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AEC

AEC Tech News #170

21 Jun, 2006


Untitled Document

No Substitute for Diligence
and Good Craftsmen

Signature Architects emphasizes the details
to eliminate construction surprises

Michael Smith, a principal architect of Signature Architects, is well aware of the higher expectation that comes with technology. "I've been around just long enough to remember drawing everything by hand, and before copiers and fax machines forced the profession into a more frenzied pace," he says. "Clients have come to expect expedited services at all times, and when they see us crank something out quickly, all of a sudden they look at you like a button pusher. They say, 'All you have to do is push a few buttons to make that change, so why does it take you a day or two, and why am I paying you so much?' All this in a time where fees (as a percentage of construction) are often half of what they were 20 years ago. Unfortunately, overhead hasn't likewise been cut in half."

The implied question is, with all these sophisticated software packages to speed things up, why are architects still billing for so many hours?Read more>>

Event Report: AIA Convention, Part 1

By Nancy Spurling Johnson

AIA (American Institute of Architects) reports that it drew 24,860 registrants to the 2006 National Convention and Design Exposition in Los Angeles on June 8-10. Sustainable design was the hot topic this year in keynote presentations and in the seminar line-up, overshadowing one of last year's popular themes, BIM (building information modeling) technology. However, the latest technology was indeed to be found in the exhibit hall, and in this article I'll take a look at vendors' new wares for AEC. In Part 2 of this report later this week, I'll review the discussion from the one BIM seminar in the AIA 2006 continuing education line-up, as well as share a few general comments brought forth about the state of CAD technology in the AEC world. Read more>>

Mark Your Calendar: AEC Events

"Success with 3D" Web Presentation
June 23, 2006, 10 a.m.
PT Cadalyst hosts "Success with 3D," an exclusive Web event for the manufacturing community. Sponsored by Autodesk, the 45-minute presentation will discuss how to successfully deploy 3D design software. It will bring together Cadalyst contributing editors Robert Green, Jeff Rowe and Bill Fane, as well as product specialists from the Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions Division and Larry Schester, mechanical design supervisor at Gefit Liverrnois Engineering. Read more

2006 Best Firm to Work For Summit
September 28-29, 2006
Chicago, Illinois
ZweigWhite hosts this event designed to help AEC leaders learn the essential elements for attracting and retaining the best employees in order to maintain their firm's continuing growth and success. Read more

For Cadalyst's full calendar of events, click here >>

what's new at cadalyst.com

Tech Forum: AECis the latest addition to Cadalyst's Discussion Forums. The new forum is moderated by Cadalyst Contributing Editor Ed Goldberg and brings together professionals to discuss issues related to CAD and BIM (building information modeling). Check it out today!

Cadalyst's New Job Search Now Live! Our new search tool offers a state-by-state list of CAD-related job openings, or you can customize a search to find your own list of U.S. job openings based on the keywords and locations you specify. Use the Job Search button on Cadalyst's AEC Web site or click here for a direct link. 

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