How Innovation is Changing the Future of Design with Mike Sewell - Gresham Smith

Building Scale

We interview successful Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) business leaders to learn how they use people, processes, and technology to scale their businesses.

How Innovation is Changing the Future of Design with Mike Sewell - Gresham Smith

E139 • Dec 2, 2025 • 56 mins

Mike Sewell joins the episode to discuss his data-driven approach to environmental design and the role of technology in the AEC sector. He shares insights into his career and motivation, emphasizing the importance of improving communities through design. The conversation highlights the Empath platform, its technical origins, applications, and pilot projects, demonstrating its business impact and cost savings. Mike addresses privacy and compliance in design, stress factors in transportation, and potential applications in healthcare and construction. The discussion also covers automation's impact on AEC, showcasing innovations to clients, and technology's role in hiring and employee retention. Mike concludes with advice for the younger generation.

Connect with Mike Sewell - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-sewell-a85a19a/ Website: https://www.greshamsmith.com/

Connect with Justin & Will - Will's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willforet/ Justin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justneagle/

Learn More & Connect With Spot Migration - Website: https://www.spotmigration.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spot-migration Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spotmigration YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Spotmigration

Do you want to be a guest on the show? Go to https://buildingscale.net/guests

Need to discuss your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy? Go to https://buildingscale.net/help

Speakers

Mike Sewell

Guest • 76%

Will Foret

Host • 11%

Justin Neagle

Host • 13%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction to Mike Sewell and heart rate comparison
0:15	Mike Sewell's background and data-driven environmental focus
1:01	Podcast mission and introduction
1:21	Technology and cybersecurity in AEC
2:33	Guest introduction: Mike Sewell
3:18	Mike Sewell's career and motivation
4:57	Improving communities through design
6:11	Empath platform overview and technical origin
10:42	Empath platform applications and pilot projects
13:06	Future applications in various sectors
14:53	Business impact and cost savings with empath
17:33	Privacy and compliance in design
18:28	Stress factors in transportation and design
21:16	Healthcare and construction potential applications
22:49	Client collaboration and design innovations
31:24	Automation and its impact on AEC
33:02	Company culture and conscious automation decisions
37:07	Case studies of successful automation
41:26	Technology's role in hiring and employee retention
42:29	Showcasing innovations to clients
44:17	Gia: Implementation of an internal AI chatbot
50:29	Employee engagement with AI technology
51:08	AI use cases and presentations
52:05	Advice for the younger generation
53:45	Closing remarks and contact information
55:03	Outro and sponsor mention

Transcript

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