Future Forward: Integrate Climate Risks into Existing Processes
This page profiles innovative and impactful applied research in civil and structural engineering to spur continuing thought and dialog to create a better industry. These profiles are based on interviews, and the opinions and statements are those of the subject and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by this publication. Lauren Seydewitz is an environmental scientist and Director of Sustainability with Gresham, Smith and Partners. Conversations about sustainable infrastructure and how...
Change Leader: Modular Structures May Revolutionize Construction
These profiles are based on interviews, and the opinions and statements are those of the subject and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by this publication. GrowthPoint Structures hopes to transition building to a factory-based modular model, moving the construction process from onsite to a production line, similar to Henry Ford’s automotive revolution. The company recently completed a 140,000-square-foot facility in Carson, Calif., which aims to rapidly decrease the time and cost...
Change Leader: Vectorworks CEO Discusses BIM, New Releases
These profiles are based on interviews, and the opinions and statements are those of the subject and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by this publication. Dr. Biplab Sarkar is the CEO of Vectorworks, a Nemetschek company, with 25-plus years of experience developing CAD software. As CEO, he provides strategic leadership to the company by establishing and meeting company sales, growth and market-share objectives. Sarkar earned a Ph.D. in CAD and an M.S. in mechanical engineering at Th...
Future Forward: Using Climate Models to Better Engineer Future Pavement Surfaces
This page profiles innovative and impactful applied research in civil and structural engineering to spur continuing thought and dialog to create a better industry. These profiles are based on interviews, and the opinions and statements are those of the subject and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by this publication. Shane Underwood is an associate professor of Civil Engineering in the North Carolina State University Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Department. Hi...
Future Forward: Think Long Term for Maximum Value
This page profiles innovative and impactful applied research in civil and structural engineering to spur continuing thought and dialog to create a better industry. These profiles are based on interviews, and the opinions and statements are those of the subject and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by this publication. Dr. John Brown Miller is a global expert on public infrastructure with an eye on efficiency and value. He has a 35-year focus on bringing practical business, legislat...
Change Leader: Simplify Legal Structures to Get Things Done
Philip K. Howard, chair of not-for-profit Common Good, is a lawyer who is actively involved in shaping public policy. In addition to writing several books during his career, he recently wrote a report, “Two Years, Not Ten Years: Redesigning Infrastructure Approvals,” which shows that a six-year delay in starting construction on public projects costs the nation more than $3.7 trillion, including the costs of prolonged inefficiencies and unnecessary pollution. Change If Howard could change anyth...
Future Forward: Can Cross-Laminated Timber Replace Concrete and Steel?
This page profiles innovative and impactful applied research in civil and structural engineering. With a background as a builder and developer in construction for 35 years, Casey Malmquist is CEO and president of SmartLam, the first commercial manufacturers of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in the United States. He has a bachelor of science degree in environmental studies from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. What Is CLT? Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is part of what’s collectively...
Change Leader: Overcoming Budget Constraints at State DOTs
J.D. D’Arville (top) is the GIS/LRS data management administrator for the Alabama Department of Transportation (DOT), and John Russell (bottom), a licensed surveyor, is the surveying and mapping administrator for the Alabama DOT. John Russell Change D’Arville and Russell have worked together at the Alabama DOT for 25 years, and both have seen a lot of organizational and technological change in that time. “We know what each other is up against and how we can help each other,” notes D’Arvi...
Future Forward: Use a PERMIT System to Promote Safety on the Job Site
This page profiles innovative and impactful applied research in civil and structural engineering. Patrick Tarrant is the founder and CEO of Crane Management, a consulting agency for construction companies in New York City. A well-known industry professional with more than 40 years of experience, Tarrant is frequently hired as an expert witness in construction and safety cases. Trained in all areas of crane operations, he is a certified hoist operator, master rigger, American Welding Soci...
Change Leader: Technology Is Changing Construction More Than Ever Before
Viet T.P. Pham Blake Potts Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Consultant Viet T.P. Pham of MT Højgaard in Denmark and Regional VDC Manager Blake Potts of Rogers-O’Brien Construction in the United States are experts in digital construction who use Pix4D’s drone mapping technology for site surveying. Change The greatest challenge in the construction industry is productivity—or, to be more specific, lack of productivity. Investing in the most advanced technologies for surveying a...
Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
