Said in Concrete

After a season of conversations spanning numerous topics, this special edition episode takes a step back to reflect on the bigger themes shaping the future of construction.Joining Estelle for this recap discussion are David Millar, CEO of the Concrete Institute of Australia, and Clare Tubolets, CEO of SmartCrete CRC.They revisit some of the most important insights and recurring challenges raised throughout the podcast series — from bridging the gap between research and industry, to navigating sustainability, workforce capability and long-term infrastructure resilience.Rather than looking at these topics in isolation, this conversation explores how they connect, what the sector still needs to improve, and why collaboration across the entire ecosystem will be critical moving forward.This episode is both a reflection on how far the industry has come, and a conversation about where it needs to go next.

Sustainability in construction is no longer a side conversation. It’s reshaping the way projects are designed, specified and delivered across the industry.In this episode, Estelle sits down with Lauren Howe from Arup and Sam Chen from Mott MacDonald to explore how engineering and materials expertise are helping drive the transition toward lower embodied carbon infrastructure.Rather than focusing purely on future targets, this conversation looks at the practical realities of change — where the industry is already making progress, where barriers still exist, and how collaboration across design, materials and delivery will ultimately determine how quickly we move forward.From evolving expectations around carbon accountability to the importance of systems thinking and innovation, this episode unpacks what it really means to engineer sustainability into the built environment.

In this episode, Estelle is joined by Ali Kashani from UNSW and Evan Smith, National Sustainability Manager at Holcim, to explore one of the construction industry’s biggest challenges—decarbonising the way we build.As the push toward net zero continues to accelerate, the conversation around concrete is evolving beyond strength and performance to focus on lifecycle impact, material innovation and smarter decision-making across the supply chain. From low-carbon concrete and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to circular economy principles and emerging technologies like 3D concrete printing, this discussion unpacks what it really takes to make sustainable construction practical, scalable and commercially viable.Together, they explore the role industry, research and government all play in driving meaningful change, and why collaboration will be critical to building a lower-carbon future.

Innovation in construction is often talked about as the next big step — but the real question is how we actually get there.In this episode, the focus turns to what happens between a good idea and real-world impact. With so much promising research emerging across the sector, from low-carbon materials to technologies like 3D concrete printing, the challenge isn’t a lack of innovation, it’s translating it into something that can be adopted, scaled and trusted in practice.Joining the conversation are Jessey Lee, Structural Engineer, and Janitha Migunthanna, Education Specialist in Civil and Construction Engineering from Swinburne University. Together, they share their perspective on where the disconnect between academia and industry still exists, what stronger collaboration could look like, and why applicability needs to be front of mind from the very beginning.This episode looks beyond the ideas themselves and into the systems, relationships and mindset shifts needed to make innovation stick — not just in theory, but on the ground where it matters most.

Durability, performance, and long-term value are becoming central to how we think about construction — but it all starts with the materials we choose.In this episode, Estelle sits down with Craig Mellick and Sean Windred from BG&E Materials to explore the role materials engineering plays in shaping the built environment. From design life and durability to testing, data, and real-world application, the conversation looks at how a deeper understanding of materials can lead to smarter, more resilient outcomes.Together, they explore how the industry is evolving, from traditional processes to more advanced technologies, including data monitoring, adaptive reuse, and innovative approaches to construction. They also discuss the balance between risk and innovation, and why better-informed decision making is critical to improving both performance and sustainability.This episode offers a practical perspective on what it really takes to build structures that last, and why the future of construction depends on getting the fundamentals right.

Decarbonisation is no longer a future ambition—it’s a present-day responsibility for the construction industry.In this episode, Estelle sits down with Estela Garcez and David Law to explore how the sector is working to reduce its environmental footprint across the full lifecycle of materials, infrastructure and projects. From the progress already being made to the challenges still holding us back, this conversation looks at what meaningful change actually requires.Together, they unpack the role construction plays in the transition to lower-carbon infrastructure, the practical steps organisations are taking today, and where the biggest opportunities lie to accelerate decarbonisation across the industry.

Durability is no longer just a technical detail, it’s central to how we build for the future.In this episode, Estelle sits down with Jonathan Dyson and Summer Wang to explore what durability by design really means in today’s construction landscape. As the industry shifts toward more sustainable and resilient infrastructure, the focus is moving beyond upfront cost to long-term performance and lifecycle value.From ultra high performance concrete to recycled materials and emerging technologies, this conversation unpacks how durability is evolving, and why it’s becoming critical to reducing maintenance, improving outcomes, and delivering infrastructure that lasts.Together, they share insights into where the industry is heading, the challenges in adopting new approaches, and what it will take to truly build for the long term.

The construction industry is at a turning point and what comes next will define the future of our built environment.In this episode, Estelle is joined by Dena Jacobs and Alison Scotland to explore the forces shaping the future of construction. From policy and infrastructure priorities to sustainability, innovation and system-wide change, this conversation looks at how the industry is evolving and what it needs to move forward.Together, they discuss the importance of collaboration between government and industry, the challenges we need to confront, and the opportunities to build a more sustainable, resilient and forward-thinking sector.

Digital transformation is no longer a future concept, it’s already reshaping the construction industry in real time.In this episode, Estelle sits down with Farham Sharivar and Dan Rowley to unpack what digital transformation actually looks like on the ground. From data-driven decision making and smarter project delivery to the integration of emerging technologies, this conversation explores how innovation is improving efficiency, productivity and outcomes across the sector.Blending research insight with real-world application, Farham and Dan share where the industry is getting it right, where there’s still work to do, and what the next wave of digital change could mean for construction professionals.

In this episode, Liza O’Moore returns to share her perspective on what it truly means to be a lifelong learner. With more than 30 years of experience across structural and concrete design, research, and academic leadership, Liza reflects on why curiosity matters at every stage of your career. She explores how continuous learning not only strengthens your technical ability, but also shapes you as a colleague, leader, and innovator — and why staying open to new ideas is one of the most powerful habits you can cultivate.