Modern Methods of Construction & Canada's First 3D Printed Building - Amy Vilis, Leigh Newman, Stephan Mansour (#43)
Amy Vilis is the Director of Housing Growth Innovation at DIGITAL — Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Digital Technologies — where she leads national initiatives that accelerate innovation across the housing and construction ecosystem.
Her work focuses on fostering cross-sector collaboration between technology companies, developers, policymakers, and researchers to address Canada’s housing challenges through digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, and scalable, data-driven solutions.
Leigh Newman – Entrepreneur and executive with over a decade of experience in civil and multi-unit residential construction, including the co-founding of three construction companies. As CEO of Printerra, a PropTech and GreenTech platform for Additive Construction, Leigh leads the development of systems, tools, and strategic partnerships to enable industry adoption of faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable building methods.
He is currently directing multiple proof-of-concept projects with academic and business partners to support revenue generation and generate the permitting and compliance data required for broader market acceptance.
Stephan Mansour – With nearly 2 decades in the construction sector, Stephan’s specialty is in construction digitization and supporting the adoption of innovative technologies in the AEC industry.
Focusing on Additive Construction (AC) and ISO / ASTM standards for Construction 3D printing, Stephan leads advisory services and collaborations with global public and private organizations and entrepreneurial establishments in the successful implementation of AC as a common tool to transform and innovate business operations in construction.
In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, host Payam Noursalehi dives into the fascinating world of digitization, Modern Methods of Construction, and construction innovation in real estate development. Joined by three esteemed guests—Amy Villis, Leigh Newman, and Stephan Mansour—the discussion explores the potential of 3D printing, AI, and other digital solutions in transforming the housing industry. Amy, Director of Housing Growth Innovation at Digital, provides an overview of her organization’s mission and the projects they’re investing in. Leigh, CEO of Print, shares insights on the challenges and successes in adopting 3D printing in construction. Stephan Mansour talks about the importance of standards and certifications in advancing new technologies. Together, they examine the current state of the industry, regulatory hurdles, and the critical role of innovation in meeting housing demands. Tune in for an in-depth conversation on how these pioneering approaches can lead to better, more sustainable homes.
- Housing Growth Innovation
- What is Additive Construction?
- 3D Printing Standards for Construction
- Challenges and Innovations in Construction
- The Role of Data in Housing Innovation
- Easing Innovation into the Construction Ecosystem
- Concerns About New Technologies in Construction
- Challenges with Adoption and Implementation
- Record-Breaking 3D Printed Building Project
- Navigating Regulatory and Permitting Hurdles
- Onsite Quality Assurance and Innovations
- Material and Technology Integration
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This document is a supplementary resource to
episode #24 of the Real Estate Development
Insights Podcast in which Payam Noursalehi shares a practical framework for evaluating and selecting the most suitable innovative systems for your next project.
