The Constructivist Episode 8: George Salden on why we manufacture almost everything, but still build homes by hand

In Episode 8 of The Constructivist, Wulf von Borzyskowski speaks with George Salden, founder and CEO of Capital Bay Group, about industrialising housebuilding, digital planning approvals and what buildings need to deliver once they are in use. Salden approaches these questions from a real estate investor’s perspective: where do risks arise, where is time lost and what needs to change to make projects financially viable again?

The conversation examines the entire value chain, from finding land through planning and financing to the completed building. Salden explains why faster construction alone is not enough if the processes that precede it remain unchanged. He shares his experience of digital building permits in Japan and considers how connected buildings could use data to improve their operation and maintenance.

George Salden is the founder and CEO of Capital Bay Group, which he has led since 2016. He has more than 25 years of leadership experience and has overseen transactions totalling over €7.5 billion. His previous roles include board member and shareholder at Arbireo Capital and Managing Director of Alt+Kelber Immobilienmanagement. He is the author of “The Dynamic Method for Real Estate” and co-founder of the valuation and transaction software UVALUATE, later known as “21st”.