Chris Rapczynski’s Tech Revolution in Traditional Building Craftsmanship
The construction industry has long been viewed as resistant to technological change, with traditional methods and hands-on craftsmanship taking precedence over digital innovation. Yet Chris Rapczynski, founder and president of Boston-based Sleeping Dog Properties, is breaking this mold by actively incorporating artificial intelligence and advanced scanning technologies into his luxury construction and renovation business.
With three decades of experience transforming Boston’s architectural landscape, Rapczynski isn’t resting on tradition. Instead, he’s positioning his company at the forefront of construction technology, creating a roadmap for how AI and digital tools can enhance rather than replace the human elements that have defined quality building for centuries.
Preparing for the AI Evolution
While many construction firms have taken a wait-and-see approach to artificial intelligence, Sleeping Dog Properties has proactively prepared for AI’s impact on the industry.
“About two years ago, Sleeping Dog Properties began an initiative on preparing ourselves for the evolution of what would be artificial intelligence overlays into some of the white collar jobs of our business,” Rapczynski explained in a recent interview. This forward-thinking approach has allowed the company to identify areas where AI can most effectively enhance their operations.
Rapczynski’s initial focus has been on incorporating AI into design processes – an area where clear rules and parameters can guide machine learning. “Design, while there’s a creative process, is formed within the boundaries of a lot of rules,” he noted. This structure makes design particularly suitable for AI assistance.
For example, Sleeping Dog Properties now uses AI to quickly generate bathroom design options based on specific parameters. “If you have a bathroom that’s 11 feet by 9 feet, there’s only so many configurations of a bathroom that can be made within the parameters of rules that you set,” Rapczynski explained. By inputting requirements like toilet clearance dimensions and luxury considerations, the AI can produce multiple design options that meet all specifications.
This approach eliminates what Rapczynski calls “the forgetful human element or the unknowing experienced person” from initial design generation, reducing errors and expanding creative possibilities. The result is a more efficient design process that still relies on human expertise for refinement and client interaction.
3D Scanning and Digital Twins
Perhaps even more transformative than AI in Rapczynski’s technological arsenal is Matterport, a sophisticated 3D scanning technology that creates detailed digital twins of physical spaces.
“We use a product called Matterport, which is a scanning document that scans a house. When we go to do a measurement, we scan the house, and then that LIDAR scanning, radio scanning… that does the measurements for me so that I know the wall placements,” Rapczynski explained. This technology allows his team to capture precise spatial data without the potential human errors of traditional measuring techniques.
The benefits extend beyond initial measurements. “When we build something and we have the baseline model, I can scan the house again with Matterport, and it can tell me if I’ve built it to the plans,” Rapczynski noted. This quality control application ensures that construction matches design intent, catching discrepancies before they become expensive problems.
Matterport scans also create a powerful reference tool for projects. “As a construction manager, I love the Matterport, which is this VR technology because it gives me a virtual 3D walkthrough when we scan the place. And that allows me to not have to be on site, and I can go and look and stuff,” Rapczynski shared. The technology provides a time-stamped record of construction that can be invaluable for troubleshooting issues that arise later.
“On July 19th, this is what this looked like. And it’s totally fine there, and now there’s water pouring out of here so we know it can’t be this and it might be this,” he explained, highlighting how digital records can narrow down problem sources more efficiently than traditional documentation.
AI-Enhanced Client Communication
Beyond design and scanning, Chris Rapczynski has found valuable applications for AI in client communication – a critical aspect of luxury construction where expectations are high and details matter.
“I feel like the one thing that’s helpful is we can have an AI-coached response, because sometimes a client will present a stream of consciousness that has a variety of touch points,” he noted. When clients present multiple questions or concerns simultaneously, AI can help ensure comprehensive responses.
“As a human responder, we tend to respond to the most inflammatory, and that can be in the form of their grievance, or let’s say the water’s leaking and they don’t know what to do. And it’s usually a layer of things, and we might respond to the first thing, but not for items 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 because you’ve just answered the one,” Rapczynski explained.
AI tools help Sleeping Dog Properties catch these communication gaps: “An AI response, if put in one of the platforms, can coach you on a thoroughness of response.” This ensures clients receive comprehensive answers addressing all their concerns, enhancing satisfaction and preventing misunderstandings.
This application shows Rapczynski’s nuanced understanding of AI’s role – not replacing human interaction but augmenting it to ensure higher-quality service.
The Next Generation of Construction Technology
Looking ahead, Rapczynski envisions even greater integration of technology in construction processes. He specifically hopes to see scanning technology become more accessible to tradespeople on job sites.
“It’s still an office tool that’s used in the field, and I wish it were a field tool that we all relied on. Anytime something is built, you hit a button and check in and scan the document, whether something’s wrong or not, but it scans the site and lets us know if something’s wrong,” he explained.
While he acknowledges this level of integration might seem distant, he’s prepared for rapid technological advancement: “When I see the technology that’s coming out, I don’t know how far away that is.”
This openness to emerging tools positions Sleeping Dog Properties to continue leading construction technology adoption in the luxury market. Rather than viewing technology as a threat, Rapczynski sees it as an opportunity to enhance what his company already does well.
Balancing Technology and Tradition
Despite his enthusiasm for new technologies, Rapczynski maintains a thoughtful balance between innovation and the traditional craftsmanship that has defined Sleeping Dog Properties for three decades.
“At this point though, we’re still having to check it all. We’re still having to do the hard work to know you can’t just trust it; you have to check it,” he noted about AI-generated designs. This verification process ensures that technology enhances rather than replaces human expertise.
Rapczynski also recognizes that some aspects of construction remain firmly in the human domain: “It doesn’t really apply. So one-to-one in the blue-collar stylized jobs where there’s bricks and mortar, nobody’s hammering a nail with AI. It’s just not feasible at this point.”
This balanced perspective allows Sleeping Dog Properties to leverage technology that adds value while preserving the craftsmanship that luxury clients expect. The company uses AI and scanning tools to handle repetitive tasks and improve accuracy, freeing up human creativity and skill for the aspects of construction that genuinely require them.
For example, when AI generates bathroom layout options, human designers still refine these concepts and collaborate with clients to select finishes, fixtures, and unique features. The technology is a starting point that accelerates the process without diminishing its creative elements.
Technology as a Sales and Visualization Tool
One particularly effective application of new technologies has been in client visualization. By combining AI-generated designs with realistic renderings, Sleeping Dog Properties helps clients better understand proposed work before construction begins.
“What clients want to see is then you take those ideas, and then you mature those into renderings and more realistic versions of what those bathrooms can be. And I’ve seen it’s a very effective sales tool to be able to go from having an idea of what you want to see it rendered,” Rapczynski explained.
This visualization capability creates confidence in the design process: “Once people see a full-color picture of their potential bathroom and they can move around it, it’s very reassuring that if we can achieve building this, then that’s what you would like. And there’s no unknown to that. Would it be nice enough?”
However, Rapczynski remains cautious about the limitations of virtual reality for client interactions. While technology like Matterport creates powerful visualizations for his team’s use, he approaches client-facing VR with caution.
“I strongly believe that communication is one of the paramount foundational blocks of our business,” he noted. “At some point though, the VR is sending you back to the kitchen of a restaurant expecting you to get a gourmet meal. You don’t know where everything is, you don’t know what it does, you don’t know how to put it together.”
This thoughtful approach to technology adoption – embracing tools that enhance while avoiding those that might confuse or create unrealistic expectations – demonstrates Rapczynski’s client-centered philosophy.
AI and the Future Workforce
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Rapczynski’s technological adoption is his consideration of how AI will impact the construction workforce and skill requirements.
In a recent team meeting about 2025 goals, he asked, “Will AI replace your jobs? Will it threaten our economy?” While he believes the physical aspects of construction remain secure, he acknowledges the potential for significant disruption in other areas.
He offered a personal example regarding architectural design: “I don’t know how to work on CAD. I just never trained in it, but I know how to read. I know so many elements of it, and the limitations are I don’t want to take the training. All that’s going to go out. I’m just going to say, ‘Design me a bathroom.’ And then that’s going to be available to everybody to do, not just me but everybody.”
This democratization of design capabilities presents both opportunities and challenges for the construction industry. Rapczynski hopes new technologies will “enhance people’s jobs and their ability to perform,” but acknowledges uncertainty about “what ultimately the impact will be.”
This foresight about workforce evolution sets Sleeping Dog Properties apart from competitors focused only on current practices. By preparing his team for technological change while maintaining core craftsmanship values, Rapczynski is positioning his company to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
A Pragmatic Approach to the Tech Revolution
What distinguishes Chris Rapczynski’s technological adoption is its pragmatism. Rather than pursuing technology for its own sake, he evaluates each tool based on its practical business benefits.
For example, he shared a story about his daughter Sophia helping with a punch list despite having no construction knowledge. Using her phone to convert handwritten notes to digital format, she created “an email bullet-pointed task list that got assigned by vendor and by room with a hierarchy and prioritization based on its need in sequence.”
This practical application of everyday technology demonstrated to Rapczynski how digital tools can transform mundane tasks: “And that was easy note-taking. And then that got converted into a punch list, which is just a game-changer because ours is an industry of lists and tasks, lists and prioritization.”
This focus on practical results rather than technological novelty guides Sleeping Dog Properties’ adoption decisions. Technologies that streamline processes, reduce errors, or enhance client experience receive investment, while those offering minimal improvement remain on the sidelines.
As the construction industry continues its technological transformation, Chris Rapczynski’s balanced, pragmatic approach positions Sleeping Dog Properties to lead rather than follow. By embracing AI and scanning technologies while maintaining the craftsmanship that defines luxury construction, he demonstrates how traditional industries can evolve without losing their essential character.
For clients, this means receiving the benefits of technological precision alongside the personalized service and artisanal quality that have defined Sleeping Dog Properties for three decades. It’s a combination that promises to keep the company at the forefront of luxury construction in Boston and beyond for years to come.
