Agenda

7:00 am Check-in, Networking & Coffee

8:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Driving Adoption of Computational Design Tools

8:10 am Case-Study: Maximizing the Use of Technology to Streamline Design Efficiency & Increase Cost Savings

  • Chad Speas Vice President & Director - Practice Technology, Corgan

Synopsis

  • Evaluating how we improved interoperability to create a seamless workflow for smoother transitions between design phases
  • Dissecting how automation, such as converting CAD details into Revit or creating dynamic parametric models, enabled quick iterations of design options
  • Harnessing lessons learned from successfully using add-ons to enhance efficient and productive project execution

8:50 am Panel Discussion: Keeping Up With Constant Technological Advances to Balance High-Quality With High- Tech Designs

Synopsis

  • Discussing how the fast-paced evolution of technology impacts the development and deployment of new tools: how can we balance innovation with current applications to avoid wasted resources?
  • Staying updated on emerging technologies without feeling overwhelmed, to make informed decisions about adopting or building new tools
  • Evaluating options: when to develop custom solutions versus adopting existing tools or low-code/no-code options

9:30 am Forging the Future of Computational Design – Together

Synopsis

• Snaptrude’s Computational Design Vision: Exploring the shift from outdated legacy tools to modern platforms and the crucial role computational design can play in this evolution

• Observing AI’s Design Impact: Highlighting key insights from the past year, including the impact of the AI wave on the design landscape and how it has shaped Snaptrude’s strategies

• Exclusive First Look: Unveiling Snaptrude’s latest capabilities designed to empower computational design teams and discovering how cloud and AI have been harnessed to drive efficiency and innovation

10:00 am Speed Networking & Morning Refreshments

10:40 am Facilitating Collaboration Between Management & Computational Design Teams to Aid Buy-In & Understanding of Roles

Synopsis

  • Examining how a lack of awareness from senior management regarding the benefits of computational design tools can hinder their adoption, and exploring strategies to bridge this knowledge gap
  • Improving communication and alignment between computational design teams and management, ensuring that both parties understand and value each other’s roles and contributions to enable increased support
  • Investigating effective approaches for gaining support from leadership and integrating computational design practices into firm-wide workloads to assist with approval

Enhancing Designer Autonomy

11:20 am Applying Lean Methodology to Architectural Process using Technology and AI

Synopsis

• Reducing the extensive time architects spend on documentation by leveraging Leandriven technology and AI, eliminating human error throughout the process

• Generating data-driven designs through test-fits, empowering architects to make sustainable decisions while exploring multiple iterations

• Streamlining the architectural process by aligning the right technology with specific tasks, ensuring architects retain control as the ultimate decision makers

11:50 am Case-Study: Maximizing Designer Productivity With Automation to Increase Outputs

Synopsis

  • Minimizing time spent on repetitive tasks through automated solutions to reduce manual intervention and accelerate file handling
  • Leveraging computational design workflows to automate the process of generating data center plan options to accelerate decision-making and reduce design integration time for exceptional project outcomes
  • Re-evaluating and adjusting task priorities to ensure that design efforts are not diverted to low-value tasks to enhance overall project output

12:30 pm Lunch

1:30 pm Panel Discussion: Balancing Design Creativity With Automation to Uphold Designer Autonomy

Synopsis

  • Exploring how automation tools are being integrated into design processes, focusing on the efficiency gains and potential impacts on designer autonomy
  • Evaluating how automated algorithms that provide predefined solutions affect the role of creativity in design and the potential trade-offs between efficiency and innovative design approaches
  • Investigating the implications of automation on design ownership and the role of architects in claiming and validating contributions in an increasingly automated environment

Streamlining Project Coordination

2:10 pm Audience Discussion: Working With Contractors Early in the Design Phase to Reduce Model Conditioning Times

Synopsis

  • Determining the essential data and models needed by contractors for effective use
  • Understanding the challenges contractors face with varied model formats and how integrating contractor feedback can lead to more accurate and usable models to reduce the need for extensive conditioning
  • Exploring strategies for involving contractors early in the design process to align on data needs and model standards to foster better communication and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle

2:50 pm Case Study: Embedding Computational Design at Every Project Stage to Balance Innovation & Accessibility

Synopsis

  • Showcasing how tailored computational solutions enhanced design autonomy for complex, project-specific challenges, while ensuring flexibility in creative approaches
  • Standardizing computational workflows to increase accessibility for broader teams to promote efficiency and reduce dependency on specialized experts
  • Highlighting real-world examples where the integration of computational tools created unexpected obstacles and addressing lessons learned on how to mitigate them for smoother project execution

3:30 pm Afternoon Refreshments

Exceeding Client Expectations With Low-Carbon Designs

4:10 pm Case-study: Design Smarter – Discovering How Computational Building Analytics Deliver on Client Needs & Sustainability Goals

  • Xiaoshu Du Senior Project Director, Thornton Tomasetti

Synopsis

  • Introducing key building analytics tools used in design to streamline workflows and enhance project accuracy, leading to more informed decision-making
  • Demonstrating how design tools optimize the design process by providing data-driven insights to reduce risks, accelerate timelines and improve project outcomes
  • Sharing lessons learned from past projects to maintain buy-in and ensure successful implementation, ultimately fostering stronger client relationships and long-term success

4:50 pm Case-Study: Harnessing Computational Design to Reduce Embodied Carbon

Synopsis

  • Running simulations of climate studies to evaluate how to improve sustainability across your designs
  • Highlighting the challenges of balancing carbon reduction, resource efficiency, and building performance
  • Navigating data format inconsistencies, benchmark variability, and evolving local policies to ensure accurate sustainability assessments

5:30 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

5:40 pm End of Day One