Architectural design has come a long way from the days of hand-drawn sketches anddesigns. Thanks to technology, and its constant evolution over the years, our industry isnow more equipped than ever to provide high-level and complex designs that push the boundaries of what can be seen and achieved within the built environment.

Architecture practices have been implementing evolving and emerging technologies,workflows, and software for decades, allowing for world-class outcomes in masterplanning, schematic and concept designs, as well as urban planning.

It is an exciting era to be a part of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, especially in Australia where we have access to a plethora of A-grade software, including computational design and visual programming tools, to achieve the results which designers and clients are after.

At Gray Puksand, we’ve utilised a combination of leading design technologies to achieve award-winning results for projects spanning many sectors, including education, workspace, commercial, and healthcare design.

Currently in progress, our design for an end-of-trip and wellness facility at 1 Martin Place, Sydney, is leveraging laser scanning technology for the accurate and detailedcapture of existing site conditions. This building data allows for a more detailed design model – one that informs the exploration of design opportunities, as well as constraints, and delivers a comprehensive design result for the client.

For the NSW Institute of Applied Technology for Construction, which is currently being built, we are utilising Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) to facilitate more efficient design resolution. The portfolio of advanced software and technology allows for the hosting of design models, contextual change visualisation, and curated information exchange for improved collaboration with consultants and stakeholders.

Our experienced in-house design team is further utilising custom computational design and scripting to make model management quicker and automate data checks and repetitive tasks.

Despite the competitive and high-quality nature of our sector, it is widely known that the
design side of the AEC industry is often too slow in its adoption of emerging
technologies.

Indeed, Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, such as Aecosim, Revit, Rhino, and ArchiCAD, has been around for decades, though only in the last few years have tertiary institutes added these platforms to the syllabus – meaning incoming graduates are often behind in their capabilities with architectural technology and processes.

It is not enough these days to simply be a designer with creative thinking. To ensure that
our next generation of architects and our quality of architectural design in Australia continues to grow and evolve for decades to come, the solution as I see it should be twofold.

Firstly, education institutes must closely partner with industry to structure curriculums and courses with content that better reflects the day-to-day working life within an architecture practice or studio. Secondly, architecture practices must meet tertiary education providers halfway and continue this education journey well into the future.

While it is unreasonable to expect every graduate to be a fully equipped computational designer, curriculums are often missing even basic knowledge regarding emerging technologies and practices. While there is something to be said about ‘learning on the 'job’ – and this will always be the case – there is a need for an in-depth understanding of the balance between design thinking and dynamic thinking: how does one leverage technology to deliver a project in its entirety, not just in terms of how it is designed to appear?

Current 3D design models can be static in their approach – many of these models merely produce nice visuals and drawings. Technology, on the other hand, can utilise the raw data held in 3D design models to enable better building and asset management, enable more efficient construction, and even allow the building design to be assessed for embodied carbon before a single brick is laid on site. It is both the responsibility of education institutes and practices everywhere to be teaching data literacy to everyone
that passes through their doors.

At Gray Puksand, we have a strong focus on ongoing education with current and emerging design technologies. We run weekly online events for training on industry platforms, such as Revit and Rhino, and advanced computational scripting sessions. We host exploratory sessions where we look at what the future of our industry may look like, examine upcoming technologies, and encourage conversation and thought sharing.

We support further in-house training through a central intranet of recordings and innovative workflows documented for staff to rewatch and follow. This is complemented by an online learning management system where we host certified courses from BIM basics through to learning how to use the laser scanner and computational design introductions.

Learning never stops, no matter your age, job, or industry. The technologies and systems in which companies invest have the power to compel and progress what is possible in the AEC industry. This investment is crucial, not only for incoming graduates but also for senior architects and designers who require re-skilling to stay abreast of continual changes and improvements within the industry.

Technology needs to not be the specialist tool of the select few but the generalist tool of the masses. Only then can education institutes and architecture practices unlock further efficiencies and come much closer to keeping pace with technological advances seen worldwide.

Architecture practices and education institutes must have the drive and curiosity to find constant improvement in the ways in which they work.

This requires continual education, training, and the adoption of new and evolving technologies, as well as practical implementation and learning on the job – or on a project. Without this investment, some
of our best architecture practices will lose quality and skilled staff to more attractive and lucrative industries.

by Jeames Hanley, Digital Practice Manager & Associate at Gray Puksand

Branko Miletic

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