Oct 20, 2023
Celebrating Innovation and Sustainability
The Chicago Build Expo is a yearly gathering of professionals in the construction, design, and architecture fields, and team members from Chipman Design Architecture attended the event to explore emerging trends and innovations in the industry. In this blog, we'll provide an overview of their experiences and insights gained during the event.
Sustainability In Building Design
Project Associate, Jason de Guzman, had the opportunity to attend a lecture at the Expo called Low Carbon Cities: Embedding Sustainability into Decision-Making. For Jason, the biggest takeaway was understanding that all aspects of building design, construction, operation, ownership, and management should enter the same vernacular, one which addresses how the building industry can improve the impact buildings have on the global climate crises. Since this sector is responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions, Jason feels that we need to put sustainability at the center of our designs.
“We can accomplish this by establishing a hierarchy on an urban planning scale for firstly, the pedestrian, then public transit, followed by the bicyclist, and lastly cars. Additionally, designing compact and mixed-use developments that contain localized services and amenities can help prevent urban sprawl and the unsustainable repercussions associated with that lifestyle.”
Addressing Climate Change Through Design
Project Associate, Kim Julison attended a panel discussion, Addressing Climate Change through Design: The Role of Architects, Designers, and Engineers in a Sustainable Future, which addressed climate change through design. The panelists discussed a shift in the industry's perspective, emphasizing that environmental considerations are no longer a "nice-to-have" feature but a necessity. The discussion also highlighted the importance of Environmental Protection Declarations (EPDs) and the potential of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to reduce a building's environmental footprint overtime.
Kim noted that the five speakers on this panel were optimistic about the future of the built environment, and that it was encouraging to receive positive feedback on the steps we can take for sustainability and integrating it into the design process.
Innovative Products and Practices
Architect, Malika Parambi’s first-time experience at the Chicago Build Expo exceeded her expectations. She spoke with a Hong Kong-based tech startup about their innovative passive radiative cooling paint. Malika also attended a panel, Enhancing Decision-Making with Big Data and Analytics, where she learned about the importance of interactive dashboards, data standardization, and the potential for machine learning in architecture.
Malika emphasized, “Another point I found particularly interesting was one made by Michael Lewis. He said that these dashboards are not only great tools to document design standards, but they are even better tools to document mistakes. As architects, we often fall into the habit of only putting importance on our successes and “what works”, but it is equally, if not more, important to understand our mistakes and learn from them.”
Networking And Technological Trends
For Project Manager, Melody Jacobson, The Chicago Build Expo paved a fantastic opportunity for her to meet and network with other fellow construction colleagues and new business partners. This year’s expo featured exhibits from the top industry brands, a wide variety of innovative equipment, and state of the art construction technology.
In previous years, the focus of the Expo was geared more towards organic textures and eco-friendly design. This year, Melody felt the trends were greatly motivated by innovative design technology such as tech-aided site surveying equipment via autonomous drone capabilities and virtual design and construction solutions.
Melody’s key takeaway from the event, is that design trends from 2023 are on track to continue into 2024 and beyond which will contribute greatly to the construction industry at large by providing more platforms for creative design, problem solving, planning, and surveying via innovative strategies.
Engaging With Industry Giants
Project Associate, Kim Rojas shared how she engaged with Autodesk representatives, discussed the latest upgrades, and even received Autodesk merchandise. She also networked with Women in Architecture representatives to discuss future events. Since Kim works with Autodesk Revit on a daily basis, she was extremely interested in networking with their representatives, to discuss the latest upgrades, future plans, as well as the yearly Autodesk University event that will be happening in Las Vegas this year.
Tracking Industry Trends
Architectural Design Manager, Rafael Townsend’s perspective comes from attending construction shows over several decades. He noted the importance of tracking industry trends and highlighted specific exhibitors and products that caught this attention. Flexible wood panels, anti-viral and anti-bacterial paint, and the growing prominence of digital surveying services and construction management platforms were just a few of the innovative products stood out to Rafael.
Summary
Chicago Build Expo 2023 proved to be a pivotal gathering for our team of architects, providing a rich tapestry of insights and experiences. From prioritizing sustainability to addressing climate change through design, the event underscored the industry's shifting focus towards environmental considerations. Engaging with innovative products, cutting-edge technologies, and industry leaders showcased the ever-evolving landscape of architecture, design, and construction. The connections made and the lessons learned during this expo will undoubtedly guide our team toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
