| Futurist Identifies New Opportunities for Growth and Innovation in AEC Industry On June 5th, more than 250 architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals packed the auditorium at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York to learn how their firms can succeed in the emerging economy. This changes the landscape of labor, business and, ultimately, all of society. Weiner highlighted opportunities for AEC professionals to consider as they prepare for the future. According to Bertuna, this includes designing more flexible buildings, so that clients can adapt their space every few years, if needed, to accommodate services that they may not yet be able to anticipate. Paraszczak said that by using research to examine patterns, and then automating systems, we are engineering smarter cities that work better and more efficiently, including New York City. , discussed these ideas in her keynote address at the groundbreaking breakfast forum entitled "A View from the Future," hosted by the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF). Following Weiner's talk, an expert panel moderated by Jane Chmielinski, Chief Operating Officer of AECOM, discussed innovative developments in the AEC industry. Beverly Willis, FAIA, Founder and Chair of BWAF and whose organization hosted the event, said, "For the past ten years, our organization has worked to further innovation in the AEC industry and especially to advance women in positions of leadership. Panelists also talked about how technology helps the industry reply to the challenges of growing cities. Jurij Paraszczak, Director of Research, Industry Solutions and Smarter Cities Program, IBM; and Ana Bertuna, AIA, Vice President of Design and Construction, Related Companies. The current shift is the result of new technologies, which makes our work more automated and efficient, but also eliminates jobs. Work is becoming instantaneous due to faster data transmission in all corners of the earth. The economy is evolving, altering the way we do business. Being green is no longer exceptional. Bertuna said her company also takes risks, but takes small steps at a time to mitigate any potential downside. The industry needs flexible thinkers as innovation progresses in the next decade. These experts discussed the risks and rewards of using new ideas and technologies to build both structures and infrastructures which are efficient and cost effective. Following Weiner's talk, a panel of top industry experts discussed how changing technologies are influencing theAEC industry. Futurist Identifies New Opportunities for Growth and Innovation in AEC Industry |
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Futurist Identifies New Opportunities for Growth and Innovation in AEC Industry
