Technological Trends

In the coming years, computers will continue to force changes in the way we practice architecture. I have noted below several key areas where I believe computers will have their most profound impact on our profession.

1. Advanced computer modeling techniques will improve our ability to simulate and predict all aspects of a building’s performance prior to it’s construction. Advances in both hardware and software will facilitate a more thorough analysis of building performance then is currently possible.
2. We should expect to see the marketing of the first true computer-aided design software within the next three years. These expert systems will help in the task of problem definition and goal structuring at the highest levels of abstraction. This could result in a whole array of automated design tools to aid specific areas of interest such as structural, mechanical and electrical design analysis.
3. Expect to see major increases in our ability to optimize a building’s structural efficiency. Computers with higher computational accuracy and faster speeds may lead to major breakthroughs in the theoretical mathematics of structural dynamics. Three dimensional structural modeling on computers will soon become commonplace.
4. Advances in computer graphics will make the use of three dimensional geometric modeling commonplace. The first true electronic sketching systems will begin to appear in the not too distant future.
5. Expect to see major improvements in environmental modeling (i.e. remote sensing technology, weather prediction, earthquake forecasting, environmental impact studies etc.).
6. We should also expect continued improvement in bonding and joining technology due in large part to advances in computer modeling techniques.
7. Expect to see “expert systems” introduced to help guide contract and fee negotiations.
8. Expect to see increased office automation throughout the profession. Comprehensive business software packages should ease the burden of office managers by integrating every office function into a comprehensive system.
9. Soon, we should expect to see profession-wide acceptance of the role of computers in all aspects of architectural practice. We should also expect to see the role of manual vs. automated production processes more clearly defined in the future.
10. The profession will place higher demands on universities and colleges to provide them with a large cadre of well trained, computer-wise apprentices.