Reinventing Construction: An Interview with Steve Holzer

Construction tech is a rapidly growing field, with significant investments being made in contech. However, the question remains as to whether these investments are truly reinventing the industry or simply adding patches to outdated processes. Steve Holzer, a renowned industry expert and Product Evangelist at BIMobject, shares his insights on the future of construction.

A Career Spanning Decades

Steve Holzer's experience in the industry dates back to 1976, when he became the president and owner of Holzer Construction Company. Since then, he has been at the forefront of AEC technology, making him an acknowledged tech expert and visionary. His journey has taken him from being an early adopter of job-costing systems and project-scheduling software to implementing one of the first artificial intelligence systems for home builders.

The Evolution of Construction Technology

Throughout his career, Steve has witnessed the evolution of construction technology, from CAD to early AI. He was one of the first to use AutoCAD in the mid-1980s and later implemented systems that extracted attribute data from AutoCAD files. In the mid-1990s, he worked on one of the first AI systems for home builders, which allowed for natural language inquiries.

Smarter Construction

Steve's work with home builders across the country led him to realize the need for a standardized system for managing building information. He discovered buildingSMART and became a member of the team that developed the US-national BIM standard. This experience has given him an extensive network of industry front runners, including Damon Hernandez and Greg Howes, with whom he co-founded the AEC Hackathon in 2013.

BIM Objects and Beyond

Steve's interest in BIM objects and platforms that provide BIM content from manufacturers led him to join BIMobject in 2017. He believes that BIMobject is not just a repository, but a company that creates new opportunities for the industry with technologies like VR/AR and the Hercules platform.

Widen Your Horizon

Steve opposes the notion that architects and engineers are the key players in a project. Instead, he believes that the building owner is the prime mover, with 91% of the business happening after the building is completed. He advocates for a shift in focus towards the owner's needs and the importance of serving them throughout the project lifecycle.

Source: aec-business.com. Read the original story →