I work for a well respected, 100 person firm in Milwaukee. There have been some recent conversations about how we have slipped a litte bit in conceptual design and keeping up with some of the new software and technology out there. Sketchup has made its way into the office and everyone is starting to get excited about what some of these programs have to offer. A few of us are interested in starting a small group to help keep the firm up to date on what is out there, software wise, that we can use as design and presentation tools. Is there anyone in a similar situation? Any reccomendations for how to get this group to be sucessful in integrating technology and more conceptual design into the workplace?
The notion of conceptual design is present regardless of what software is used. It stems from process and ideology; if you don't have that then you will never have much in terms of strong conceptual design regardless of what software is used. Technology is not a requisite, rather a means of producing and/or conveying. That being said, integration of digital technology has been occuring for awhile with CNC-milling and similar apparatus. This could be a way of exploring methods of fabrication, since the CNC machine makes some things a whole lot simpler to do. It also allows a design-build approach, in that certain elements of a project are able to be made by the firm itself or contracted out, but with a greater level of participation. Rather than the architect being involved merely in the design stage and the end result, the architect takes out the middle-man and assumes a larger role in the actual construction of the project. Rhino is the default software used for CNC milling.
Another thought is maybe branching the firm's services outside of mere architectural design. A lot of young firms these days involve themselves with brand identity, graphic work, and so forth, which are very much in the realm of architects. In this sense, advanced video editing software and graphic programs such as Macromedia can be used. It may in turn even inform the way you work and design with building projects.
Aug 19, 04 8:39 pm ·
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Digital Technology in Corporate Firms
I work for a well respected, 100 person firm in Milwaukee. There have been some recent conversations about how we have slipped a litte bit in conceptual design and keeping up with some of the new software and technology out there. Sketchup has made its way into the office and everyone is starting to get excited about what some of these programs have to offer. A few of us are interested in starting a small group to help keep the firm up to date on what is out there, software wise, that we can use as design and presentation tools. Is there anyone in a similar situation? Any reccomendations for how to get this group to be sucessful in integrating technology and more conceptual design into the workplace?
The notion of conceptual design is present regardless of what software is used. It stems from process and ideology; if you don't have that then you will never have much in terms of strong conceptual design regardless of what software is used. Technology is not a requisite, rather a means of producing and/or conveying. That being said, integration of digital technology has been occuring for awhile with CNC-milling and similar apparatus. This could be a way of exploring methods of fabrication, since the CNC machine makes some things a whole lot simpler to do. It also allows a design-build approach, in that certain elements of a project are able to be made by the firm itself or contracted out, but with a greater level of participation. Rather than the architect being involved merely in the design stage and the end result, the architect takes out the middle-man and assumes a larger role in the actual construction of the project. Rhino is the default software used for CNC milling.
Another thought is maybe branching the firm's services outside of mere architectural design. A lot of young firms these days involve themselves with brand identity, graphic work, and so forth, which are very much in the realm of architects. In this sense, advanced video editing software and graphic programs such as Macromedia can be used. It may in turn even inform the way you work and design with building projects.
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