As the world continues to advance in technology and infrastructure, the role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry has become increasingly significant. Esri, a leader in GIS technology, has been at the forefront of this integration. We had the opportunity to speak with Marc Goldman, Director of the AEC Industry at Esri, to delve into the company’s involvement in the AEC sector and its future direction.
Esri’s Evolution in the AEC Sector
Esri is primarily recognized as a GIS company, catering to various industries with a strong emphasis on owner and operator sectors such as Departments of Transportation, utilities, campuses, and airports. However, about five years ago, Esri identified the need to focus on AEC firms that were actively developing and managing GIS solutions for these sectors. This realization led to the establishment of an AEC sector within Esri, which has since become one of the company’s fastest-growing divisions.
Goldman explained, “The infrastructure organizations have been using ArcGIS and Esri’s solutions to plan their projects and manage their assets. We recognized the value in directly supporting the AEC firms who were often implementing these solutions on behalf of the owners and operators. This shift has allowed us to better support the entire lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure projects, from early planning stages through design, engineering, and construction, and into long-term operations.”
At this year’s Google I/O, the electrifying atmosphere was palpable as Google unveiled its latest triumph in artificial intelligence—the Gemini project. This year’s keynote, delivered by Sundar Pichai amidst rousing applause, emphasized Google’s relentless drive to refine and enhance AI capabilities, pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve in our daily lives.
The conference kicked off with a spirited recap of the year’s achievements and a peek into the “Gemini era,” a bold new phase in Google’s AI development. The introduction of Gemini, a model designed from the ground up to be natively multimodal, capable of processing and integrating text, images, video, and more, marks a significant leap forward. This model is not just an incremental update; it’s a transformational shift that promises to redefine how we interact with technology.
In a demonstration of its prowess, Google revealed that Gemini can handle complex, multimodal tasks with ease, showcasing examples from various Google ecosystems such as Search, Photos, and Android. For instance, the newly enhanced Google Photos now utilizes Gemini to allow users to interact with their photos in revolutionary ways—like asking the app to recall specific details from images without manually searching.
One of the most exciting announcements was the expansion of Gemini’s capabilities into consumer products. Now integrated across Google’s suite of applications, Gemini’s reach extends into everyday use, making advanced AI tools accessible to everyone. The introduction of Gemini Advanced and the announcement of its availability on mobile platforms underscore Google’s commitment to democratizing AI technology.
As it widens its foundry aspirations, Intel’s projects help advance semiconductor manufacturing and technology leadership and build a globally resilient, secure and sustainable supply chain.
For more than 50 years, Intel has been innovating, investing and supporting global semiconductor manufacturing and R&D that propel our digital age.
2023 was no exception as Intel teams across the globe installed new tools, delivered new clean rooms and completed construction of new buildings.
Consider these mind-boggling facts: In 2023, about 145,000 tons of steel was used to construct and expand these new facilities. Throughout last year, construction teams also poured more than 2 million cubic yards of concrete across all of Intel’s projects – enough concrete to build New York’s Empire State Building 32 times over.
“Intel’s global manufacturing network is foundational to our operational success as we build a resilient, trusted and sustainable supply chain for the entire industry,” said Keyvan Esfarjani, executive vice president and chief global operations officer at Intel. “We must continue to invest in the future and plan for success to support the expected increase in long-term semiconductor demand around the world.”
Here’s a recap of Intel’s 10 largest building projects worldwide – in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Ireland, Israel, Magdeburg, Penang and Kulim in Malaysia, and Poland – and what to expect from these construction sites in 2024.
In September 2023, ironworkers lower one of many rebar cages that will make up the main factory floor of one of Intel’s two new factories in Chandler, Arizona. (Credit: Intel Corporation)
Arizona, U.S.: Fab 52 and 62 Concrete Superstructure Completed
Progress So Far: Intel is investing more than $32 billion to build two new leading-edge chip factories and to modernize an existing fab at its Ocotillo campus in Chandler, Arizona, where it will produce some of the world’s most advanced logic chips. In December 2023, construction teams achieved a significant milestone for Fab 52: completion of the “cheese slab” concrete pour, which forms the base of the fab level.
Construction teams have poured over 430,000 cubic yards of concrete to date – enough to fill 132 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Teams have also started installing the fab’s automated material handling system (AMHS). Think of it as a fully automated highway that snakes around the fab, shuttling wafers from one station to another. Read the rest of Intel’s 10 Largest Construction Projects
In a groundbreaking keynote at the GTC conference, NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, unveiled a vision of the future sculpted by artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerated computing. Central to this vision was the introduction of NVIDIA’s latest chip design, a marvel of engineering set to redefine the boundaries of AI capabilities. This announcement was complemented by strategic partnerships with industry behemoths such as Cadence, Ansys, Synopsys, and Siemens, heralding a new era of technological synergy aimed at accelerating innovation across various sectors.
In the ever-evolving landscape of startups and innovation, the spotlight often shines on the most luminous of disruptors. Yet, the bedrock of this vibrant ecosystem is the support and tools that empower these emerging ventures to transition from nascent ideas to market-ready solutions. At the forefront of this supportive network stands Dassault Systèmes with its pioneering “3DEXPERIENCE Works for Startups” or “SOLIDWORKS for Startups” program, as revealed in an insightful dialogue with Abhishek Bali, the director of the program.
Abhishek Bali, an engineer and designer turned MBA graduate, joined Dassault Systèmes’ Boston office in 2016. With a rich background in engineering and business, Bali brings a unique perspective to the startup program, emphasizing the importance of bridging top-down innovation with grassroots, bottoms-up creativity. Dassault Systèmes, traditionally known for aiding giants like Boeing and Procter & Gamble in overcoming innovation challenges, has, over the past decade, turned its gaze to the burgeoning field of startups.
The “3DEXPERIENCE Works for Startups” program, initiated in 2017, is a testament to Dassault Systèmes’ belief in the power of early to mid-stage startups. The program offers these companies—particularly those with physical products aimed at the market and less than five years old or under one million in revenue—comprehensive access to Dassault’s suite of design, engineering, simulation, and data intelligence tools. Remarkably, over 19,000 startups have been admitted to the program, with close to 900 applications received monthly from across the globe. This global outreach, stretching from the US and Europe to Asia Pacific regions, underscores Dassault Systèmes’ commitment to democratizing access to cutting-edge tools for innovators everywhere.
Beyond software access, the program uniquely positions startups for success by providing substantial discounts in the initial years, exposure at leading trade shows, and a chance to be featured on Dassault Systèmes’ marketing platforms. This holistic approach not only lowers barriers to entry but also connects startups with a broader ecosystem of investors, manufacturers, and mentors.
A standout aspect of the program is its adaptability and support for startups in various sectors, including medical devices and disaster management, reflecting a deep respect for the diverse challenges innovators face. Partnerships with over 200 incubators worldwide further amplify the program’s reach, offering startups a springboard to refine their ideas and scale new heights.
In conversation, Bali shared touching anecdotes of startups applying to the program during significant holidays, underscoring the profound value and hope the program instills in its applicants. The program’s success is not just measured by the software it provides but by the dreams it enables and the global innovation ecosystem it nurtures.
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By Alexa Wolford-Romanek, Marketing Director, Spatial Construx
Alexa Wolford-Romanek, MBA
Technological Innovations: “What major technological advancements or innovations do you foresee occurring in your industry in 2024, and how do you plan to adapt or lead in these areas?”
In 2024 we will see the merging of different technologies moving the industry toward true digital representations of the designed and built structures. Since the 1980s, different digital technologies have been developed that impacted the AEC industry. Many of these technologies were integrated into our industry based on forces that had affected the industry but did not originate directly from it. For example, through economic turndowns like the 1980’s Savings Loan Crisis- Adoption of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), 2000-2001 Dot-Com Bust- Beginning of Building Information Modeling (BIM), 2008-2010 Banking Housing Crisis- Adoption of BIM Systems. These times have forced the industry to do more with less. While we have claimed to be digital for over 20 years, the new demands by owners for true digital As-Built for facility management, the need for more accurate renovation/restoration documents using point cloud technologies, and the declining interest in the next generation of taking positions in the AEC industry (robots replacing/supplementing human activities). This means the industry must come to terms with the savings available through technology and finally become proficient in digital tools.
By Mariganesh Paulpandi, Head of BIM Practice, Srinsoft
Mariganesh Paulpandi
The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry has undergone a substantial digital transformation in the past decade, transitioning from physical to digital data. Notably, advancements in collaboration tools and project data accessibility have played pivotal roles. Industry giants like Autodesk, Bentley, and Graph iSOFT have introduced products covering various project phases. However, challenges persist, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in efficiently transferring data from design to execution phases.
Existing Landscape and Challenges
In regions like the US and the UK, custom applications are widely used for comprehending project details during the design-to-execution transition. However, in the Asia-Pacific region, limited adoption of tools like Bim360 Build is observed, stemming from a lack of understanding among high-level management and a scarcity of experts leading tool implementation. Read the rest of AECCafe Industry Predictions for 2024 – Srinsoft
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By Roderick Bates, Director, Corporate Development, Chaos
Roderick Bates
Building for climate change
“The topic of sustainability in architecture is not going away. A key driving factor is high energy prices, putting energy efficiency and insecurity top of the agenda. But beyond the pure performance concerns, architects now need to build for future changes in climate.
“This shifting climate has the potential to transform weather patterns in ways that could render buildings in the contemporary climate unsafe. This means the industry faces the challenge of designing buildings that are energy efficient and comfortable for the current climate, yet are also climate-resistant and able to provide protection under future conditions. For most firms, modelling future climate conditions are table stakes, but showing a proactive plan for how buildings will cope and can be adapted for their changing surroundings and purposes can help them take their designs to the next level.”
Renovation and retrofit
“We’re seeing a strong drive and interest in renovation, which is butting up against the fact that most older buildings were not initially designed to be resilient. For example, many office buildings have not been designed in order to be converted to another purpose. Zoning and code barriers are a major first obstacle. Zoning is already being addressed on a local level and grant funding is getting easier, but private funding continues to pose serious challenges – some firms are finding novel solutions to this, although not necessarily at affordable pricepoints.
After a year of interesting advancements due to the surge of AI in the AEC industry, expectations for 2024 are rising.
However, this market sector and its growing startup ecosystem still face many challenges.
1: AI, The Buzzword of the Day
As always, in the tech industry, there’s a buzzword. Like IoT in 2015, or blockchain in 2019, in 2023, that’s Artificial Intelligence.
“What’s interesting to me is that, although other industries have been impacted more by this technology so far, and that there have been interesting developments in our industry too, there are many opportunities yet to be explored.
Even though there are lots of smart people working on AI for image generation and full design automation, both areas intricately related to the AEC industry, there is still so much to be created” Francisco added, regarding AI specifically applied to the AEC industry.
Other industries like software or manufacturing have modularized their knowledge and designs, but AEC starts almost from scratch on every project in architecture.
We’ve recently seen increasing developments focused on leveraging BIM data to provide insights to users about their models, perform direct actions on those models, and use existing data to feed future designs, going from massing to, say, 70% of the design -not trying to automate everything, but going most of the way and leaving the rest of the creative part to humans-.
By Vectorworks Chief Executive Officer Dr. Biplab Sarkar
Dr. Biplab Sarkar
In the next few years, we can expect several significant shifts in the architecture and construction industry.
One of the most prominent trends will be the continuous increase in building reuse, rehabilitation, and historic preservation types of projects. This will be driven by a growing awareness of preserving our architectural heritage and reducing waste to move toward a more sustainable future.
A continued focus on low carbon emissions will also be a priority, with a new emphasis on wood construction as a strategy to reduce carbon. We expect to see more buildings designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, focusing on sustainable materials and construction practices.
Creating designs that are resilient to extreme weather events and rising sea levels is becoming increasingly important. Designs need to be flexible and adaptive to counteract the effects of climate change.
Another trend is a greater emphasis on improving occupant health and well-being through biophilic design and natural lighting. This will be especially important as more people become aware of our built environment’s impact on our mental and physical health.
