Masonry Magazine June 2000 Page. 28
Architects Returning to the Role of Master Builder
Architects Should Take Advantage of the Opportunities the New Technologies Provide
The third Architects Technology Summit concluded with summary remarks on technology and innovation from a panel of five industry leaders: Lucy Holmes, AIA, principal, Norman Stone Group; Bill O'Malley, CIO, Hammel, Green, Abrahamson; Paul Doherty, principal the Digit Group; Brad Horst, IT director, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbot; and Arol Wolford, president and CEO, CMD Group. The daylong Summit was held May 3 in Philadelphia in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects Annual Convention. Co-hosted by CMD Group and The Greenway Group, the Summit offered architects an in-depth look at how technology is impacting the design industry and suggestions for preparing for the new digital economy.
Wolford was asked if he saw the new technologies as enabling devices or as strategic threats to architects. He replied that 20 to 30 years ago architects had more control over the project, were around the sites more often, and acted more as master builders. Then because of price squeezes and liability threats they backed off and became the designers. "I definitely think that the new technology that is out there allows them to become the master builders again." He added that broadband Internet, true objectoriented design, and having more design and building being done on the computer will allow architects to return to the master builder role.
Doherty was asked where object-oriented design fits into the architect's work. "I think what has happened is we are stuck in a de facto standard that is built on proprietary language called DWG. That's not going away. The key is the transference of that information for communication. It is not the internal workings that are the problem. It is what is going be that tool that becomes the router to allow a contractor to see the graphic information in the way they want to see it-not to interpret it," he replied.
"I don't think anyone wants to go through the painful process of extracting an embedded de facto standard like that. Especially when you have accumulated digital DNA of so many other projects in your bank account right now," Doherty added.
"The whole issue of standards is even frightening to bring up." O'Malley said.
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