Building Design Construction - October 2019

®
WHERE
TECHNOLOGY
AND INNOVATION
COLLIDE
OCT
CTOBE
OBER
OBE R 2019
2019
BIG DATA’S
COMING OUT
PARTY
AEC firms are finally
putting to use project
information they’ve been
storing for years.
26
FLOOR PLAN OF GENSLER’S

NEW YORK OFFICE
WOW Factor
AISD Performing Arts Center, Austin, TX Owner: Austin Independent School District Architect: Pfluger Architects
General contractor: American Constructors Installing contractor: Texas Roofing Co. Photographer: Tom Coplen
Profiles: Flush Panels, M-42 Panel Colors: Burgundy, Colonial Red, Terra Cotta, Galvalume
“We thought the metal would give us the ‘wow’ factor from a distance. We first
considered using just a single color but the consensus was that we needed something
that stood out even more. That’s why we went with the nice three-color combination.”
-Jessica Molter, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal, Pfluger Architects
FLUSH FLUSH FLUSH

WALL PANEL WALL PANEL WALL PANEL
Burgundy Colonial Red Terra Cotta
Case study at P$&ǫ&/ $'&20Ǭ$,6'

NEW
PHOENIX PAC-CLAD.COM | ,1)2ǭ3$&ǫ&/$'&20
PLANT
WEST COAST
DELIVERY
IL: 800 PAC CLAD MD: 800 344 1400 TX: 800 441 8661
GA: 800 272 4482 MN: 877 571 2025 AZ: 833 750 1935
Visit us at METALCON – booth 820 CIRCLE 751

10 19 | OCTOBER |
•
46
COURTESY HGA
26
WSP USA
FEATURES 12 AEC AUTOMATION 50 58

The way nature
26 AEC TECH designs
REEF TECHNOLOGY; GENSLER (FAR LEFT)

Big data’s coming
out party 14 THINK TANK
5 converging trends
40 EXCLUSIVE for healthcare’s
RESEARCH future
The state of tech
innovation at the 20 TRENDSETTING AIA CONTINUING
AEC Giants PROJECTS
Seattle’s newest EDUCATION
46 CULTURAL GIANTS substation doubles Applied parametrics
REPORT as a civic amenity for façade designs
For libraries, the and materials
future is all about 52 PRODUCT
community INNOVATIONS
DEPARTMENTS
Lightweight
architectural glass
p.50
6 EDITORIAL 58 GREAT SOLUTIONS
REEF Technology
8 NEWS+TRENDS wants to turn parking
HOK’s neurodiverse facilities into urban
workforce report mobility hubs.
ON THE COVER: This graphic is a floor plan of

Gensler’s New York office. The firm is studying the
use of Internet-connected sensors to track things like
occupancy, temperature, and energy consumption in
2014–2017, 2019
JESSE H. NEAL the space. RENDERING COURTESY GENSLER
AWARD WINNER
BDCuniversity.com | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | 3

| E-CONTENTS | BDCnetwork.com
In-unit washer/dryer is the top indoor amenity in multifamily housing develop-

ments, according to a recent survey of multifamily developers, property own-
ers, designers, and contractors by Multifamily Design+Construction.
TOP 10 INDOOR AMENITIES multiple commercial projects into

In-unit washer/dryer, indoor large, single megaprojects. A new
lounge, and community kitchen FMI report anticipates that mega-
head the ranking of the top indoor projects will account for one-fifth
amenities in multifamily housing of annual construction spending
developments, according to the within the next decade.
Multifamily Amenities 2019 sur- BDCnetwork.com/MegaProjects
vey, published in August by BD+C’s
sister publication Multifamily MEET THE MASTERS OF
Design+Construction. Download OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION
this free report (short registration In less than a decade, Prescient
required). has established itself as arguably
BDCnetwork.com/Amenities2019 the leader in offsite construc-
tion for apartments and student
SPENDING ON MEGA- housing. Its manufacturing plants
PROJECTS SET TO SPIKE churn out steel frame wall as-
Societies continue to move toward semblies that can enclose a total
megacity cultures, lifestyles, and one million square feet of living
economies that are becoming space per month. In the last five
more vital, in some cases, than years Prescient has produced
the countries that spawn them. $1.5 billion in building inventory.
One result of this trend has been Strangely enough, Prescient does
a growing tendency among own- not claim to be a construction
ers, developers, and their Building company.
Teams to package smaller and BDCnetwork.com/Prescient
CIRCLE 752
FOLLOW BD+C ON
CIRCLE 753
| EDITORIAL | By David Barista, Editorial Director
BUILDING DESIGN
+CONSTRUCTION
VOLUME 60, NO.10
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR | David Barista
847.954.7929; dbarista@sgcmail.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR | Robert Cassidy
847.391.1040; rcassidy@sgcmail.com
CONTRACTOR GIANTS ARE ALL IN SENIOR EDITOR | John Caulfield

732.257.6319; jcaulfield@sgcmail.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR | David Malone
ON OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION
847.391.1057; dmalone@sgcmail.com
EDITORS | Peter Fabris, Lance Hosey, Mike
Plotnick, Adam Sullivan, C.C. Sullivan
DESIGNER | Catherine LePenske
WEB DESIGNER | Agnes Smolen
T
he complete findings from our implementing offsite construction on
inaugural Giants 300 Technol- projects, three firms are pilot-testing EDITORIAL ADVISORS
ogy and Innovation Study are offsite processes and four are consider- DAVID P. CALLAN | PE, CEM, LEED AP, HBDP
Senior Vice President, McGuire Engineers
now published and available ing the approach for future application.
PATRICK E. DUKE | Senior Vice President,
for download at BDCnetwork. That leaves just three firms (8.5%) that CBRE Healthcare
com/2019TechSurvey. This indicated they have zero interest in offsite CAROLYN FERGUSON | FSMPS, CPSM
12-question survey was emailed construction—which means we’re looking President, WinMore Marketing Advisors
to all 486 firms that participated in at an adoption rate of more than 90% JOSH FLOWERS | AIA, LEED AP
General Counsel, Hnedak Bobo Group
BD+C’s 2019 Giants 300 Report; 130 among the nation’s largest GCs and CMs. ARLEN SOLOCHEK | FAIA, Associate Vice
firms completed the tech survey, for a When asked to pinpoint the single most Chancellor, Maricopa County CCD
participation rate of 26.7%. significant AEC technology innovation PHILIP TOBEY | FAIA, FACHA
Senior Vice President, SmithGroup
The objective of the study was to gain a their firm has initiated in the past year
PETER WEINGARTEN | AIA, LEED AP
deeper understanding of the state of AEC with positive results, DPR Construction’s Director of the Architectural Practice, Gensler
technology adoption and innovation initia- National Director of Innovation, Kaushal
BUSINESS STAFF
tives at the nation’s largest architecture, Diwan, cited the use of multitrade/multi-
GROUP DIRECTOR – PRINCIPAL | Tony Mancini
engineering, and construction firms. There scope prefabrication through its strategic 484.412.8686, tmancini@sgcmail.com
partnership with Phoenix-based prefab EVENTS MANAGER | Judy Brociek
847.954.7943; jbrociek@sgcmail.com
Speed, quality, advanced provider Digital Building Components:
“The ability to take more complex work DATA & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Kim Slagel
coordination, and schedule gains offsite while other work proceeds, then
bring ready-to-install elements to the
For list rental information, contact Claude Marada
at 402.836.6274; claude.marada@infogroup.com
are commonly cited as benefits site is a significant advance in the use

of prefabrication. With the existing labor
or Bart Piccirillo at 402.836.6283;
bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com
ASSISTANT DESIGN MANAGER | Dara Rubin
of offsite construction. shortage and desire to still have speed- MARKETING MANAGER | Stephanie Miller
smiller@nimblethinkers.com
to-market, we think we’re only beginning
But what about hard-dollar ROI? to see the possibilities.”
CORPORATE
Speed, quality, advanced coordination, CHAIRMAN EMERITUS (1922-2003) | H.S. Gillette
are dozens of takeaways from this study, and schedule gains are commonly cited CHAIRPERSON | K.A. Gillette
including which tech tools are being used as benefits of offsite construction. But CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | E.S. Gillette
most frequently, and which tools offer the what about hard-dollar ROI? PRESIDENT | Rick Schwer
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | David Shreiner
best ROI (see our recap on page 40). “Our current metrics savings show
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT | Ann O’Neill
One takeaway that stood out for me that prefabricating with Digital Building DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM MEDIA & STRATEGIC
was the astonishingly high adoption rate Components offsite saves 10–20% on PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT | John Atwood
of offsite construction among the general overall cost,” said Diwan. “It can save SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES
contractors and construction management time by improving installation efficiency Building Design+Construction
firms. Of the 35 GCs and CMs that par- by 20–30%, and it increases quality by P.O. Box 300 | Lincolnshire, IL. 60069-0300
BDC@omeda.com
ticipated in the survey, 25 firms (71.4%) reducing rework to less than 1%.” Toll Free 877.501.7540 | Local 847.763.4933
indicated that they use offsite/prefab The caveat, added Diwan, is that these Fax subscription changes to: 877.683.2064
construction on projects, and, incredibly, results “are only possible through deep For advertising contacts, see page 56.
nearly half (45.7%, or 16 firms) use offsite adoption and integration with virtual design
3030 W. SALT CREEK LANE, SUITE 201
construction on “all” or “many” projects. and construction and robotics technology,
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005-5025
Of the 10 firms that currently are not which Digital Building Components uses.” 847.391.1000 • FAX: 847.390.0408
6 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

NEW
INTEGRATED
POWER
THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
We designed our new 80-kW gaseous generator to be integrated with a powerful

KOHLER ® engine, controller, alternator, ATS and more. That means it provides
reliable performance for every application—from healthcare to water treatment.
Plus, can run on dual fuel systems: LP and natural gas. Why look anywhere else?
Spec yours at KOHLERPOWER.COM/INDUSTRIAL

CIRCLE 754
| NEWS+TRENDS | By John Caulfield, Senior Editor, and Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor
HOK REPORT FOCUSES ON DESIGNING OFFICES

FOR THE ‘NEURODIVERSE’ WORKFORCE
workers who often pos- that improves workers’ access
sess exceptional talents to opportunities, reinforces
that can be derailed or
made less efficient by
certain visual or aural
organizational values, and
facilitates business success.
HOK’s thesis is that offices
$
166 billion
distractions. need to be designed with more The total cost in lost pro-
HOK has released options that can sync with indi- ductivity and wasted gasoline
a 22-page report viduals’ neurological wiring. for the U.S. economy due to
titled “Designing “Neurodiverse thinkers gridlock and worsening traffic,
a Neurodiverse often can be over- or under- according to the Texas A&M
Workplace.” Its stimulated by factors in their Transportation Institute’s 2019
general premise environment such as lighting, Urban Mobility Report. The
favors inclusive sound, texture, smells, tem- report examined conditions
design that, instead perature, air quality, or overall in 494 urban areas across all
of trying to choose sense of security. One of the states and Puerto Rico.
or change people to most effective ways to design Possible remedies include
fit their environment, an for diversity is to provide more roads and mass transit,
organization can get the choices,” the report states. and reducing demand through
right people for its needs— HOK breaks down its recom- telework. Adjusting work hours
and simultaneously help them mendations into spatial organi- to better balance demand and
The way an office is live more fulfilling lives—by zation and character, acoustic roadway capacity, and smarter
designed can be a big factor in changing the environment to quality, thermal conform, land use policies could also
the productivity of workers who
welcome all those people who lighting, and degrees of stimu- provide relief.
fall within the range of neurodi-
vergent cognition, according to offer special talents. lation. Each is illustrated by BDCnetwork.com/UrbanMobilityReport
a new HOK report. specific workplace examples.
AUTISM-INCLUSIVE OFFICES The report points out, for
Scientists are learn-

ing more about the
One of the experts who
participated in the report
example, that thermal comfort
consistently ranks on work-
natural range of variation in
human cognition. Investiga-
tions have given rise to the
is Gearoid Kearney, CEO of
myAccessHub, which uses
virtual reality and eLearning to
place surveys as one of the
top environmental irritants.
Researchers have found that
$
776
billion
concept of “neurodiversity,” for educate employees and build it has a significant impact on
National nonresidential
people who aren’t neurotypical autism-inclusive workplaces. productivity. One solution is to construction spending
and function under conditions “Ask the neurodiverse what provide individual temperature (seasonally adjusted an-
such as autism spectrum works and what doesn’t, and controls, such as an oper- nualized basis), as of July
disorder, attention deficit syn- include them in the decision able window or air diffuser, to 2019, up 0.1% compared
drome, dyslexia, and Tourette making,” advises Caroline enable workers to adjust their to July 2018, but down
syndrome. An estimated Turner, Founder and Managing thermal environment. 0.3% on a monthly basis,
15-20% of people are what’s Director of Creased Puddle, a Ultimately, the report con- according to the U.S. Cen-
known as “neurodivergent.” neurodivergent consultancy. tends, the opportunity for staff sus Bureau.
Public nonresidential
And even among people who “Don’t let fear be a barrier.” to have a measure of control
spending increased 0.4%
are considered neaurotypical, HOK’s report draws from the over their exposure to an
for the month and 4.3% for
25% will experience a men- firm’s projects, professional office’s temperature, lighting,
the year. Private nonresi-
tal health challenge such as and scientific literature, and noise, proximity to coworkers, dential spending decreased
depression or stress. interviews with thought lead- colors, and patterns can go 0.8% on a monthly basis
This presents obstacles ers and medical professionals a long way toward providing a and 2.7% on a yearly basis.
to businesses that want to to provide a blueprint for how setting that can accommodate BDCnetwork.com/July2019spending
create a welcoming office design can play a role in creat- a fuller cognitive spectrum.
environment for neurodiverse ing a neurodiverse workplace BDCnetwork.com/HOKreport19

5G EXPECTED TO respondents are using tools
GIVE A BOOST TO TEXAS FLOOD PREVENTION INITIATIVE like drones, 3D printers, and
CONSTRUCTION WOULD CREATE NATION’S MOST robots. Another 23% are
TECHNOLOGY AMBITIOUS BARRIER SYSTEM relying on Lean construction
Fifth-generation cellular techniques, BIM, and prefab-
technology (5G) will enable en- rication.
hanced data flows and faster The disruption being caused
response times that will boost by labor shortages is also
technologies used by the con- manifesting itself in costlier
struction industry, according to projects that take longer to
A plan being developed by the Texas General Land Office and
research firm GlobalData. complete. Forty-four percent of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would spend as much as
Design and construction the firms polled are increasing
$32 billion to protect the Houston-Galveston area from storm
firms will have access to more their construction prices, and
surges.
robust systems that employ 29% are factoring longer lead
The project would construct the nation’s most ambitious and
virtual reality, Internet of times into their bids.
expensive coastal barrier system. It would consist of 12-foot-
Things, robotics, and drones. Over the past two years,
high sand dune-topped levees to protect beachfront homes and
“In addition to the striking AGC has secured $145 million
businesses, as well as a storm surge barrier system.
speed, which enables data in federal funding for career
The plan has already gone through revisions to make it more
transmission between two end and technical education pro-
effective and more environmentally friendly. The plan has drawn
systems almost instantly, 5G’s grams. It is urging the federal
criticism from the Galveston business community, which says a
ability to connect thousands government to increase that
proposed ring levee would hinder cargo and passenger loading
of such devices at once with funding, and to allow con-
at the Port of Galveston. Environmentalists are concerned that
lower latency, higher reliability, struction students to qualify
a gate system between Galveston and Bolivar to block storm
and lesser battery consump- for federal Pell Grants, which
surges would diminish exchange of saltwater and freshwater
tion lays a strong foundation would make it easier for firms
between Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico that is impor-
for the effective adoption of to establish apprenticeship
tant to marine life.
emerging technologies,” said programs.
The Houston-Galveston region, home to millions of people
Archi Dasgupta, Director of More quixotic—given the
and the nation’s largest petrochemical complex, is vulnerable
Disruptive Tech, GlobalData. Trump Administration’s virulent
to massive storm surges and currently has no comprehensive
Elevated bandwidth will anti-immigration stance—is
storm protection system.
enable drones to shoot live AGC’s call for the government
BDCnetwork.com/TexasFlood
4K and 360-degree videos, to let more immigrants into
which will revolutionize the the U.S. to work construction.
way people watch videos. BDCnetwork.com/AGClabor
IoT applications will be more Autodesk and the Associ- er and how soon the industry
reliable, with lower latency ated General Contractors of can dig itself out of this hole. CONTECH VC
and reliability—traits that are America (AGC). The survey To attract workers, two-thirds DISCLOSES DETAILS
critical for daily operations and found that 80% of 1,935 of the survey’s respondents ABOUT LATEST FUND
improved safety. Enhanced respondents in 23 states re- say they’ve boosted base pay Brick & Mortar Ventures, one
data transmission will make VR port having a hard time filling rates, and 29% are offering of the leading investors in
more effective. hourly craft positions. incentives and bonuses. A lon- construction technology, an-
BDCnetwork.com/5Gconstruction More concerning are the ger-term play finds nearly half nounced in August that a fund
findings that nearly three-quar- of the firms polled—46%— it had closed in January 2018
CONSTRUCTION ters of the construction firms having launched or expanded raised $97.2 million. This rep-
FIRMS EXPECT polled don’t expect shortages their training programs. Half of resented Brick & Mortar’s larg-
LABOR SHORTAGES to abate over the next year, the respondents also say their est fund to date, and marked
TO WORSEN and could, in fact, get worse. companies are involved in its first institutional capital,
Construction workers are get- And the training and skill level career-building programs. according to the company.
ting scarcer, but the magni- of the labor that is available The labor shortage is shov- The San Francisco-based
tude of the labor shortage is are deemed “poor” by 45% of ing a perennially tech-phobic venture capital firm also
writ large in a recent survey, those polled. construction industry into the disclosed its investors in that
released in late August by It remains to be seen wheth- 21st century. One-quarter of fund, which include several

| NEWS+TRENDS |
heavy hitters in the ConTech corporations, with $25.5 Branch Technology, Canvas,
and construction arenas: billion in revenue last year. Cumulus, Connect Homes,
Ardex, Autodesk, CEMEX, Bechtel isn’t an investor in Illumagear, SafeAl, Veerum,
Ferguson Ventures, FMI, Glo- Brick & Mortar Ventures, but Ynomia, Curbio, Wingtra, Tim-
don, Haskell, Hilti, Obayashi, is considered a Preferred ber, and SafeSite.
Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs, and Industry Partner by the firm. A spokesperson for Brick
United Rentals. Brick & Mortar Last year, Autodesk ac- & Mortar Ventures explained
refers to these investors as quired PlanGrid and Building- the gap between the closing
its Preferred Industry Partners, Connected, two companies of this fund and the announce-
which help the VC firm identify for which Brick & Mortar had ment about it as the firm’s
startups that might provide so- provided early seed capital. way of keeping that fund
lutions for the Partners’ needs. BuildingConnected was one of “under the radar.”
Darren Bechtel, CEO of 16 deals that Brick & Mortar Brick & Mortar Ventures,
Brick & Mortar Ventures, Ventures transacted using which started in 2015, is
is the brother of Brendan capital raised for its latest among a growing number of
Bechtel, Chairman and CEO fund. The other companies investors that are showing
of Bechtel Group, one of the into which Brick & Mortar greater interest in construc-
world’s largest commercial invested were ManufactOn, tion technology.
and industrial construction FieldWire, Serious Labs, BDCnetwork.com/BrickMortar
GET SMART: SQUARE FOOT COSTS FOR DATA CENTERS

RSMeans By Gordian
Smart is in. Just ask city governments. paramount that construction professionals
Officials are eagerly trying to connect infor- have reliable data for reference during the
mation and communication technologies design phase of a data center build.
to help public services operate more ef- RSMeans data from Gordian features more
ficiently and cities become more business- than 100 building models, including modern
friendly. But smart cities don’t just happen. data centers. These localized models allow
They require a robust digital infrastructure. architects, engineers, and other preconstruc-
That’s why the public sector is making mation professionals to quickly and accurately
jor investments in data centers. create conceptual estimates for future builds.
As the nervous system of any smart city, The table below shows recent and future
data centers are highly specialized. These costs per square foot of data centers across
essential assets can be challenging to the U.S. Visit rsmeans.com/bdandc for more
estimate and demanding to construct. It is information about RSMeans data.
CITY Q3, 2019 Q4, 2019 Q1, 2020 Q2, 2020
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. $317.79 $318.95 $316.25 $315.68

CHARLOTTE, N.C. $310.31 $311.24 $310.64 $310.91
DALLAS $309.00 $309.28 $305.27 $304.81
FORT WAYNE, IND. $325.17 $325.88 $322.74 $322.74
LOS ANGELES $441.25 $442.45 $441.41 $441.19
MILWAUKEE, WIS. $396.43 $397.22 $396.85 $396.70
PHOENIX, ARIZ. $325.88 $326.73 $322.02 $322.72
CIRCLE 755
PORTLAND, MAINE $345.89 $346.41 $342.89 $343.78
RENO, NEV. $349.05 $350.83 $348.16 $348.33
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. $313.89 $314.42 $309.92 $309.23
Please note: Square foot models are used for planning and budgeting and are not meant for detailed estimates.

CALIFORNIA WILL which already have rent restric- stem a serious homelessness model performance, and life-
ENACT RENT CAP tions, but it is expected to crisis and help families antici- cycle costs in Massachusetts.
BILL LIMITING RENT significantly affect places like pate rent increases. Stakeholders and decision-
INCREASES the wealthy suburbs of the Bay BDCnetwork.com/CALIFrent makers frequently cite high
California legislators passed a Area. The law also includes evic- costs as the primary barrier
bill that limits rent increases tion restrictions. Landlords will ZERO ENERGY to ZE buildings, but the report
across the state to 5% plus be prohibited from kicking out BUILDINGS CAN BE contradicts that perception.
inflation on apartments built renters who follow the rules of CONSTRUCTED WITH Researchers found that ZE
at least 15 years ago. their lease unless the owner is NO ADDED COSTS buildings are being constructed
Gov. Gavin Newsom is ex- moving in, tearing down the resi- Many types of zero energy utilizing readily available prod-
pected to sign the bill into law. dence, renovating it, or taking it (ZE) buildings can be con- ucts, practices, technologies,
The measure includes exemp- off the rental market. structed with no added upfront and energy efficiency rebates.
tions for owners who live with The California Association cost, and some commercial Building energy demand
their tenants, and owners who of Realtors and most of the buildings can see return on can be reduced 44% to 54%
live in one part of a duplex state’s Republican lawmak- investment in as little as one across all building types
and rent out the other unit. ers opposed the bill, saying year, according to a report by with technology that’s readily
Landlords will be allowed to it would decrease the value U.S. Green Building Council available today. Existing office
raise rents to market rates of rental properties and deter Massachusetts Chapter. buildings retrofitted to zero
when a tenant moves out. developers from building The report, “Zero Energy energy, with renewables, can
The measure will have little more housing. Democrats and Buildings in MA: Saving Money produce a return on invest-
impact on large cities such as renter advocacy groups said from the Start,” assesses zero ment in as little as five years.
Oakland and San Francisco, the measure is necessary to energy upfront building costs, BDCnetwork.com/ZEBreport19
DUST BARRIER SYSTEM 800-718-2255
Start every job

with ZipWall ®.
Q Sets up in just a few minutes
Q No ladders, no tape, no damage
See how easy it is at

zipwall.com.
CIRCLE 756

| AEC AUTOMATION | By Lance Hosey, FAIA, LEED Fellow, Design Director, Gensler
THE WAY
NATURE
DESIGNS
Could the ultimate outcome of parametric design
be the elimination of design itself?
ecently, an architect I know wrote “Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks

on social media, “Today, paramet- sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulat-
ric modeling allows us to design ing nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies.”
the way nature does.” This remark But the term actually refers more narrowly to “the
takes perhaps the oldest idea in design and production of materials, structures, and
architecture—that buildings can systems that are modelled on biological entities and
mimic living things—and updates it processes.” Biomimicry mimics biology, living sys-
for the computer age. tems—it’s right there in the name.
In the earliest treatise on architecture, Vitruvius “The core idea,” Benyus explains, “is that life has
explained architecture as an imitation of nature. Two been on Earth for 3.8 billion years and has learned
millennia later, Frank Lloyd Wright defined “organic during that time what works and what lasts and how
architecture” as “building the way nature builds.” to fit in here.”
Both theorists used nature as a metaphor, and the But nature is more than biology, of course. Duke
idea that parametrics now can emulate nature liter- University professor Adrian Bejan insists that phys-
ally is extremely compelling. ics, not biology, defines the most common processes
in nature. His Constructal Law shows that, in nature,
HOW NATURE WORKS non-living and living things both are organized around
First, let’s be clear that when designers speak of “na- consistent patterns that aid the flow of energy and
ture,” often they really mean just the subset of nature matter. Think of the similar shapes of lightning bolts
that includes living things. This is even true of some and coastlines, as well as trees and lungs. Some of
scientists, in fact. Janine Benyus, the brilliant biolo- these shapes evolved biologically, through evolutionary
gist who has popularized the concept of biomimicry adaptation, but all work gracefully with natural physical
over the past two decades, defines the term this way: processes.

CLINTON STEEDS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
“The designs we see in nature are not the result of
chance,” says Bejan. “They rise naturally, spontaneously,
because they enhance access to flow.”
Nevertheless, Bejan’s use of “design” gets to the
heart of my question. The first definition of that word
is “to create, fashion, execute, or construct according
to plan.” Is it accurate to refer to nature as having a
“plan”? Unless you take a theological point of view, na-
ture has no motives, no intentions, no agenda, no plan.
By and large, physical forces operate through Newtonian
laws. Darwin scientists have defined evolutionary biology
as an ongoing series of random mutations that either
give organisms a survival advantage or do not. What
works survives; what doesn’t dies.
Louis Sullivan borrowed his famous mantra, “form
follows function,” from pre-Darwinian biology. But ac-
cording to evolution, forms appear arbitrarily and only
sometimes function. The line should have been, “form,
then maybe function,” but it doesn’t have quite the
same ring to it.
DESIGNING HOW NATURE DESIGNS

So, designing “the way nature designs” might mean ran-
domly producing geometries, most of which would fail.
A cynical view of design and construction might see this
as how we already operate, but no matter how you look
at it, design generally involves a set of intentions.
I opened my book, The Shape of Green: Aesthetics,
Ecology, and Design (2012), with this definition: “Design Pictured: Thorncrown Chapel,
Eureka Springs, Ark.
is shape with purpose.” But nature has no purposes.
“Nature doesn’t ask your permission,” wrote Dosto-
evsky. “It doesn't care about your wishes, or whether
you like its laws or not. You’re obliged to accept it as work well in a given context. But to approximate nature
it is, and consequently all its results as well.” Despite this process would need to remove the designer from
Wordsworth’s poem about “Nature’s holy plan,” nature the equation and entirely escape the control of human
in fact has no plan, holy or otherwise. Therefore, design- intention. As design behaves more and more like na-
ing like nature is arguably a contradiction in terms. ture, will it cease to be “design” at all?
This is especially true of parametric design, which Lance Hosey, FAIA, LEED Fellow, is a Design Director
by definition is built around a set of “parameters.” with Gensler. His book, The Shape of Green: Aesthetics,
Wikipedia describes it as centered on “the relationship Ecology, and Design (tinyurl.com/y8pp7khr), has been
between design intent and design response.” However, an Amazon #1 bestseller in the Sustainability & Green
it’s possible that computational design eventually Design category. Hosey is among a select group of de-
could be automated so that it literally follows the pro- sign professionals in the world to be named Fellows with
cesses of evolutionary biology, but sped up—tinkering both the American Institute of Architects and the U.S.
with thousands of variations and keeping the ones that Green Building Council.
The designs we see in nature are not the result of chance. They rise naturally,
spontaneously, because they enhance access to flow.’
-- ADRIAN BEJAN, J.A. JONES PROFESSOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, DUKE UNIVERSITY

| THINK TANK | By Eric Arter, AIA, LEED AP, Vice President, Mixed-Use Studio Leader, NELSON Worldwide
ANOTHER WELL-KNOWN RETAILER FILES

FOR BANKRUPTCY: HERE’S THE SOLUTION
TO MORE EMPTY ANCHOR STORES
RENDERING: NELSON
Last month, one of
the world’s most
well-known retailers
filed for bankruptcy.
Barneys is almost 100
years old and will close 15
of its 22 stores as part of
a major restructure, and
they aren’t alone. Barneys
is among dozens of other
retailers filing for
bankruptcy this year. The
question is, How do
landlords transform this
valuable empty space? The
solution lies in repurposing
One solution for dark anchors is to convert them to warehouse “lite” facilities, which offer last-mile delivery
existing square footage.
services. The repurposed distribution center could leverage key elements from previous anchors, like the
Brick-and-mortar loading dock, receiving area, and freight elevators.
environments can no
longer offer consumers functional and aesthetically services—a smaller- This could also support
a singular purpose. pleasing for developers format transportation newer concepts like cloud
Developments must and remaining anchor hub focused on last-mile kitchens that rely on
be multi-functional tenants. logistics to deliver items multiple delivery providers
destinations, hybrid The solution for dark to the end user as fast as and a seamless pick-up
facilities that support anchors should not be to possible. The repurposed process. Supporting new
retail’s changing landscape simply plug the hole with distribution center could business models, from
and benefit the consumer, traditional solutions, but leverage key elements ridesharing to BOPIS (buy
retailer, and developer. The to look toward out-of-the- from previous anchors, like online pickup in store), will
goal is to create physical box concepts. A more the loading dock, receiving keep the concept fresh
environments that offer a innovative distribution area, and freight elevators. and flexible to support
differentiated customer center concept can offer And keeping truck traffic the growing ecommerce
experience, but also one a longer-lasting, versatile to the backside of the market.
that allows for faster solution focused on development, ideally with The third usage will
product access. engagement, helping with a separate entrance, be to leverage the
With a national vacancy supply chain, and better prevents a disruption to street-facing façade for
rate of more than 10% and addressing today’s speed guest traffic flow. small-format retail and
a market that’s inundated of transaction. The ideal Next, a robust click- restaurants. Providing
with empty anchor space, repurposed distribution and-collect facility, from unique localized offerings
the challenge will be to center offers three distinct parcel lockers to drive- and a varied tenant mix
repurpose these once uses. through pick-ups, will allow will keep the development
thriving mall beacons to First, is a warehouse customers and third-party feeling current. These
become multipurpose “lite” facility offering delivery vendors faster new consumer-facing
destinations that are both last-mile delivery access to merchandise. environments should offer

a podcast by architects for architects
plenty of opportunities for Moreover, many of today’s BD+C AND BOB BORSON, FAIA, have
consumer engagement anchor spaces are large,
teamed up to bring you Life of an Architect,
and provide a new draw for unarticulated boxes that
legacy tenants within the do not address today’s a twice-monthly podcast that delves
development. The refreshed consumer needs and into all things architecture and design.
exterior will help increase wants. The architecture is
street traffic while creating often forgettable and many
an aesthetically pleasing of the exteriors haven’t
façade to the much needed been renovated since the
back-of-house functions original tenant opened its
within the warehouse doors. This strategy may
and click-and-collect have been appropriate
environments. The small- when most shopping
format footprint could entice centers were inward-facing,
new offerings, from start- enclosed malls, but today’s
ups to online-first retailers, shoppers and consumers
providing developers and are looking for differentiated
guests an elevated and environments that not
differentiated experience. only speak to their unique
‘The solution for dark anchors should not CHECK OUT THE LATEST
be to simply plug the hole with traditional
solutions, but to look toward out-of-the- Life of an Architect episodes:
box concepts.’ — ERIC ARTER, AIA, LEED AP, NELSON WORLDWIDE
EPISODE 33
TAKING THE ARCHITECTURAL

This multi-faceted concept communities, but also REGISTRATION EXAM
could support various support their online habits
The ARE test is long and hard, and the majority of
industries beyond just to offer a more seamless,
traditional retail, such as convenient experience. people who take these exams will fail them.
breweries, beer distributers, While shopping centers Episode 33 is brought to you by:
or a consumer-facing beer have been turning inside

garden or tasting room. out, replacing long
EPISODE 32
With the rise of farm-to-table stretches of back-of-
dining, it could be home house exterior walls with PROJECTS IN ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL
to a grow house, farmers engaging outward-facing ARE SILLY
market, or signature- tenant façades, the The projects that architects-in-training work on while in
chef restaurant. Or even market has now created
school are rarely about solving practical problems.
provide a footprint for cloud an opportunity for anchor
kitchens, a food truck stores to participate in Episode 32 is brought to you by:
park, or designated pick- this retail transformation.

up for food delivery apps. This revolution starts
The options are endless with converting these LISTEN TO ALL EPISODES AT:
when the concept supports unarticulated boxes into
consumers, ecommerce, vibrant offerings that are
BDCnetwork.com/lifeofanarchitect
and supply chain. approachable and engaging.

| THINK TANK | By Sangmin Lee, KIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal, China Regional Director, Health, HDR
5 CONVERGING
COURTESY HDR
TRENDS FOR
HEALTHCARE’S FUTURE
Tradition and feeling of healthcare and
innovation. replacing it with a dose of
Technology and humanity.
medicine. Retail and The HDR-designed
clinics. Our solutions to Humber River Hospital in
both today’s and Ontario, Canada, realized
tomorrow’s challenges lie the potential of technology
at the convergence of enabled experience as the
technologies, industries, first fully-digital hospital
and types of care. in North America. All too
Here are five often, patient experiences
nontraditional health are characterized by
partnerships that can be a frustrating lack of
forged to create forward- autonomy, limited
thinking design that is both accessibility to health
adaptive and patient-centric: information, and feelings
‘With implementations like scenario

mapping, designers are able to
measure the functionality of a design,
including how long it takes to get
from core space to a patient room.’
— SANGMIN LEE, KIA, LEED AP BD+C, HDR
THINK Whole Person Healthcare in Omaha, Neb., houses 24 primary care

1. TECHNOLOGY of isolation. Humber physicians and more than 500 other healthcare professionals, including
ENABLED EXPERIENCE River addressed these therapists, nutritionists, mental health professionals, and health coaches.
Technology and patient challenges with its Patient

care are merging to Bedside Terminal, which for patients’ families with at the right time. For health
create greater agency, allows patients to view updates on their status. design, that means creating
communication, their personal health an engaging space that
transparency, and comfort information, check the 2. RETAIL THINKING entertains, nourishes, and
for patients through weather and news, and Retail design goes beyond comforts patients all within a
technology-enabled make calls, all from a simply drawing people clear message of sustained
experiences. Innovations bedside touchscreen. inside the retail space and health and wellness.
based in this type of Hospitals are also generating profit. The key is Omaha, Neb.’s THINK
experience are breaking beginning to employ real- designing spaces for people Whole Person Healthcare
down the sterile, clinical time text communication to have the right experience has reimagined the delivery

CIRCLE 757
| THINK TANK |
of healthcare to create 17 years to develop new for rehabilitation therapies, of the facility. These
a one-stop shop of clinic medicine or treatments. guiding patients through tools can provide insight
services that offers health In that process, 86% of treatment and therapy, or into how many operating
and wellness products the time, innovators fail. conducting research. and exam rooms should
and services. Much of this When it comes to arriving be included and which
unorthodox design was at solutions sooner and 4. DATA-DRIVEN DESIGN adjacencies should be
driven by retail thinking and driving up the odds of Data-driven design links prioritized.
a desire to create a holistic success for better patient operation to design so
care space complemented outcomes, translational healthcare providers can 5. DRONES
by shops and eateries medicine—the forecast which elements Drones are becoming more
supporting the mission of convergence of expertise— work best for their resilient and capable of
THINK. The space features may be the ticket. productivity, fiscal, and carrying heavier loads,
a juice bar, cafés, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s patient experience goals. navigating tricky courses,
health-related shops that design was developed With implementations and traveling great
invite visitors to settle into around creating like scenario mapping, distances. In the near
the space and reinforce a adjacencies between designers are able to future, they can feasibly
healthy lifestyle. disciplines to enable and measure the functionality aid in search and rescue
encourage collaboration of a design, including how missions, transport and
3. TRANSLATIONAL among the various long it takes to get from deliver treatment and
MEDICINE professionals, whether core space to a patient supplies, and offer patient
On average, it takes about they’re engineering devices room, then to the outside care at home.
By Robert Cassidy, Editor, Multifamily Design+Construction
PELOTON TO MULTIFAMILY OWNERS: DROP DEAD

Does your and remarked at the that, last May, a Weinstein your original commercial
multifamily significant percentage of Project Coordinator had sales order and current
property have Peloton respondents—one in five emailed her local Peloton subscription.
bikes in its fitness (19.1%)—who said they sales contact seeking to “While this was a very
center? If so, hang onto had installed Peloton bikes place an order for more difficult decision to reach,
them for dear life. They in their properties in the Peloton bikes. On May it returns focus to our
may be the last ones you’ll last few years. 13, the saleswoman, original model of bringing
ever see. The reason: “In 2018 we did start Chris Jobes, replied: “I high quality, instructor-led
Peloton will no longer sell incorporating Peloton bikes am glad your residents fitness into our Members’
its bikes to multifamily in some of our fitness have enjoyed your Peloton homes. We have learned
residential communities. centers,” Shaia wrote me. Bikes and that you wish that the best Peloton
Let me go back a bit to “These were purchased set to place another order. experience begins with a
explain. up on commercial accounts Unfortunately, we have Member purchasing and
On August 19, I received which essentially allowed recently discontinued exercising on his or her
an email from Matt for unlimited users. Back commercial sales to own personal Bike.”
Shaia, Director, Asset in June of 2019, we were multifamily housing Read the full blog post
Management and Support, told that Peloton will no developments.” at BDCnetwork.com/
Weinstein Properties, longer sell to commercial “Rest assured,” Jobes PelotonShutoff2019.
Glen Allen, Va. He had customers. This was a continued, “this change
just read our Multifamily big let down to us as does not affect your
Design+Construction we have found spinning existing Peloton Bikes.
More insights from BD+C’s
Amenities Survey to be gaining significant Each Bike will continue to
40 AEC blog partners at
2019 (download the popularity in the fitness receive content, software
BDCnetwork.com/Blogs
findings at BDCnetwork. amenity world.” updates, warranty, support,
com/amenities2019) I learned from Shaia and service outlined in

GLASS FOR
SMART
SPACES
Rajen Kilachand Center

for Integrated Life Sciences
& Engineering
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
with SunGuard® AG 50 and SunGuard® IS 20 on clear
© Keitaro Yoshioka Photography
Brighten interiors and minds.

See what’s possible™ on your next project with
Guardian SunGuard® Architectural Glass.
©2019 Guardian Glass, LLC | GuardianGlass.com/KilachandCenter CIRCLE 758

| TRENDSETTING PROJECTS | By David Malone, Associate Editor, and John Caulfield, Senior Editor
CHNE DER
SCHNEI
NSCHNE
SCHN
S D R
DE
SEATTLE’S NEWEST SUBSTATION
BENJAM
ENJAM
NJA
NJ
N JA NB
A IN BEN
EN
BE
DOUBLES AS A CIVIC AMENITY
In July, the first substation Greyhound bus mainte- production and importance theater, activity zone, and
built in Seattle in three de- nance terminal once stood. of energy and power in daily exhibition space. The sub-
cades opened between that The complex includes the life. Indeed, what makes station has its own public
city’s fast-growing South 10,000-sf substation with this project unique is how art program that incorpo-
Lake Union area and Denny slanted, stainless-steel it has been designed to be rates permanent artworks,
Triangle. The Denny Substa- walls that pick up color friendly to users and the temporary pieces, and
tion is the culmination of from sunlight and the sky. community at large. ongoing cultural and artistic
a three-year construction Translucent glass panels An elevated walkway, one- programming.
and multiyear planning and emit a soft glow when il- quarter mile long, wraps the The Denny Substation,
community engagement pro- luminated at night. Ambient building. The west side of powered mostly by hydro-
cess between the facility’s light is strategically placed the site includes a 44,000- electric energy, is projected
designer, NBBJ, and Seattle to brighten the building’s sf public green with an off- to be net positive, generat-
City Lights, the city-owned interior space. leash dog park and space ing 105% of the energy
electric utility. Translucent and trans- for food trucks. needs and projected to
The $210 million substa- parent walls, 35 feet high, Inside are a 3,900-sf achieve an energy use in-
tion complex covers more allow visitors to view di- community meeting space tensity level of 15.5, on par
than 120,000 sf within rectly into the substation. and a 2,900-sf “energy with Seattle’s Bullitt Center,
a block and a half of real This feature is meant to inspiration” space with a one of the country’s green-
estate where a former remind the public about the pantry, offices, immersive est office buildings.

COURTESY SNØHETTA
SNØHETTA
TO DESIGN
SHANGHAI GRAND
OPERA HOUSE
Snøhetta recently won an
international design com-
petition for the Shanghai that connects the sky and goers. Additionally, the roof
Grand Opera House in the ground. The spiraling, will become an accessible
China. The Oslo-based firm fanning design extends stage and meeting place
has developed the archi- throughout the project into for large-scale events and
tectural, landscape, inte- the lobby, halls, and the everyday visitors. A series
rior, and graphic design for three auditoriums. of restaurants, galleries,
the project, which will be A 2,000-seat main exhibitions, museums,
undertaken in partnership auditorium, packed with education centers, librar-
with ECADI. technology and superior ies, and small cinemas will
The 134,000-sm Opera acoustics, rests at the also be included.
House will be built in the heart of the project. A Oak wood forms the
Expo Houtan neighbor- 1,200-seat second audito- main floors of the gal- the experience inside the
hood. The sweeping form rium offers a more intimate leries and the interior of building at different times
of the building is meant setting for smaller produc- the hall to ensure good of day or from season to
to embody the concept of tions, while a 1,000-seat acoustic properties. The season. Exterior lights
movement while the heli- third auditorium includes a wood is stained in hues change the appearance of
cal roof surface evokes an flexible stage and seating of dark red in the hall the stage towers at night
unfolding fan. The radial for experimental perfor- itself. Large glass panes to create glowing lanterns
movements of the roof mances, meant to attract open up the main hall to that illuminate the roof. Ex-
form a spiraling staircase a new generation of opera natural light that changes pected completion: 2023.
STUDIO THIRTEEN
CINCINNATI REDS DEBUT RENOVATED REDS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
In honor of 150 years of Cincinnati Reds technology to increase engagement. The space
baseball, the team, in partnership with was reconfigured into six galleries, which
FRCH NELSON, renovated the Reds each highlighting different aspects of
Hall of Fame and Museum. The the team’s history and comprising
$5 million project renovated over 7,000 team artifacts.
more than 15,000 sf of the The 1869 room is dedicated
largest team Hall of Fame in to the team’s 150th anniver-
Major League Baseball to cre- sary, followed by a timeline
ate a more organized and en- gallery that allows visitors to
gaging visitor experience. chronologically follow the team
The museum’s collection was and players’ milestones throughout
rearranged in a progressive order history. Interactive opportunities
and the experience was enhanced include the Marty and Joe Broadcasting
by incorporating environmental graphics, Exhibit and a digital baseball card station
adding new artifacts, and integrating touchscreen where visitors can create their own personalized card.

| TRENDSETTING PROJECTS |
ROSETTI
CALGARY’S SPORTS
AND ENTERTAINMENT
DISTRICT WILL
FEATURE THE
FLAMES’ NEW
HOCKEY ARENA
A new $416 million sports
and entertainment district
in Calgary’s Victoria Park
area features an acces-
sible and transparent the new home of the NHL’s ice advantage. The design street” and various public
approach at street level Calgary Flames. The arena also includes new social spaces. Construction on
designed to integrate into may use Rossetti’s Inverted experiences for fans for a the project is slated to
the community. Bowl design, which the firm “more democratic viewing begin in 2021. Rosetti is
The project will be an- says has never been built experience for all,” accord- working with the Calgary
chored by a 19,000-seat, before, to create an intimate ing to Rosetti. Sports and Entertainment
multi-use arena designed by experience for fans and play- Outside the arena, the Corporation (CSEC) on
Rossetti that will become ers and a significant home district will feature a “festival the project.
PARIS WILL SOON BE HOME TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST ROOFTOP FARM
30 different fruit and vegetable

species. This technique requires
no soil and arranges the plants
vertically above ground in columns
that are fed by rain water and bio-
logical nutrients. Over 1,000 kilo-
grams of fruits and vegetables will
be harvested, by about 20 garden-
ers, every day in high season.
The space will offer educa-
tional tours and include 500
sm of event space to be used
for workshops and other events
meant to educate visitors. More
LIS
IS
PO LI S
than 140 farming spaces will be

GRIPO
AGRIPO
AGR
G RIPO
available for residents to rent. A

A
restaurant opereated by La Per-

choir will be located on site and
Located on the roof of Pavillion 6 of the Parc des Expositions will source its fresh fruits and vegetables from the rooftop
Viparis porte de Versailles, an exposition center currently under farm. Agripolis, the company leading the project, expects the
reconstruction, the farm will use aeroponics to grow more than farm to draw more than 10,000 visitors per year.

WHAT HAPPENED TO
VALUE ENGINEERING?
When the concept of value engineering was first conceived in the 1940s, the aim was to find real
value through careful analysis of products and components. This was accomplished by either
improving performance without increasing cost or reducing cost without sacrificing performance.
It was understood that value could only be created if functionality and durability remained the priority.
Today, value engineering in construction has

fallen far from its origins, with products being
chosen and changed out simply because
they are cheaper, many times sacrificing
performance and longevity. This new process
is no longer about creating actual value.
Acknowledging that budget is always a
concern, there must still be a better way.
With the introduction of EN-V we aim to

restore the true meaning of value. We
haven’t cheapened anything about the EN-V
metal panel system, but rather optimized
the process to find cost savings without
sacrificing performance. EN-V is a fully
tested, architectural, dry joint, pressure
equalized rainscreen system which starts
at an uncommonly low price in this sector.
The panels are single-skin, so there are no
worries of delamination and they are non-
combustible. Available in a nearly endless
palette of custom colors, EN-V doesn’t
compromise on aesthetics either. Now you
can use a system you want at the price point
you need.
Now you can use a system you want at

the price point you need.
University of Montana - Missoula, MT
Architect: StudioForma Architects
ARCHITECTURAL METAL WALL PANELS

Powered by Dri-Design
en-v.com | 616.355.2970 CIRCLE 759

| TRENDSETTING PROJECTS |
COURTESY PUMA
PUMA’S FLAGSHIP professional-grade F1 racing
STORE CREATES simulators and race (virtu-
IMMERSIVE ally, that is) down the streets
EXPERIENCES FOR of New York City.
ITS SPORTS-FOCUSED • Soccer fans can test the
PATRONS latest Puma-branded boots
In August, sportswear giant on an in-store simulator that
Puma opened its first-ever mimics the field pitch of San
North American flagship Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy,
store in New York City. The while being coached virtually
store features 18,000 sf of by Puma brand ambassadors
interactive spaces over two and two pro footballers.
floors, and double-height • Technology—specifi-
storefronts across 160 feet cally iMirror by Nobal, placed
of wraparound frontage. throughout the store—allows
Germany-based Puma, the customers to view products
11th-largest supplier of ath- in alternate colors and styles
letic apparel and shoes, has via RFID-enabled imaging.
more than 100 outlet stores • In the store’s basketball
in the U.S. But this location, zone, customers can enjoy
on the corner of 49th Street stadium seating and the
and Fifth Avenue, is its first large-screen NBA2K gaming
full-size, full-price store. experience. This area of the
From this flagship, Puma will store will also feature QR
compete with other retailers codes located on all prod-
with shops on Fifth Avenue, ucts. (Puma re-entered the
including Nike, Asics, and basketball sector last year,
Adidas. Under Armour is also and is looking to tap into a
building a flagship store in growing trend toward fusing
this neighborhood. sports and lifestyle apparel.)
The new store showcases • On Labor Day, the store
customer-focused technology launched Chinatown Market
in a variety of ways: University, where patrons can
• A Customization Studio customize products using
allows shoppers to custom- Chinatown Market’s printing
ize and personalize their technology.
footwear, apparel, and ac- Puma’s internal store
cessories using, among design team worked with De-
other things, paints, dips, sign Republic on the interior
dyes, patchwork, embroi- of the new store. Shawmut
dery, 3D knitting, laser print- Design and Construction was
ing, pinning, and material the project’s GC, and the ex-
“upcycling.” terior design was attributed
• Customers interested to Seele. Gable did the A/V
in motorsports can hop into design and installation.

THE
BEAUTY’S
IN THE
DETAILS
Want the latest color? Want color that lasts? At Sherwin-Williams, there’s no element too small for us to obsess over.
To us color isn’t arbitrary. It’s human, environmental, emotional. Color is all we think about. That’s why we stay one
step ahead of color trends. That’s why we are obsessed in making each detail count by putting our exterior metal
coatings through the wringer. Because that’s how to make color tough enough to look its best after Nature’s thrown
down her worst. So our clients’ visions shine for generations to come.
See where color can take you. Contact us at coil.sherwin.com.
CIRCLE 761
AEC TECH |
DATA’S
COMING OUT PARTY
AEC firms are finally putting to use
T
his summer, Gensler launched its newest
project information they’ve been practice, Intelligent Places, which was in
development for a year and whose focus is
storing in their computers for years. the application of data and visual services to
connect design and business results.
BY JOHN CAULFIELD, SENIOR EDITOR
HMC Architects is building a data ware-
house as part of a network to distribute
content throughout the firm. So far, HMC has
finalized the selection of servers. In phase two, the firm
will put all three of its practices onto the network. An
R&D component will be added in phase three.
In line with its repositioning around innovation and

digital transformation, Lendlease last January
hired Bill Ruh, General Electric’s Chief Digital Of-
ficer, as its CEO, Digital. At the time of the hire,
Lendlease’s Managing Director Steve McCann
proclaimed his company’s “leadership position in
the digital space in our sector.”
‘Data goes beyond the rule of thumb.
We are now able to answer questions that
we previously only had feelings about,
to clients and to ourselves.’
’
These and many other AEC firms are all ask-
— ANDREW CARRUTHERS, ZGF ARCHITECTS
ing themselves the same question: How can we
exploit the data that has been languishing in our
computer servers for years, and sometimes de-
cades, to produce better work and, perhaps, new and insurers these days is risk mitigation, “be-
revenue streams? cause construction is a risky business.” So Suf-
“Too many firms have been collecting data as folk has been gathering inspection-based data on
a box-checking exercise. But we’re not just using jobsites to drive actions and behaviors. In March
data for the sake of using data,” says Jit Kee 2018, it assembled Risk X, a mobile, cloud-based
Chin, whom Suffolk Construction hired two years safety-management tool that accommodates dif-
ago as its Chief Data Officer. “We are constantly ferent data types, from human input to metadata.
reacting, correcting, and improving.” By using this data to identify risk, Suffolk, over a
Chin notes that what resonates with investors 12-month period, reduced its recordable and long-
Opposite page:
WSP created a
VR model with all
the sensor data
displayed as real
time informa-
tion that’s vis-
ible through VR
goggles. At left:
The actual data
displayed of
space occupancy
over energy
consumption.

AEC TECH |
This graphic is a fl oor plan of

Gensler’s New York offi ce,
which is studying the use of
Internet-connected sensors
to track things like occupan-
G
EN cy, temperature, and energy
SL
ER consumption in the space.
KEY
Caption
‘
‘Too many firms have been collecting data as a box-checking exercise.
But we’re not just using data for the sake of using data.’ — JIT KEE CHIN, SUFFOLK CONSTRUCTION
term incident rates by 40%. The firm has also search based on 1,154 industry respondents.
used jobsite data to rewrite training manuals for What’s been changing over the past few years,
clearer communication with its workers. however, has been the proliferation in data analy-
sis technologies “that is getting people excited,”
ANALYTICS TOOLS PAVE THE WAY says Zak Kostura, PE, Associate and Structural
Suffolk Construction is one of 17 AEC firms that Engineer with Arup in New York.
BD+C interviewed in late July and early August These analytical tools are helping Building
about their practical applications of data. Those Teams and their clients spot problems and make
conversations inevitably came around to the decisions earlier.
question, “Why now?” “It isn’t a tidal wave yet, but it’s building,” says
In its proposal for a presentation titled “Analyt- Jody Baldwin, Manager–Mid Atlantic division of En-
ics for Operations: Putting Your Firm’s Data to vise, a subsidiary of Southland Industries that pro-
Work” that it would deliver at the recent AIA vides open platform building management solutions.
conference, Leo A Daly noted that “virtually ev- Next up, Baldwin predicts, are better communication
ery large design firm is sitting on a mountain of systems and algorithms for machine learning.
practice data; 90% of it is placed on servers and Kelly Benedict, Lendlease’s Senior Vice Presi-
never looked at again.” dent of Innovation and Customer Focus–Ameri-
That’s no exaggeration, say other firms, and is cas, thinks the fact that more AEC firms are
hardly a surprise when one of the biggest obstacles putting their data to work is “recognition that if
for AEC firms continues to be file sharing among we don’t do this, someone else will, and maybe
project teams, according to recent Newforma re- someone outside of the business.”

ZGF ARCHITECTS
ZGF ARCHITECTS
PROOF BEYOND THE RULE OF THUMB
Richard Tyson, Director of Gensler’s Intelligent
Places practice, says his firm uses data “to cre-
ate better outcomes, driven by feedback.” Jacobs
relies on data to add “context” to a project’s design
process, says Shannon McElvaney, the firm’s Global
Director of Geodesign–Advance Planning Group.
It doesn’t hurt, either, say AEC firms, to have
good data in your back pocket to substantiate a
project’s design ideas, costs, or programming,
both internally or in conversations with clients,
vendors, or building partners. “Data goes beyond
the rule of thumb,” says Andrew Carruthers,
Project Manager with ZGF Architects in Seattle.
“We are now able to answer questions that we
previously only had feelings about, to clients and
to ourselves.”
Arup has installed accelerometers in seven
buildings in New York City and London, whose
output gets piped into data sets that can be
merged with weather data to determine, for
example, whether the firm’s assumptions about a
building’s stiffness are correct.
Lori Coppenrath, Principal and Planner in DLR
Group’s Justice & Civil practice in Seattle, says
her firm has found pre- and post-occupancy data
to be motivating factors when pitching criminal ZGF Architects has developed an urban daylighting tool that it first tried out on a
justice projects to government officials, especially high-rise building in British Columbia to position the building’s outdoor courtyard
those in “small counties in the middle of nowhere for optimum daylight exposure. The analytical tool told the design team that the
courtyard needed to be smaller and elevated by one floor to achieve that goal.
that don’t want to do anything.” In turn, those

AEC TECH |
ARUP
problem first before thinking about how

data might help to solve it.
There are three types of data relevant
to construction, says Don Weinreich,
FAIA, LEED AP, Management Partner
with Ennead Architects: Static (such as
a building’s dimensions), Active (such
as tracking the performance of me-
chanical systems to measure efficiency),
and Human-centric, which Weinreich is
convinced is the industry’s new frontier:
“We now have the ability to know where
people are in a space, and to predict
where they’ll be. This opens our under-
standing of how spaces are being used
and how systems are deployed.”
Arup has been developing an AI framework for its Mass Motion program that uses computer The most important data for Clark
vision to gain insight into the way people move through spaces. Construction, says its Vice President
Brian Krause, revolves around a proj-
same municipalities could use the data to jus- ect’s existing conditions, its costs, and the pro-
tify the expense of projects to taxpayers. ductivity of buildings. His firm’s goal is to marry
AEC firms must also demonstrate the value this data “with our building expertise to provide
of data to get clients to pay for it, says Herbert actionable insights.” In that light, jobsite super-
Els, Senior Vice President–Building Technology intendents remain integral to the data collection
Systems with WSP USA in Boulder, Colo. That and analysis processes. “We need them so we
value is still sometimes a harder sell because can write algorithms and for their field pres-
of data’s “soft ROI,” says Envise’s Baldwin, ence,” says Krause.
‘We now have the ability to know where people are in a space, and to predict
‘ where they’ll be. This opens our understanding of how spaces are being used
and how systems are deployed.’ — DON WEINREICH, FAIA, LEED AP, ENNEAD ARCHITECTS
who observes that data, at the moment, seems

more relevant to developers and property
managers of existing buildings than for new
WSP is focused on analyzing building systems
against each other to gauge performance, says
Els. The firm has also installed IoT devices in
construction, “where we need to be.” its Boulder office, turning it into a “living lab”
that, says Els, influences future design.
SEPARATING WHEAT FROM CHAFF McCownGordon Construction in Kansas City,
Faced with a firehose of data from myriad Mo., has been leveraging cloud-based platforms
sources at their disposal, AEC firms and their to collect data, and supplementing APIs with
clients have become far more discerning about what Dustin Burns, the firm’s IT Director, calls
what they collect, use, and disseminate. Firms “robotic process automation,” software that
say they’re trying to avoid falling down a “rab- extracts information to generate reports in the
bit hole” that either buries them in informa- form of Excel files to which new information can
tion overload or sends them off on wild goose be merged.
chases. A good anchoring point, says Arup’s “The practical application of data is in
Kostura and Gensler’s Tyson, is to identify the spotting leading indicators that could lead to

LEED v4.1
is here.
LEED v4.1 helps you set and achieve
realistic goals for daylighting, acoustics
and thermal comfort to boost tenant
and employee satisfaction. We make
it easier to focus on improving indoor
air quality through more approachable
air testing options and use of the latest
standards for ventilation.
Photo credit: Jasper Sanidad Photography
DELIVER ON: MATERIALS • PERFORMANCE • ENERGY • HEALTH & HUMAN EXPERIENCE • INTERIORS • SIMPLICITY • CARBON
LEED v4.1 is here to help you meet your goals. Try it

on a new project or apply your choice of credits to a
project already in progress.
Natural Resources Defense Council, San Francisco office | LEED Gold

usgbc.org/LEEDv41
CIRCLE 762
AEC TECH |
SMITHGROUP
SmithGroup uses a Revit
Data Collection tool that change,” says Burns. Data analysis revealed WHERE DATA PROVIDED
gauges the “personality” of that RFIs were typically being generated 40% to REAL-WORLD INSIGHTS
models—such as how long
60% into a project’s completion cycle. “We’re Among the AEC firms interviewed, their use of
they take to open—based
on how they compare with trying to push that back earlier” and get sub- data breaks down into four buckets:
the firm’s model integrity contractors involved before they’re on the job- Operations. Baldwin says that Southland has
parameters.
site, says Burns. “This is more of an inclusive overlaid an analytical platform onto the data
decision-making process.” being generated from the HVAC system within
SmithGroup, whose staff includes a data an embassy in Washington, D.C. “We’ve learned
scientist and sociologist, uses a Revit data some things about temperature, comfort, and
collector that takes into account 50 to 60 energy” that can be applied to “figuring out
variables for each model. The data signifies how problems we knew we had.” Southland is also
a model’s personality compares to the firm’s in the midst of building a military-base museum
best practices for model integrity, explains with 400 sensors installed which will produce
Derek White, SmithGroup’s CIO. (An example of data that, says Baldwin, could be used for fu-
an “angry” model is one that might take much ture wayfinding and crowd control.
longer to open.) Data analysis has helped DLR Group spot
DLR Group has formalized its platform for post- where building systems’ economizers weren’t
occupancy evaluation in order to “close the loop” set properly, and where the on-off scheduling of
between design, construction, and operations, systems running a building in Chicago weren’t
says Ruairi Barnwell, Principal and Energy Ser- working “and hadn’t been set right from the get-
vices Leader. That service generates $2 million in go,” says Barnwell.
annual revenue, and DLR Group’s ultimate goal is ZGF last year launched an urban daylighting
to create an evidence-based library for this prac- tool whose development began with a question-
tice that enables the firm to hit its carbon-neutral naire designed to qualitatively analyze the human
targets for 2030. impact of natural light on 25 existing outdoor

WE DON’T JUST DABBLE IN CONCRETE AND MASONRY.
We’re the authority on it. That’s why each year, WOC is
the first and only annual international event to bring you FEBRUARY 4-7, 2020
EDUCATION: FEBRUARY 3-7
all the new products & equipment, training and technology
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER
to get the job done faster and more profitably than ever before.
LAS VEGAS, NV, USA
Join us, and in just five days you’ll find everything you need to
conquer the year ahead.
REGISTER TODAY worldofconcrete.com A selected participant in the Trade

Events Partnership Program
CIRCLE 763
AEC TECH |
spaces—courtyards, alleys, streets—in six cities. California office, calls this dashboard a “one-stop
Carruthers says 276 people were interviewed, and shop” that organizes data into digestible formats.
the findings allowed the firm to create a new set of The reports produced by the dashboard provide
metrics that it first applied to the design of a court- “interactive visual tools,” complete with metrics
yard for a 25-story office tower in British Columbia. and action items, says Santo. By using this dash-
Originally the courtyard was to be on the ground board, for example, Turner and Kroenke Group,
floor, but ZGF’s analysis made clear it would need the owner of the L.A. District project, were able
to be elevated one floor to increase its exposure to to eliminate their weekly meeting about change
natural light. The redesigned courtyard—with one orders. Turner is now rolling out the dashboard to
terrace that’s 144.9 sm and another that’s 138.2 other projects across the country.
sm—is less deep, smaller, and allows for place- Construction. At the beginning of each job,
ment of trees in optimal locations. Clark identifies potential major risks and bases its
Last March, at Turner Construction’s annual In- data collection and analytical strategies around
novation Summit, a team working on the massive these to put together a digital management plan.
Los Angeles Stadium and Entertainment District Clark Construction won’t touch a site before it
presented a new business intelligence (BI) dashboard collects data on underground utility locations, soil,
for analyzing financial and engineering data. Laura and other existing conditions. That information
Santo, Project Controls Manager at Turner’s Southern derives from the firm’s own laser scans, as well
INFORMATION IS POWER, BUT ARE CONTRACTORS COLLECTING WHAT

firms, and four design-contract- contractors surveyed say they’ve
ing firms. Thirty-seven percent seen improvements in their data
of respondent companies gen- gathering and analysis capabili-
erate revenues between $50 ties over the past three years.
million and $250 million. That’s especially true among
The research focused on larger companies. By far, the
five key types of data: project most important project data
progress, manhours, produc- being gathered is performance
tivity, safety, and equipment information such as scheduling
management. and costs, followed by payroll
Respondents were asked how and manhour data.
they gather, store, manage, The top-three benefits from
A new report on how contractors collect and use jobsite data is based on
responses from 187 companies. Image: Dodge Data & Analytics secure, analyze, and report on data analysis, say contractors
each of these types of data. Key polled, are improving their
MORE THAN HALF of contrac- “Improving Performance with trends include a rapid shift away ability to complete projects at
tors say their methods of col- Project Data.” from paper-based forms, re- or under budget (53%), greater
lecting and analyzing data from The report is based on an ports, and spreadsheets to digi- productivity (47%), and greater
their jobsites need to get better online survey conducted from tal tools and platforms, some profitability (46%).
over the next three years, in August 14, 2017, through Sep- that leverage cloud technology; However, more than half of
part for their companies to use tember 12, 2018. The survey increasing use of apps on mobile the respondents (54%) admitted
these data to predict employee used Dodge’s Contractor Panel phones and digital cameras in that they need to improve how
and project performance. and contacts provided by View- the field; the desire for more they gather jobsite information
That’s a key finding in a new point. Of its 187 respondents, accurate field data that enables over the next three years. And
40-page SmartMarket report that 98 were GCs, 47 specialty trade trends analysis across projects; 45% think their ability to analyze
Viewpoint and Dodge Data & contractors, 28 construction and a focus on data security. trends across projects must get
Analytics have released, entitled managers, nine design-build More than three-fifths of the sharper, too, as well as their abil-

as other open sources, which Krause concedes nology, says this data allowed her firm to conduct
“aren’t always the best” and might require Clark a pedestrian simulation analysis that will inform
to do more test pits or excavation “to raise our where it places the reception/information desk
confidence level.” vis-a-vis the elevator banks to minimize the cross-
On one of its projects, Lendlease is using flow of daily traffic.
3D cameras on the jobsite that have machine- Arup has a program called Mass Motion, which
learning capabilities that Benedict says have led enables users to import a virtual building design,
to some tangible workplace improvements (which like a Revit model, and inject avatars to model hu-
she wouldn’t elaborate on). Lendlease is also man movement behavior. But the avatar behaviors
compiling data to develop a tool that identifies ar- are based on pedestrian movement guidelines
eas on jobsites that might be higher risk for fires. published in the 1960s, and don’t adequately
People movement. FXCollaborative is redesign- mimic modern conditions or individual move-
ing a large lobby inside a building in New York City ments. So Arup is developing an artificial intel-
to reconfigure its traffic flow. That effort includes ligence framework that utilizes computer vision
examining data from card readers used by employ- to gain insight into the way people move through
ees and visitors, which told FXC what entrances specific spaces. Algorithms are outfitted on a
and exits are frequented most. Alexandra Pollock, Rasberry Pi processor located next to a camera,
Principal, LEED AP BD+C, Director of Design Tech- so people “counts” can be processed in real
THEY NEED TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS?

ity to gather current data from phone apps and cameras to are aware of and understand required for each type.
the field. collect and send data from the the concepts of each of these • Develop a focused technol-
Relying on physical records, field. Expect that wave of data emerging technologies but ogy and plan for collection and
like paper forms, for data collec- to rise, as drones, sensors, and have not implemented them in analysis that incorporates the
tion is steadily giving way among wearables gain more traction as their own organizations—39% specific data needed and types
contractors to custom-designed jobsite tools. However, contrac- for predictive analysis, 47% for of analysis required, as well as
or commercial software, a trend tors are also acutely aware of artificial intelligence, and 33% financial and human capital in-
that is likely to be more prevalent how their use of devices presents for machine learning. vestments, the time frames for
over the next three years. Nearly security risks. That explains why But it is clear that technology implementation, clear roles of
three-quarters of respondents 86% of contractors say they are is advancing faster than the responsibility, and measurable
say they were satisfied with using using anti-malware software, AEC industry’s ability to as- goals for success.
software as a way to collect data. 78% are using enterprise-grade similate it. The report’s authors The report includes two case
Most pros (65% of the ones firewalls, and 56% have imposed offer a multi-step process to studies—how Leander Con-
polled) still store their digital policies for managing the use of structure a company’s data col- struction is using the cloud to
information in on-premise serv- mobile devices. lection, analysis, and reporting. enhance productivity; and how
ers. But 37% have turned to • Determine what aspects of W. Soule & Co. is using data
third-party cloud providers, such A PLAN TO GATHER DATA project delivery would benefit to build better—as well as a
as Amazon, to host their field in- More than one-fifth of con- most from better information Q&A with Jit Kee Chin, Suffolk
formation. The benefits of using tractors surveyed have had to guide your data strategy. Construction’s Chief Data Of-
the cloud are manifold, the most experience with predictive • Identify which types of ficer. Chin laments that what’s
prominent being the ability to analysis of data and business field data will best-enable keeping AI from becoming a
access data from the field while intelligence. That compares the proper analysis to gener- more efficient construction
working in the office or remote with just 7% for artificial intel- ate critical decision-support tool is the lack of useful data.
locations, and vice versa. ligence and 6% for machine information. And think about Her viewpoint may explain why
Well over half of the contrac- learning. The largest group the minimum level of complete- she sees “great potential” in
tors surveyed deploy mobile of respondents noted they ness, accuracy, and timeliness automated monitoring.

AEC TECH |
ENNEAD ARCHITECTS
For its design of the Phil
and Penny Knight Campus
for Accelerating Scientific time without the need for video storage, which is under construction. Weinreich says that one
Impact at the University of Kostura says is a “value add” from a privacy of the goals of this campus is the bring together
Oregon, Ennead Architects protection standpoint. academia and business. So Ennead deployed a
deployed an analytical tool
created by the engineer- WSP is working with a large technology firm tool developed by Buro Happold that creates a
ing firm Buro Happold to that has buildings all over the world to develop virtual model of the space, and populates the
create virtual models with smart space utilization that can accommodate model with avatars that behave according to
avatars included to simulate
trails of movement, with the the company’s aggressive hiring. “It is asking certain rules and patterns to simulate trails of
intention of predicting where how, if it hired 1,000 people, it could move movement and to identify where casual interac-
casual interactions within the people around,” explains Els. WSP designed a tions might happen. Ennead is now beta testing
building might occur.
multisensory system on a high-resolution grid a more advanced tool that incorporates machine
that Els says “pushes” data into an analyti- learning and sensors.
cal environment. The client is now sharing this Workplace. Seattle Children’s Hospital has
information with its real estate team. been relocating its administrative staff to three
Ennead, with Bora Architects, designed the floors of a downtown high rise, about five miles
University of Oregon’s Phil and Penny Knight from the hospital’s main campus. As a prelude,
Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, which Seattle Children’s partnered with ZGF to assess

LOOKING FOR A WAY TO
EARN AIA LEARNING UNITS?
· Online access to continuing education courses
· Courses provided to you free of charge
· Credits reported to AIA on your behalf
· Courses in many subject areas – learn about

topics you care about
· Explore case studies, videos, and more from

industry experts
SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE ACCOUNT

AND START TAKING COURSES TODAY!
BDCuniversity.com
BDCuniversity:
2017 + 2019 Award Winning Content
CLARK CONSTRUCTION
AEC TECH |
goal, says Chin, is to share and aggregate

data for the purpose of developing predictive
software that can be marketed to the industry.
The impetus behind the council’s formation
was a 12-month collaboration between Suffolk
and Smartvid.io. Suffolk contributed a decade’s
worth of photo and project data, which Smart-
vid.io (the council’s technical advisor) analyzed
and then fed additional project data into a
multilayered machine learning model to see if
jobsite incidents could be forecast.
Chin and other AEC sources are convinced
that, with enough data, reliable predictions
are possible. “It’s a feasible aspiration,” says
Before starting most proj-
ects, Clark Construction col-
how each of its departments uses space, and Clark Construction’s Krause. But, he cautions,
lects data on the location’s to project future capacity needs. ZGF surveyed the uncertain nature of construction will always
underground utilities. That the workers who would be moving, to gauge need to be built into any model. That’s why
investigation sometimes in-
cludes historical information,
more precisely how they worked individually and he prefers prescriptive algorithms that leave
such as previous surveys, with each other. Sara Howell and Amy Triscott, wriggle room for improvisation when it comes to
that is not always reliable or ZGF’s Project Architect and Associate Urban constructability, coding, and interoperability.
correct, which requires Clark
to generate its own data
Designer, say the surveys revealed, for instance, Nancy Reyes, HMC Architects’ Associate
about the site to assess risk. that two- to three-person meeting rooms were Principal and Corporate BIM Director, says her
The image shown is from a in greater demand than expected. “One of our firm is actually less interested in predicting
laser scan.
goals was to right-size the ratio of different behaviors than in leveraging data “that will give
spaces,” says Triscott. us more options” to select from.
SmithGroup’s Chicago office, with about 100 “I’m heartened that other firms aren’t being
people on one floor, was its first to go com- deterministic,” says Gensler’s Tyson. The build-
pletely agile. As the firm was fitting out the first ing environment, he points out, remains “highly
three-quarters of that space, it tagged employ- dynamic,” so what data provides “is an oppor-
ees and used a Bluetooth beacon to monitor tunity to learn and have information in real, or
their movements. White says this data informed almost real, time.”
how the last quarter of the floor was fitted out,
and showed a need for smaller conference FROM RESPONSE TO REVENUE
rooms. (They also showed that people don’t Right now, construction data analysis and ap-
move around that much.) SmithGroup has also plication are part of what Jacobs’ McElvaney
created an app called Colleague Finder, which and other AEC experts view as a “convergence
uses access points, like smartphones, to locate of technology” that is also spurring the rise of
where people are in its offices. This was first digital twin, machine learning, and AI.
tested at the firm’s Ann Arbor, Mich., office and But just how robustly can data be monetized,
is being rolled out to San Francisco (with 170 which some sources suggest is the industry’s
employees on several floors) and Detroit (300 logical next step, and what the Predictive Analyt-
people on three floors). ics Strategic Council is trying to achieve?
Arup’s Kostura sees opportunities in data
IS DATA A RELIABLE CRYSTAL BALL? for creating new services. He cites a large
The dream of many AEC firms is that data will mixed-use project in the U.S. where Arup flowed
be their ticket to predicting outcomes, which the buildings’ communication data through a
could, among other things, mitigate jobsite risk, converged network in the cloud. He explains
improve occupant comfort and, on a broader that putting data in a single space allows for
scale, facilitate smarter cities. the correlation of data sets, which is the basis
To that end, Suffolk Construction is one of for machine learning. Creating a serverless built
nine construction firms that are members of the environment, he adds, “enhances the building’s
Predictive Analytics Strategic Council, whose operations.”+

EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH |
THE STATE OF
TECH INNOVATION
AT THE AEC GIANTS
The nation’s AEC Giants are winning with practical tools like VR, 3D laser scanning,
and drones, but they have much bigger plans in store for AEC technology adoption,
according to BD+C’s inaugural Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey.
BY DAVID BARSTA, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Innovation Study, a 12-question survey that

asked firms to:
T
he great tech arms race is on in the • pinpoint the tools they use most often
AEC industry, and the nation’s largest • identify their highest-ROI tech strategies
architecture, engineering, and con- • discuss the business innovation initiatives
struction firms—the AEC Giants—are their firm has successfully implemented
leading the charge. These firms are • identify “non-AEC industry” hires their firm
implementing design and project coor- has made in the past 24 months
dination tools like real-time rendering • discuss the top business impacts of AEC
software, VR, and 3D laser scanners tech implementations.
on a wide scale. They are hosting in- In April and May, the survey was emailed to
novation competitions and hackathons firms that participated in BD+C’s annual Giants
to create new and better tools and processes 300 Report. Of the 486 firms that made BD+C’s
for the industry. They are exploring practical 2019 Giants 300 rankings (BDCnetwork.com/
industry applications for novel technologies like Giants2019), 130 firms participated in the Gi-
blockchain, AI, robotics, and digital twin. We ants 300 Technology and Innovation Study.
know this because we’ve spent the better part
of the past 15 years covering these stories in MOST FIRMS ‘FEELING GOOD’
the pages of the BD+C. Overall, the AEC Giants are feeling good about
To gain a deeper understanding of the state their progress in adopting advanced AEC tech
of tech innovation at the AEC Giants, this spring tools and processes when compared with their
BD+C launched the Giants 300 Technology and direct competitors. Nearly half (42.3%) said

STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ KORKENG
they are either “significantly ahead” or “some- most often as “high-ROI” tech
what ahead” of the competition, while 41.5% strategies. Forty-six percent of
indicated that they are “on par” with their clos- respondents indicated that 3D laser
est rivals. However, that leaves a fairly sizable scanning offered a strong return on initial in-
group—16.2%, or 21 firms—that believes their vestment; 38.46% for real-time rendering tools;
firm has fallen behind their key competitors on 36.15% for design computation; and 35.38%
the AEC technology front. for VR.
Virtual reality, 360 cameras, real-time render- Improved project team coordination was cited
ing software, drones, and 3D laser scanners top as the most significant busi-
the list of “everyday tools” for AEC firms. More ness impact of AEC technol-
than half of survey respondents indicated that ogy tools and processes.
these tools were being implemented on “many
projects” at their firm, led by VR (56.69%) and
Eighty percent of respond-
ing firms named it among
Giants 300 Technology and
360 cameras (53.54%). 3D laser scanners are their top-three benefits of Innovation Study:
the most prevalent overall. Nearly three in four AEC tech. Other advantages
firms (74.80%) use 3D laser scanners on at cited often by respondents: Download the complete
least “some projects”; half (50.39%) use them improved client relations/
on “many projects.” vision meetings (43.8%); report at BDCnetwork.
Emerging tools include augmented reality,
AI, data analytics/big data, and mixed reality.
increased quality of work
(40.8%); increased speed of
com/2019TechSurvey
About one in five survey respondents are pilot- work (40.0%); and automates
testing AR and big data tools, while 17.32% are mundane tasks (38.5%). But
vetting mixed reality applications. AI, block- the responses varied widely based on discipline
chain, mixed reality, and digital twin are at the (see Charts 3A – 3C).
top of the list of tools “under consideration” by A recap of the findings from the 2019 Giants
AEC Giant firms. Nearly half (45.67%) are con- 300 Technology and Innovation Study is pre-
sidering AI; 36.22% for blockchain (Chart 4). sented in the following pages. The full report is
3D laser scanning, real-time rendering tools, available at BDCnetwork.com/2019TechSurvey
design computation tools, and VR were cited (short registration required).

CHART 1. PRIMARY ROLE OF FIRM CHART 2. AEC TECH ADOPTION RATE

VS. COMPETITORS
Significantly
Other
behind direct
5.3% Significantly competitors
ahead of direct 0.8%
competitors
3.1%
General
contractor/ Somewhat
construction Somewhat
behind direct
manager ahead
of direct competitors
26.2% Architecture
firm
competitors 15.4%
50.0% 39.2%
On par
with direct
competitors
Engineering
41.5%
firm
18.5%
Base: 130 Base: 130
Half of the 130 fi rms that responded to the 2019 Giants 300 Technology The AEC Giants are feeling good about their progress in adopting advanced
and Innovation Study are architecture or architecture/engineering (AE) AEC tech tools and processes when compared with their competitors. Nearly
fi rms. General contractors and construction managers make up about a half (42.3%) said they are either “significantly ahead” or “somewhat ahead”
quarter of the responding fi rms. “Other” includes a design-build fi rm. of the competition, while 41.5% said they are “on par” with competitors.
Source: 2019 Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey Source: 2019 Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey
CHART 3. TOP BUSINESS IMPACTS OF AEC TECHNOLOGY (top 3 selected)
Improved project team coordination/collaboration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80.0% CHART 3C. THE CONTRACTORS

Improved client relations/vision meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43.8% • Improved project team coordination/collaboration . . . . . 79.41%
Increased the quality of our work (QA/QC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.8% • Identifying errors, omissions, and opportunities
for improvement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.06%
Increased the speed of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.0% • Increased the quality of our work (QA/QC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.12%
Automates mundane tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.5% • Increased the speed of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.24%
• Automates mundane tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.24%
Identifying errors, omissions, and opportunities for improvement . . . . . . . . 33.1% • Identifying/eliminating wasteful processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.35%
Helps our firm win more work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.6% • Improved client relations/vision meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.53%
• Helps our firm win more work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.53%
Identifying/eliminating wasteful processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.7%
• Increased profitability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.88%
Increased profitability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.2% • Allows us to design and build projects that otherwise
would not be possible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.88%
Allows us to design and build projects that otherwise would not be possible. . . 9.2%
Base: 34
Base: 130
CHART 3A. THE ARCHITECTS CHART 3B. THE ENGINEERS When asked to select
• Improved project team coordination/collaboration . . . . . 79.17% their top three busi-
• Improved project team coordination/collaboration . . . . . . . 80.00%
• Increased the speed of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00% ness impacts from
• Improved client relations/vision meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.08%
• Increased the quality of our work (QA/QC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.83% successful tech initia-
• Automates mundane tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.54%
• Automates mundane tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.33% tives, respondents
• Increased the quality of our work (QA/QC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.92%
• Improved client relations/vision meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.00% most often cited
• Increased the speed of work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.85%
• Helps our firm win more work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.83% “improved project
• Identifying errors, omissions, and opportunities
• Increased profitability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.83% team coordination/
for improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.85%
• Identifying/eliminating wasteful processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.67% collaboration” and
• Helps our firm win more work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.15%
• Identifying errors, omissions, and opportunities “improved client
• Allows us to design and build projects that otherwise
for improvement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.50% relations/vision meet-
would not be possible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.85%
• Allows us to design and build projects that otherwise ings.” However, the
• Identifying/eliminating wasteful processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.77%
would not be possible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.17% responses varied by
• Increased profitability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.69%
Base: 24 discipline, as shown
Base: 65
in charts 3A – 3C.
Source: 2019 Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey

CHART 4. IS YOUR FIRM USING ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING AEC TECHNOLOGIES ON PROJECTS?
“YES, ON MANY PROJECTS”

Virtual reality ..................................................................................................56.69%
360 video/photos ...........................................................................................53.54%
Real-time rendering tools ..............................................................................53.54%
Drones..............................................................................................................52.76%
3D laser scanning ...........................................................................................50.39%
CHART 5. NON-AEC HIRE IN PAST 24 MONTHS?

“YES, ON SOME PROJECTS” (LESS THAN FIVE)
3D laser scanning ...........................................................................................24.41%
Augmented reality ..........................................................................................23.62%
Offsite/prefab construction ...........................................................................22.83%
3D printing/additive manufacturing .............................................................22.05%
Design computation tools ..............................................................................18.90%
No
“WE ARE PILOT-TESTING THIS TECHNOLOGY”
Augmented reality ..........................................................................................21.26% 36.2%
Data analytics/big data .................................................................................19.69%
Mixed reality (e.g., Hololens) .........................................................................17.32%
Artificial intelligence (AI) ...............................................................................16.54%
Design computation tools ..............................................................................14.96%
Yes
63.8%
“NO, BUT WE’RE CONSIDERING THE TECHNOLOGY”
Artificial intelligence (AI) ...............................................................................45.67%
Blockchain .......................................................................................................36.22%
Mixed reality (e.g., Hololens) .........................................................................29.92%
Digital twin ......................................................................................................28.35% Base: 130
Robotics on the jobsite ..................................................................................27.56%
Base: 127
Firms are using VR, 360 cameras, real-time rendering software, and Firms increasingly are looking outside the industry for technical ex-
drones at the widest scale, but 3D laser scanners are most prevalent. pertise. Nearly two-thirds of responding fi rms have hired an “AEC out-
Nearly three in four fi rms (74.80%) use 3D laser scanners on at least sider” within the past 24 months to help with their innovation efforts.
“some projects”; half (50.39%) use them on “many projects.” The most common additions: software programmer, data analyst, and
game designer/VR specialist.
Source: 2019 Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey Source: 2019 Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey
CHART 6. TOP BUSINESS INNOVATION INITIATIVES
“IMPLEMENTED, AND ARE STILL USING SUCCESSFULLY” “EXPLORING FOR FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION”
Tech tools training .............................................................................................71.30% Real-time project tracking/feeds ......................................................................35.94%
Collaboration zones in firm office(s) ..............................................................65.12% Innovation competition/hackathon ..................................................................34.11%
Custom tools/apps development.....................................................................59.84% VR/AR lab/CAVE .................................................................................................27.91%
VR/AR lab/CAVE ................................................................................................53.49% Maker spaces ......................................................................................................27.20%
Real-time project tracking/feeds .....................................................................28.13% Innovation grants/seed money .........................................................................26.15%
In-house fabrication shop .................................................................................22.83% Custom tools/apps development......................................................................21.26%
Maker spaces .....................................................................................................21.60% Tech tools training ..............................................................................................18.60%
Innovation grants/seed money ........................................................................20.77% Collaboration zones in firm office(s).................................................................17.05%
Innovation competition/hackathon .................................................................14.73% In-house fabrication shop ..................................................................................15.75%
Venture capital (VC) investments ....................................................................... 7.20% Permanent offsite/prefab factory.....................................................................11.20%
Permanent offsite/prefab factory...................................................................... 6.40% Venture capital (VC) investments ......................................................................10.40%
Base: 129
Tech tools training, collaboration zones, custom tools development, and VR/AR/CAVE stations are the most widely implemented business initiatives among
the AEC Giants. Real-time project tracking, maker spaces, and innovation competitions aren’t as prevalent, but they are on fi rms’ radar for future adoption.
Source: 2019 Giants 300 Technology and Innovation Survey

Name one AEC-related tech company or application that shows

strong promise for the industry for the near future.
ENSCAPE: “Allows real-time visual-

DYNAMO: “The Revit plug-in allows us-
ization outside our design models
AI AND ROBOTICS: “I think any com- ers to somewhat easily create custom
in such a way that we can keep our
pany that is involved in AI and robotics applications that follow and improve
design models light and nimble,
will have the biggest impact on the AEC upon existing processes with the ben-
and focused on documentation. It
industry. Using artificial intelligence efit of automation.”
is a game changer.”
and robots will get work done faster
and more accurately. In many areas,
work can continue 24/7, greatly reduce
waste, and cut spending. Having robots DASSAULT SYSTEMES’ 3DEXPERIENCE:
instead humans assigned to dangerous “It’s a PLM (product lifecycle management)
tasks in risky areas will reduce injuries solution with AEC-focused tools. It has the
and construction insurance cost, which potential to provide the industry with true
leads to more affordable buildings.” 3D collaboration and delivery in the cloud.”
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: DIGITAL BUILDING COMPONENTS:

“Applications include schedule ef- “Producing multi-trade prefabricated
ficiency analysis, productivity track- elements, Digital Building Components
ing and analysis, and safety.” is positioned to help Lean the entire
construction process while giving new
AUTODESK BIM 360: “Based utility to BIM models and also ensuring
on Autodesk’s history of tech opportunities for the craft workforce.”
company acquisitions, this
suite of software is becoming
a fully integrated soup-to-nuts MAGIC LEAP: “AR/VR, drones,
HOLOLIVE3D: “This software allows
tool for the AEC industry.” and the combination of big
us to leverage MR/AR with tools
data. Streamlines project vi-
such as HoloLens and iPads to
sion, client decisions, market-
connect to our project management
ing tactics, operations, and
solution.”
overall profitability.”
KATERRA: “Vertical integra-

RECONSTRUCT: “Near real-
tion of design, procurement,
time monitoring of schedule/
and fabrication.”
quality vs. reality.”
ENLIGHTED: “Redefining what a smart
building can be. Sensors can be in-
FINCH: “A stalled in every light fixture with the abil-
parametric ity to collect data 65 times per second
tool for to detect environmental and occupancy
BLUEBEAM: “Went from BRIQ: “They’re helping
adaptive changes and react to lighting and HVAC
being a PDF software with us expand our usage of
plans.” needs in real time. The platform is able
some collaboration on AI and predictive technol-
to locate people and assets within a
drawings to a full platform ogy. We’re designing
building and analyze the occupancy of
solution to manage drawings some new autonomous
floors and rooms.”
while keeping its cost lower processes to save hun-
than Adobe Acrobat.” dreds of hours per year.”

ALL THE ESSENTIAL
NUTRIENTS
BDCnetwork.com...the other essential start to your workday

Daily news and analysis of the nonresidential building industry
Blogs on critical topics from BD+C editors and industry experts
FREE Daily 5 eNewsletter with need-it-now industry information
Ease of navigation and optimum performance on any device
More than a decade’s worth of archived articles and technical resources
You’ll find everything you need to work smarter at BDCnetwork.com.
CIRCLE XXX
Giants |
2019 | CULTURAL REPORT
COURTESY HGA
FOR LIBRARIES,
THE FUTURE IS ALL
ABOUT COMMUNITY
The future of libraries is less about being quiet and more about
hands-on learning and face-to-face interactions.
BY DAVID MALONE, ASSOCIATE EDITOR and instead become all-inclusive community learning
centers (with the key word here being “community”).
“B ad libraries build collections, good

libraries build services, great libraries
build communities.” That statement by
R. David Lankes, a professor at Syra-
cuse University’s School of Informa-
tion Studies, was a bit controversial
when he tweeted it back in February of
And what better way to highlight the community
aspect than to incorporate it directly within (or, in
some cases, above) the library itself.
Both the Milwaukee Public Library and the Brook-
lyn Public Library have recently completed or are
nearing completion on branches that, in addition
to their collections of books, also include features
2012. But now, in July of 2019, it seems as though such as maker spaces, recording studios, and
many architects and designers agree; a library apartment units.
should go beyond being just a collection of books, The HGA-designed Mitchell Street Branch of the

COURTESY HGA
‘BAD LIBRARIES BUILD
COLLECTIONS, GOOD LIBRARIES
BUILD SERVICES, GREAT
LIBRARIES BUILD COMMUNITIES.’
— R. DAVID LANKES, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
OF INFORMATION STUDIES
Milwaukee Public Library, created from the for-

mer Hills Department Store originally built in
1919, is a shining example of the library design
direction many municipalities are champing at
the bit to head in.
The library, which occupies 23,000 sf across
the ground level, mezzanine, and lower level of
the renovated building, isn’t interested in the
stereotypical musty spaces filled with librarians
who’s glasses are perched precariously on the
tips of their noses. Instead of a maze of domi-
neering stacks filled with suppressive shush-
ers, the Mitchell Street library provides bright,
open spaces capable of hosting events like,
say, a Mexican-style professional wrestling show
dubbed “Crush the Shush.”
In addition to quarreling luchadores, the
Mitchell Street library also includes amenities
such as a maker space with tech lockers, a
graphics workstation, a 3D printer, and audio
mixing equipment; a recording booth; and a
kitchen for demonstrations on healthy cooking
and eating.
A highly visible storefront display area con-
nects people on the street to the activities
occurring within and design details such as
restored historic elements and roll-up doors
painted by local youth artists combine to create
a bright, transparent interior that forgoes the
typical library aesthetic.
At left: Macalester College’s new Theater, Dance, and

Classroom building in St. Paul, Minn., designed by
HGA, includes a fl exible performance space that allows
for different seating and performance confi gurations.
At right: The HGA-designed Mitchell Street Branch of
the Milwaukee Public Library was created from the
former Hills Department Store originally built in 1919.

Giants |
2019 | CULTURAL REPORT
The Sunset Park Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library,

MAGNUSSON ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning, com-

prises eight stories and 21,000 sf. The library encompass-
es the first two and a half floors of the building, while
the remaining five and a half floors house 50 affordable
residences for qualified low-income occupants.
LIBRARIES AREN’T THE ONLY ONES

GETTING IN THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT
But libraries aren’t the only cultural facilities
branching out and trying to offer more than has
been expected of them in the past. Spaces
for performing arts on university campuses
are beginning to adapt and embrace interdis-
ciplinary pedagogy. Take Macalester College’s
new Theater, Dance, and Classroom building,
designed by HGA, for example. Located in St.
Paul, Minn., the new building links to the adja-
cent Olin-Rice Science Center to provide both a
physical and a symbolic connection between the
arts and the sciences.
Other amenities include a 120-person com- The building includes a flexible performance
munity room, a young adult zone, an open chil- space that allows for different seating and
See full dren’s area, a staff workroom with automated performance configurations, a 2,400-sf dance
GIANTS 300 material handling, an intergenerational living studio, and a smaller theater that can serve as
rankings and bonus
room with a fireplace, and a mezzanine reading a black box studio. And while you will find every-
categories at:
BDCnetwork.com/ balcony. And to top it all off, literally and figu- thing you would expect in a performing arts
Giants2019 ratively, 60 market-rate apartments are located building, the new space also includes nine flexi-
on the upper floors to create a brand new living ble classrooms that serve as teaching areas for
and learning community under one roof. classes ranging from the humanities to science.
Similarly, the Sunset Park Branch of the The goal for performing arts spaces such
Brooklyn Public Library (slated for a December as the Theater, Dance, and Classroom build-
2020 completion and designed by Magnusson ing, is to break down the walls between what
Architecture and Planning) comprises eight sto- were once disciplines on opposite ends of
ries and 21,000 sf. The library encompasses the spectrum, allowing them to instead work
the first two and a half floors of the building, together and create a completely new learning
while the remaining five and a half floors house experience. Similar to the ideas guiding library
50 affordable residences for qualified low- design, creating well-rounded cultural building
income occupants. Reading spaces, learning communities is of the utmost importance.
spaces, and a community room are also includ- For full Giants 300 rankings and bonus categories,
ed in the design. visit: BDCnetwork.com/Giants2019.
CULTURAL SECTOR CULTURAL SECTOR CULTURAL SECTOR

ARCHITECTURE + AE FIRMS | TOP 10 ENGINEERING + EA FIRMS | TOP 10 CONSTRUCTION + CM FIRMS | TOP 10
Rank Company 2018 Cultural Revenue Rank Company 2018 Cultural Revenue Rank Company 2018 Cultural Revenue
1. Gensler .................................................................$48,866,559 1. Jacobs ..................................................................$93,520,000 1. Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., The .......................$787,951,439

2. Populous ...............................................................$35,280,655 2. Arup ..................................................................$24,855,685 2. Turner Construction ..............................................$385,579,075
3. DLR Group .............................................................$24,600,000 3. EXP ..................................................................$16,503,000 3. PCL Construcrion Enterprises ................................$260,894,860
4. Stantec .................................................................$18,512,051 4. BRPH ..................................................................$13,920,000 4. Clark Group .........................................................$252,412,465
5. Perkins and Will .....................................................$15,698,740 5. Thornton Tomasetti .................................................$11,624,713 5. Gilbane ...............................................................$243,292,000
6. Davis Brody Bond ..................................................$14,939,803 6. AECOM ....................................................................$9,700,000 6. Swinerton ............................................................$169,900,000
7. Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture ..................$14,688,016 7. WSP USA.................................................................$9,245,773 7. Crossland Construction ........................................$150,668,977
8. Quinn Evans Architects ...........................................$10,618,646 8. KPFF Consulting Engineers .......................................$7,928,463 8. McCarthy .............................................................$110,921,526
9. Cuningham Group Architecture .................................$9,789,034 9. Morrison Hershfield ..................................................$7,297,486 9. STO Building Group (formerly Structure Tone) ..........$77,900,000
10. HGA ....................................................................$8,018,135 10. TLC Engineering Solutions ........................................$5,762,001 10. AECOM ..................................................................$73,700,000
SOURCE: BD+C 2019 GIANTS 300 REPORT SOURCE: BD+C 2019 GIANTS 300 REPORT SOURCE: BD+C 2019 GIANTS 300 REPORT

LOOKING
FOR A WAY
TO EARN AIA
LEARNING
UNITS?
CHECK OUT BDCuniversity.com
· Online access to continuing education courses
· Courses provided to you free of charge
· Credits reported to AIA on your behalf
· Courses in many subject areas – learn about

topics you care about
· Explore case studies, videos, and more from

industry experts
SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE ACCOUNT

AND START TAKING COURSES TODAY! BDCuniversity:
2017 Award Winning Content
B D C u n i v e r s i t y. c o m
| THE BUILDING ENVELOPE |
APPLIED PARAMETRICS FOR

FAÇADE DESIGNS AND MATERIALS
GENSLER
When completed (construction started
in June 2018), the seven-story 633
Folsom offi ce tower in San Francisco
will feature sculptural sunshades fi nely
tuned, parametrically defi ned for
energy and daylight performance.
Robert Perry, AIA, is a Senior Associate and Design Direc-
P
tor in the San Francisco Gensler office. He is a leading arametric modeling has proven an invaluable toolset that
expert in the use of parametric modeling to deliver innova- enables architects to test complex design concepts and
tive design concepts for large-scale mixed-use and office
organize large quantities of data into manageable work
building projects both in the U.S. and internationally.
streams. This process facilitates rapid idea testing and
identification of efficiencies within a concept while also
LEARNING OBJECTIVES meeting client demands and schedule expectations.
After reading this article, you should be able to:
It also automates a portion of the traditional design
+ DISCUSS several benefits of parametric modeling.
process, which frees up the designer’s time and energy.
+ SUMMARIZE the attributes of fiber-reinforced poly-
mer (FRP) composites and terra cotta.
And it’s cost effective: the Grasshopper software that sits on the
Rhinoceros 3D platform is open-source and free.
+ LIST testing procedures used to reach the final
choice of materials for two projects.
Parametric iteration makes it possible to achieve unique solutions
that require digital surface modeling and then apply them to interest-
+ EVALUATE the building code and historic preserva-
tion requirements faced by the design team in each
ing building materials that might previously have been considered
of the case study projects.
unviable—turning ideas into reality. The examples presented in this
course describe how parametric modeling supported conventional

GENSLER
fabrication of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and terra cot- negatives of commercially available
ta to realize the desired parametrically defined concepts. opaque panel enclosures—blocked
The ability of these materials to be sculpted by view, reduced daylight, heightened
machine or hand establishes a natural relationship to glare—to create a unique solu-
computationally formed digital surfaces. A feedback tion of custom-shaped sunshades
loop can then be defined based on fabrication methods (pictured below).
and limitations to inform the digital surface and prepa- Parametric modeling and environ- Parametric modeling
ration for fabrication. FRP, for example, is better suited
for curved and complex surfaces than for flat surfaces.
mental analysis tools, such as the
Ladybug plug-in for Grasshopper,
can be an effective tool
This curvature creates inherent structural character-
istics that then establish further efficiencies with the
were used to study and define the
depth and dimensions of the sun-
in developing design
use of FRP, such as hollow-core, shelled parts. shades. Through incident solar radia- concepts that employ
The following case studies describe a high-level pro- tion tests on each façade, the design
cess of design and fabrication methods as seen through team identified irregular exposure composite and natural
the lens of cost, design intent, and technical feasibility. patterning (largely due to building ori-
In the case of 633 Folsom, the design testing aided the entation and shading of existing and building materials.
search for the best materials; for 100 Stockton, where future zoned building heights) which
the façade material (terra cotta) was locked in, paramet- suggested that less shading depth
ric modeling supported the exploration of designs. was needed at the lower levels, while deeper shading
was needed toward the top. Additional daylight analysis
633 FOLSOM, SAN FRANCISCO and overshadowing diagrams further tuned the sunshade
Located on the southeast corner of Hawthorne and Fol- depth and shape.
som Streets in San Francisco, 633 Folsom is the site The use of these analytics allowed for a precision
of a seven-story office tower originally built in 1966. of study in half-inch increments of shade depth. Final
Tenant turnover created an opportunity for the owner shade depth distribution was set at a minimum of 14
to reimagine the property by adding five new levels and inches at the lowest floor and a maximum of 26½
completely overhauling the MEP systems and building inches at the highest, going up by about two inches
envelope. When completed, 633 Folsom will provide at each floor. (A surface area calculation and shading
nearly 270,000 sf of office space and 5,000 sf of analysis revealed that a 26-inch custom-shaped sun-
ground-floor retail in a 12-story building. shade had equivalent cumulative performance values
The intent was to create a façade that would of a flat, horizontal, and vertical 32-inch sunshade).
enhance the workplace experience—especially the
wellness component—and contribute to the character
of the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood. Reconfig-
uring the ground floor will enable new retail storefronts
to engage Folsom Street. Above street level, floor-to-
ceiling glass will address tenant demand for daylighting
and provide a connection to the outdoors. Sculptural
sunshades tuned for energy and daylight performance
will provide for lower exterior reflectivity while maintain-
ing high light transmittance to the interior workplace.
The completed building will bring together targeted
solar shading and connectivity to views with opaque
façade material and texture.
High-rise façade design for noncommercial office
building districts prompted an exploration of mate-
riality, textures, and performance that would lead to
Physical mock-up of custom-shaped sunshades for 633 Folsom in San Francisco.
a contextual solution for a new office building. The
design team’s aversion to all-glass buildings in the
specific neighborhood led them to develop a perfor- EDITOR’S NOTE: Additional reading is required for this
mance-based, parametrically defined façade that uses course. To earn 1.0 AIA CES HSW learning units, read the
FRP to realize complex sunshade geometries (pictured, complete article carefully and take the exam posted at
opposite page). The concept addressed the perceived BDCnetwork.com/FaçadeParametrics.

| PRODUCT INNOVATIONS | BD+C Staff
20 HOT PRODUCTS
Lightweight architectural glass, large-format acoustic panels, and hurricane-resistant tile
and stone cladding systems highlight the building products to debut in recent months.
Laticrete’s new Vapor Ban ER

is a rapid-curing moisture vapor
barrier that dries in three to four
hours for use in compressed-
timeline projects. It allows for
single-day installation of coatings
systems that address moisture
issues. Vapor Ban ER can be used
as a base coat in any Sparta-
cote resinous flooring system
for decorative and protective
applications, or separately to pro-
tect moisture-sensitive finished
flooring. Available colors: black, Weighing 25% of ordinary architectural glass, new Corning
white, light grey, medium grey, Gorilla Glass is an option for weight-sensitive interior applica-
sand beige, dark beige, and tile tions such as elevator cabs, wall cladding, and marker boards. It
red (custom colors available). is thin (standard thickness: 2mm), lightweight (4.88 kg/sm at
CIRCLE NO. 860 2mm thick), and offers optical clarity. The glass is manufactured
by Goldray Glass in collaboration with Corning.
CIRCLE NO. 861
Q Mule-Hide Products’ Max to be used on taller

Helix Max Low-Rise Adhe- buildings and in higher
sive is a two-component, wind zones. “hang” properties to keep applications, including
construction-grade polyure- CIRCLE NO. 871 it clinging to the wall until windows, storefronts,
thane foam adhesive de- it is knocked down to the curtain wall framing, mul-
signed to bond approved Q Sherwin-Williams has desired texture, says the lions, column covers, and
roof insulations, thermal upgraded its Tuff Surface maker. façade cladding systems.
barriers, cover boards, Premium Texture Finish to CIRCLE NO. 872 CIRCLE NO. 873
and fleece-back single-ply create a more appealing
membranes (TPO, PVC, knockdown, splatter, and Q Linetec has expanded Q Simpson Strong-Tie has
PVC KEE) to a variety of orange peel texture. The its line of architectural introduced the HYS hybrid
roofing substrates. The formula is ideal for hiding aluminum finish options strut, the first cold-formed
adhesive replaces the imperfections and uneven with Bordeaux Anodize, a steel strut to be assembly
company’s Helix Low-Rise or damaged sound sur- rich, burgundy tone cre- tested for both slide- and
Adhesive and offers great- faces in hotels and other ated using organic tin and rigid-clip applications. Com-
er elongation (up to 150%) high-traffic spaces. The copper metals in the an- monly used at the bottom
and tensile strength, and mildew-resistant coating odizing process. The fin- of steel beams to accom-
the ability to be applied in is applied with airless and ish is aimed at architects modate standoff conditions,
colder temperatures (as conventional texture spray and designers looking for the HYS can be attached
low as 25 F). Wind uplift equipment. Tuff Surface a bold, earthy aesthetic with screws, power-actu-
resistance enables Helix Premium offers excellent for exterior or interior ated fasteners or welds,

A new option for Bradley Corp.’s WashBar all-in-one sink system
pairs touchless soap and water components in a single, simple-
to-use fixture. The WashBar Duo is designed for facilities that
have a contract for paper towels or a separate hand drying sys-
tem, where only soap and water are needed. The fixture is com-
prised of a single piece of chrome-plated metal that combines
soap and water elements. LED lighting on the fixture helps to
visually orient the user through hand washing with easy-to-iden-
tify icons on top of the bar. Includes a one-gallon soap container
that uses either liquid or foam soap and requires fewer refills.
CIRCLE NO. 862
Patcraft’s Handloom resilient tile collection is inspired by the

textile arts and natural materials to create organic, balanced
spaces. Two coordinating styles, Painted Weft and Wooden
Warp, feature colorful accents and neutral colors to help de-
signers optimize interior spaces, large and small. Painted Weft
is a nature-inspired, woven aesthetic tile with a visual reminis-
cent of grasscloth wall coverings. Wooden Warp features muted
jewel tones and wood graphics with texture that adds dimen-
sion and physical connection to the built environment.
CIRCLE NO. 864
Everlast Board & Batten vertical siding from Chelsea Building and precision-manufactured underlayment protects
Products is one of the largest board and batten profiles on the to prevent over-driving and the life of wood roofing by
market; available in 12-foot lengths with an 11-inch reveal and to ensure that the connec- providing a space for con-
a generous, two-inch-wide batten. Like Everlast horizontal lap tion functions properly in tinuous airflow between
siding, Board & Batten features the company’s CedarTouch slide applications. For in- the solid roof deck and
wood grain embossed finish. Contains no organic material and stallation as a rigid connec- shingles or shakes. The
will not swell, bow, rot, or be damaged by wood-boring insects. tion to support gravity and patented three-dimension-
Six colors: Polar White, Sand Dune, Misty Taupe, Chestnut, lateral loading, the clip can al matrix allows continu-
Seaside Gray (pictured), and Flagstone. be attached with No. 10 ous airflow and provides
CIRCLE NO. 863 screws through the small cushioning during severe
predrilled holes. Input from hail, preventing thermal
CFS erectors in the field cupping and warping, and
was central to the develop- reduces potential rotting.
allowing erectors flexibility attaches with shouldered ment of the HYS. CIRCLE NO. 875
for improved jobsite ef- screws driven through the CIRCLE NO. 874
ficiency and productivity. slotted holes. The clip Q Prosoco’s Integral Color
For installation as a slide comes with shouldered QBenjamin Obdyke’s for Overlays is a pre-mea-
connection, the HYS easily screws specially designed Cedar Breather ventilated sured, concentrated liquid

| PRODUCT INNOVATIONS |
Priva-Tech shower enclosures from Cardinal Shower allow

designers and building owners to create custom patterns,
shapes, and colors printed inside the glass for added privacy
and enhanced aesthetics. Cardinal’s in-house digital in-glass
printing process fuses a special ink frit with the glass dur-
ing the glass tempering process, resulting in a scratch- and
fade-resistant glass enclosure. CIRCLE NO. 866
The Perm-A-Barrier VPS 30 air barrier from GCP Applied Tech-

nologies is a primerless, permeable, self-adhering air barrier
membrane. It features advanced adhesive to enable primer-
less installation on concrete, CMU, or exterior gypsum, cutting
installation time by up to 35% compared to traditional systems.
Designed for wall assemblies that require vapor permeability.
Just peel off the release liner and adhere the air barrier to the
substrate. CIRCLE NO. 865
Following rigorous testing with the Miami-Dade Depart-

ment of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Arriscraft’s
line of thin-clad tile and thin-clad building stone cladding
systems have met the 6th Edition Florida Building Code
requirements, including the High Velocity Hurricane Zone
section. According to the company, when its thin-clad
stone is installed with Laticrete’s MVIS system it can be
used for areas anticipating up to 202.5 mph winds. The
wall system, as tested and approved, consists of steel/
wood stud (with concrete backer board) or concrete wall
(poured or CMU), Laticrete Air and Water Barrier, Hi-bond
masonry veneer mortar, and Arriscraft thin-clad calcium
silicate stone. CIRCLE NO. 867

The Yale nexTouch Keypad Exit Trim from ASSA ABLOY is
designed to simplify retrofits and upgrades to keypad access
devices. Patented adjustable mounting posts allow for installa-
tion on many types of existing exit devices, without requiring
additional mounting hardware. The keypad door lock is compat-
ible with exit devices such as push or panic bars. Pushbutton
and capacitive touchscreen models are available, and both can
LG Hausys has broadened its Hi-Macs solid surface offering with support 500 unique user codes. CIRCLE NO. 869
three new colors in its Strato collection. Strato Terra, Strato
Slatem, and Strato Crème feature wavy, horizontal patterns
designed to evoke a sense of serenity and visual curiosity. The
colors range in hues from creams to rich grays to meet color Plaza Large-Format
demands for corporate, healthcare, education, and hospitality Acoustic Panels
environments. Available in 30x145-inch sizes and ½-inch thick- by Hunter
ness. CIRCLE NO. 868 Douglas Ceil-
ing & Wall
Products, from
CertainTeed, allow
designers to cre-
designed to integrally including wood, natural ate a monolithic look while
color cement mixtures for stone, mirrors, concrete, still achieving quality acoustic performance (NRC 0.80). The
overlays and polishable metal, mortar, bricks, large-format metal ceiling panels feature lightweight perforated
overlays. The UV-resistant gypsum, and glass. The aluminum construction and a honeycomb core, helping them
colors produce uniform adhesive is solvent-free, stay flat over time. Available in sizes up to 4x10 feet.
and consistent color water-resistant, and can CIRCLE NO. 870
results in overlay applica- be used on damp or wet
tions, according to the surfaces. CIRCLE NO. 877
maker. The water-based
formula is non-hazardous Q Dero has partnered with
and less messy than Movatic to offer Bluetooth brand colors, and banner to the security standards
powdered integral colors. locking capabilities for images. CIRCLE NO. 878 and comes with full-height
Available in nine colors. its line of bicycle storage security hooks that are
CIRCLE NO. 876 lockers, including the Dero Q The new DuraFit tele- proven to resist exhaus-
Single Locker, Dero Double scoping automatic door tive crowbar attacks.
Q Designed for interior and Locker, Vertical Locker, and from Stanley Access CIRCLE NO. 879
exterior wall applications, Two-Tier Locker. Using An- Technologies is designed
such as setting stone or droid or iOS smartphones, for installation in tight
tile, Bostik’s Grip N Grab bicyclists can instantly find, spaces: six- to nine-foot For more building
instant-grab adhesive rent, unlock, and pay for rough openings with high- products coverage,
achieves a strong, perma- bike parking. Building own- volume pedestrian foot visit BDCnetwork.
nent bond to porous and ers can customize in-app traffic. The bi-part, six-pan- com/AIA2019recap
non-porous substrates, branding and upload logos, el door has been tested

| PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT |
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISER Index
Page # Circle #
Advance Lifts ..................................................57 ................... 766
The American Institute of Architects ................ BC ................... 768
Bluebeam Software ......................................... 5 .................... 753
Dri-Design ..................................................... 23 ................... 759
Guardian Glass ............................................19, 56 ........ 758, 764
CIRCLE 765 Gyms for Dogs ................................................57 ................... 767
Kohler Industrial Generators ............................ 7 .................... 754

GLASS FOR SMART SPACES NCFI Polyurethanes .......................................4, 10 ......... 752, 755
Rajen Kilachand
Center for Integrated Petersen Aluminum ........................................ IFC .................. 751
Life Sciences
& Engineering
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS SAFTI FIRST .....................................................17 ................... 757
with SunGuard® AG 50
and SunGuard® IS 20 on clear
Sherwin-Willams ..............................................25 ................... 761
U.S. Green Building Council .............................31 ................... 762
© Keitaro Yoshioka Photography

World of Concrete........................................... 33 ................... 763
ZipWall ........................................................11, 56 ........ 756, 765

©2019 Guardian Glass, LLC
GuardianGlass.com/KilachandCenter
*Regional/Demographic ad. The advertiser index is published as an additional service. The publisher does not
CIRCLE 764 assume any liability for omissions or errors.
BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION (ISSN 0007-3407) is published monthly by SGC Horizon LLC, 3030 W. Salt Creek Lane, Suite
201, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Periodical postage paid at Arlington Heights, IL 60005 and other mailing offices. Subscription
REPRINTS.
Rates per year: USA $146.00; Canada and Mexico $190.00 (payable in USA funds); all other international $280.00 (payable in
USA funds). Single copies: USA $15.00; all international (payable in USA funds) $30.00. Reproduction of contents is strictly
forbidden. © Copyright 2019. BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION accepts no responsibility or liability for the validity of informa-
tion supplied by contributors, vendors, advertisers or advertising agencies. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Building
Design + Construction, P.O. Box 300, Lincolnshire, IL. 60069-0300; To subscribe to Building Design+Construction, please go to:
YOUR MOST EFFICIENT SALES TOOL. www.BDCnetwork.com/subscribe.
vent Handouts | Direct Mail | Employee Training

EEvent VOLUME 60, NO. 10
BUILDING DESIGN
+CONSTRUCTION
Objective, respected third-party coverage of your BUSINESS STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR | Tina Kanter
GROUP DIRECTOR | PRINCIPAL 847.391.1054, tkanter@sgcmail.com
company is a powerful endorsement. Tony Mancini
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR | Erica Rivera
484.412.8686, tmancini@sgcmail.com
847.391.1049, erivera@sgcmail.com
INTEGRATED MEDIA CONSULTANT - EAST
For reprint pricing and custom options, REPRINT SALES | Tina Kanter
PRINCIPAL | Jeff Elliott
contact Tina Kanter at 616.795.6248 847.391.1054, tkanter@sgcmail.com
tkanter@sgcmail.com jelliott@sgcmail.com
SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES
INTEGRATED MEDIA CONSULTANT - WEST
Building Design+Construction
Brandy Weiss | 310.591.7770 P.O. Box 300 | Lincolnshire, IL. 60069-0300
®
bweiss@sgcmail.com BDC@omeda.com
DIRECTOR OF SALES + DIGITAL Toll Free 877.501.7540
Adam Grubb 317.219.7546 Local 847.763.4933
agrubb@sgcmail.com Fax subscription changes to: 877.683.2064

DISAPPEARING DOCK LIFT
NOW YOU SEE IT NOW YOU DON’T

AN ADVANCE DOCK LIFT IS THE ONLY
EQUIPMENT THAT CAN SERVICE ALL TRUCKS.
%񡑀񡑣񡑒񡑓񡑠񡑉 񡑗񡑅񡑗񡑉񡑘 񡑂񡑙񡑉񡑔񡑉񡑇񡑠񡑓񡑖񡑕 񡑑񡑡񡑓񡑈񡑉񡑃
% 񡑔񡑓񡑐񡑠 񡑙񡑗񡑉񡑇񡑓񡑐񡑓񡑇񡑅񡑠񡑓񡑖񡑕񡑙 񡑙񡑒񡑉񡑉񡑠񡑙
% 񡑅񡑘񡑇񡑒񡑓񡑠񡑉񡑇񡑠񡑡񡑘񡑅񡑔 񡑙񡑗񡑉񡑇񡑓񡑐񡑓񡑇񡑅񡑠񡑓񡑖񡑕񡑙
% 񡑗񡑓񡑠 񡑁񡑀񡑗񡑅񡑈 񡑈񡑘񡑅񡑣񡑓񡑕񡑑񡑙
񡑅񡑢񡑅񡑓񡑔񡑅񡑆񡑔񡑉 񡑅񡑠 񡑤񡑦∃񡑤 񡑥񡑧񡑰񡑩񡑨#∀񡑄񡑥!񡑱
1-800-THE-DOCK
CIRCLE 766 CIRCLE 767
| GREAT SOLUTIONS | By David Malone, Associate Editor
REEF TECHNOLOGY WANTS TO TURN PARKING

FACILITIES INTO URBAN MOBILITY HUBS
The company currently operates 4,500 parking lots in 25 markets across North America.
WITH THE RISE OF THE main kitchen. Additionally, America and the U.K. delivered quickly.
ON-DEMAND ECONOMY, REEF has partnered with REEF has also partnered Not bad for something
the need for parking lots delivery services such as with electric bike and that, in the past, was just
and garages to be a space Uber Eats, DoorDash, Post- scooter rental companies, a flat piece of asphalt
for nothing more than stor- mates, and Grubhub, with on-demand aviation busi- or concrete for housing
ing vehicles is beginning to couriers on site so deliver- nesses, and peer-to-peer vehicles.
wane. But instead of trying ies will reach customers car rentals. Rideshare car
REEF TECHNOLOGY
to phase parking lots and more quickly and fresher buffering zones, where driv-
garages out completely, than before. ers can access services
REEF Technology, the The kitchens are housed like car detailing and main-
largest parking network in proprietary containers tenance, will exist within
in North America, has un- capable of accommodat- the hub.
veiled plans to adapt these ing one to five restaurant REEF claims that its
spaces into tech-forward, brands or concepts. urban mobility hub concept
urban mobility hubs to Restaurants can run opera- will future-proof its park-
deliver on-demand goods tions directly on contract ing structures, while also
and services. with REEF to stage and addressing many of the
The company, which is prepare delivery-only menu major obstacles all cities
supported by SoftBank items. REEF Kitchens have face: congestion, pollution, A key component of REEF’s urban
Vision Fund and Mubadala successfully launched in high costs for businesses mobility hub is REEF Kitchens,
delivery-only kitchens that can
Investment Company, plans Miami and London, with to expand, and residents’ be leased by local restaurants to
to leverage the high-densi- plans to open several growing desire for their expand their reach. The hubs will
ty, high-activity location of hundred more in North goods and services to be offer a variety of services (below).
its parking lots and parking
structures to create a ro-
bust ecosystem to connect
people to the goods and
services they want.
A key component of
these logistics hubs is the
last-block, delivery-only
REEF Kitchens. Restau-
rants can partner with
REEF Kitchens to open and
expand their businesses
while also providing more
Caption
food options and faster
delivery at a lower cost to
customers. The centralized
location of the REEF hubs
will help extend the reach
of restaurants without
burdening the restaurants’

Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Q YES! Please continue/start my FREE subscription
Title ________________________________________________________________________________
of Building Design+Construction.
Q No, thanks.
to continue your
Company ____________________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________________ Signature________________________________________ free subscription!

City ____________________________ State ______________ Zip + 4 ______________ Title____________________________________________
Complete this entire form.
*Phone __________________________*Fax ________________________________ Date ___________________
Please sign, provide your title, date,
*E-Mail ___________________________________________________________________________ and answer all questions below.
*By providing your phone, fax, and/or email address, you are giving us permission to contact you concerning your subscription.
FASTEST: ONLINE
For Fastest Service, go online to:
FAX
877-683-2064
MAIL
Building Design + Construction BUILDING DESIGN
www.BDCnetwork.com/subscribe P.O. Box 300 | Lincolnshire, IL. 60069-0300 +CONSTRUCTION
1. How would you like to receive your subscription? 30 ■ Construction Professional 5a. Do you buy, specify, approve or recommend the following building
(Check one box only) 40 ■ Engineer/Engineering Manager systems, products, services or equipment for your projects?
01 ■ Print OR 50 ■ Facility, Building, Property or Asset Manager ■ Yes ■ No
02 ■ Digital 60 ■ Specifications Writer
(E-mail address required; please print clearly in space above.) 70 ■ Other Company or Firm Management 5b. Which building products, systems, services or equipment do you
90 ■ Other (please specify): _________________________ buy, specify, approve or recommend? (Check ALL that apply.)
2. What is your company’s role in the design and construction of 01 ■ Structural Systems - Concrete, Steel, Wood, Brick + Masonry
commercial, industrial, institutional and multifamily building 4. Which of the following building types does your firm own, 02 ■ Building Envelope Systems - Cladding, Glass, Insulation,
projects? (Check one box only.) manage, design or build? (Check ALL that apply.) Windows and Doors, Moisture Control, Architectural Metals
OWNING FIRM BUILD FIRM A ■ Airport/Transportation 03 ■ Interior Systems - Ceilings, Flooring, Gypsum,
10 ■ Owner/Developer/Manager 20 ■ Construction Management B ■ College/University Kitchen + Bath, Paints + Coatings, Hardware, Daylighting,
11 ■ College/University Firm C ■ Correctional Facilities/Courthouses Wall Coverings, Furniture, Furnishings, Shades
12 ■ Corporate Real Estate 21 ■ Design - Build Firm D ■ Cultural Facilities 04 ■ Building Systems - Building Automation, Lighting, Electrical,
13 ■ Government/Military/Utility 22 ■ General Contractor E ■ Data Centers/Mission-critical HVAC, Plumbing, Security, Life Safety, Fire Protection, Sun
14 ■ Hospital/Healthcare System 23 ■ Specialty Contractor F ■ Government/Military Control, Elevators + Escalators, Solar + Wind
15 ■ K-12 School System G ■ Hospitals/Healthcare 05 ■ Computer Systems - Laptops, Tablets, Software, BIM, CAD, Printers
DESIGN FIRM OTHERS ALLIED TO THE FIELD H ■ Hotels/Resorts/Casinos/Restaurants
30 ■ Architecture/Design Firm 90 ■ Other (please specify) I ■ Industrial/Warehouses 6. Current Projects (Check ALL that apply.)
31 ■ Engineering Firm ___________________________ J ■ K-12 Schools A Is your firm directly involved in any phase of renovation or
32 ■ Architecture/Engineering Firm ___________________________ K ■ Multifamily Housing reconstruction projects? ■ Yes ■ No
33 ■ Engineering/Architecture Firm L ■ Office Buildings B Is your firm directly involved in green building or sustainability
M ■ Religious/Places of Worship projects? ■ Yes ■ No
3. Which category best describes your job title? N ■ Retail Shopping/Malls/Big Box C Is your firm using BIM (building information modeling) in projects?
(Check one box only.) O ■ Senior Housing/Assisted Living ■ Yes ■ No
10 ■ Architect/Designer/CAD-BIM Specialist P ■ Sports/Recreation/Stadiums D Does your firm engage in projects under design-build delivery?
20 ■ Building Owner/Property Developer 99 None of the above ■ ■ Yes ■ No
BUILDING DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION FREE READER SERVICE

IN ORDER TO PROCESS, COMPLETE ALL INFORMATION, SIGN AND DATE.
Circle the numbers below to receive free information from the companies listed in this issue.
NAME __________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT)
751 761 771 781 791 801 811 821 831 841 851 861 871 881 891 901 911 921 931
TITLE ___________________________________________________
752 762 772 782 792 802 812 822 832 842 852 862 872 882 892 902 912 922 932
COMPANY _______________________________________________
ADDRESS _______________________________________________ 753 763 773 783 793 803 813 823 833 843 853 863 873 883 893 903 913 923 933
_______________________________________________________ 754 764 774 784 794 804 814 824 834 844 854 864 874 884 894 904 914 924 934
CITY ___________________________________________________ 755 765 775 785 795 805 815 825 835 845 855 865 875 885 895 905 915 925 935
STATE______________________ZIP + 4 ______________________ 756 766 776 786 796 806 816 826 836 846 856 866 876 886 896 906 916 926 936
PHONE_____________________FAX _________________________ 757 767 777 787 797 807 817 827 837 847 857 867 877 887 897 907 917 927 937
EMAIL __________________________________________________ 758 768 778 788 798 808 818 828 838 848 858 868 878 888 898 908 918 928 938
SIGNATURE ______________________________________________ 759 769 779 789 799 809 819 829 839 849 859 869 879 889 899 909 919 929 939
DATE ___________________________________________________ 760 770 780 790 800 810 820 830 840 850 860 870 880 890 900 910 920 930 940
FOR COMPANY/PRODUCT INFORMATION: FASTER INFO FASTEST INFO

BUILDING DESIGN 1. Complete all information. 1. Complete all information. Go to www.cdsreportnow.com/get?bdc
+CONSTRUCTION 2. Tear out this page and place in

an envelope.
2. Tear out this page and fax
to 630.739.9700
and fill out the Web card for immediate
response.
3. Mail to: Creative Data OR
FOR A FREE SUBSCRIPTION, GO TO 440 Quadrangle Drive, Suite E 3. Scan and email to By providing your phone, fax, and/or email address,
you are giving us permission to contact you
WWW.BDCNETWORK.COM/SUBSCRIBE Bolingbrook, IL 60440-3000 rscards@cds1976.com. concerning your subscription. OCTOBER 2019
Real projects start with
the industry standard
Before they broke ground, ESa ensured the
Gulch Crossingįæ}į|~
į į{ į{į
protected with AIA contracts.
AIA Contract Documents used: A101SP-Owner/Contractor-Stipulated Sum, A151-Owner/FF&E
~ý{~įëįĘĖėý {į ~ į{ {|į}į ëįėĖėý ÷} }ëį
ĚĖėý} }÷ { ëįĘĖėý
{į{{į}į# |ëįį{}{~į{~ {įýê
Learn more about the Gulch Crossing project at aiacontracts.org/bdc-gulch
CIRCLE 768
Photography ©Attic Fire Photography

Building Design Construction - October 2019

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Building Design Construction - October 2019

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

®

FLOOR PLAN OF GENSLER’S

FLUSH FLUSH FLUSH

Case study at P$&ǫ&/ $'&20Ǭ$,6'

Visit us at METALCON – booth 820 CIRCLE 751

FEATURES 12 AEC AUTOMATION 50 58

REEF TECHNOLOGY; GENSLER (FAR LEFT)

ON THE COVER: This graphic is a ﬂoor plan of

BDCuniversity.com | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | 3

In-unit washer/dryer is the top indoor amenity in multifamily housing develop-

TOP 10 INDOOR AMENITIES multiple commercial projects into

CONTRACTOR GIANTS ARE ALL IN SENIOR EDITOR | John Caulfield

are commonly cited as benefits site is a significant advance in the use

6 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

We designed our new 80-kW gaseous generator to be integrated with a powerful

Spec yours at KOHLERPOWER.COM/INDUSTRIAL

HOK REPORT FOCUSES ON DESIGNING OFFICES

Scientists are learn-

8 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

BDCuniversity.com | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | 9

GET SMART: SQUARE FOOT COSTS FOR DATA CENTERS

CITY Q3, 2019 Q4, 2019 Q1, 2020 Q2, 2020

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. $317.79 $318.95 $316.25 $315.68

10 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

DUST BARRIER SYSTEM 800-718-2255

Start every job

See how easy it is at

BDCuniversity.com | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | 11

ecently, an architect I know wrote “Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks

12 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

DESIGNING HOW NATURE DESIGNS

BDCuniversity.com | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | 13

ANOTHER WELL-KNOWN RETAILER FILES

14 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

TAKING THE ARCHITECTURAL

or a consumer-facing beer have been turning inside

park, or designated pick- this retail transformation.

BDCuniversity.com | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | 15

‘With implementations like scenario

THINK Whole Person Healthcare in Omaha, Neb., houses 24 primary care

Technology and patient challenges with its Patient

16 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

By Robert Cassidy, Editor, Multifamily Design+Construction

PELOTON TO MULTIFAMILY OWNERS: DROP DEAD

18 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

Rajen Kilachand Center

with SunGuard® AG 50 and SunGuard® IS 20 on clear

© Keitaro Yoshioka Photography

Brighten interiors and minds.

©2019 Guardian Glass, LLC | GuardianGlass.com/KilachandCenter CIRCLE 758

20 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

BDCuniversity.com | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | 21

PARIS WILL SOON BE HOME TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST ROOFTOP FARM

30 different fruit and vegetable

than 140 farming spaces will be

available for residents to rent. A

restaurant opereated by La Per-

22 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

Today, value engineering in construction has

With the introduction of EN-V we aim to

Now you can use a system you want at

ARCHITECTURAL METAL WALL PANELS

en-v.com | 616.355.2970 CIRCLE 759

24 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | October 2019

Case study at P$&ǫ&/ $'&20Ǭ$,6'