Ron A.

Have you signed up yet?! Highly recommend attending this conference because not only is it rich in information, it's FREE! I have not missed a single one in over ten years! Please sign up using the link below. BIM BOP 2024: Workflows July 12, 2024, 8:45 am - 2:30 pm Pacific Time https://lnkd.in/gQG4ZPvQ It’s free again! The eighteenth annual BIM BOP conference at USC School of Architecture will be taking place online, live via Zoom, this year. We have set up a series of two sessions each with three speakers (each lecture is 30 minutes) and 15 BIM BOPs (5 minutes each). Sign-in for attending all or part of the event. Topics include BIM workflows, schematic design, AI, generative design, collaboration, construction robots, interoperability, web apps, conceptual design for financial feasibility, 3d printing, conceptual design, AR, sustainable design, cool software that you ought to know about, and others. Speakers come from a variety of AEC firms and software developers. There probably is something being discussed that you want to know about. Please see the detailed schedule for more information about the lectures and BIM BOPs. Keep scrolling for presentation descriptions. A registration link is on this page. https://lnkd.in/gQG4ZPvQ

32

3 Comments

A Guide for Principal Compensation in #Architecture & #Engineering Firms... Principal compensation is important for sustaining engagement and ensuring the financial health of architecture & engineering firms. David C. Baker’s great article (linked in the comments) outlines considerations to create a fair compensation strategy for principals at creative firms. Before we dive into parts of David's framework, it's important to clarify that principal compensation does not come from profit distributions. Firm owners should be paid on a regular schedule in the form of a salary or draws depending on your local tax benefits. This compensation should be paid prior to calculating firm profitability. Profit is then distributed AFTER regular compensation is paid to principals and employees. 1️⃣ Compensation Streams: Principals should be compensated for 3 separate things: ownership, effort, & risk. For instance you own a part of a firm but don't work in the firm on a day-to-day basis, thus you are compensated for ownership but not effort. You could loan the firm money in a time of need, increasing your risk, and you should be compensated with interest payments. And you should be paid for the work you do in the business - your direct contributions. 2️⃣ Value Contributions Equally: Recognize unique strengths and contributions from each principal without direct comparisons. You should leverage individual strengths and prevent unhealthy competition. For instance, a principal focused on business development should be paid the same as a principal focused on technical work. Both are valuable contributions to the firm's success. 3️⃣ Ownership Percentage: Principals with significant ownership (20%+) should receive equitable fixed compensation - probably the same amount - in recognition of their stake in the firm's success. Profit distributions above the base salary should be proportional to ownership percentage. 4️⃣ Competitive Base Pay: Principal salaries should be higher than the highest-paid employee, demonstrating the value of their leadership and risk as a business owner. It should be at a level that is motivating enough for their continued engagement in the business. 5️⃣ Firm Size Considerations: Large firms should provide higher principal compensation, reflecting the bigger responsibility. Compensation should scale with the size and complexity of the firm. Compensation Benchmarks based on David's research: 1–4 people: $120K 5–8 people: $170K 9–12 people: $220K 13–16 people: $270K 17–20 people: $320K 21+ people: $370K 6️⃣ Taxation & Compensation: Taxation is a separate consideration from compensation. Firms should ensure principals receive a predictable income through fixed or distribution-based pay. Work with your accountant to find the best tax advantaged way to distribute this compensation to all owners. This guide can help A&E firms establish a compensation strategy that is equitable, motivating, and aligned with long-term business goals.

74

4 Comments

10 Years Later: Is It Time to Retool BIM’s Role in Construction? We sympathize with the author of this article: Despite a decade of progress, BIM remains underutilized as a standard for data exchange in design and construction. At its core, BIM is a database—a repository of geometry and associated data that enables the digitization of physical assets. But we often see it trying to be more than that, evolving into an all-encompassing solution that struggles to meet every need. Instead, BIM should function as a platform—a foundation on which complementary solutions can thrive. Consider for context cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure. These systems don’t dictate how businesses use their data; they provide secure, scalable infrastructure that enables a wide array of applications, from analytics to e-commerce to AI. Similarly, BIM should empower visualization tools, supply chain systems, scheduling software and more to seamlessly connect and address specific needs without being burdened by the weight of an all-in-one suite. The problem isn’t just about functionality—it’s about trust. In industries like healthcare and insurance, shared platforms allow multiple contributors to collaborate securely, even with highly sensitive data. Design and construction can do the same, but it requires modern systems that go beyond traditional "common data environments" to ensure data provenance, accuracy and accessibility. This is where we see an opportunity to evolve. At Concert, we’re focused on enabling trust by embedding certainty into the data itself. By ensuring file authenticity and creating a secure, shared foundation, we’re making it easier for teams to collaborate with confidence—without locking them into a rigid ecosystem. BIM doesn’t need to be everything for everyone. It just needs to be better at enabling others to do their best work. Let’s rethink its role in driving collaboration and trust across the tools and workflows that make our industry thrive. https://loom.ly/NrQv_Ek #architecture #design #construction #BIM

3

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about BIM. Let’s clear the air: 🚫 Myth 1: BIM is only for large firms. (Truth: BIM is scalable for any firm size.) 🚫 Myth 2: BIM is too complex. (Truth: With the right partner, it’s easy to integrate.) 🚫 Myth 3: BIM doesn’t offer real ROI. (Truth: Firms using BIM report up to 25% higher profit margins.) Still hesitant about making the switch? We’re here to guide you through the process and unlock BIM’s full potential for your firm. 🔍 #BIMMyths #ArchitectureTech #SmartKnockTech #BIMForEveryone

5

Join Ryan Dobbins, VP of strategic growth, and Patrick Eldridge, AI architect and lead mechanical engineering associate, on Nov. 21 for an AIA Cincinnati webinar, "Beyond the Basics: How AI Transforms Workflows to Focus on Design Impact." Register at the link below! #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIACincinnati

6

Get your copy of A.I. meets AEC TODAY! In this groundbreaking 2024 book, industry experts reveal how to harness artificial intelligence to supercharge your projects, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge. To learn more & get YOUR copy, visit: https://hubs.ly/Q02vC7wP0 #PSMJ #aec #book #artificialintelligence #AI

2

Get your copy of A.I. meets AEC TODAY! In this groundbreaking 2024 book, industry experts reveal how to harness artificial intelligence to supercharge your projects, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge. To learn more & get YOUR copy, visit: https://hubs.ly/Q02vWMF40 #PSMJ #aec #book #artificialintelligence #AI

6

Is 3D Printing a Trend that Will Last in the Construction Industry? https://buff.ly/3XWOBWt #bim #vdc #design #construction #architects #contractors #smartleanbim #drivingvision #procore #facilitymanager #Supplychainintegration #prefabrication #modularconstruction, #Just-In-Time #JIT

2

What’s new in Revit 2025 - Key themes and features 2) Sustainability —Support for gbXML version 7.03 —Forma Add-in for Revit Updates —Total Carbon Analysis for Architects – Insight | Carbon Insight —Total Carbon Analysis for Architects – Insight | Flexible Dashboards 3) Analysis —LCS orientation for structural analytical elements —Annual operating schedules for energy analysis 4) Interoperability —Improved IFC Category mapping setting —Import/Export STEP files —Support new GIS systems —Informed Design for Revit —Revit to Robot Link enhancements —Use Advance Steel part & assembly marks in Revit 5) Cloud data —Monitoring and visualization of Coordination Model changes 6) Documentation efficiency —Sheet collections —Batch delete and add to library for materials —Material thumbnail generator improvement —Align and distribute annotations —Background PDF Export —Room perimeter accuracy improvement —Schematic bending details for rebar tagging —Enhanced annotations in bending details —Set presentation options for multiple bar sets at once —Tag and dimension components of connections —Material Gauge parameter for fabrication ductwork —Easier access to duct and pipe pressure drop data #bim #revit #updatedsolutions #firstoption #bimmanagement  #autodesk

15

🔍 Unveiling the Truth Behind BIM Myths 🔍 At SmartKnock, we’re passionate about cutting through the noise and revealing the true power of BIM in the architecture and construction world. Our last discussion sparked some fantastic insights from industry leaders, and now we’re ready to dive even deeper. Next up, we’ll be focusing on how BIM accelerates productivity, cuts costs, and promotes sustainability—all backed by real-world success stories from our projects. If you're looking to maximize efficiency and stay ahead of the curve in the AEC industry, this is the conversation you won’t want to miss. 💬 Let's keep the dialogue going: #BIMInnovation #SmartKnockTech #Architecture #AECLeadership Together, we’re shaping the future of construction with cutting-edge technology. Stay tuned!

3

Get your copy of A.I. meets AEC! In this groundbreaking 2024 book, industry experts reveal how to harness artificial intelligence to supercharge your projects, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge. To learn more & get YOUR copy, visit: https://hubs.ly/Q02vWPcq0 #PSMJ #aec #book #artificialintelligence #AI

4

1 Comment

We often see small firms and emerging practices struggle with implementing BIM. Many don’t fully grasp the benefits of BIM or find it hard to integrate into their current workflow. A big issue is treating BIM as a separate step, which leads to duplicate efforts, teams, and budgets. This inefficient cycle means designers create plans using traditional 2D or 3D tools, only for a separate BIM team to later rebuild them. This double handling wastes time and resources. For example, on a typical small residential project costing around ₹50 lakhs, the traditional method might involve the design team creating 2D drawings first, followed by a BIM team recreating these in a 3D model. This can lead to an extra ₹5-10 lakhs in costs due to duplicated efforts and extended timelines. One major reason for this inefficiency is that many popular BIM tools are seen as complex and hard to use. Designers often find these tools tiring, making them reluctant to adopt BIM from the start. As a result, tasks get duplicated, coordination becomes messy, and timeline delays. Firms that have fully integrated BIM into their workflow have seen project costs decrease by up to 20% and project timelines shortened by 30%. Let’s work together to end the cycle of duplication and embrace a more efficient, integrated approach with BIM. Ready to transform your workflow ez-ly? #cookingup #workflow #BIMforall #architecture

6

"How to run a bodacious BIM meeting? https://buff.ly/3edgxwR #bim #vdc #design #construction #architects #contractors #smartleanbim #plannerly #drivingvision #procore #facilitymanager #Supplychainintegration #prefabrication #modularconstruction, #Just-In-Time #JIT "

1

Readers are discussing the findings of Archinect's licensure survey. Some have shared their personal path to licensure (or why they did not pursue it) and suggestions on how academia could play a better role. "I continue to value my license both in terms of my personal effort to achieve it, and the responsibility I continue to hold in operating under it," one reader shared. "I do, however believe that there should be other means through which one could achieve and obtain the 'minimum professional competence' which licensure is supposed to demonstrate." "We are producing far too many architects in the definition of licensed professionals. The current method is destroying the profession in the light of overall responsibility within the built environment," said another commenter. "I have 14 years experience, the lack of license has me perceived as a deadbeat, with low career progression as compared to my less experienced but more successful co-workers who get the breaks- I ask for tasks that lead to licensure. Firms just want to use me as a helper for Revit and as a job captain - no licensure track," shared a third reader. Join the discussion!

6

1 Comment