Gary Moore
About This Episode
Gary Moore, associate director of Blueprint Hydraulics, brings a unique trade-to-design journey perspective. A qualified plumber with 20+ years experience (starting apprenticeship through a family connection in Australia), Gary made the leap from hands-on plumbing to hydraulic design consulting to stay relevant as the industry digitises. The conversation covers the evolution of 3D modeling and LOD (Level of Development) in services design, the gap between what designers produce and what's actually buildable, and the importance of trade experience in design. A lighter episode that also dives into NZ vs Melbourne sports culture and Andy's Strategic Planning origin story.
Key Topics Discussed
- Trade-to-design transition. Gary saw digital transformation coming and moved from plumbing to hydraulic design consulting at Blueprint Hydraulics. "I'm a plumber who's having a crack at design consulting." 21 years in plumbing, now applying trade knowledge to design.
- 3D modeling & LOD levels. Digital push toward 3D modeling in services design. LOD (Level of Development) determines how detailed the model needs to be at each stage. Trade experience invaluable for understanding what's actually buildable vs what looks good on screen.
- Design-construct gap in services. Designers without trade experience produce work that doesn't translate to site reality. Having tradespeople involved in design bridges this gap.
- NZ vs Australia (sports/lifestyle). Melbourne is sports-mad capital (AFL, F1, Australian Open). NZ lacks free-to-air sports coverage, everything behind Sky Sports paywall. When Super Smash cricket was on free-to-air, attendances went up. NZ needs more free-to-air major events.
- Andy's origin story. Set up Strategic Planning during COVID, quit job overnight. 2.5 years in, worked with 38 different companies. Teaches not just how to draw Gantt chart lines but WHY and consequences if you don't.
Notable Quotes
- Gary: "I'm a plumber who's having a crack at design consulting... I'll call myself a plumber probably until the day I die."
- Gary: "That's where it's been going for quite a while, that's actually what led me to make a change last year."
- Andy: "I don't teach you how to draw lines on a piece of paper. I teach you why you should and the consequences if you do not."
Guest Background
Gary Moore is associate director of Blueprint Hydraulics. Qualified plumber, 21 years in the trade, started through a family apprenticeship in Australia. Moved from Melbourne to New Zealand. Made the leap to design consulting in 2023 to stay relevant as the industry digitises. Sports fanatic, big AFL, cricket, and Formula One fan. Misses Melbourne's sports culture.
