Autodesk University & Gunslinger: A few weeks in the US of A

Autodesk University 2012 is over for yet another year. Some great developments in the cloud, as well as new products including formit, BIM360 and Fusion360. It was a brilliant event that sits very high on the must do list for any person interested in technology. Amazing products and training sessions as well as future technologies and advancement in the design industry. The invaluable part of the week is the networking side, professionals are willing to share ideas about where they see their current practices and workflow, we discuss openly and honestly our adoption to BIM as well as any cultural barriers we feel still exist. Discussions went even further as to discuss our dreams of where we see the software headed, and also how the industry, both in Media and Entertainment as well as Architecture, Construction and Engineering is headed. It was a great week.

Creativity is at the forefront at events like these, technologies are moving so rapidly that if we do not adopt them and keep moving forward we will lag behind in an ever-increasing technological world. It is an interesting point to touch on, especially in an Architectural world where these topics are quite relevant and the Autodesk University week reinforces this. Carl Bass addressed the keynote discussing the way we use the tool set and how it can all come together as one in the cloud, the idea of infinite computing and adopting this approach in the way we move forward and develop. He went on to discuss how we require different tools to create more advanced forms including those in design as well as fabrication. The session touched on an ever-increasing digital world and that Autodesk will continue to drive this in their approach as well as permanently engage with industry to promote a tool set we can use to develop the way we design and think. This is extremely relevant as I was a part of the Revit Gunslinger event in Waltham, Massachusetts a fortnight later where it was clear that Autodesk and the way we use software are influenced by real life examples and users. It does well to bring together software development, industry and practical use which is incredibly powerful in its approach. As an individual in a room with 21 other like-minded professionals - all incredibly clever, all interested  in software and all very passionate about driving productivity through a digital toolset. It was an incredible week and the energy it created will definitely not go away any time soon. I am quite certain it will follow me on a plane to Australia for Christmas.

The future sessions at Autodesk University were engaging and exciting. I learnt how Autodesk see the future of design and software in the cloud and how differing products can start to engage in this idea and change our world. This is extremely relevant in the future of design use and our next generation of thinkers. As Gen X/Y we are permanently engaged in this sharing knowledge platform and increasing and rapidly forward thinking technology. It is incredible how we can begin to understand how different people future gaze and start to imagine the infinite possibilities of how technology will change our lives. It is not too difficult to imagine a world where we do not need to be engaging in practice the way we use to. I felt so inspired by a number of industry professionals I heard discuss how they see design changing our lives, how we as designers can influence how people live and work and how we can understand that this will in fact change as our models of work and life have changed on so many levels. There are such a small percentage of talented individuals who drive this approach, who love what they do, who care about how we change and adapt and live.

Incredibly the energy lingered as I went on to discuss these ideas in a group of like-minded professionals within the BIM205o group, indeed this is difficult to change in today's management structure but I feel when we all move to these positions and are leading companies and driving this approach, this will definitely produce a changed culture and work place on so many differing levels. I do not see a traditional office plan work environment. Rather pods of creativity, hubs of cloud based thinking where we start to engage and interact virtually. This thinking will not adhere our design approach, rather we will be more integrated as we are a generation of sharing and helping and learning, always. It is a far cry and hugely different approach to the current management structure and the way the Baby Boomer mentality interacts and I believe we have shifted to a somewhat alternative world where we have seen the way technology influences as we've grown. I believe the next generation of those born into infinite computing will not interact in the same way.

It's all a mystery but I do feel excited about how things will continue to evolve, how I can influence change and how we can all work together to create beautiful buildings.

 

New Beginnings

Its the end of an era today. I dont think people realise just how much our work colleagues influence our lives. One of my best friends and probably greatest friends is leaving the office today. Mixed emotions and some fear about how life will be without him working next to me. I guess for me I feel that its hard enough to find great people, let alone being close to them on the work front. I feel lucky to have worked with you - all the best and good luck.

BIM in Australia

My colleague Casey forwarded this article and I felt it was relevant enough to share as it touches on the ideas and thoughts I had regarding BIM implementation in Australia. I think what was odd for me moving to London almost 7 years ago was why technology was slow over here (or felt that way) and why in Australia we were advanced in regard to the software we used and how we used it. I graduated from a Bachelor in Architecture at the end of  2001 and I remember vividly that back then the few of us who grasped digital ideas in Architecture were the few who would excel and be sought after in the work place. This was clear to me even at such a young age and point in my career. I felt it relevant to understand how to theorise in design, but also utilise the tools out there to explore ways to do this.

I believe Revit's first adoption in many firms in Australia (mainly the eastern states) was probably around this time or a few years into its first release via Autodesk. I remember thinking and hearing about it from friends but I had strong 3d AutoCAD skills, Studio Max and Viz and was training in ADT (Architectural Desktop). I did not quite see the beginnings here as I was desperately trying to make my mark in the firm I worked for.

Quite funny to have moved over to the UK and not have used the software. Most Aussie's now come over as power users, very advanced in how they think and develop their ideas in 3d and ways to make the use and implementation of Revit stronger in practice. The issue was not the use of software but rather the knowledge of BIM and the data associated and how to manage the models that was lacking. In some ways I felt that I was still at the forefront in this way - having understood what BIM means to Architecture and design but still strong using the software we had at our disposal.

I think Australia has time to play catch up because once BIM is fully integrated into the construction industry, with our strong software and implementation skills it will not be difficult to reach similar levels as the States and even the UK.

http://www.brw.com.au/p/sections/professions/in_construction_the_standard_way_s1gSkpQLJnud06w0avoylM

BIM 2050 Young Industry Professionals

As part of my BIM networking across the UK one of our close allies is Mr David Philp.

David works as the Head of BIM Implementation for the Cabinet office in London and currently creates groups of BIM focused individuals to try to change the current culture within the building industry and allow for a more unified approach.

I was selected to be a part of the BIM 2050 group which David collaborated with 15 young industry professionals across theUK to change culture and influence the future generation of the construction industry.

The second meeting took place on Monday the 8th of October which involved in depth discussions relating to BIM, Technology and ways to explore the changed approach with BIM as a focus. I look forward to attending more meetings in the coming months as well as learn how others are dealing with the changes that affect the construction industry currently and how Architects are affected in the future.