Shoegnome Work Environment for ARCHICAD 21
June 28, 2017
Before we can start properly using a new version of ARCHICAD, we must first set up our Work Environment. Download my Work Environment for ARCHICAD 21.
Design Process
ARCHICAD Site Models: Images on Meshes
May 19, 2017
Aligning 3D textures in ARCHICAD allows us to create stunning site models with little effort.
The importance of walking through your building before it is built
April 10, 2017
Architecture firms, regardless of their size, must offer VR and 3D walk-throughs. It is now a basic service, not an add-on to our offerings.
Two Burned Projects
January 18, 2017
Last spring I put out proposals to two clients who needed help because of fire damage. One will soon be under construction; I don’t know about the other.
I feel Guilty because it’s Fun and Easy
September 8, 2016
My design process stresses me out. Not because it doesn’t work. No. It’s because it does and it makes me feel guilty.
Is BIM making you a better designer?
October 28, 2015
Why aren’t more people talking about BIM and design? How to design better. How to be a better architect. How to make beauty and art. How to be awesome.
Building Better BIM Libraries
October 6, 2015
Jon Buerg talks about his experiences building BIM Libraries for both Revit and ARCHICAD. To him, it’s the key to any successful project.
Here We Go Again
August 18, 2015
Jon recalls the transition from hand drafting to CAD and sees some frightening similarities to our current struggle with the shift from CAD to BIM.
Redefine what Design means to Us
July 30, 2015
I had to change my thinking on my position in my firm and in my profession if I was going to stay in the field of architecture and grow as an architect.
Hidden Patterns: Learning from Street Fighter
July 20, 2015
If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, you played Street Fighter more than once. And like me, you didn’t appreciate the amazing design of the game.
The Proper Design of Design Criteria
June 28, 2015
Design criteria is the content that your organization creates to convey the design intent for your concept to the consulting architects and engineers that are hired to design individual locations for your chain concept around the region, country or world.
Basic Unchangeable Decisions
June 20, 2015
I look at the roads in Australia and think about BIM. It feels so simple and easy to declare that they are wrong and the majority of the world is right.
Roommate Test of Manhood
May 28, 2015
Two projects from my time at school show how a strict adherence to digital or analog tools can lead to trouble. I learned a lesson and went with the tool that failed.
Design like an Architect
June 26, 2014
How does one design like an architect? Here’s a spoiler, the answer isn’t tool specific.
Unconscious BIM and Ugly BIM
June 12, 2014
Some lessons from being too busy to write: remembering shortcuts by forgetting that I had forgotten them and suffering through the ugly BIM phase.
Making BIM the Best Tool for Design
May 30, 2014
BIM should be the best tool for design, but it’s not. What’s holding us back? A lack of creativity isn’t helping.
One day I will teach this architecture class: Sketching without Sketching
May 15, 2014
If I get the opportunity to teach a studio or lecture class in an architecture school I know EXACTLY what I’d do. I even know the title of the class.
Another Architecture website with images of architects sketching
February 13, 2014
What does an architect look like when working? Architecture websites with images of architects sketching paint a pretty clear (and misleading) picture.
Creation, Movement, and Revision: Simple Architecture Tool Tests
November 6, 2013
Can we distill the benefits of ArchiCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Hand drafting, etc. down by looking at simple architecture tool tests? I think so. Here’s why.
It Happened Again: someone reminded me that Computers are Just Tools
July 23, 2013
Today on Twitter, in response to this post about the most amazing BIMx model I’ve seen, I saw a Tweet that went like this: “4all their power computers are just tools #architects still need 2do the hard work of #design” Yes, but. Anyone who thinks using computers is about making things easier is wrong. Well maybe not wrong, but missing the bigger picture. Using computers (and technology in general) is
What does my journey as an Architect look like?
March 15, 2013
My career has gone astray I followed the proper path. Summer internships, an architecture job right out of school, hopping between firms to climb the ranks, getting exposure with different project types, taking on leadership challenges where possible, moonlighting anytime the opportunity arose. Then a funny thing happened on the way to becoming the Project Architect/Design Architect I assumed I wanted to be. I met ArchiCAD. We fell in love.
What kind of Architect are you?
March 14, 2013
I talk with a lot of architects, interns, and people who studied architecture but went in different and/or non-traditional directions. There is a particular type of architect that comes up again and again in these conversations. A prototypical architect that we all seem to measure ourselves against: the Natural Architect. But that’s not the right term (we’ll get to that in a moment). Read the comments of my previous posts
Reading the Economist hindered my job prospects, but helped my career
March 13, 2013
Maybe certain former co-workers won’t like me sharing these kinds of stories. But I doubt they’ll ever read them. And if they do, I hope they can understand that this isn’t about us; it’s about something much larger. I can’t remember when it happened. I think it was during an annual review. But it might have been during one of the dozen meetings I had with various co-workers leading up
Architects are Lazy (plus ArchiCAD 17 news)
February 21, 2013
News of ArchiCAD 17 The shape and form of ArchiCAD 17 continue to be slowly revealed. I’m not sure if I’m just more aware this year or if more news is getting shared than in the past. Either way, here’s a very interesting article from Enigneering News-Record that talks about both EcoDesigner STAR and some time frames for the eventual release of ArchiCAD 17. I guess we can start tossing
The best designs lie ahead of us
January 2, 2013
If you’re an optimist, then you’ll have to agree that the best architecture awaits us in the future. I’m an optimist. I’m a romantic too, so I’ll always dream of and love the great buildings of our forefathers. My three favorite buildings are probably the Kimbell Art Museum, the Library at Phillips Exeter Academy (both by Louis Kahn, obviously), and the Sainte-Geneviève Library in Paris by Henri Labrouste. Well they are in
How BIM can Bankrupt Your Firm
October 15, 2012
Why do some firms embrace BIM and rave about its benefits while other firms try BIM and fail miserably? We all know this diagram: But here’s another diagram. This is the one that describes firms that panic, firms that succumb to Fear, Uncertainty, and Dread (FUD), firms that after one or two attempts let their boxes of Revit 2010 get dusty on the shelves or backslide into using ArchiCAD 12
Let’s Dream a little about Orthograph Architect
October 11, 2012
Orthograph Architect is billed as a great survey tool and, from what I can tell, it is. Furthermore, the creators of this iPad app keep adding new features like crazy; I’ve lost count of the number of upgrades and improvements this not-so-little-anymore app has gotten since it was released in November 2011 (less than a year ago!). Now I don’t have an iPad, so I haven’t personally explored it yet.
BIM during early Design
October 10, 2012
This post on Stefan Boeykens’ blog is a must read for all of us interested in BIM. It’s a great list of 10 tips for using BIM during the early phases of projects. Think about it. We’ve all seen the diagram below. It’s that first part where we architects have the most say, have the most fun, and can do the most good. What’s my favorite tip? What’s the clear proof
All their songs are about Death, Girls, or Family
October 9, 2012
A former coworker of mine at SALA Architects introduced me to The Avett Brothers’ music a few years ago. I’ve since become a huge fan. They recently came out with a new album on September 11th and I bought it right away. Being fairly exhausted and worn out from my life these past few years, I find that working 8-10 hrs a day is difficult. And while I’m horrible at
THIS is how Architecture and Jazz relate.
September 7, 2012
There are a few things that really get my blood boiling. This for instance. Here’s another: People talking about how Architecture is like Jazz enrages me. I HATE when people make this comparison. I want to ask, okay so you say architecture and jazz are kindred spirits? Are you both an architect and a jazz musician? No? Then shut the fuck up. So here’s the thing. I am both an
Michael Graves and the Cult of the Pencil
September 5, 2012
So this Michael Graves New York Times opinion article has been making the rounds. I would like to state here that his argument is BULLSHIT. We should all be up in arms that this is how our profession is being represented to the general public. Michael Graves’ lack of comprehension and ability with computers neither proves nor justifies such a disservice to our community. How do his views help? How
Two Morph Videos that aren’t flashy, but that’s the whole point
July 10, 2012
The Morph Tool Allows pleasant Surprises There are a lot of great examples of what the Morph Tool in ArchiCAD 16 can do. If you want to see some crazy shapes and amazing forms, the videos in this post will disappoint you. If you want to start thinking about how to integrate the Morph Tool into your design process, then keep reading and watching. The first video shows a quick