Changing Face of AEC
The Changing Face of Clash Detection in MEP Modeling
BuildingSP recently announced the release of ClashMEP, a real-time clash detection solution for the Autodesk Revit platform. ClashMEP is a building information modeling (BIM) innovation that redefines how we do clash detection. Talking about the difference…
Generative Design for MEP Firms
We've talked in the last several posts about artificial intelligence (AI); machine learning; and the intersection of these topics with the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) industry. Jeff Kowalski, Autodesk CTO, talked about forthcoming innovations…
Machine Learning for MEP Firms
Let's continue our discussion about how the work of BuildingSP intersects with the major themes of Jeff Kowalski's 2016 Autodesk University Keynote. We previously wrote about artificial intelligence and how firms can prepare for a new generation of automation…
Artificial Intelligence Strategies for MEP Firms
In his 2016 Autodesk University Keynote, Jeff Kowalski spent considerable time explaining Autodesk's vision for the intersection of how the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry currently works and its future interface with artificial…
Autodesk University 2016 Recap
We're now back home after a long week at Autodesk University (AU). It was another great year of catching up with old friends; meeting new people; and spending dedicated time thinking, mulling over, and evaluating Autodesk technology and workflows. Here are our…
The Veteran's Guide to Autodesk University
Last week, we posted a Newbie's Guide to Autodesk University. This week, we want to point out some things about Autodesk University (AU) and Las Vegas that even conference veterans can appreciate. Don't forget the power of the concierge I'm quite sure I don't…
The Newbie's Guide to Autodesk University
Autodesk University (AU) is coming up in a couple of weeks so we thought we'd provide some tips for first timers. Every major software company has a big convention, but AU is the premier gathering for those dedicated to technological advancement in the…
Innovation in AEC & the Gartner Hype Cycle
For many years, we've been referencing the Gartner Hype Cycle to describe innovation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. We primarily use the Hype Cycle to demonstrate that innovation in AEC is difficult and that it takes time…
Slack: In Productivity We Trust
We want to share with you a tool that we think is great and that we use every day. Being a company of both software developers and experts in building information modeling (BIM), we often have a unique perspective on tools that can cross over between…
The Impact of Innovative Design
A recent article in The New York Times looked at how universities are using architecture to foster innovation through great design. This brought to mind several conversations we've had over the last couple of weeks as we've talked to various groups about…
The Impact of Machines
It's difficult to imagine construction without machines. Backhoes, bulldozers, cranes, dump trucks: The machines that do the heavy lifting are among the first things we imagine when we think of a construction site. But this wasn't always the case.…
Will Amazon Disrupt the AEC Industry?
The adoption of supply chain management within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is most clearly defined by lean methodologies. Lean concepts eliminate waste, focus on value, and are most often associated with the manufacturing…
Why Venture Capital Will Revolutionize Construction
It is nearly impossible to talk about technology without talking about venture capital (VC). For the past several decades, venture capital has been nearly synonymous with tech financing, particularly for startups. Now that the tech sector has crossed over…
Women in Construction: What We Can Learn From Aer Lingus
We were recently watching a YouTube video that documented the first flight by Aer Lingus from Dublin, Ireland to Los Angeles International Airport. The flight was conducted on a new Boeing aircraft, and the cinematography was stunning as the airplane crossed…
Innovation in AEC & "the Macomber Line"
We're going to be bold and coin a new term: "the Macomber Line." The Macomber Line is a combination of concepts that we believe are very important to innovation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) space. This term is in reference to an…
The Missing Discussion in Construction Labor Productivity
The historical trend of labor productivity is oft-referenced in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. In a nutshell, construction productivity over the last 50 years has been nearly flat while all other similar industries have had…
Why VR Will Dominate in B2B Industries
As we've previously discussed, virtual reality (VR) is coming to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. A recent piece in Forbes outlined emerging VR startups aimed at business-to-business (B2B) markets, making special note of its use…
Why 'V' Doesn't Stand for 'Vomit'
Virtual reality (VR) is a frequent topic of discussion in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. A recent article from Engineering.com asks whether the "V" in VR stands for "vomit," due to the tendency of some VR programs to induce…
How Computational Systems Will Augment AEC
Jeff Kowalski, chief technology officer at Autodesk, talks often of the augmented age we're approaching in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Computational systems will augment human capabilities and allow us to create building…
The FedEx Analogy
Last week, we talked about software companies that are integrated into other industries, creating amazing businesses that are able to achieve massive growth. One such company is FedEx. Started by Fred Smith in 1971, FedEx revolutionized a business that had…
Why Software Will Eat Construction
Marc Andreessen is an entrepreneur and investor who co-founded the web browser company Netscape and currently runs one of the most successful venture capital firms in the world, Andreessen Horowitz. Andreessen wrote an essay in The Wall Street Journal titled…
WeWork: The Only AEC Unicorn
WeWork is a company that provides co-working office spaces, along with HR, community events, and a network that mimic a more traditional work environment. WeWork is a fascinating company, and the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has…
How We Work: The Challenge of Virtual Reality in AEC
There is a looming challenge for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry as we get excited about virtual reality (VR). The challenge is that we lack tools that can be used in VR environments. AEC folks like tools – think hammers,…