professionals regarding how they feel about automation and AI. There is a mixture of excitement and fear depending on who you talk to and what workflows you’re interested in automating. We continue to look for workflows that the industry is comfortable outsourcing to computers.
Michael Green, Michael Green Architecture
The rise of automation and AI presents both exciting opportunities and critical challenges in the design industry. AI can enhance efficiency, optimize material use, and accelerate design iterations, but it also risks diluting the human intuition, creativity, and artistry that define architecture.
We are leaning into these technologies because understanding them is the key to survival. We have a Director of AI role in the practice and are actively working to create new AI based tools that harmonize existing AI products with our own process oriented versions of AI. These tools fall into various buckets for us including; iterative design tools, project management tools, accounting and firm management tools and finally technical tools such as LCA’s, specifications, and even research such as our keen interest in bio materials.
We are deeply committed to human-centered design but also are actively exploring how technology can fundamentally result in better outcomes for our clients. These outcomes include fundamental performance of their building to innovative design solutions, it includes better return on investment or higher project value, and enhancing user experience, comfort, health and wellbeing and even social and cultural interactions and community building. We see a role for these tools in every aspect of how we try our best to make the world a better place for humans and the environment.
Hamzah Shanbari, Haskell
As automation and AI continue reshaping our industry, we face a critical inflection point where technology isn’t just augmenting construction; it’s redefining it. These tools generate insights at a pace we’ve never seen before, and with that flood of data comes the responsibility to ensure it’s both reliable and meaningful. If we fail to establish strong data governance and consistent standards, even the most sophisticated analytics platforms risk becoming less than the sum of their parts.
But the greater challenge, and our most significant opportunity, lies in integrating this technology into the human side of our work. Construction has always been about people, the trust, expertise, and judgment they bring to the table. Now, as we blend that judgment with the predictive power of AI, we need to ensure our teams are equipped to leverage these insights and comfortable evolving their roles. When done well, AI and automation can eliminate tedious tasks, enhance safety protocols, and help us make smarter decisions earlier, resulting in projects that are more efficient, more sustainable, and more closely aligned with client needs.
Our approach at Haskell has been to engage these innovations through Dysruptek, where we test emerging technologies on real projects, evaluate their impact, and refine their application. Internally, we’re fostering a culture of experimentation where every team member is encouraged to understand these tools and contribute ideas for using them. This holistic approach ensures that we’re not merely adopting technology; we’re weaving it into the fabric of our operations, amplifying human capability rather than sidelining it.
Robert Murdoch, Esri Canada
The increasing integration of AI and automation in construction is transforming traditional workflows. AI enables learning models that can analyze historical and real-time data to better understand and manage project outcomes. AI models rely on large datasets from multiple sources, including designs, sensors and inspections to generate insights that can streamline everything from budgeting to construction timelines. Drones, another source of datasets, are now commonly used for site surveys, providing highly accurate 2D and 3D representations of the current state of the project.
We see a huge opportunity in integrating these datasets using the crucial context of location to enable better, more comprehensive analysis. A GIS [Geographic Information System], for example, is pivotal in integrating technologies. As a platform, it can be used for visualizing data as maps, allowing construction teams to see how their project is progressing in real time, monitor where resources are or are required and adjust plans as needed. By using GIS to integrate multiple data sources, users can optimize both design and operational phases, improve collaboration and ultimately deliver projects on time and within budget.
As digital technologies and data-driven tools become more integrated into the construction process, how are they changing the way professionals across the industry collaborate and work together?
Robert Murdoch, Esri Canada
The data-driven tools are drastically enhancing collaboration across the construction industry for all teams. The vast amounts of real-time data that gets generated is empowering project managers to make informed decisions more quickly. Our SaaS-based project collaboration platform enables remote collaboration, ensuring all stakeholders — whether in the field or the office — can access up-to-date project data anytime, anywhere.
Esri’s ArcGIS platform is designed for the enterprise and provides comprehensive mapping and spatial analysis capabilities. It integrates location-based data with AI and automation, delivering actionable insights into everything from site selection to resource management. GIS allows teams to create dynamic, interactive models of construction sites, which can be updated in real time to reflect progress or very specific challenges; a GIS is essentially a digital twin! The combination of spatial intelligence with real-time data creates a powerful platform for collaboration, improving communication, reducing rework and increasing the accuracy of decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
Michael Green, Michael Green Architecture
We are in the early days of this revolution and things are changing every week with new approaches and products. It’s as fluid as can be and even in the window of time between answering the question and publishing the answer our approach will no doubt have changed. But in every instance, we think the changes and evolutions must be driven by values to improve the quality of life for all people on earth. In other words, these are tools that can serve one or serve all and we are committed to seeing that they improve the built environment for all.
Beyond our commitment to AI tools in our practice, we are invested in a transition to industrialization of buildings; and how that will include robotics. Our ambition is to lean into technology with a belief that as industrialization lowers the cost to build, we ideally can also lean into craft and art and the things that humans ultimately bring — a unique voice. We believe both are possible and important.
Hamzah Shanbari, Haskell
The digital tools that are reshaping construction are also transforming how we collaborate. In the past, teams often worked in silos, each guarded by its own data sets and documents, with coordination happening sporadically and sometimes too late. Today’s technology flips that script by providing a common digital environment, a single source of truth, where everyone can access and update project information in real-time. This shift does more than streamline workflows; it deepens collaboration, turning it into a continuous exchange rather than a scheduled event.
Architects, engineers, contractors, and owners can align around shared data rather than rely on outdated assumptions. With intuitive visualization tools and integrated BIM platforms, we can identify potential clashes, resolve resource constraints, and address design challenges before they become real-world problems. The result is a more proactive, strategic, and transparent way of working that builds trust and drives better outcomes.
Haskell has found that introducing new technologies incrementally, coupled with robust training and ongoing feedback loops, is key to fostering productive collaboration. Instead of imposing sweeping changes overnight, the company pilots cutting-edge tools on select projects, closely monitoring their impact and gathering input from the field. This approach not only shapes more user-friendly technologies but also builds trust among team members. Empowered with data and supported by transparent communication, individuals at every level, from the C-suite to the jobsite, are encouraged to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and propose solutions. The result is a collaborative culture where digital tools act as a bridge, not a barrier, linking disciplines and personalities into a more innovative, cohesive, and forward-looking construction ecosystem.
Alice Leung, Brick & Mortar Ventures
Data driven tools are definitely helping professionals make better decisions, faster. On the surface, AI and robotics is helping our workforce work more efficiently, but one byproduct of leveraging these tools is increased planning and collaboration. With many new tools, such as prefabrication, these tools are getting integrated into the construction process, but in some cases changing our processes. Prefabrication and robotics requires teams to make decisions earlier as that information needs to be fed into machines or equipment to do work. These processes sometimes have byproducts of data cleanliness, data accuracy and higher quality control.
What new technological innovations or trends do you believe will have the most significant impact on the construction industry in the near future?
Alice Leung, Brick & Mortar Ventures
2025 is going to be a big year for construction robotics. We have seen construction robotic startups come into our industry in the last five or so years and as we watch them grow and see some new entrants to the space, we are seeing that robotics are getting cheaper and easier to build. Additionally, big tech companies like OpenAI, NVIDIA, Google, etc are now all looking at the intersection of AI and the physical world... which is robotics. Brick & Mortar Ventures is extremely excited to continue working with our construction robotics investments, the greater construction robotics community and the construction industry to encourage more industry adoption, increase investment in construction robotics, and educate investors who are not familiar with the construction industry on why construction robotics is necessary for our industry.
Hamzah Shanbari, Haskell
If we look ahead, the construction landscape is poised for breakthroughs that extend far beyond incremental improvements. AI and predictive analytics are maturing rapidly, promising new levels of foresight that will let us head off schedule conflicts, material shortages, and safety risks long before they materialize. Robotics and autonomous systems are becoming more precise and adaptable, introducing the possibility of automating repetitive tasks so our workforce can focus on higher-level problem-solving and innovation.
Digital twins and real-time visualization platforms will allow us to explore “what if?” scenarios in a virtual setting, catching errors and inefficiencies at the design stage rather than in the field. Meanwhile, the rise of sensors, connected equipment, and wearable technology will turn our jobsites into rich data ecosystems where insights flow naturally into decisions that improve safety, sustainability, and resource management.
Haskell is approaching these changes with strategic intent and a willingness to learn. Through Dysruptek, we invest in startups pushing boundaries in AI, robotics, materials science, and more. We integrate these technologies thoughtfully, starting small, measuring their impact, and refining them before expanding their use. We also emphasize continual education and knowledge-sharing within our teams, ensuring that every professional, regardless of role, understands how to navigate and capitalize on the evolving digital landscape.
By looking outward, forming partnerships, and staying close to the research community, we remain engaged with the leading edge of innovation. The goal is not just to keep pace, but to help shape the conversation around what’s possible, driving our industry toward a future defined by informed decision-making, enhanced collaboration, and a balanced blend of human ingenuity and technological strength.
Robert Murdoch, Esri Canada
AI tools can integrate data from various sources, such as IoT sensors, BIM (Building Information Modelling) and project management systems, to help inform and guide real-time decision-making. Offsite construction and prefabricated components are already transforming the industry by forcing teams to be collaborative in all tasks.
At Esri Canada, we are preparing for these technological shifts by further enhancing our GIS platform to integrate more seamlessly with emerging technologies. We are building solutions that connect AI-powered predictive analytics with GIS and IoT data to create more comprehensive and actionable insights. This approach is designed to help our clients manage projects more efficiently, with an emphasis on reducing costs, improving safety and supporting sustainability through better resource management and lifecycle tracking. We believe the trend of increased collaboration within and among teams will have the most impact on the industry.
Michael Green, Michael Green Architecture
Humans have an exceptional ability to know what is in their best long-term interest while spending only the bare minimum in the short term. In architecture, that misalignment is often because we struggle to use data to understand the best decisions for all aspects of the building process — especially cost and value. We believe AI offers a new way to reframe the global role of design and its real value.
AI’s capacity to understand big data and complex ideas across broad sets of issues is a gift to the design industry. In time, we will be able to fundamentally defend design solutions with the true cost and the true human or societal benefit of our ideas, informed by the data to support our otherwise intuitive current approach to selling design. That idea is transformative. Rather than simply being asked to make a design cheaper, we will be able to use AI in the very near future to show true impact and true value that extends into complex issues for a project. For instance, we will be able to show the cost implications on a healthcare system when choosing one material over another, or the cost to human mental health of a noisier construction solution (steel) versus a quieter construction solution (mass timber). We will be able to use data to show how a more expensive passive mechanical solution ultimately results in a more effective return on investment for a building owner and what its direct climate impact costs are in real time.
There are infinite ways that AI can help us turn our intuition into a fact-based discussion to sell better design solutions. We are excited about how these things can democratize design and broaden how architects shape the world for 100% of the population instead of only those that can currently afford it. MGA is actively investing in research and partnerships to stay at the forefront of these advancements. We believe in possibility.
