Insights for what's next

Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.

142 items
sustainable architecture
Big Questions

How can architecture help mitigate risks related to climate change and ensure long-term building resilience?

With more than two decades of experience delivering complex, high-performance developments, Brian Cook is a seasoned architectural leader in civic, life science and commercial mixed-use design. As technical principal of architecture, laboratory planning and interiors based out of Boston, Massachusetts (MA), Brian drives design excellence and technical innovation for large-scale, multi-phased projects across the U.S. and internationally. In addition to his technical leadership, Brian plays a pivotal role in business development locally for the Jacobs team in Boston, helping strengthen long-term client relationships and expand the company’s presence in the life science, advanced technology/manufacturing industries. Brian is widely recognized for his experience in custom building enclosures and complex façades. His leadership spans all phases of project delivery — from early visioning through construction — ensuring precision, quality and alignment with client goals. Driving innovation in life sciences and workplace design Brian’s impact is visible in the life sciences industry, where he leads projects with highly technical workplace and laboratory environments designed to advance research, collaboration and employee wellbeing. CRISPR Therapeutics – Research & Development Headquarters, South Boston, MA Brian was the principal-in-charge for the CRISPR Therapeutics new research and development headquarters. This new 263,500-square-foot, seven-story research and development facility redefines how people interact at work and how science is supported through design. The project recently received the New England International Interior Design Association Award in the Science & Research category. 400 Guest Street, Allston Yards – Boston, MA Brian oversaw the creation of a 630,000-square-foot life sciences campus targeting LEED

Brian Cook
shipping port
Q&A

A view on the future of ports & maritime: A Q&A with Chris Best

Ports are vital infrastructure links in the global logistics chain – facilitating trade and commerce, providing connectivity between people and businesses, supplying our nations with goods and energy resources, and generally underpinning our economies and livelihoods. In this Q&A, Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Ports & Maritime Chris Best talks about trends making a splash in ports & maritime today, what clients are focusing on, and how we’re co-creating the world to come.

Chris Best
pipes
Q&A

A view on the future of conveyance and storage: A Q&A with Dr. Adel Aboujaoude

From aging water infrastructure, regulatory requirements and climate change, our clients face unprecedented challenges. Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Conveyance and Storage Dr. Adel Aboujaoude and his team are shaping how we deliver safe and reliable water to communities worldwide. Through adopting available technology and creating new technologies, he ensures we’re providing tailored solutions to our clients. In this Q&A, Adel discusses the imortance of water conveyance, particularly in locations where access to clean and potable water is a challenge and highlights the importance of having the right people and technology to tackle the problem of water scarcity in a changing world.

Adel AbouJaoude
tunnel motion blur
Q&A

A view on the future of rail & transit: A Q&A with Gavin Fraser

Public transportation systems, valued as some of the most equitable and sustainable modes of transportation, connect communities and help stimulate economic development. In this Q&A, Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Rail & Transit Gavin Fraser talks about trends keeping rail & transit on track for the future, what clients are focusing on, and how we’re co-creating the world to come.

Gavin Fraser
Q&A: Talking with Program Manager, Jackie Roe
Q&A

Q&A: Talking with program manager, Jackie Roe

Jackie Roe is an experienced Program Director who has spent more than half her life managing some of the world’s most complex, time-sensitive and publicly sensitive infrastructure projects, including the Thames Tideway Tunnel Project, Rio 2016 Olympics and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She has also worked in Australia supporting some of our Australian clients deliver their large-scale infrastructure projects, and is currently working on a major clean energy program in the U.K. We’re connecting with our team of engineering heroes around the world to showcase their careers and how each of them help Jacobs to live up to our promise of Challenging today. Reinventing tomorrow. Here, we talked wit Jackie about career, the STEAM heroes who inspire her and what she gets up to outside of work . Tell us a bit about what you’re working on these days. Having spent nearly eight years in the U.K. working on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project in London and prior to that on the Rio 2016 and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, last year I took the opportunity to travel to Sydney. There, I worked with a variety of our Jacobs teams to share major infrastructure project best practice and key learnings, as well as to help steer and support some of our clients as they embark on larger and more complex infrastructure projects and programs than ever before. Since returning to the U.K., I have joined the integrated client team at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, where Jacobs

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Landscape at night
Thought Leadership

Shaping saudi arabia’s future cities through bold ambition

Saudi Arabia’s transformation is redefining how cities are planned, funded and delivered. Abdulelah Alsheikh reflects on lessons learned from giga projects, the role of governance and systems, and how ambition itself has become a national capability shaping Vision 2030. From projects to systems One of the biggest lessons I’ve carried into my role at Jacobs is that urban transformation isn’t only about delivering physical projects. True transformation happens when institutions are strengthened, governance models are refined and systems are built to last. Infrastructure can be constructed in years but institutions endure for generations. That’s why my focus with clients is not only on assets delivered but also on capabilities embedded — ensuring the systems behind those assets are resilient enough to support ambition well beyond Vision 2030. The defining shift Looking back over the past decade, the Kingdom’s defining achievement is not a single metro line, airport or giga project — though these are remarkable in scale and speed. The real shift has been philosophical. Urban development has moved from being reactive to growth to becoming a proactive tool for competitiveness, quality of life and global positioning. That mindset shift — treating urbanism as a strategic lever rather than a byproduct — is perhaps the most valuable infrastructure Saudi Arabia has built. Opportunities and challenges at scale As we accelerate toward Vision 2030, the opportunity before us is unique: to leapfrog legacy models. Most global cities retrofit sustainability, mobility and cultural identity into systems already in place. Saudi Arabia can

vibrant cityscape of Brisbane at dusk, viewed from an elevated perspective
Thought Leadership

Beyond the games: Designing Australia's infrastructure legacy

Brisbane 2032 will test Australia’s ability to deliver disciplined, future-ready infrastructure on a global stage. With strong governance, collaboration, and innovation, the Games can redefine how the nation plans, builds, and leaves a lasting legacy of sustainable growth.

A nighttime aerial view of Gold Coast Australia with a brightly lit skyline
Thought Leadership

Shaping tomorrow: The case for a national settlement plan

As demand for housing, transport and services grows, Australia must move beyond reactive projects. A long-term settlement plan would align population growth with infrastructure investments, ensuring better outcomes nationwide.

Future Foundation Banner
Thought Leadership

Move fast, break nothing: Transforming transport without the chaos

As transportation systems shift toward sustainability, the challenge isn’t just about innovation—it’s about ensuring a smooth transition without disruption. Unlike tech startups that thrive on rapid iteration, transportation networks require precision, long-term planning, and careful risk management. This article explores how data-driven strategies, smart risk mitigation and workforce transformation are shaping a new era of transport—one that’s bold, efficient and built to last.

Patrick King
Spiral mirrored structure reflecting greenery and decorative elements inside
Q&A

Do digital twins live up to the hype?

Digital twins are having a moment. Whether your goal is to minimize the risk of cost and schedule blow outs on a project, engage more effectively with communities and interest groups across the design process or reduce operations and maintenance costs to achieve greater profitability over the long term, a digital twin is often promoted as the answer. They certainly hold great promise, but should we be buying into the hype? We sat down with Jacobs Global Principal – Digital Twins Garrett Owens to find out... Firstly, what is a digital twin? Fundamentally, a digital twin is a digital or virtual replica of a physical asset or system. It is developed for the purpose of intelligently connecting complex information to offer insights into the physical system in a risk-free environment. A digital twin communicates and visualizes these insights to owners and operators to better-inform decisions about how the asset or system is operated and maintained. Better decisions support positive interventions and thereby produce valuable outcomes. Do they live up to the hype? Digital twins are currently one of the hot button technology trends in the industry. However, we must avoid the hype associated with specific technologies and instead focus on the benefits that digital twins bring to the industry. The benefits for organizations are numerous, ranging from reducing costs to increasing throughput and production capacity. Digital twins are an active agent in value creation and their applications are constantly expanding. Digital twins have been developed and applied in everything from

Twilight landscape with wind turbines silhouetted against a colorful sky and reflected in calm water
Thought Leadership

Accelerating renewable energy projects in Australia

Australia is aiming for 82% renewable electricity by 2030. Success depends on navigating approvals, overcoming technical challenges and addressing community concerns while maintaining financial and environmental viability.

  • Future Foundations

    Co-creating the world to come

    From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.

    As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future. 

    Visit Future Foundations
    Future-Foundations