Day 1, done: AU 2015 Tuesday highlights
Construction Launch Pad
This morning—for the first time ever—we held a special event just for construction industry attendees to start their week off with a bang. Stacy Scopano hosted this 90-minute session, which looked at current issues, future trends, and real-life solutions shaping the industry. Key speakers included Jim Lynch, Ryan Colker, Andrew Pryke, Brian Mullins, Joe Barr, and Nicolas Fonta.
Opening General Session
The Force is with us here at AU, apparently, since Lynn Allen kicked off the General Session with an escort from a contingent of stormtroopers. Then Carl Bass dropped some big thoughts about the importance of mentally reframing big problems in design and engineering, and how important it is to focus on the right problems to make the big breakthroughs. Andy McAfee from MIT talked about how technology is actually helping us to consume fewer resources, among other things. And Jeff Kowalski explained that we’re just at the beginning of a new era in human history, the Augmented Age, and the way we work will change as much as it’s changed in the past 2000 years. Heady stuff. If you missed it live, be sure to check it out online.
Innovation Forum: WIIFM – What’s in It for Me?
After lunch Roman Mars hosted the first of this year’s 3 connected Innovation Forums, which took an in-depth look at the emerging class of consumers who want control over the products that impact their lives, and what you have to do to make that happen. It’s all about serving the “market of one”—the individual consumer. Michael Thydell talked about how the flow of big data from homes via the Internet of Things, combined with BIM, will create an entire paradigm shift in how we design and build the spaces where we live. John Jacobs showed us how lean construction can enable companies to create budgets based on napkin sketch—and stick to it. Lidia Berger and Scott Pomeroy talked about their Sustainable DC plan, and how it aims to make the nation’s capital the greenest, healthiest, most livable city in the US by 2032. Which is great, but we know it’ll never be greener, healthier, or more livable than Vegas. I mean, c’mon, quit dreaming. You can watch (or re-watch) the forum online if you so choose.
Celebrating #GivingTuesday
Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate #GivingTuesday by donating to Build Change or Proximity Designs and posting your pics on social media to spread the word. Thanks also to everyone who’s already donated time at this year’s volunteer activity supporting e-NABLE. Stop by during lunch in the Exhibit Hall to check it out.
Classes, sessions, and labs—oh my
More than 200 classes? Yup, that happened. Speakers covered everything from “Architectural Visualization Meets Concept Design for Advanced 3ds Max and V-Ray Users” to “We Are Now Entering the Golden Age of AEC Industry Marketing.” See what people are saying about today’s sessions (and throw in your 2 cents) -- look for or add #AU2015 to all your Twittering and Facebookifying.
