{"id":23128,"date":"2023-11-08T12:57:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T20:57:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/get-to-know-bj-siegel-former-apple-executive-and-co-founder-of-juno\/"},"modified":"2023-11-08T12:57:46","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T20:57:46","slug":"get-to-know-bj-siegel-former-apple-executive-and-co-founder-of-juno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/get-to-know-bj-siegel-former-apple-executive-and-co-founder-of-juno\/","title":{"rendered":"Get to Know BJ Siegel: Former Apple Executive and Co-Founder of Juno"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"-\"<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

Don\u2019t miss BJ Siegel\u2019s keynote speech at\u00a0WDBE<\/a>\u00a0in September 2023.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

In this interview, we learn how he\u2019s revolutionizing sustainable housing as a consumer product, using digital tools and asset-light approaches, while transforming how companies manage their data and processes.<\/p>\n

Designing commercial concepts<\/h2>\n

BJ Siegel is on a mission to reinvent the world of urban multifamily housing through his prop tech firm, Juno. As a co-founder, Siegel is dedicated to creating branded consumer products that seamlessly blend functionality with impact. But his journey in design didn\u2019t start there.<\/p>\n

Siegel\u2019s expertise began as an architect at a small design firm in San Francisco, where he honed his skills in exhibit and product design. This led him to create exhibit designs for Apple\u2019s product launches at their Macworld Expos. Eventually, he became part of the team that explored innovative retail ideas to take Apple\u2019s products directly to consumers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Siegel\u2019s experience at Eight, Inc. equipped him with the tools to develop unique ideas about concept design, which he took with him when he joined Apple in 2009 as the head of Innovations and Standards. Today, he is still passionate about design and continues to draw inspiration from it. \u201cI love the idea of being able to work in so many different aspects of design at the same time and understanding the whole picture,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Modular Construction: Meeting Developer and User Needs<\/h2>\n

Have you ever wished for an apartment that truly meets your needs and exceeds your expectations? Well, that\u2019s exactly what Juno is striving to achieve through their innovative approach to modular construction. Their focus on productizing apartments is not only aimed at satisfying the end user but also ensuring profitability for developers and investors.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe basis of our business model is to actually be a decentralized kind of orchestrator of a number of partners in an ecosystem and that makes us asset-light,\u201d Siegel remarks. While this innovative approach presents challenges in terms of changing people\u2019s ways of working, Juno remains committed to finding solutions that benefit everyone involved in the project. Ultimately, Juno\u2019s goal is to provide a seamless and efficient construction process for their clients.<\/p>\n


Urban Living and Single Family Houses<\/h2>\n

In the United States, the dream home for most people has typically been a single-family house. However, as the country evolves, so do the needs and preferences of its residents. There are those who value flexibility and agility in their living situations and would rather not be bogged down by a large asset. Moreover, the desire for an urban lifestyle is growing, especially among young professionals who are drawn to the cultural activities and walkability of city living.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This shift towards urban living has led to a shortage of apartments in urban centers in the US. The way forward? \u201cWe\u2019re trying to not solve every problem, but we\u2019re trying to solve that problem of urban density and high-quality living in the city,\u201d Siegel notes. The need for more urban housing options has resulted in a vibrant demand for apartments, as they offer high-quality living in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way. The sharing of resources and having a lighter impact on the environment is critical to achieving this goal.<\/p>\n

Prefabrication and Offsite Production\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Imagine a world where buildings are made not by hand on site, but rather in controlled environments by specialized manufacturers. That\u2019s the vision of offsite construction, a concept that has been attempted by many but has often failed to disrupt the industry due to inefficiencies and lack of adaptability.<\/p>\n

However, Juno is shaking up the game with a fresh take on their approach. According to Siegel, their model relies on an asset-light strategy that involves breaking down the project into parts. Instead of producing large volumetric boxes, they\u2019ve established a network of third-party manufacturers who create flat, panelized components that can be easily transported and assembled on site.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This approach doesn\u2019t just boost efficiency, but it also offers more freedom to make changes without a huge financial investment. It\u2019s a smart move that allows for greater adaptability and flexibility in the long run.<\/p>\n

Siegel observed that by utilizing digital twins and automating the process of creating a library of parts, there\u2019s a 50-60% improvement in the time it takes to draw a building from concept to permit drawings. This not only saves time and resources but also helps predict costs and reduce waste. By optimizing the raw materials used and nesting parts efficiently, they have reduced waste so effectively that their job site dumpsters are almost always empty.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, Juno\u2019s decentralized supply chain strategy enables them to transport parts more efficiently, reducing their environmental impact. But what really sets their approach apart is their use of mass timber to manufacture component parts. By doing so, they create a staggering difference in the embodied carbon footprint of their projects, offsetting much of the unavoidable carbon emissions from other sources. All of this is achieved by leveraging digital tools and processes to their fullest potential.<\/p>\n

A Look Into Building Ecosystems and Life Cycle Mentality<\/h2>\n

Siegel discussed their current production status and future plans, which involve testing various markets to ensure flexibility. They aim to create larger buildings that contribute to urban density in cities. Also, they\u2019re developing a platform and process for making buildings that can be applied to different types of housing.<\/p>\n

Juno also emphasizes their connection to the building after construction. They partner with building management companies to receive feedback from users and ensure energy-efficient maintenance. Again, the company is exploring ways to take apart the building at the end of its life for reuse of materials.<\/p>\n

Meet BJ Siegel at WDBE<\/h2>\n

Dive into Siegel\u2019s insightful thoughts right now by tuning in to\u00a0WDBE Talks<\/a>, the must-listen podcast for anyone passionate about digital construction. Even better, join us at\u00a0WBDE in September 2023<\/a>\u00a0to hear his keynote speech in person.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re eager to connect with this industry trailblazer, follow Siegel on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date with his groundbreaking ideas. To reach out directly to the team at Juno,\u00a0visit their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n