Cara’s Take: Technology & Architecture
Interview
Cara Dorney is an MdeAS Associate and BIM Manager. She provides a forward-thinking approach and brings the office to the forefront of design.
Learn her story below.
Where did your journey to architecture begin?
When I started college, I was studying Justice, Law and Society, which is a data and research-driven discipline. I wanted to pursue something that was more creative, but still enjoyed data and math. I found that architecture was a good marriage of both sides of my brain.
I started using Revit in my junior year to complete my final studio project. I opened the program for the first time, maybe two weeks before my deadline and stayed up for a few nights and built my project. What I liked about the program was that I wasn’t limited to working in 2D, it allowed me to work in three dimensions. I was able to think more creatively. I found that working in Revit coincided with how I thought architecturally. I picture things in 3D, not only purely plan or section. It also gives you the ability to output large amounts of drawings to use to study space. After taking classes, I discovered how it could be a powerful tool for architecture and saw it as an opportunity to design better buildings, work more efficiently, and think in 3D.
“Often as architects, we are encouraged to solve spatial problems in creative ways, but we should also think about solving design problems with creative uses of technology.”
What is it like using technology to redevelop buildings that were originally created without these tools?
While the same principles of good architecture and design still apply, you have to adjust how you think about it. Working on Penn 2, we had the chance to work with a great set of existing hand drawings. I marveled at the fact that the original architects were so accurate and consistent with dimensions throughout the building. To think about doing that without a computer is mind-blowing. But it’s important to utilize technology without falling into the idea that the computer does everything for us. We should still have that same mindset that everything is accurate and is where it should be, it just happens to line up in a three-dimensional model rather than on paper.
There is great value in drawing by hand and that will always be important. Our profession is tactile, and we are creating a building that will exist in a physical world. But pen and paper is only one tool. We have the ability to create real experiences through Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). We can quickly create design iterations to study the impact of a change, run sun studies and evaluate the use of different materials. We should utilize every tool in our toolbox to communicate our ideas, think creatively and to solve design problems. It is important that we use this technology to its full potential and to be passionate about what we’re creating.
Original Penn 2 hand drawings
What are the benefits of adopting these new tools?
Technology is always evolving, and to be successful, you must be willing to continue learning. Even the newer designers who were taught how to use certain software in school must learn new skills on the job. Often as architects, we are encouraged to solve spatial problems in creative ways, but we should also think about solving design problems with creative uses of technology.
On large structures, there is an advantage to using BIM software because it quickly updates information and data as the design evolves. Revit anticipates construction conflicts and prevents changes in the field, calculates areas, compiles data, and visualizes the project in 3D. We are using it now with Penn 2 which is an incredibly complex building. Tasked with removing and recladding the existing façade, the project required extensive analysis for zoning and energy code purposes. Using Revit, we analyzed the area of about ten different wall types in a way that updated automatically rather than recalculating with every change, saving time and headache. Our firm implements BIM early in the design process and applies standards for project processes and procedures.
Due to the industry’s quick pace, taking that leap to work in new technology is a bigger time investment than your workload may allow. However, in my experience, investing time and energy in learning new software leads to better results. These tools provide useful information about a building and allow users to quickly change design options.
Penn 2 Facade Model Analysis
How can designers refine their tech skills?
As our industry advances, I look for ways to learn and expand my knowledge base. New technology is being developed constantly and there are endless opportunities to leverage it in our projects, which is exciting. One of my favorite parts of my role is testing out new software or plugins I’ve heard about and passing on that knowledge to others.
In our office, I provide studio-wide trainings in Revit and work directly with project teams to optimize our BIM modeling process. The best way to expand skills is to try something new and see where it takes you. I find that people learn the most when we work together to troubleshoot a problem they run into. There are also opportunities to pick up new skills while brainstorming ways to improve modeling and documenting systems.
Where is the future of tech headed?
There are a lot of different places we are going. The pandemic has kicked technology into gear that designers in the industry normally would’ve been hesitant to adopt. It forced us to get creative and use technology in ways that we haven’t before. Specifically, VR and AR are great tools for experiencing the space and experiencing what the architectural intervention can do to that space. VR is a way to communicate our ideas through virtual tours and presentations. AR can be used to create an interactive experience on site by overlaying a proposed design on the existing conditions. This allows project stakeholders to see the implications of a design in real time and better understand spatial relationships that don’t show up on paper. This is a tool that is in the early stages of adoption and development, and I am excited to see how much more it can be implemented as the related hardware and software improve.
Contributor
Cara Dorney
Associate, BIM Manager
