Join the AT webinar in partnership with Milient and Vectorworks, diving into how technology can boost productivity, efficiency, and innovation within architectural practice!
Innovation-focused Technological Solutions: Overcoming the Obstacles in 2025's Practice
Looking for ways to supercharge your architectural practice? Wanna learn how technology can help design and deliver projects that meet or surpass fast-changing environmental regulations? And seeking tips on customizing off-the-shelf management software to cater to your unique needs? The AT webinar sponsored by Milient and Vectorworks covers all that and more!
Moderated by Architecture Today editor Isabel Allen, the event features presentations by:- Eric Gilbey, Product Marketing Manager for the Landscape industries at Vectorworks- Jack Stewart, co-founder of Remap- Matthew Nickerson, Commercial Director at Milient- Herman Calleja, Sustainability Lead at SOM
Left to right: Jack Stewart, Eric Gilbey, Matthew Nickerson, and Herman Calleja.
Eric Gilbey kicks things off by discussing the role of technology in assisting project teams to collaborate and coordinate information and work required for biodiversity net gain (BNG) compliance. He highlights the importance of using classes, layers, and the relevant UK habitat classification nomenclature. For documentation purposes, a selection of BIM tools, such as tree tool, hedgerow tool, and landscape area tool, can greatly simplify the process. The latest Vectorworks release, with smart objects including landscape areas and hardscapes, also facilitates BNG Framework settings for easy documentation and assessments.
With Vectorworks, assessing the landscape impact of introducing or reintroducing features or habitats is swift and visual. This enables efficient reporting with consistent format and standard, allowing the focus to shift to the urban greening factor, biomass density index, and other frameworks.
Jack Stewart and his software venture Remap show off their hackathon mentality: Having an architectural background, Jack Stewart delves into Remap's approach, emphasizing the importance of focusing on pain points, and developing customized solutions together with practices like Hawkins\Brown. Unique examples of their collaboration include tools for automating the setup of ceiling tiles, converting A3 presentations to PowerPoint format, and a CPD tracking app.
Remap's L&D Hub application manages, captures, and tracks professional development at Hawkins\Brown.
Matthew Nickerson introduces a unified, easy-to-use project management tool crafted especially for architects by Milient. This tool consolidates data management, record keeping, resourcing, project management, and pitching into one platform. By linking fee forecasting to billing and project work to fee proposals, Milient's tool streamlines project life, boosts profitability, and reduces administrative time.
Effective resource management is paramount when planning new projects.
Lastly, Herman Calleja, SOM's Sustainability Lead, explains their approach to creating a holistic assessment of carbon emissions for masterplans and spatial frameworks over their entire lifetimes. This methodology allows urban planners to compare the performance of different design options and identify energy sharing opportunities between assets. Additionally, it considers public realm and pedestrian comfort to inform building shape and open space design. User-friendly tools facilitate experimentation with passive design options early in the project phase, and data analysis informs decisions on glazing ratio, shading depth, and other factors.
With an in-house dashboard, Carbon Loop, SOM tracks projects' embodied and operational carbon, and groups them by factors such as program or climate zone, aiming to cut carbon emissions by 64% compared to 2019 levels.
Incorporate AI tools, architectural design software, and project management platforms for productivity, efficiency, and sustainable design. Lead projects with innovative measures, advanced technology, and collaboration.
- After Eric Gilbey's discussion on technology streamlining biodiversity net gain compliance, it becomes clear that incorporating AI tools, like Vectorworks' landscape and BIM tools, can significantly enhance the design and delivery of projects that align with evolving environmental regulations.
- As Matthew Nickerson introduces Milient's project management tool, it's evident that technology, such as AI and architectural design software, can transform project management by consolidating data, reducing administrative time, and improving project profitability.
