Disruptive Technology: How is the Industry Adapting?

Ross Cole, Principal of BAM Architecture Studio, served as a featured panelist for the New York Build 2019 conference on the topic Disruptive Technology – How is the Industry Adapting?

One of the greatest successes at BAM is that we encourage people to play with technology. It’s the most likely way to find the magic and get reluctant people to adopt. Right now, we’re playing with VR and Augmented Reality to see how it may be more intuitive in the design process. For us, this means figuring out how to make VR look like an early sketch instead of a finished project – as the successful finished project takes many hours, weeks, and months to become a beautifully built space.

At BAM, weaving the varied passions and talents of our team into our daily practices has led to success not only with our clients, but also our culture. Our technology leaders are architectural and interior designers who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the tools available to enhance the design process. Each technology leader focuses on three key objectives:

  1. Search for and evaluate new technology
  2. Determine why BAM should consider the technology, and how it will improve our design work flow and project delivery both internally and for our clients
  3. If BAM adopts it, be a champion to promote and educate BAMMERs about the technology for consistent company-wide use

In addressing technology externally, BAM seeks consultants, contractors and vendors who are also technology adapters. For BAM, it fosters smooth collaboration and a more efficient process when all firms are able to “speak the same language” while designing and building.

As BAM builds our technology toolbox, our technology leaders look for tools, equipment, and programs that are likely to be widely adopted rather than momentarily popular or new to the market with an unsure longevity. This doesn’t mean our team lags behind – it means the BAM team is consistently aware of programs and trends, and looks for clues to see if a given technology is embraced by a critical mass of the world to stay in existence.

Thumbnail Photography © BAM Creative