Architects and others in the AEC industry are well-aware of the forces at work changing the way they go about their business.
Forces brought about primarily by the advent of the computer.
When in all pares down, there are three approaches you can take to participating.
You can work by hand, collaboratively with machines, or allow machines to do most of the heavy lifting.
In other words:
1. Analog
2. Man-machine collaboration, and
3. Machine
While in 2014 it is still possible to design a building and complete a set of documents by hand, you can also add, subtract and multiply on an abacus.
Doing everything by hand is a legacy from a bygone era.
While hand drawing is still a desirable skill to have in one’s toolkit, it’s an unrealistic proposition if you are going to compete in an industry where the only hand drawing is done primarily on tablets.
Working without the tools that are available in our era is an act of protest.
And regret, for living in an age dependent on all things digital. So going analog is no longer an option.
At the other extreme, firms like Aditazz recognize that computers can be put to use to help design projects – and discern the best alternatives – in less time, using less manpower.
An approach that can be especially useful when addressing complex building assignments.
Most architects, engineers and construction professionals today fall somewhere between the two extremes of analog and machine.
They recognize that computers have helped them to become more effective at what they do.
But that computers can’t make all the calls – ethical, contextual – at least not yet.
Working digitally today is a given, even if the AEC industry itself hasn’t become more productive or effective since the 1960s despite the introduction of computers into our workflows.
Computer Aided Drafting/Design (CAD) never lived up to the hype or promise to make architects, engineers and contractors more productive.
In many ways, CAD just became a digital version of what architects had long done by hand.
Even with BIM, when I ask architects how they are being more productive or effective working in BIM, they’ll mention that they create templates for repeatable portions of their projects (for example, in housing, kitchen and bath templates – with rules of thumb, building code and ADA constraints indicated.)
Which is great. A process that should be automated in the near future.
But one wonders if this is just the digital equivalent of the “sticky back” boiler-plate details we used to attach to mylar sheets in our documents back in the 80s?
As the saying goes: Measure twice, draw once – and use it over and over if you can.
Thomas L. Friedman’s column in today’s New York Times discusses Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee’s new book, “The Second Machine Age.”
Authors of Race Against the Machine: How the Digital Revolution is Accelerating Innovation, Driving Productivity, and Irreversibly Transforming Employment and the Economy, their new book reveals the forces driving the reinvention of our lives our economy…and our industry.
The book focuses on three massive technological advances that recently reached their tipping points, advances they describe as “exponential, digital and combinatorial.”
A commenter at the Times website wrote:
A time is coming when most routine tasks can and will be done by computers.
This is really how computers can best support design and construction professionals.
Becoming an architect, for example, was never about aspiring to address routine tasks.
Routine tasks – whether running prints, drafting bathroom or column details – were in the past taken-on by architectural interns.
Today, due to their considerable smarts and technological know-how, these same emerging professionals are working on entire buildings.
They’re the first lookers and early responders inside digital building models.
All the more reason that routine tasks ought to become automated.
Freeing-up design and construction professionals to do what they do best.
The article commenter continued:
What happens then to the average people in the world? Extraordinary people will find ways to take care of themselves, but not everyone can be extraordinary.
Not everyone.
But you can.
You can be extraordinary. In fact, for those who want to work in the AEC industry, it’s a requirement.
Being extraordinary at what you do doesn’t change due to the technology you use.
Being extraordinary is all the more important in the workplace and at the jobsite today.
To distinguish oneself.
To differentiate yourself.
What will you do that’s extraordinary?
Bringing your weaknesses up to a level where they’re not so glaring, where they can no longer trip you up and undermine your career ascension, will only get you so far.
Working on your weaknesses will only make you ordinary.
Not extraordinary.
This year, identify a strength and develop it.
Take it as far as you can.
Seek help. Get training.
Track your progress.
Share your results.
Most AEC professionals today who are gainfully employed are already extraordinary people who are extraordinary at what they do.
The trick is in remaining so.
Heed the words of poet Mary Oliver, and ask yourself:
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
BIM + Integrated Design 
