Arc US 2018

Synopsis

In a world where technology, project structures, contracts, and construction processes are becoming ever more complex, teams helmed by collaborative leaders are emerging as an alternative to separate parties who guard their individual interests. The teams themselves must be carefully structured in order to support effective behavior, develop innovative solutions, and deliver successful outcomes. To do so requires leadership — collaborative leadership — from architects and other project stakeholders. Leadership and collaboration may at first seem to be contradictory terms. How can architects and design professionals lead and collaborate at the same time? The traditional concept of leadership as a topdown, authoritative structure is re-examined in this book relative to today’s evolving collaborative project delivery models and innovative forms of practice. Who leads project teams when architects, contractors, and owners equally share risks and rewards? What role do leaders play in championing change and innovation? How can leaders and team members learn to better understand and communicate with one another? As leadership is re-examined to allow for a more situational approach, so too, does the book question the concept of collaboration as it may typically be used in practice. Beyond merely “working together,” collaboration as defined in this book is a much deeper commitment to a respectful, co-creative process that includes a multiplicity of people, processes, and tools that allow for each project team to more effectively, efficiently, and elegantly respond to the changing needs of today’s practice environment. Though every project, firm, and design professional is unique, this presentation will outline the fundamentals of collaborative practice that foster client buy-in and foster collaboration on project teams. 

Synopsis

Cities are the centers of culture, far-reaching design, and broadly reflect who we are — and want to be — as a people. At the same time, cities have historically been the incubators for new ideas and technology, from place-based experimentation to world changing shifts like computers, and the trains and planes that take us between cities. Technology is now transforming our urban places almost overnight, especially in the realm of mobility. In just the last decade, Uber and the advent of ride-hailing applications have fundamentally changed the way we get around. Meanwhile, “micro-mobility” options like dockless electric bikes and scooters have blown up so rapidly that municipal governments, and even technology experts, can’t keep up. Add to that the upcoming wave of autonomous transportation options like driverless cars and buses, and the picture starts to get very complicated, but quite exciting. 

Within all of these new mobility modes, it is not the technology that is the most interesting, but rather the current and potential impact on cities – and fundamentally the future of our cities must be predicated on a holistic, community-driven process. For years, the National League of Cities has focused on the issue of technology and cities, and the ultimate effects on mobility, the future of work and, most importantly equity within our communities. This seminar will explore the future of cities, and how we can continue to make our communities human-centered hubs where people will want to live for generations to come. 

Synopsis

Natural disasters are having a profound impact on communities. In 2017, the U.S. experienced 16 disasters causing over $1 billion of damage each, with a total cost of over $300 billion. How and where we build has a significant impact on the ability of communities to weather the storm and recover from hazard events. As the designers, constructors and owners of the built environment of today and tomorrow, the building industry has an opportunity and a responsibility to build resilient communities. This presentation will explore the path forward including the identification of cost-effective mitigation strategies; the evolution of codes, standards and other guidance (including rating systems) to address current and future risks; and assuring the industry is prepared to meet the needs of the building owners, occupants and communities it serves.