dis·rupt·or, /disˈrəptər/ noun: a person or thing that interrupts an event, activity, or process by causing a disturbance. Keep in mind this disturbance can have a positive or negative impact on the architectural design and construction process.
Often construction phase services are lamented as stagnant and without large refinements in approach. Recent technology developments and external market influences are shifting how construction is implemented and all parties, including Architects, need to learn how to interact with updated construction processes.
Knowing the market is rapidly shifting, the Construction Contract Administration Knowledge Community Leadership are presenting the following potential disruptors:
Artificial Intelligence
Disruption: Streamline Early Planning, Design Optimization, Machine Learning
Have a multifamily building to design? Artificial Intelligence (AI) can generate multiple floor plans based on an architect’s providing parameters like dimensions and proformas. The human designer still needs to understand the basis of design, but this could seriously improve workflow. AI can also help architects adjust designs for both cost efficiency and sustainability by reducing the environmental impact of a building.
Additive Manufacturing
Disruption: Design Freedom, Time Savings, New Materials and Processes
Additive Manufacturing (AM), aka 3D printing, allows for a greater range of structural geometries and enables fabrication of amorphous and non-repetitive geometries. The technology has the potential to reduce construction duration while also minimizing waste typical with traditional construction processes. AM technology needs to keep up with demand including material development as well as software to support the hardware of the large-scale 3D printers to rapidly fabricate objects.
Robotics or Automated Construction
Disruption: Efficiency, Environmental Impact, Labor Shortage
Robotics and automation can enable new methods of construction and reduce environmental impact by improving quality and cutting waste. The use of this type of construction can help address the labor shortage which is a growing issue in the industry. This will shift the skill requirement to more technology but will take on repetitive and physically demanding tasks which will protect workers from fatigue and dangerous activities.
Augmented Reality
Disruption: Collaboration, Visualization, Efficiency
Augmented Reality (AR) exists today, however the technology holds promise to provide the ability to see modeling information in real time overlaid on construction sites. This allows designers and builders to coordinate on field construction to reduce the occurrence of errors and facilitate more comprehensive field reports and punch listing. These models are often derived from a Building Information Model (BIM).
Digital Twin
Disruption: Decision Making, Information Exchange
3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become commonplace in today’s design and construction market. The future of BIM is heading in the direction of creating a Digital Twin – a digital replica of a built environment and all its systems. This includes information from design and construction as well as the operational phases of a building. The adoption of digital twin technology has been slow due to technological, financial, and cultural concerns.
Post-Pandemic Site Access
Disruption: Post-pandemic, Contract Revisions
When the pandemic shutdown job sites, Architects pivoted. Remote field observations during the construction phase have become more common with adopted technologies and the Division 01 project manual needs to address the changes. Architects can “visit” the site through real-time videos captured by robot dogs and drones.
Supply Chain
Disruption: Post-pandemic supply chain stability, Re-design
During the pandemic substitutions were often introduced late in the construction phase as submittals or because there was an inability to procure based on the construction schedule. However, supply chain stability continues in some markets due to workforce challenges or political conflicts around the world.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this article are solely those of the author(s) and have not been approved by, reflective of or edited by other individuals, groups, or institutions. This article is an expression by the author(s) to generate discussion and interest in a particular topic. Though the article may cover specific legal and professional practice concepts, it should not be construed as professional advice. Always seek the advice of a professional licensed in your state for questions pertaining to the interpretation of laws and regulations.
About the author
Developed by the 2024 CCA leadership group and volunteers, including Nicole Martineau, AIA; Shannon Christensen, FAIA; Robert Barfield, AIA; Gustavo Lima, AIA; Shaili Patel, AIA; James Woody, AIA; James Woody, AIA; Michael Zensen, AIA; Sharon Day, AIA; Tyler Schaffer, AIA.
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