As we move into the new year, there are several trends for us to be aware that will become more pronounced in our industry. 2013 is looking to be a transformation year within the AEC industry between the release of built-up demand of construction/renovation in the Northeast as we move past the election and fiscal cliff drama. The Northeast corridor and specifically the Boston proper areas are well positioned to continue their strong relative growth through 2013, founded on the high technology, biotech/pharma, and financial industries that continue to swell past boundaries of Cambridge and downtown Boston.
Several of the trends to watch (well, not watch, but rather get up to speed on and lead your firms/clients) include “Sustainability & Accountability”, “BIM & Laser Scanning”, “Risk Management & Business Continuity”, and “Staff Retention”. Each of these will shape our projects and have an increasing impact on our performance and success for our clients.
Sustainability & Accountability: While the LEED certification process has aided in transforming the building design industry through greater awareness of ‘sustainability’ issues, the LEED credit systems remain behind the reality of the complexities of a wide variety of building space programs. Yes, the USGBC has taken great strides in providing more appropriate rating systems for various projects type, including ‘retail, schools, neighborhood developments, and healthcare’, yet there are still significant gaps that need to be addressed moving forward. In 2013, owners and developers will focus more on actual ‘performance’ of buildings. We define ‘performance’ as the building’s capability to provide the environment for the client while minimizing utility costs. Building owners will focus on understanding their actual utility costs, and be driven to reduce those costs as part of their corporate (and individual) responsibilities. This will in turn provide project opportunities moving forward through
facility assessments, performance contracting, re/retro-commissioning, and equipment/system upgrades.
BIM & Laser Scanning: Building Information Modeling (BIM) is still in an adolescent phase, but… gaining ground and breaking out of the tradition ‘CADD drawing’ paradigm. Laser scanning of existing buildings is one of the most under-utilized / high-value-add to a BIM project that will gain significant ground in 2013. Over the past 14 months, the scanning hardware and associated software has matured to the point where it is both schedule & cost efficient to develop an accurate existing condition 3D model for the design team to utilize in their efforts. The greatest benefit of laser scanning is to provide a highly accurate (often less than 1/4”) model, which in turn reduces the risk of field changes due to unforeseen conditions and/or coordination issues. The option of utilizing laser scanning at the onset of a project as well as serving for record ‘as-builts’ will become more commonplace this year.
“Risk Management & Business Continuity”: With the apparent increase in disasters (natural, man-made, and their overlap…), there will be a significant focus on business continuity planning in 2013. As we all experienced with Hurricane Sandy, the time and effort to restore business operations can well extend into weeks if not months after a disaster. Risk management assessments of ‘what must remain operational, for how long, and how/where?’ will become more commonplace resulting in formalized plans and spun-off capital projects (data center relocations, generator/fuel system changes, improved communications infrastructure, relocation of key-program elements above 100 year flood levels, etc.).
“Staff Retention”: With the anticipated, if not hopeful, increase in gainful work in 2013 staff retention and their development will be critical. Following up on last month’s article, “Human Capital…”, our fundamental success is based upon our employees and their capability to deliver. In 2013, there will be an ever increasing level of effort of recruitment across firm and… industries. The demand for registered architects and engineers will continue to be greater than their availability in the market. This coupled with client’s increasing awareness of legal and professional registration requirements will challenge the industry in the coming year. We need to keep this in mind and position ourselves to develop and retain our key staff for our clients. (If you’re really good on the engineering & client-service side… let’s talk!)
As an optimist, 2013 is looking to be a great year for all of us. Change is good and exciting. Let’s work together to… make it so. Cheers.
Chad A. Wisler, PE LEED AP BD+C is a Managing Principal at Vanderweil Engineers in Boston.