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If you’ve ever walked into the final day of a major industry conference expecting a quiet wrap-up, DBIA 2025 will surprise you.
Day 3 wasn’t about winding down — it was about leveling up. From conversations around Design-Build Done Wrong to a mind-bending keynote on AI in Construction, the day was buzzing with ideas, lessons, and “aha!” moments that felt both timely and transformative.
As an exhibitor at DBIA DESIGN-BUILD 2025, our team at iFieldSmart had front-row seats to the most honest, innovative discussions happening in the design-build community today. Between technology demos, panel sessions and brief conversations with owners, GCs and PMs, this is not only AI and digital collaboration the future of the construction industry, but also the foundation.
So, let’s revisit the highlights from Day 3, the moments that challenged, inspired, and redefined how we think about design-build delivery.
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Schedule a Meeting1. Learning from “Design-Build Done Wrong”
Theme: Owning mistakes, mastering risk, and building better from the ground up.
Let’s be honest — everyone loves a success story. But at DBIA 2025, it was refreshing to start the day by talking about the other side of success: failure.
The “Design-Build Done Wrong” session became a masterclass in humility and growth. Speakers dissected real-world pitfalls — from scope gaps that spiraled into costly rework, to communication breakdowns that derailed entire project timelines.
Here’s the thing: every “wrong” story had a silver lining. It highlighted what DBIA stands for — Design-Build Done Right® — built on trust, leadership, and accountability.
Our takeaway as exhibitors: Conversations at our booth often circled back to one theme — How can technology prevent the same old mistakes? With tools like Lens360 by iFieldSmart, teams can bridge gaps between design intent and field execution through AI-powered constructability reviews and scope analysis. It’s the kind of proactive approach that turns lessons learned into lessons applied.
2. Design-Build in Motion: General Motors’ Tech-Driven Transformation
One session that captured the energy of the future was this one.
General Motors showcased how digital coordination, BIM, and model-based delivery are rewriting the rules of manufacturing infrastructure. The shift from Design-Bid-Build to tech-enabled Design-Build wasn’t just theoretical — GM showed data-backed results: faster delivery, lower costs, and fewer change orders.
You could practically see the buzz ripple through the audience as teams realized that VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) isn’t just a department anymore — it’s a mindset.
Our viewpoint: Observing that session was similar to witnessing the realization of our own technology. Visitors were excited to discover how Reality Capture improves VDC workflows by verifying progress, checking design accuracy, and connecting models to construction outcomes.
3. Managing Risk in Projects
Fast-tracking a project is difficult to maintain. The session on managing risk in projects captured that idea perfectly.
Experts explained how real-time data, continuous project validation, and AI-assisted planning enable design to move faster without sacrificing quality.
What this really means is: speed without chaos.
Teams are finally embracing digital workflows where every stakeholder — from the owner to the field engineer — operates from a single source of truth.
Our insight: We heard from several contractors who said, “We’re moving too fast to rely on weekly updates.” That is where tools that automate progress tracking and AI-powered observation reports come in. Real-time visibility is no longer optional; it’s essential.
4. Innovation in Ownership & Delivery Models
Day 3 also dove deep into what ownership really means in Design-Build — not just legally, but strategically.
Sessions like “A Tale of Two Owners” and “Alternative Technical Concepts at JFK Airport” showed how adaptable leadership and transparent risk-sharing can change everything.
When owners take an active, informed role — supported by digital collaboration — projects run smoother, faster, and with fewer disputes.
It reminded us of something a speaker said: “Innovation doesn’t start with tech. It starts with people willing to collaborate differently.”
Takeaway: Whether it’s through digital twin platforms or interactive dashboards, owners now expect visibility. And rightly so. They want to see, track, and validate — not just sign off.
5. Collaboration & Learning from “Bloopers in the Big Room”
This session was a crowd favorite — and for good reason. It was real.
Speakers shared unfiltered stories from the “Big Room” — the collaborative war room where architects, engineers, and builders hash out designs in real time. The so-called bloopers were less about failure and more about learning: lack of trust, data silos, and unclear communication.
You could hear laughter, sighs, and plenty of note-taking. Because every professional in that room had been there.
The message? True collaboration doesn’t happen by accident. It’s engineered through clarity and technology.
Our booth experience echoed that. Visitors wanted to know how AR/VR integration could improve coordination. When you can literally walk through a model and identify clashes before pouring concrete, you don’t just collaborate — you connect.
6. AI & The Future of Design-Build — The Grand Finale
If there was ever a mic-drop moment, it came from Steve Brown, futurist and AI strategist, who closed the conference with his keynote: “10 Hot Trends in AI.”
A picture of what’s next from predictive project analytics to AI copilots that understand context, intent, and emotion. The energy in the room was charged.
And here’s the kicker: it wasn’t about replacing people. It was about increasing human intelligence, giving teams the ability to make faster, smarter, and safer decisions.
The session aligned with our mission. It showcases how AI, reality capture, and digital twin technology keep project teams informed, proactive, and future-ready.
Key Learnings from Day 3
- Design-Build Done Wrong: Challenges teach resilience. Every hurdle provides insight for smarter planning and fewer reworks.
- GM’s Digital Delivery: VDC and digital twins are driving smarter builds. When speed meets precision, profit naturally follows.
- Schedule-Driven Risk: Real-time data prevents chaos. Teams that remain connected face fewer delays and build stronger trust.
- Ownership Models: Collaboration works best when it begins with a clear contract. By clarifying everyone’s role from the start reduces conflicts are reduced and results are improved.
- Big Room Bloopers: Transparency keeps teams aligned. A culture that embraces honesty over hierarchy drives better collaboration and results.
- AI & The Future: AI does not replace people; it increases your capabilities. Smarter design and construction decisions start with increasing human intelligence.
Conclusion: Beyond the Booth
One thing became evident by the conclusion of Day 3: the design and construction sector is undergoing a revolution that is defined by cooperation, data, and artificial intelligence.
There was more to exhibiting at DBIA 2025 than merely demonstrating technology. It was about participating, learning, and listening to tomorrow’s builders.
In the end, innovation is about smarter teamwork rather than just smarter instruments. And if Day 3 was any indication, that future is already here.
See you next year — smarter, faster, and more connected.
