Blogs

Technology content at AIA26

By Emma Tucker posted 03-24-2026
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If you are coming to the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA26) this year (June 10-13 in San Diego), there are a couple official TAP events plus many more great sessions to consider! This guide provides you with an inside look at some of the sessions and events that TAP members might be most interested in. Also make sure you visit the Innovate Zone on the Expo Floor for a curated cluster of related exhibitors, covering topics such as design software, AI, generative design, simulation, AR/VR, digital twinning, automation, and emerging tech. TAP events Wednesday: TAP+AI Taskforce Symposium at AIA26 Practical AI for Every ...
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Technology content at AIA25

By Emma Tucker posted 04-03-2025
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If you are coming to the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA25) this year (June 4-7 in Boston), there are a couple official TAP events plus many more great sessions to consider! This guide provides you with an inside look at some of the sessions and events that TAP members might be most interested in. TAP events Wednesday: TAP+COTE ® Symposium at AIA25 Advancing a Sustainable Future through Technology Innovation SYM102 | 8:45am-5pm | 6 LUs | $149 (if attending AIA25) / $279 (symposium only) The built environment plays a significant role in climate change and resource depletion, making transitioning to sustainable ...
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Technology content at AIA24

By Emma Tucker posted 03-21-2024
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If you are coming to the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA24) this year (June 5-8 in Washington, DC), there are a couple official TAP events plus many more great sessions to consider! TAP events Wednesday: TAP Symposium at AIA24 TAP100 | 9am-4pm | 4.75 LUs | $99 There's no denying the growing presence of artificial intelligence in our industry. This event will examine how technology is reshaping the industry and illuminate ways these advancements can enhance your practice. Keynote presentations from leading experts will delve into topics such as the integration of AI in the design process, the impact of digital ...
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Technology content at A'23

By Emma Tucker posted 04-13-2023
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If you are coming to the AIA Conference on Architecture (A’23) this year (June 7-10 in San Francisco), there are a couple official TAP events plus many more great sessions to consider! TAP events Wednesday: TAP Symposium at A'23 TAP100 | 9am-6:30pm | 7 LUs New technology has changed how we do things, both in everyday tasks and within our industry—yet the adoption of new tech can be slow and uneven. Join us as we discuss the architect of now, charting the use of digital tools starting with CAD, the transition to BIM and computational design, and the emergence of big data. Our exploration will review the impact of technology on education ...
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Building Connections Congress

By Emma Tucker posted 04-12-2023
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The TAP Symposium, formerly known as Building Connections Congress (BCC), is the annual event of the AIA TAP knowledge community exploring how technology is changing architecture—in both design and the people impacted by it. 2025 TAP at AIA25 Stay tuned for updates! Make sure you are a member of the TAP community, and sign up for AIA25 updates at conferenceonarchitecture.com . You won't want to miss what we bring to the next AIA Conference on Architecture and Design! 2024 TAP Symposium at AIA24 Following on the success of last year, the TAP Symposium was in-person and co-located with the AIA Conference on Architecture, June 5 in Washington, ...
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The lack of software readily available to architects that provides automation for repetitive tasks and has intelligence is surprising.

By Douglas Hanson, FAIA posted 10-06-2022
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There are a number of tasks that architects do on a daily basis that could easily be automated and there are other tasks where a database could save time and create less uncertainty. For example. WHAT IF the software worked out the Parking Plan? As architects, we should be able to type in the name of the city and the software should do the rest. WHAT IF the software provided easy access to comprehensive project data ? As architects, we should be able to easily access the historical data that went into the development of any particular part of the project. This would create more efficient workflows for the team and therefore save time and ...
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AEC TECH+ Conference 6/13 NYC

By Susan Kramer posted 04-10-2019
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The Architect's Newspaper 3rd annual TECHplusExpo.com/nyc/ NYC 6/13 @New York Academy of Sciences, 7WTC. Great lineup: Morning Keynote Dr. Andrea Chegut/ Director of the MIT Real Estate Innovation Lab INDUSTRY KEYNOTE Navigating the Changing Landscape of AEC Technology James Vandezande/HOK Optimizing Workflow & Collaboration | BIM, Revit + New Tools that Deliver your Project Seamlessly From design and prefabrication to construction, learn how to create a lean and productive chain throughout the project lifecycle. Ayse Polat/Turner Construction ...
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Surviving the end of architecture

By Ricardo Rodriguez De Santiago posted 07-03-2018
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By Ricardo J. Rodríguez De Santiago , Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C Do you think contemporary architectural practice is averse to the digital realm? Our profession portrays itself as being highly creative, however, its business practices are decidedly analog. This article provokes the status quo and introduces the technological advances that set the stage for business models rooted in 21 st century solutions. An inconvenient truth – A critical look at our profession’s role A Fast Company article asked a cross-section of innovation and technology sector leadership, which would be the jobs design professionals would have in the next decade? ...
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Local TAP

By Brian McLaren posted 12-31-2017
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United States The list is alphabetical by state abbreviation. AK AL AR AZ AIA Arizona Phoenix Metro Chapter - VDC Committee ( LinkedIn Group - Website ) Contacts: Tim Rice Russ Sanders CA AIA/LA TAP ( Website ) Contacts: Chair: Glenn Hickman Vice Chair: Frank Mihelcic Staff Contact: Javed Meetings will be held on the first Thursday of the month. Los Angeles Design Technology Forum ( Website ) ...
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Get involved with TAP

By Brian McLaren posted 12-31-2017
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General information and expectations The AIA Knowledge Communities are volunteer member-led special interest groups of the AIA national organization. They help members to connect with others who share the same passions and commitment—and develop a project that advances the profession and the collective work of the AIA. Traditionally each group is led by 5-8 leaders and supported by project-based committees along with partial AIA staff support. As an AIA Knowledge Community, TAP serves as a resource for AIA members, the profession, and the public in the deployment of computer technology in the practice of architecture. TAP monitors the development of computer ...
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Architecture as an ethics of technology

By David Scheer posted 09-16-2014
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The following is an excerpt from my blog at deathofdrawing.com related to my new book The Death of Drawing: Architecture in the Age of Simulation published by Routledge. Among the professionals involved in the building industry, architects have a unique ability- even a duty- to apply a broad range of criteria in making design decisions. This is the essence of the traditional role of architects in building- not only to know about how things are built, but also to question assumptions and conventions of building in light of their larger effects on human life. The philosopher Karsten Harries has called this broad questioning of goals and means of ...
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Above-ceiling Digital 3D Models

By Doug Brinley posted 03-22-2013
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Last year on the TAP, several members identified challenges in technical environments accessing and gathering information in concealed spaces, particularly above ceilings. The workflow we developed with the TAP members' input is highly relevant to BIM for renovations. We worked with two institutional clients to test workflows using our 'image-assisted metrology'. A couple months of research and development later, our team has worked out a 'measure-to-model' technique for above-ceiling applications. We'd like to hear from members who have solved the problem of economically locating and accurately modeling structure and building systems above ceilings. ...
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Bridging the Gap Between Architecture School and Successful Practice

By Tara Imani, AIA posted 02-13-2012
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QUALITY CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS Do you know how to put together a good set of construction documents? As a new practitioner, an emerging architect, intern architect, or recent graduate, you may have felt that someone was withholding information from you-- that you've not been given the straight scoop on overall project goals. Transitioning from architectural school to working at an architecture firm can be more of a learning curve than some of us might have anticipated. And sometimes, there aren't always clear cut business systems to follow, let alone a personal guide to sit down and specifically lay out "the big picture." ...
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Is BIM a trend? Could BIM answer current building topics of discussion?

By Alissa McInerney posted 12-06-2011
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Is BIM the tool and the method building designers have long avoided? The AIA TAP FASTER FORWARD conference 2011 presented the idea of BIM, the process, the intelligence, and the potential. In addition, I attended the Autodesk University last week with the focus of BIM; the process, the potential and how the user can best utilize the software for the strongest impacts. The communication my prevail from the client, to the architect, to the engineers, to the contractor, the construction team, and so on. This communication has the potential to control the lifespan of the design/construction. Through my experience and attendance to the two conferences as ...
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Informative look at Technology being used in Practice

By Tilghman Shamer posted 11-17-2011
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Take a look at this article generated by LMN Architects, detailing their process for designing, fabricating, and simplifying a complicated panelized facade. http://lmnts.lmnarchitects.com/featured/mm-intro/
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Notes from "BIM Scorecard: Measuring the Values of BIM"

By Morgan Jones posted 11-17-2011
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Calvin Kam, PhD, AIA, PE and Tony Rinella, Associate AIA How do we evaluate BIM? Up until now, BIM evaluation has been subjective. Everyone (companies, manufacturers, etc) has BIM guides and standards as well as contracts. bimSCORE, Inc. offers services based on continuous evaluation, scoring, benchmarking and advisement. VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) Scorecard Planning 1) Objectives Documented 2) Standard 3) Preparation Adoption (People and Process) 1) Process 2) Organization Technology 1) Maturity of BIM Use (Visualization, Documentation, Model Based Analysis, etc.) ...
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BIM into the Future...

By Alissa McInerney posted 11-17-2011
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Can BIM solve problems relating to building design? Such as budget, efficiency, systems integration? Are new standards need? Will the construction team use the same model? How will they use it? The world is becoming more virtual with every step. This virtual world will need to preform, but will the virtual model prove a building's essence and function? How does a team do this? New BIM standards must be created, but can the same standards be used for every project? Establishing Open Systems and Methods will aid in this collaborative design as was presented @ the Build Boston TAP conference...will the future decide or will you? Later in the afternoon, ...
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The Evolution of Collaborative Practice with BIM as the new Operating System

By Morgan Jones posted 11-17-2011
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During his seminar at Build Boston, Bruce Cousins claimed that the Master Builder Era has gone the way of the dinosaur--that H.H. Richardson, LeCorbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright are all icons of the past. We have entered the new Virtual Building Era. There is this contemporary idea that “no one knows as much as everyone” which is true. The internet has proven that the more brains you have working on a problem, the faster you can come up with solutions, however, there must be someone managing the progress of the group. Historically, architects began with the notion of partnering or simple collaboration, but each discipline still returned to its ...
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