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 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

10:10 am Speed Networking & Morning Refreshments

Enhancing Designer Autonomy

10:50 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

11:30 am 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

12:10 pm Lunch

Streamlining Project Coordination

1:10 pm 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

Exceeding Client Expectations With Low-Carbon Designs

1:50 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

2:30 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

3:10 pm Afternoon Refreshments

3:50 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

Guaranteeing Accountability While Reducing Risk

4:30 pm Audience Discussion: Ensuring Widespread Regulation & Compliance to Maximize Safety & Reduce Risk

Synopsis

  • Understanding where the professional responsibility lies when designs are generated with technology to maintain integrity and trust of your company
  • Analyzing the distribution of liability in cases involving computational design tools: determining the responsibilities of different parties, including the designers, algorithm creators, and software developers, to clarify accountability in the event of design failures or safety issues
  • Revealing how to properly document design processes to promote risk mitigation and align teams on both individual and shared responsibility

5:10 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

5:20 pm End of Day One