In this conversation, Oliver Thomas shares his journey from graduating as an architect during the financial crisis to co-founding Facit, a company focused on innovative housing solutions. He discusses the challenges he faced in his early career, the importance of mentorship, and the inspiration he draws from notable figures in architecture. Oliver elaborates on the unique approach of Facit, utilizing micro factories to revolutionize housing construction, and emphasizes the significance of technology in modern architecture. He also touches on the balance of managing multiple ventures and his aspirations for future projects, including a potential conference in the architecture and engineering technology space.

Takeaways

• Landing my first job as an architect was a huge milestone.
• Mentorship has played a crucial role in my career.
• I wanted to combine my background in design and technology.
• Facit aims to disrupt the housing market with innovative solutions.
• Micro factories allow for flexible and scalable housing production.
• Education and awareness are key to adopting new technologies.
• Balancing multiple ventures requires effective time management.
• Timing is critical for startup success in the housing sector.
• Getting technology into the hands of architects is essential.
• I aspire to create a TED Talks-style conference for the AEC tech space.

Chapters

00:00 Journey to Architecture: Early Career Highlights

02:20 Navigating Challenges: Quarter Life Crisis and Mentorship

04:53 Inspiration and Influences: Architects and Personal Heroes

07:18 Transitioning to Facit: The Decision to Leave Big

09:22 Innovating Housing: The Vision Behind Facit

12:17 Scaling Up: The Unique Approach of Facit Homes

14:18 Challenges in the Housing Market: Funding and Growth

17:01 Micro Factories: A New Approach to Construction

19:32 Education and Awareness: Scaling Across Geographies

22:00 Balancing Life: A Week in the Life of Oliver Thomas

24:21 Future Aspirations: Conferences and Podcast Goals

26:55 Advice for Startups: Navigating the AEC Tech Space

29:03 Rapid Fire: Quick Insights and Personal Preferences

31:10 Closing Thoughts: The Future of Architecture and ATN

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