Session 1.2
Building a Computational Design Studio Inside Your Firm
Synopsis:
Do you work with talented individuals who yearn to push the boundaries of architectural practice? Uncertain how to get the most out of their energy while retaining talent. Join this class if you’re interested in hearing how Flad strategically built its F(x) team.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding what computational design encompasses in architecture and design
2. Insight into a potential model for creating a computational design studio
3. Learning pros/cons of the strategy and lessons learned thus far
4. Understanding the benefits of computational designers and their defined role for a firm
Body:
Computational Design: an umbrella term for a variety of ways to expand upon the traditional methods of architectural practice by partnering with computers. Not so much sci-fi anymore, one could argue that if you’re not playing in this space at some capacity, you’re getting left in the lurch.
I’m sure either you or someone you know inside your firm is incredibly talented, passionate, and skilled at script writing, simulation, analysis, dabbling in AI or already working with machine learning tools. But is that person doing this work in their “free time”? Or are they seen as the asset they are, and protected as such with a role dedicated to pursuing this passion while contributing to firm projects?
We surely don’t have all the answers figured out at Flad, but if you’re interested in hearing how we’ve strategically, intentionally formed our Flad F(x) computational design studio you need to attend this class. Our group is comprised of individuals from across the firm’s office locations. They are contributing to both billable work and research across the firm, developing processes and using emerging technologies that impact how our practice can change for the better. There is accountability and management of their time to ensure solutions created are spread wide so that the return on time invested in script writing or development is replicated from project to project at mass scale. This class is a high-level view of the organization structure, business strategy, and our successes and yes challenges, thus far.