Last month, over 10,000 architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, design and media professionals hit the famous Las Vegas strip for three full days of intensive technology exposure at Autodesk University 2017. Classes, presentations, hands-on labs and innovation keynotes abound related to endless pursuits of the modern design community. Here are five things that our Process Engineer, Patrick Flora, was able to take home from exploring the future of making things this year.
Technology is at the front.
The current fast paced and digital age that we live in is here to stay. It is actually moving faster than most would have ever imagined. What is current technology today will likely be obsolete in the not so distant future. This makes staying on the edge of not just technology, but also design innovations a key part of any successful strategy. At Pickering Associates, we are not only using the latest tools and software but we are utilizing them together in ways that few others are able to do. This is what helps set us apart.
Cloudy days are here to stay.
By now, you’ve probably heard someone reference something about the cloud. In our industry, cloud is the next step in collaboration. Sure, there are many ways to collaborate across offices and project teams but none use as little extra resources in the cloud. Autodesk, through their BIM 360 platforms, has opened avenues of collaboration and design that will really begin to shrink the technology gap and the difficulties of working in a global market.
Can you find those drawings?
Let’s face it, sometimes finding existing drawings on a dated structure can be difficult. Often times we are resorted to weeks spent in the field, measuring each structural member by hand. With the use and implantation of our 3D scanner, what would take weeks can now be completed in a number of days. This information can then be fed into analysis models to confirm existing construction or determine the interaction between old and new construction. This is another example of how Pickering Associates is using the technology on the edge to help our clients develop more successful projects.
The Future? AR/VR.
At Pickering Associates, we have been utilizing 3D models for owner approval and feedback for a number of years. While at AU, I was able to trial some of the next technology. AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) are becoming more available each day. Autodesk is even beginning to build their functionality into the design software that we already utilize. It is one perspective to be able to look at an object in a 3D model, it a whole new ballgame to be able to put on a headset and actually stand in a new room. You can get a feel for space and other nuances of the building that you can’t really appreciate until you stand in the space. I can’t wait to bring this to our clients.
The future of sustainable design is BIM.
BIM (building information modeling) is something that has been in our industry for a number of years now. Recently, it has begun to take on more of a life in sustainable design. Now design firms are not only using the model for design and drawing generation, but it can also be used for energy analysis, life cycle costs, and other related tasks. This will really help ensure that our buildings and designs not only satisfy our clients but also minimize the impact on resources.