Team collaborating
🏗️ AEC Innovation Sprint · Vancouver · June 6

You have a problem
that wastes hours.
Let's turn it into an app.

A hands-on sprint for architects, engineers & construction professionals.

📅June 6, 2026
📍SFU Vancouver
Reserve My Spot →
Early bird from $49 · Tickets on sale soon
What is BuildDay?

Not a conference. Not a workshop.
You actually build.

A structured one-day sprint where real AEC professionals tackle real problems — and leave with a working app, not just notes.

🎯

Bring any problem

A workflow that eats hours. A gap in your team's process. An idea you've had for months. Just show up with the problem.

🤝

Build with a team

Arrive solo and form a team on the day, or bring your crew. Groups of 6–8 work together with mentor support throughout.

🚀

Leave with something real

Not a mockup. Not slides. A working application you can use on Monday — and keep developing beyond the event.

A collaboration between Archipelago × Simon Fraser University
The Day · June 6

A Full Day Sprint. From Problem to App.

8:00 – 9:45 AM

☕ Pitch & Team Up

Arrive, pitch your problem in 60 seconds, vote on the strongest ideas, and form your team.

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🛠️ Build Sprint

Heads down with mentor support. Define the workflow, pick the tools, and start building your app.

1:00 – 4:30 PM

⚡ Lunch + Final Push

Refuel, regroup with mentors, sharpen scope, and finish strong. Test your app before the final hour.

4:30 – 6:00 PM

🏆 Final Pitches

Selected teams present on stage. Show what you built, the problem it solves, and how far you got in one day.

6:00 – 8:00 PM

🎉 Celebration & Networking

Awards, drinks, and conversations. Many teams leave ready to keep building — and with new collaborators to do it with.

What You'll Build

Real AEC apps. Built in a day.

Tools AEC professionals have built in similar sprints — solving problems from their own practice.

Who's Behind This

Delivered by AEC pros
who actually build.

Brian Liu

Brian Liu, P.Eng

Civil Engineer · Fractional CTO · Archipelago

Civil engineer and fractional CTO specializing in technology implementation within AEC companies. As a serial creator of vibecoded internal applications, he builds workflow-specific tools rapidly to solve real operational problems. As founder and P.Eng at Archipelago, Brian bridges technical capability with real-world AEC workflows.

Otavio Chaves

Otavio Chaves

Architect · Community Builder · Archipelago

Organized, facilitated, and mentored at 10+ startup weekends and hackathon-style events. With a background in architecture and deep community program experience, he designs structured, high-impact experiences that help professionals move from ideas to execution. At Archipelago, he leads community strategy and hands-on innovation initiatives.

Venue

A space built for big ideas.

Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue

Simon Fraser University · 515 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC

Tickets · June 6, 2026

Reserve your spot.

All tickets include meals, mentorship, workspace, and the full day's program.

⚡ EARLY BIRD
General
$49
Limited spots
Standard
$79
General admission
⚡ EARLY BIRD
Student
$29
Valid ID required
Student Standard
$39
Valid ID required

🔒 Secure checkout via Stripe — coming soon.

Join the Waitlist →

🎉 You're on the list!

We'll reach out as soon as tickets go live. Early bird spots are very limited — you'll be first to know.

FAQ

Quick answers.

Can I come alone?
Absolutely. Most participants arrive solo. We create dedicated opportunities during the morning for you to meet other participants, join a team, and find a challenge that excites you. You won't be building alone.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. The tools we use are designed for non-developers. Your AEC expertise — knowing the problem deeply — is worth more than coding skills. Technical participants are welcome too, but they're not required.
What if I don't have a team or idea?
Most people arrive solo. Teams form in the morning based on which problems resonate. If you have an idea, people will rally around it. If you don't, you'll find a challenge that clicks.
Can I come with my own team?
Absolutely. Arrive with a pre-formed group of up to 8 people and work on a shared challenge. Register individually and note your team at sign-up.