Welcome to the fourth in a series of interviews counting down to International Women’s Day on 8 March. A new interview with a member of Women in BIM will appear every Friday until 8 March.
Today, Giovana Hardt, product owner at FF Solutions, shares her thoughts. She’s a regional lead for Women in BIM in Brazil.
BIMplus: How did you get into the world of digital construction or BIM?
Giovana Hardt: During my time in college, I had the opportunity to gain diverse exposure within the construction sector, whether through engineering projects, research, or site work. Throughout these experiences, I encountered industry challenges that ignited a strong desire within me to address them, such as the lack of integration among different teams and discrepancies between design and execution.
Amid lectures and courses, I often heard about how BIM and the digitisation of construction had the power to tackle such challenges, so I decided to put it to the test. My frustrations turned into greater clarity, and since then, I have remained in the domain which, I was able to confirm, can bring about a more efficient and sustainable construction industry.
“Being included means I’m not only welcome, but also an essential contributor to the creative process. It ensures that others are empowered to play a role in our shared endeavours.”
When selecting your career path, what was the biggest influence on the decision you made?
The world of construction and engineering has always fascinated me, and I aspired to make an impact through it. However, I didn’t identify with a purely technical career path, and, throughout my journey, I realised there were alternative ways to contribute to the industry beyond roles such as designer or BIM manager.
Exploring lesser-known career paths, I recognised their significance. This realisation enabled me to gradually shift my career towards pioneering new products, businesses, and innovative solutions, all while staying rooted in the digital construction domain I always connected with.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #inspireInclusion. What does inclusion mean to you?
Inclusion is all about creating an environment where diverse people can belong and thrive. As a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field, and as a hearing-impaired individual in a predominantly hearing world, I see and feel first-hand how inclusion is essential for creating opportunities for those who come with and after us.
Being included means I’m not only welcome, but also an essential contributor to the creative process, and it ensures that others are equally empowered to play a vital role in our shared endeavours.
What do you think the future of construction looks like in terms of inclusion and diversity?
I envision the future of construction as having diverse leadership with diverse teams – whether in terms of gender or culture, and also in terms of professional background and perspectives. The sharing and exchange of knowledge that stems from interacting with others will lead to greater innovation in construction and, consequently, more enduring and impactful solutions for civil society.
