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Walking Into the Energy of DBIA 2025
You can feel it as you enter the MGM Grand Conference Center: the excitement of ideas, conversation, and that unmistakable sound of moving forward. Day 1 of the Design-Build Conference & Expo 2025 is not just any other gathering in the construction industry. It is a living schematic of how design and construction are once again merging.
For us at iFieldSmart Technologies, it’s more than an event; it’s where collaboration, data, and innovation come together in real time. At the center of that conversation is Lens360, our platform that helps teams turn complexity into clarity through VDC solutions powered by 3D models, AI, and AR/VR.
The Morning Buzz: Collaboration in Motion
The day kicked off early with the conversations. Between the Practitioners’ Forum and the Owners’ Forum, one message echoed across every discussion: collaboration drives everything.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
iFieldSmart empowers your team with AI-driven efficiency to simplify scheduling, boost collaboration, and keep projects on track.
Schedule a MeetingAt Booth 431, we watched attendees nod as they shared similar experiences, projects delayed because information lived in silos, teams struggling with version control, or missed coordination between field and design.
Here’s the thing: data integration isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s survival. The professionals we spoke with, from general contractors to project managers, all wanted one thing: a way to see the full picture of their project in real time.
That’s where Lens360 by iFieldSmart fits naturally. It connects AI insights, progress tracking, and immersive visualization into one platform.
When Innovation Becomes Tangible
Later, the conversations shifted from theory to application. Over at Track 2: Design-Build: The Innovation Engine, a session on Progressive Design-Build sparked something that resonated deeply with our team.
The presenters shared how early engagement and real-time collaboration lead to cost certainty and faster delivery. Standing in our booth later, we couldn’t help but smile. That’s exactly what Lens360 delivers.
Visitors gathered around our demo screens to explore:
- Real-time 3D models that dynamically update as field conditions change.
- AR/VR guidelines that allow teams to try out designs before building them.
- Data dashboards tracking progress, RFIs, and coordination issues in real time.
Data Integration That Actually Connects the Dots
A big takeaway from attendees today? They don’t just want data; they want meaningful data.
Every visitor asked some version of this question: “How do I connect what’s happening in the field to what’s happening in the office?”
Our answer was simple: Data Integration done right.
Lens360 syncs project data across platforms from design coordination to field progress, so everyone stays aligned. The beauty of it? Teams can monitor the updates live, even from a phone or tablet. This is not just updated information tracking, but updated information storytelling where visuals, analytics, and insights tell the truth about the health of your project.
The VDC Evolution: Why It Matters
Here’s what’s exciting about DBIA 2025: everyone here is thinking beyond blueprints. VDC solutions are no longer a niche tool; they’re the foundation of design-build collaboration.
The biggest shift we saw today? Teams aren’t using VDC just for coordination anymore. They’re using it to:
- Forecast cost and schedule risks.
- Simulate construction phases using AI models.
- Engage clients with immersive AR/VR visuals.
That’s the kind of transformation that pushes projects from reactive to proactive. And it’s exactly why VDC + Data + Human Collaboration is becoming the new normal.
Networking, Connections, and Conversations that Matter
Between the lunch networking sessions and the Exhibit Hall Welcome Reception, one thing became clear: DBIA isn’t just a conference; it’s a community.
We met owners exploring their first design-build project, architects curious about VDC integration, and contractors who’ve been in the field long enough to recognize good tech when they see it. Every conversation added another layer to our understanding of collaboration.
And yes, the questions came fast:
- “Can Lens360 integrate with our Procore data?”
- “Can we visualize progress from drone scans?”
- “Can AI flag risks automatically?”
The answer to all three is yes.
The Moment of the Day
As the VDC Innovation Talks began in the Expo Hall, we paused to listen. The topic? Humans Before Hardware: Rebuilding Real Collaboration in a Tech-Heavy World.
That phrase resonated because at iFieldSmart, we share the same belief.
Tools like AR/VR, AI, and 3D models can add value when supporting teams at work. That’s what we observed on day one: engaging with people, learning, and rethinking what’s possible through technology and teamwork working together.
Here’s What Stood Out on Day 1
- Collaboration isn’t optional anymore: Success starts when owners, designers, and builders align early; that’s where real progress begins.
- AI and AR/VR are now daily tools: The technologies are transforming visualization and automation, helping teams work faster and smarter.
- Data integration defines success: The unified, real-time project data reduces errors and enables better, data-driven decisions.
- VDC is the backbone of design-build: 3D models have become the shared language for every stakeholder from the field to the boardroom.
- Human connection drives innovation: Mostly, the powerful ideas emerge from teams that listen, adapt, and work together openly.
Wrapping Up Day 1
As the Expo Hall quieted and the energy settled, one thought lingered: Day 1 was only the beginning.
We exited motivated, appreciative, and energized. We are thankful, and it reminds us of our dedication to assisting teams in building better, quicker, and together with each handshake, demonstration, and insightful question.
So if you are at DBIA 25, stop by Booth 431 tomorrow.
Explore the world of Lens360 by iFieldSmart, where you can experience projects like never before with AI, AR/VR, and VDC technologies. Let’s discuss your objectives, difficulties, and workflow. Design-build’s future is about turning ideas into reality, not only about technology.
