12 Rules For Architects Using Aspire Project Management Techniques #ilmaBlog #PM #Management #Business #Architecture
Posted: December 21, 2018 Filed under: Architecture | Tags: #ilmaBlog #PM #Management #Business #Architecture, Architect, Architecture, Business, ILMA, project management Leave a comment
- Customer Satisfaction: Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable design solutions.Embrace Changes: Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer’s competitive advantage.
- Embrace the Process: Deliver working design solutions frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.
- Embrace Teamwork: The design team must work together daily throughout the project.
- Support Enthusiasm: Design projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need and trust them to get the job done.
- Face-to-Face is First: The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a design team is face-to-face conversation.
- How Do We Measure Progress: Effective, efficient and elegant design solutions are the primary measure of progress.
- Less Is More: Simplicity — the art of maximizing leaving stuff out — is essential. Agile processes promote sustainable development.
- Allow for Flexibility: The best design solutions emerge from self-organizing design teams.
- Execute, Monitor, Adjust: At regular intervals, the design team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.
- God Is In The Details: Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.
We would love to hear from you about what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends.
Feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
History, Revolution, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Architecture Featuring @DuoDickinson via @EntreArchitect [Updated]
Posted: August 9, 2018 Filed under: Architecture, Design, More FC3 | Tags: Architect, Architecture of the Future, Artificial Intelligence, Business, EntreArchitect, Firm, Future, Future of Architecture, Practice, Technology Leave a commentFREE DOWNLOAD AUDIO – Part 1
FREE DOWNLOAD AUDIO – Part 2
(Source: https://entrearchitect.com/podcast/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-architecture and https://entrearchitect.com/podcast/history-revolution-future-architecture/)
We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
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X Factor of Design
Posted: July 6, 2018 Filed under: Architecture, Design, More FC3 | Tags: Architect, Architecture, Business, Campus, College, College campuses, Community, customers, Design, Designer, eMBA, Experience, favorite place, Gensler, Innovation, intellectual, MBA, Research, Retail, social connection, Space, Technology, University, X Factor 1 CommentBetter design, better experience
The design of physical space proves to have a significant, quantifiable impact on the quality of people’s experience.
Everyone is doing everything, everywhere
The traditional uses of space are blurring. People are working, eating, socializing, exercising, having fun, taking classes, and shopping everywhere.
Single-use spaces are becoming obsolete
People who do more than one activity in a place rate their experiences significantly higher and are more likely to report it as their “favorite place.”
Gensler’s Hyundai HQ
Ignore social space at your peril
Places that support community and social connection perform better—from higher job satisfaction in the workplace, to a greater likelihood of recommendation for retail stores and public spaces.
In-between time isn’t wasted time
People who take time to reflect and unplug have better experiences, with direct business benefits: employees are more satisfied, and customers frequently end up making purchases despite not originally intending to do so. College campuses have a way of encouraging intellectual pursuits in different places by making better use of real estate by equipping in-between spaces. Adding wireless connectivity, comfortable seating, and room to spread out your work and almost any space becomes useful work space.
Technology matters, but not in the way you think
Technology may be more about impression than direct engagement— people see it as a powerful symbol of innovation.
The multipurpose space should be able to handle several forms of technology, just like any large lecture hall or classroom. Video, data, and electrical outlets should be spaced along the perimeter of the space, as well as at the edge of the stage. A sound system, video projection system, and cable and satellite capability also should be available. Also, operationally, users will need to know how to use the equipment properly.
Every place and space today is ultimately competing on the experience it delivers. As a new generation of consumers shifts spending and attention toward experience-based consumption, the need to deliver a differentiated experience has never been stronger. The human experience must be the driving force behind every element of a space—from the design of physical space to the qualities of interaction, expectation, and intention.
(Source: https://www.gensler.com/uploads/document/552/file/Gensler-Experience-Index-2017.pdf)
We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
Frans Johansson: “Act & Collaborate to Drive Change”
Posted: March 18, 2018 Filed under: Design, Design Thinking, More FC3 | Tags: ANTS & TRUCK DRIVERS, BURKINI, Business, Combinations, entrepreneurs, Execute, Frans Johansson, ICE & BEDS, Ideas, Innovation, Medici Effect, Technology, TERMITES & ARCHITECTURE, Wikipedia, Zara 1 CommentFrans Johansson is an innovation expert and author of The Medici Effect. As CEO of The Medici Group, he leads a team which helps clients improve their innovation efforts through an approach they call Intersectional Thinking.
In the following video Frans Johansson illustrates how relentless trial-and-error – coming up with an idea, executing it on a small scale, and then refining it – is THE distinguishing characteristic of the greatest artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Why? Because humans are not very good at predicting which ideas are going to be a success. Thus, nearly every major breakthrough innovation has been preceded by a string of failed or misguided executions. So, as Frans says quoting Churchill, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
The idea for the book “The Medici Effect” is based on intersection. The best way to come up with groundbreaking ideas is to combine very different ideas – like termites and architecture; ice and beds; and bikinis and burqas. Diversity drives innovation.
What Drives Innovation?
We innovate best when we connect with others and share new ideas/perspectives. The key is to connect across our differences.
Technology increasingly drives new operational and business models.
He created a magazine “Catalyst” to bring stuff together, started a software company that “went really well until it didn’t.”.
He investigates how intersections lead to innovations.
We have the best chance to innovate when we connect across our differences.
Innovation is important because the world is changing very quickly.
Example: Spanish fashion company Zara can go from design to selling a dress across the world in 7 days.
A more sobering example; only 68% of recent law school graduates are working in a job that requires a J.D.
Yet our ability to innovate constricts as our firms get larger. Innovation tends to come from newcomers, upstarts.
One reason is that we tend to use logic as the only guidance for reaching success. For instance, Audi and Volvo might both to decide to address their minor deficiencies, then end up with cars that look quite similar.
Why is it Necessary to Innovate Quickly?
If you want to keep your competitive advantage, you have to keep innovating because there has been a stunning drop in the amount of time it takes for your competitors to catch up with you.
Why is it so Hard to Innovate?
Because change is difficult and intimidating, we tend to settle for tweaking things around the edges rather than making a comprehensive change. The impact of this is adding more widgets to a Yahoo search engine until the clutter is overcome by the spare and elegant design of a Google search engine.
New Ideas Are Combinations of Other
Johansson proposes that all new ideas are combinations of existing ideas. But not all combinations of ideas are created equal.
Working Understanding
Most truly stunning innovations result from combination two different ideas. The greater the number of ideas that you generate and implement, the greater your chance of a breakthrough. You need to try many things because humans are very bad at predicting what will work. The key is to keep trying until you perfect your execution. When your first idea doesn’t work, you have to try again. Diverse teams can unleash an explosion of new ideas. You end up with an exponential increase in new ideas that leads to more opportunities for innovation.
Create the Environment Necessary to Foster Innovation
We can help organize our firms to foster innovation. This ranges from seating people within your department in such a way that they can’t help be exposed to new ideas and new ways of working. Individually, you also can ensure that you personally make connections with people within the firm who are in different disciplines or from different backgrounds or have different interests.
Don’t Give Up! Innovators Fail More Often
We are horrible at predicting what will work. We don’t often hear the tales of the bad ideas only the heroic ending of how someone became successful with their one brilliant idea and how they were able to envision a new future and make that future a reality.
What is the Most Effective Way to Execute?
Directional ideas often are executed in step-by-step fashion. More innovative ideas can take longer and get developed less directly.
We use up energy, money, and reputation in getting to a goal. So start by taking the first step; an easy manageable step.
Start with a good idea. And then act on it. Johansson calls this the “smallest executable step.” It’s not about going directly to the desired Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Rather, execute the first step; adjust based on results; execute again. The key is to iterate your way to success.
Some examples provided by Johansson:
ANTS & TRUCK DRIVERS
The example of ants and truck drivers, which I talk about in one of the chapters. So there is this telecommunications engineer that has been is trying to figure out how to efficiently route telecom messages through a haphazard routing system. And one day the communications engineer met an ecologist, who studies social insects, like wasps and ants. And they started talking, and the ecologist described how ants search for food. As it turned out, the ant’s search strategy turned out to be very applicable to the routing of telecom message packets. Once the engineer realized this, he decided to explore this particular intersection between ant ecology and computer search algorithms, so he spent three years looking at the connection between the way social insects behave and the way you can use computers to optimize particular types of search algorithms. And that has now lead to an entirely new field called swarm intelligence, which essentially came out of the intersection of the study of social insects and computer search algorithms. This methodology has been used in everything from helping truck drivers find their way around the Swiss Alps to helping unmanned aerial vehicles search for terrorists in Afghanistan.
TERMITES & ARCHITECTURE
A man was commissioned to build the largest office building complex in Harare, Zimbabwe without air conditioning.
He did it by combining the ideas of architecture and termite houses.
Termite houses open and close vents to regulate heat and cold. He combined ideas from these two fields to break new ground and build an energy efficient office complex that was able to maintain a comfortable temperature.
BURKINI
At the intersections of different ideas and cultures, the Medici effect happens.
For example, if you wanted to come up with a new, creative idea for swimwear, usually you would combine swimwear with the beach. But what if you combined swimwear with the idea of a burqa?
A lady moved to Australia where the normal female swimwear was bikinis. Many traditional Moslem women go swimming in their burqas. She combined the ideas of bikinis and burqas – and made a burqa out of bikini material.
After the fact, an innovative idea seems somewhat obvious.
People that change the world try far more ideas than others because we are horrible at predicting what ideas will work. Einstein published over 240 papers, many of which not a single person referenced. Google has launched hundreds of products. Picasso painted lots of paintings to figure out what paintings did work.
To be successful, you have to take this notion into account – that you won’t always be successful.
WIKIPEDIA
Take Wikipedia, for example. We may have thought – is that even possible? Creating Wikipedia takes understanding the altruistic nature of people and understanding the Internet. Before he launched
Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales launched Newspedia and asked experts to contribute to it. After six months, there were only twenty posts. Jimmy’s new idea was to allow anyone to make posts. Wikipedia has been one of the most successful Internet projects. Jimmy Wales kept trying.
How does this play out? Maybe you have an idea. Often from an idea you create a large goal and then you use 100% of your resources (your money and your reputation) to reach it. After all that work and effort, you now realize how you should have done it. You realize what would have been a better goal or a better way to do it.
ICE & BEDS
For example, a guy in northern Sweden saw a future with the cold and snow. He combined the idea of ice with a hotel. He created a hotel made out of ice. Everything is made out of ice – the beds, walls, tables, etc. It is one of Sweden’s largest tourist attractions. He realized he could do something no one else could do. But it didn’t start with The Ice Hotel.
First, he had an idea to “sell” the winter. His first idea was to fly in some ice sculptures from Japan. He had an ice exhibition. It wasn’t successful because the ice melted.
Next, he tried a snow gallery and had paintings hung in an ice building.
Then he created an event hall with everything made out of ice, including a movie screen. A few backpackers who saw it said they would like to sleep on a bed made of ice. He made a bed of ice and they loved it.
Then he created The Ice Hotel. Within weeks Newsweek named it one of the ten coolest hotels in the world.
Source: Frans Johansson: The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas
CONCLUSION
You have to start with an idea – a step.
Take your first step to change the world. The best way to come up with this idea is at the intersection of different cultures and ideas. Figure out something you can do and make it happen. The world is connected – there is somebody making those connections and it should be YOU!
Source: Frans Johansson: The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas
Source: The Medici Effect
Source: The Medici Effect
References & Sources:
Frans Johansson Keynote #ILTA12 David Hobbie
Frans Johansson: The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas
Frans Johansson Keynote #ILTA12 VMaryAbraham
How do people get more creative?
An Interview with Frans Johansson: The Medici Effect
Frans Johansson: The Secret Truth About Executing Great Ideas
We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
Gift Ideas from ILMA
Our Exclusive ILMA Interview with Jeff Venezia, AIA of @DIGroupArch
Posted: March 15, 2018 Filed under: Architecture, Design, ILMA Interview, More FC3, Social Media, University | Tags: Architect, Architecture, Architecture & Design, Business, commrcial, DAgostino, Design, Design Matters, Design Process, Design Think, Design Thinking, Designer, Education, eMBA, Exclusive, executive, FC3, FLW, full service, ILMA, ILMA Interview, Interview, Kahn, MBA, More FC3, NYC, planarchitecturellc, process, Residential, students, University 1 CommentWho is Jeff Venezia, AIA?
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia and has practiced in New Brunswick since 1981. He is presently a Principal Owner and President ofDIGroupArchitecture, a 32 person firm specializing in K-12 Education, Higher Ed, Senior Living and Healthcare. He heads the design and marketing efforts of the firm as well as the Academic Studio which includes K-12 and Higher Ed.
About the Firm
DIGroupArchitecture is a process-centric architecture and design firm. We work tirelessly with our clients to understand their priorities, evaluate the physical and budgetary constraints, and communicate potential options. As a result we create distinctive design solutions that help our clients achieve their vision, with unwavering attention to detail at every scale.
It is our unbiased approach to scale that helps us evolve in the changing climate of contemporary architecture. As many of our clients’ priorities have shifted away from ground-up architecture to renovations and adaptive reuse, our interiors studio has flourished and our graphic design studio has developed a diverse portfolio of projects in environmental graphics, signage and wayfinding, and brand identity.
80% of our business comes from repeat clients.They appreciate our “whatever it takes” approach and principal involvement at every level of every project. Our goal is to make every client a “legacy” client doing project after project and improving the experience of those who occupy the facilities we have created together as partners.
Memorial Elementary School
Phillipsburg High School
Remsen Ave. Firehouse
Jonathan Dayton High School Media Center
Click to Follow the DIGroup: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
ILMA INTERVIEW
When and why did you decide to become an Architect?
I’ve wanted to be an architect since I was about 12 years old. I loved model building, drawing and construction and just knew from that time on what I wanted to be.
What were some of the challenges of achieving your dream?
I think the biggest challenge has always been living up to the level of trust your clients place on you to deliver a project that meets or exceeds their expectations.
Any memorable clients or project highlights?
Most clients are memorable in their own way. Since a lot of our work is for repeat clients we get to know them extremely well over time, both professionally and personally. The best highlights of any of our projects is the reaction of the end users as to how we’ve improved the quality of their everyday lives. That occurs most often in our Healthcare, K-12, Senior Living and Community Rooms projects. One of our top highlights was having our Memorial Elementary School in East Brunswick receive the 2013 AIA New Jersey Honor Award for Excellence in Design, the first NJ public school to be recognized with that award (see photos above).
How do Architects measure success?
We measure success by how a project meets the goals established in the very beginning, especially with regard to program, design, budget and schedule.
Good design does not have to cost more – it requires patience and commitment to doing it right.
Grow the business, develop a transition of ownership strategy, continue to focus on improving our architectural, interior and graphic capabilities.
Who is your favorite Architect? Why?
Unquestionably Alvar Aalto. I love the way his buildings embrace the landscape and often look to him for inspiration.
What is your favorite historic and modern (contemporary) project? Why?
My favorite historic building would be the Pantheon in Rome. Favorite contemporary – the Kimball Art Museum in Texas by Louis Kahn.
Where do you see the profession going over the next few decades?
We need to reverse the trend of being considered by the public as a commodity. We need to educate the public and our clients on the value added in what we provide in the services we perform. We are not copy or toilet paper.
Who / what has been your greatest influence in design?
The greatest influence on my design work was my 3rd year architecture professor who demanded only the highest quality work from me and forced me out of my comfort zone to continually strive to learn from every project, to grow and become better as an architect.
Which building or project type would you like to work on that you haven’t been part of yet?
Airport – I love the idea of doing something at that scale.
If you could not be an Architect, what would you be?
A National Geographic photographer.
What advice do you have for a future Executive leader?
Always be true to yourself, treat people fairly and conduct yourself with the highest level of integrity. Your word should be your bond.
What are three key challenges you face as a leader in business today and one trend you see in your industry?
Challenges: the economy, dealing with diversity in the work place and the ever-increasing reliance on technology. As mentioned above, the competition and lowering of fees continue on a downward spiral.
What one thing must an executive leader be able to do to be successful in the next 3 years?
Don’t just adapt to change – embrace it.
What are some executive insights you have gained since you have been sitting in the executive leadership seat – or what is one surprise you have encountered as the world of business continues to morph as we speak?
Take risks and have the commitment to see them through. Be a good listener. Show a concern and appreciation for your employees. Be proactive in solving problems. Never let anything fester. Once the attorneys get involved no one is happy with the outcome.
For more exclusive ILMA interviews click here.
We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
I Love My Architect – Facebook
Gift Ideas from ILMA
Our Exclusive ILMA Interview with Matthew B. Jarmel, AIA, MBA of @JarmelKizel
Posted: March 3, 2018 Filed under: Architecture, Expose, ILMA Interview, More FC3 | Tags: 3-D, architectural education, Architecture, Ayn Rand, BIM, Business, Career Goals, CEO, Chicago School, Civil Engineer, Coach, commercial project, Communication, Design, Design Think, Develop, development, Education, Effective Leadership, Engineering, Fees, influence, K-12, landmark, Leader, Leadership, licensed architect, Life Work Balance, linkedin, Louis Sullivan, MBA, Mentor, next generation, NJ, NJIT, real estate, real estate developer, real estate development, registered architect, reinforcing concrete, revit, Roman Pantheon, Rutgers, Rutgers U, School of Architecture, Skills, skyscrapers, Social Media, Technology, The Fountainhead, Trends, Twitter 1 CommentMr. Jarmel is an Architect, Real Estate Developer, Renewable Energy Enthusiast, Entrepreneur and Owner of Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers Inc.
He received a Bachelors of Architecture from NJIT in 1990 and an MBA from Rutgers University in 1994. He can be found online at the following social media sites: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
About the Firm
Since the firm’s founding in 1975, Jarmel Kizel has worked its way from the inside out; originally concentrating on the interior design of corporate offices and since has grown into a full-service Architectural, Engineering, and Interior Design firm that provides a single point of accountability for all aspects of design services. The firm’s size and abilities enable it to handle a broad spectrum of projects while allowing the principals to put their seal on every one. With in-house Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineering, clients can look to Jarmel Kizel to have all aspects of their projects designed and managed by one firm.
Today the firm provides a unique service platform that provides a single point of accountability for architectural and engineering services formatted to assist clients with managing their project’s design needs from site design and land entitlements to building design through construction oversight.
ILMA INTERVIEW
When and why did you decide to become an Architect?
I knew when I was in Junior High School that I wanted to become an architect. I grew up in the industry in that my father is a commercial interior designer, he actually founded our firm in 1975, and I was exposed to design and construction at a very early age. My dad totally remodeled our home and he had my brother Richard, who is a civil engineer and partner in our firm, and myself helping and working with tools.
What were some of the challenges of achieving your dream?
The architectural and engineering industry can be very rewarding. There is tremendous emotional fulfillment to see your ideas first take shape on paper and then through construction. I take great pride driving by a building our firm has designed and saying we did that. Despite the rewards the business of architecture can be very difficult. Our industry is first hit by a recession, hardest hit and usually the last to recover. One of the greatest challenges of working in the profession is learning how to batten down the hatches and weather the economic storms when they come.
Any memorable clients or project highlights?
I have many projects I am proud of many clients that I respect and that have become good friends and even partners over the years. Some of the more notable projects I have worked on include designing the Bear Stearns Campus in Whippany, NJ. This project was developed over years and ultimately included approximately 700,000 sf of office and data center space in five buildings, two of which we designed and the rest we designed major renovations to. Unfortunately Bear Stearns does not exist anymore but the campus is still there. We also were fortunate to design the first major redevelopment project in Plainfield, NJ where we designed four buildings for the Union County Improvement Authority that included a 100,000 sf office building, two retail buildings totaling 40,000 sf and a parking structure. This project acted as a catalyst for new development in the city. Over the last several years the firm has been very active in NYC designing many mixed use large scale projects, we have a 17 story building under construction in Queens right now. One of my most memorable clients is The Learning Experience. The Learning Experience is a national and soon to be international brand of child development centers. We designed their first center 16 years ago and have since completed over 200 projects throughout the country for them. Because of the volume of projects we have completed for them, about 70 in NJ alone, I gained tremendous experience in land entitlements and have become an expert in land entitlement strategy.
How does your family support what you do?
The creative process can be very time consuming, running a business and being creative magnifies the time required to be an architect. Some days I leave the house at 7 and if I have a hearing don’t get home until midnight. Other times I am hopping on an airplane and away overnight. My family is supportive in that they understand the taxing requirements of the job. With that said everything I do is for my family. So I make sure my wife and children get the attention they need from me and we plan as much quality time as possible.
How do Architects measure success?
Some might say you measure the success of an architect by the quality and aesthetic of the buildings he or she designs, or by how much wealth and fame they have obtained. To me a successful architect you have to be a strong leader, a strong communicator and be able to balance the aesthetic and technical issues of a building’s design all while understanding the functional and economical goals of your client. The architect that can achieve this can become successful. Ultimately success is measured by obtaining the respect of your peers, clients and even contractors in the industry.
What matters most to you in design?
Achieving my clients goals of function and budget while creating a building that is safe and attractive.
What do you hope to achieve over the next 2 years? 5 years?
Our firm has developed strong skills in real estate development which include land entitlements and real estate economics. Many times we set the strategy for how to present a project to planning and zoning boards, explain the process to our clients and even their attorneys, advise on PILOT and other incentives, building valuation and assist in making introduction to equity investors and lenders. These skills make us stand out from our competitors but not necessarily obtain higher fees. Our goal for the next 2 to 5 years is to expand our Real Estate Advisory services to create additional revenue as a “Fee Developer” and on our own development account.
Who is your favorite Architect? Why?
I respect the design styles of many current and historic architects. I am a big fan of the Chicago School and of those architects Louis Sullivan is probably my favorite. I like this style for the buildings of the time were the first commercial buildings and first to break away from using ancient detailing by employing and emphasizing technology in design.
Do you have a coach or mentor?
I do not have a specific coach or mentor but I like to bounce ideas off of my team, clients and friends.
What is your favorite historic and modern (contemporary) project? Why?
My favorite historic building is the Roman Pantheon. It was built around 113 AD and has the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever made which has a giant hole in the center that allows the sun and the moon to shine in along with the rain. It still stands 2000 years later. The Romans were great builders, they invented concrete, experimented with reinforcing concrete with brass chains and even developed zoning rules and regulations. As far as contemporary buildings there are so many that I love. I lean towards high rise sky scrapers.
Where do you see the profession going over the next few decades?
Although new technologies are implemented in the profession and we go through these stages where we preach design build vs a separation between design and construction professionals the industry has not changed much in my career. I find it interesting that Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead” which was written in the 40’s and takes place in the 20’s and uses the architectural industry as a back story to promoting her political views speaks to many of the same type of players and issues in the industry today. There are developers, contractors, politicians and architects. There are residential, public and commercial buildings and she even tackles issues such as affordable housing. All the same issues we deal with today. I do not see major changes in the business of the profession. Although I do see major technical influences which will affect the way we design and build buildings. There is a robot that lays brick now. I think as the world gets smaller through technology building codes and licensing laws will become more standardized.
What type of technology do you see in the design and construction industries?
The use of BIM is becoming the most prevalent tool used in the design of buildings. It allows architects and engineers to work in 3 dimensions, quickly and efficiently to improve coordination and actually see the building take shape on the screen. Despite my comment about the brick laying robot above most construction is still done with heavy machinery and by hand. However, technology has taken over the management of projects from creating schedules, to tracking financing and creating a database of information.
Who / what has been your greatest influence in design?
This answer may seem odd to most architects but my great influence in design arrives from an understanding of real estate economics tied to a building’s function and economics. When a student at NJIT I took an elective in real estate development. It was taught by a gentleman who ran the development arm of a now defunct savings and loan so we will allow him to remain nameless. However, he was very influential in that he said he hated architects and found them to be a necessary evil in the process because the law forced them on him to use. Obviously, this got most of the students in the class upset but I wanted to know why he felt that way. He thought that architects only cared about what the building looked like and had no understanding or really care for what it might cost to build, what’s its function was to be or how it generated revenue for its owners. He introduced me to the business side of why clients build in the first place. This motivated me to go on and obtain an MBA with a concentration in real estate development and urban land use after architectural school. I feel that the business education in conjunction with my architectural education make me a stronger architect and have been the most influential on my design.
Which building or project type would you like to work on that you haven’t been part of yet?
I have been fortunate to work on almost any type of commercial project. I would like to be exposed to more hospitality projects.
How do you hope to inspire / mentor the next generation of Architects?
I hope to mentor the next generation of architects in a way that they can understand the business goals of the client and why they are building so that they can better respond to the client’s needs I also want to mentor them to be strong leaders and great communicators.
What advice would you give aspiring architects (K-12)? College students? Graduates?
I would advise them to not only pursue their dream of designing buildings but to learn about the profession as a whole, to learn about the process of becoming an architect and career choices in the industry. When I was in school no one told me how to become a licensed architect I had to figure it out on my own.
What does Architecture mean to you?
It is my profession, it is my life!
What is your design process?
First understand the client’s program goals and budget, then study the site and zoning constraints, roll up my sleeves and dive in.
If you could not be an Architect, what would you be?
A civil engineer and or real estate developer.
What is your dream project?
A really tall building in a major city that becomes a landmark for years to come. If I can be a partner in its ownership even better.
What advice do you have for a future Executive leader?
Respect and care about the people you are leading, be kind but stern.
What are three key challenges you face as a leader in business today and one trend you see in your industry?
All challenges revolve around people. First finding qualified people, there is a tremendous shortage of qualified architects and engineers, second finding people that can see the big picture first before the crawl into the details and finally finding people that can communicate effectively. As far as trends see my answer to where I see the industry going above
What one thing must an executive leader be able to do to be successful in the next 3 years?
I am optimistic that we are at the beginning of a sustainable economic growth period. This will provide many of us with significant projects to choose from and an even more challenging labor shortage. An executive leader will need to be able to recruit talent and keep them motivated to stay.
What are some executive insights you have gained since you have been sitting in the executive leadership seat – or what is one surprise you have encountered as the world of business continues to morph as we speak?
I do not know if I am any smarter today at 50 then I was when I got out of school in my early 20’s what I have gained is life experience. The most important lesson is that people will surprise you. Some will impress you, some will disappoint you, some will be loyal and others not. I have seen some crazy things happen some good and some bad. Just when I think I have seen everything someone surprises me.
Final Thoughts on How to Be Successful?
Learn your trade, be good at and then learn to be a good communication and leader and business person.
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We would love to hear from you on what you think about this post. We sincerely appreciate all your comments – and – if you like this post please share it with friends. And feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss ideas for your next project!
Sincerely,
FRANK CUNHA III
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