What are the biggest challenges facing architects today?
Changes in procurement and contracts
“Changes in project procurement and contracts, such as the prevalence of Design & Building (D&B) means the roles and expectations of the Architect are ever shifting.
Where traditionally an architect would be expected to have full oversight and control of project quality, including validation of as-built scenarios, contractually this is now not always our role.”
Compliance with fire safety regulations
“Compliance with ever changing fire safety regulations and materials specification provides a great challenge.
Particularly in the wake of Grenfell, the focus is on architects to ensure that a golden thread of data is ensured from product specification to what is installed on site.”
Commitment to resolving the climate crisis
“One of the single greatest challenges that architects face as part of the global community is our commitment to resolving the climate crisis.
The built environment accounts for about 40% of the carbon emissions globally, with the construction of new buildings heavily contributing to this.
Architectural solutions now more than ever have to strike a delicate balance between sustainable, ethical & commercial outcomes.”
Attracting new talent into the industry
“As digital technology becomes further embedded in the construction process, finding and attracting talent into that industry that can bridge the skill gap between Architecture and Digital Construction is becoming a key priority.”
How can technology help you to address these challenges?
Better remote collaboration
“An increased uptake of digital technology, such as panoramic image capturing and video meetings, allows us to have a better connection to progress on-site without having to be physically present.
Although digital technology will never fully replace visiting sites, these technologies are enabling us to make decisions and validate progress in a proactive rather than reactive manner.”
Automated clash detection and data validation
“The use of automated clash detection (using SolibriModel Checker) allows us to quickly validate our designs for compliance with building regs and fire safety standards, such as ensuring that penetrations for services through fire rated walls are adequately sized and spaced apart.
Having specification data embedded with our 3D models also ensures that data quality can be validated throughout the life cycle of a project.”
Carbon calculator tools to compare design options
“By utilising 3D designs from an early concept design, we can use carbon calculator tools to quickly assess the embedded carbon impact of multiple design options, allowing us to come to the right solution, faster.
This also enables us to make data based decision making around retrofit and renovation options, which often provide a compelling argument to maintain and re-use existing building stock.”
Cross-germination of skills from other industries
“Further developing the range of skills and services that architects offer, such as high-quality visualisations, animated video fly throughs and VR experiences, allows us to attract talent from other industries such as programming and computer design backgrounds.
Having this cross-germination of skills allows us to learn from the digital development that other industries have made, where construction has often lagged behind.”
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