what is digital architecture?  Is that what people like me do, or more like 'system architect'?

K2886

Look at REX, OMA  or SOM

I graduated with a M.Arch from a not-so famous school where I created my own BIM system with Maya then learned Revit - upon went to work at SOM as a Digital Design Specialist

either way, you will do a lot of modeling, rendering and production - 

I noticed here in europe they do specifically look for that. you would be put on competitions, rednerings and maybe eventually BIM models. the downside is that you won't get much CD experience and will most likely be pingeon holed....so not so sure if that is a good thing.

I am pigeonholed as a BIM Wit and now it's hard to get raises or do IDP

i've been in the same shoes.   After couple years of experience, i realized that i had more renderings than working drawings on my portfolio. I was fortunate to land a job in my current office because we do a lot of SD and competitions, but not having balanced skill sets and experience hurt my chances to get a job. I've learned that perhaps it is better to be a Jack of all trades than focusing on one thing? 

Stasis -

Since I have been at a small office for the last 2 years,  I am now in the opposite situation - more working drawings and fewer renderings - lots of details, 3D + 2D - 3.5 years and no IDP? "we hired you to just model - why do you want be an architect" 

I officially have 0 hours on CD portion of my IDP. 6months rule and my lazyness screwed me so i can't report any of the cd experience i had before.  I have more than enough SD and DD.   Fortunately, I demanded my director to put me into CD projects (it's extremely rare in my office) and now I'm starting to build CD hours.

I happened to talk to couple junior level guys at SOM and they had the same dilemma that they spent their first 1-2 years just doing modelings and renderings but no CDs. I guess in order to fulfill IDP, it seems that we would have to move offices to do so. 

Stasis

When I was at SOM - that was my experience as well however during crunch times I did get to do details in Revit - being one of the few Revit guys there in 07 - 08 - it added to my portfiolio and I have been doing CDs since I was laid off from  Skidmore in 08' - but I would say that now with so many Revit people - they most likely only let the Ds or Es do details. I was just  C.

i am not talking just about modelling i am talking about masters in digital theories,parametrics and fabrication and the concentration being fabrication and material intelligence,biomemetics. what is the scope?

Digital architecture?

I hope this isn't one of those threads where some computer programmer strayed into the wrong website....

In my skidmore days, REVIT was something that very few firms used.  There was a team within the office that did some BIM stuff but generally people used all kinds of other software.  I used Acad.  After i left to go to grad school they quickly adopted REVIT.

maybe you can work for ghery technologies or something?

The only way I have seen at least  parametrics translate here in europe is through competitions. typically people who are good at that are only put on competitions....and there is this giant pigeon hole for that. and big old list of starchitects who are more then happy to shove you in there, and pay you next to nothing.

I guess maybe UN studio the parametrics translate through to the CD's? Not sure though...never worked there.

As for material intelligence- only think that I know of is maybe reactive facades that react with lights? but there are loads of VVVV programmers doing this making loads of money. And they typically work with Scenographers. 

Sorry not so sure about biomicry. But I think Renzo Piano did some stuff related to that.

Gehry Technologies = Digital Project/CATIA

There's a niche of smaller digital fabrication firms in New York and LA  I believe that you would have to cover more than just Rendering and Modelling, but for much less play I would assume.

@med ..no dont worry i am an architect if you would have read the previous posts you would have known what exactly am referring to...

i am not only talking about firms in europe( i know the economy is not doing that good) , let look at south east asia and middle east..is there a demand in terms of employment is my question? are digital technologies permeating the way things are design and is there a niche? for example look aadrl and emtech...i know AA has reputation but what about those who are doing the similar courses from lesser known universities?

try REX

ttp://www.rex-ny.com/approach

Gehry Technologies will require you to know much more about the architecture/construction world than any 'digital architecture' degree will ever give you. In my opinion, the whole 'digital architecture' thing is bullshit. Learn how to design...learn how to build.