In this episode of The Common Chord, Carlton sits down with Jon Shulz, BIM Manager at Fieldstone Architecture and Engineering, to explore how coordinated workflows can improve the entire building process. Jon brings practical insight from the engineering side where accurate reactions, predictable layouts, and shared data help projects move faster.
The Search for a Single Source of Truth
Jon spends much of his time navigating tools that solve one part of the workflow but rarely the whole path from model to manufacturing. He described the gap between a full architectural model and production as a heavy lift. Some tools excel in design. Some are strong at manufacturing. Very few bring the entire sequence together. The industry still needs a true source of truth that engineers and component manufacturers can trust.
Jon explained that the move from a Revit or AutoCAD environment into panel production exposes a series of missing connections. Different tools handle separate steps, but the workflow remains disjointed. This is why he is watching Paragon’s progress in wall panels closely.
Moving Faster Through Better Coordination
A highlight of the conversation was how Fieldstone uses Paragon today. Jon’s team designs trusses and floor systems, pulls reactions, and completes engineering before the builder reaches out to a manufacturer. Builders start their permit process faster. Manufacturers receive layouts that are grounded in engineering from day one. The entire project gains momentum.
“Competition is good. But we all need to take the gloves off and work together better.”
Jon Shulz
That mindset aligns with the value of open APIs and independent design tools. Innovation grows when teams share information instead of guarding it.
