KA Connect - Building Knowledge

Author: Christopher Parsons

"Research is the business of generating surprises.”

This quote above comes from Z Smith, Director of Sustainability and Building Performance at Eskew+Dumez+Ripple (EDR).

I love it.

Amanda Walter recently profiled EDR's paid Research Fellow program on her blog. According to the post:

"Eskew+Dumez+Ripple invests 3% of its revenue in this research initiative. Smith spends half his time on the research program, 25% of his time on ‘applied research’ linked to particular projects, and the remainder is spent directing projects for which he has responsibility."

It's an interesting story. I encourage you to check it out.

This post is the opening salvo in a new study on Thought Leadership in the AEC industry which Walter Communications is running with the Cameron MacAllister Group. Amanda will be presenting their findings at KA Connect 2013 in a talk called "The Landscape of Thought Leadership in the Built Environment Professions."

I'm excited to learn what they find out. I bet they'll generate some surprises.

Posted: March 14, 2013 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

KA Connect 2013 is just two months away

KA Connect 2013 is two months from today and we're looking forward to connecting with our clients, partners, and friends for our fourth annual conference. (That's right, fourth. I don't know how that happened so fast.)

We've had record registration this year, which I think speaks to the quality of past events as well as this year's program.

If you are already registered, we'll see you in May. If you haven't registered yet, we hope you will join us.

http://www.ka-connect.com/conference.php

Have a great week,
Chris

Posted: March 06, 2013 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

What will the rise of the Millennials mean for architecture?

Image Credit: Architect Magazine

Architect Magazine's January issue is focused on Millennials. Specifically, who are they and what do they want.

I shared my thoughts in the attached story.

What about you? How do you think Millennials will change our industry?

Posted: January 31, 2013 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

Phil Harrison on Innovation at Perkins+Will

Here's a great clip of Phil Harrison talking about innovation at Perkins+Will. Phil talks about innovation in the context of Spout Space™, a "healthy, sustainable, and flexible modular 21st Century classroom" that Perkins+Will is bringing to market in collaboration with Triumph Modular.

I particularly liked this excerpt:

"Rather than simply doing the work that clients are asking us to do, we (can) actually create projects out of things that need a solution. This is one of the first projects where we saw something that needed attention, designed something, and now we're figuring out how to implement it in society."

The idea for Sprout Space™ came out of Perkins+Will's Innovation Incubator, a microgrant program of time and money that "helps people within the firm take ideas like Sprout Space™ and make them more real."

Interested in learning more about innovation at Perkins+Will?

Yash Chitale, one of the early organizers of Perkins+Will's Innovation Incubator, and Murali Selvaraj, Perkins+Will's Chief Information Officer, will be talking about the past, present, and future of Perkins+Will's innovation programs at KA Connect 2013.

We'd love to have you join us.

Posted: January 10, 2013 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

"The engineer is more than an engineer."

I watched "Traces of Peter Rice," Arup's documentary on the career of Peter Rice this morning.

According to Arup, "This documentary explores the life, career and legacy of Peter Rice, the celebrated RIBA Gold Medal-winning engineer who died 20 years ago this year. It examines Peter's approach to engineering and to design and shows how his way of working broadened the horizons for both engineers and architects in his lifetime, a legacy that is still relevant today."

Near the end of the film, Ian Ritchie, an architect and fellow co-founder of Rice's of RJR, says that Rice's true legacy is "that the engineer is more than an engineer. And that's, I think, what we need today. We talk about the twenty-first century being the century of the engineer, but we need engineers who are very, very broad in their makeup. And very rich, poetically, in their thinking."

Whether or not you are already familiar with his work, and I am ashamed to say that I was not, I think you'll find the film deeply moving.

You can watch it here.

Posted: January 03, 2013 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

Array Architects on using Pinterest in a Design Firm

Meaty post from Emily Posey at Array about how and why her firm is experimenting with Pinterest.

You can read the post here and check out Array's Pinterest page here.

How about you? Is your firm using Pinterest?

Posted: December 10, 2012 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

TEECOM on The Future of Technology

I'd recommend watching this short, thought-provoking video from TEECOM on The Future of Technology.

Special Bonus: TEECOM CEO David Marks, who opens the video, will be giving a talk called "The Social Building" at KA Connect 2013.

Posted: December 07, 2012 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

Nick Holt on Innovation at SOM

SOM has long been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the world. As Technical Director, Nick Holt is a key player in preserving that legacy.

In his KA Connect 2012 talk, "Innovation at SOM", Nick addresses two primary questions:

1) Where does SOM's culture of innovation come from?

2) What's next for innovation at SOM?

If you like technology, design, and innovation, you won't want to miss this talk.

Posted: July 18, 2012 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

Jim Wheeler on the Marketing Impact of Giving Research Away

Over the last 20 years, Ayers Saint Gross has built a database of master plans and campus statistics on over 200 of the largest colleges and universities in the country. The database, which Ayers Saint Gross calls "Comparing Campuses," is an invaluable resource for campus architects, facilities planners, and design firms.

So how much does Ayers Saint Gross charge for access to Comparing Campuses?

Nothing.

In this 16-minute talk, Jim Wheeler tells the story of bringing Comparing Campuses to life, including why he believes the marketing benefits of openly sharing research, even with competitors, far outweigh any potential downsides.

Posted: June 06, 2012 | View this Post

Author: Christopher Parsons

What’s the difference between architects and engineers?

Jim Kent gave one of the funniest and most insightful talks at KA Connect 2012. In "The Social Nature of Engineers," Jim suggests that architects and engineers approach social media differently because of the fundamental differences between their natures, passions, and relationship to facts.

Whether you are architect, engineer, or work with them, you'll find Jim's reflections on the industry to be both thoughtful and profound.

Posted: May 17, 2012 | View this Post