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What does it mean to design smarter? Build faster? Collaborate seamlessly? As artificial intelligence (AI) takes center stage in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, it’s time to ask:
How can AI-driven tools improve communication and reduce project risks?
How can we leverage data for better decision-making and sustainability outcomes?
And how do architects, engineers, and builders use AI to break down silos and work better together?
These are just a few of the big questions we’ll tackle at TECH Perspectives New York. Don’t miss your chance to explore AI’s transformative potential in shaping the future of architecture, engineering, and construction.
Here’s a look at what’s in store—check out the agenda for TECH Perspectives New York below.
Scott McMaster is the Executive Vice President for North America at Graitec Group, Scott brings a bold, strategic vision and a proven track record of business transformation to drive innovation and growth across the region.
Scott leads a pivotal phase of Graitec’s expansion in North America, following the integration of Applied Software and the recent addition of Microsol Resources to the Graitec Group. This powerful combination brings together deep AEC expertise, customer-focused service, and cutting-edge technology to deliver even more value to clients across the architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing industries.
A seasoned leader with strong strategic and tactical skills, Scott excels at analyzing markets, identifying opportunities, and driving results in complex, cross-functional environments. He is passionate about cultivating high-performance cultures that empower teams and fuel long-term success.
Anna Liza Montenegro is the Director of Marketing at Microsol Resources, Graitec Group, who develops design technology conferences for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals as a forum to exchange innovative strategies, and best practices, and facilitate discussions into the technology trends driving significant change in building design and construction.
As a trained architect, these events are offered to AEC professionals by Microsol Resources, a value-added reseller of Autodesk, Bluebeam, Rhino, Chaos V-Ray & Enscape, and other various technology partnerships.
Stephen Jones is the Senior Director of Industry Insights Research at Dodge Data & Analytics. Stephen is a globally recognized expert in how emerging economic, practice, and technology trends are shaping the future of the design and construction industry. He speaks at conferences globally, authors the SmartMarket Report series on key industry trends, and hosts the ENR FutureTech events.
Before Dodge, Stephen was Vice President of Primavera Systems (now part of Oracle), and prior to that, spent 19 years in creative and management roles with top design firms, most recently as a Principal and Board of Directors member with Burt Hill, one of the largest A/E firms in the US (now merged with Stantec). Stephen holds an MBA from Wharton and a BA from The Johns Hopkins University.
Luc Wilson is a Director at KPF and leads KPF Urban Interface (KPFui), an internal think tank exploring the intersection of urban planning, architecture, and computational research. With his interdisciplinary team, Luc has developed a data-driven design methodology, applied to over 300 KPF projects globally, that optimizes performance metrics while centering the human experience of cities and buildings.
Luc’s expertise spans master plans, mixed-use developments, and supertall towers, including high-profile projects like Sidewalk Labs Toronto and the East Midtown Rezoning for NYC. He collaborates with Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, and NYU, and has been featured in Architectural Science Review, The Economist, Wired, and The New York Times.
A Commercial Observer “Top Young Professional,” Luc also teaches at Columbia GSAPP, where he focuses on performance-based design and urban data analytics. He’s a member of the Urban Design Forum and the Municipal Arts Society’s planning committee.
Sheldon McLeod is part of the Interactive Visualization team at SHoP Architects, where he works at the intersection of design and emerging technology. With a background in Electrical and Computer Engineering and over five years of experience in Mixed Reality (XR), Sheldon develops tools and experiences that enhance spatial understanding, user interaction, and real-time design feedback.
Dan earned dual degrees in Structural Engineering and Sculpture from Penn State University and a Master of Arts in Civil Engineering from Princeton University.
Elizabeth Christoforetti is an Assistant Professor in Practice of Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Her teaching and research focus on emerging modes of design practice in the built environment. Her work at the GSD explores design methods, theories, and the technological building blocks that enable design practice to better confront the imperatives of our time, such as artificial intelligence and market-driven urbanism. Her research group within the Laboratory for Design Technologies aims to uncover the potentials for scalable systems of design by daylighting, operating upon, and designing new socio-technical systems – design that is dependent upon a combination of social and technological processes, and collaboration between them.
Elizabeth directs Supernormal, a design studio based in Cambridge, MA. She founded Supernormal to create meaningful and practical change through the intersection of architecture, urbanism, technology, and contemporary culture. Elizabeth directs Supernormal as an engaged design practice that meets the world exactly as it is, and with a glass that is half full.
Her design practice, research, and teaching explore the cultural implications of large data sets, human-machine collaboration, and scalable systems of design. Elizabeth’s work joins a perspective of radical pragmatism with a deep value for the potential of design imagination.
Pedro Fajardo is a BIM Manager at Princeton University’s Office of Capital Projects, specializing in digital technology for design and construction. With 12 years of industry experience, Pedro has established himself as a leader in leveraging innovative solutions to enhance project delivery.
As an Autodesk 40 Under 40 for Construction recipient, Pedro has been recognized for his exceptional achievements and contributions to the field. His background in architecture and experience with international projects provide a unique perspective on implementing BIM and construction technology across diverse environments. Pedro is passionate about exploring how the construction industry can harness technology to improve project outcomes. He constantly seeks to learn about emerging technologies and their potential applications in the built environment, often drawing inspiration from advancements in other sectors like the automotive and aerospace industries.
Throughout his career, Pedro has been instrumental in implementing cutting-edge tools and processes. His work involves streamlining workflows, improving collaboration, and driving data-driven decision-making across Princeton University’s capital projects. Pedro’s commitment to continuous learning and innovation aligns with the rapidly evolving landscape of construction technology. By staying at the forefront of industry trends, he contributes to shaping the future of project delivery and fostering a culture of digital transformation within his organization and the broader construction community.
Robert Yori leads AECOM’s Digital Solutions Studio and the Global Design Technologies Center of Excellence. Both groups enhance outcomes through practice-oriented digital transformation, design computation, data-focused workflows, and digital design and development.
Robert’s industry experience spans the architecture, engineering, sustainability, design for manufacturing, business development, innovation incubators, and software development sectors.
He serves on AIA New York’s Future of Architectural Practice Committee, is Program Manager for DBEI’s Design Technology Summit (DTS), is co-author of the Mastering Revit book series, and contributed to the AIA’s “Architect’s Guide to Building Performance.”
Mojdeh Kasraie is a licensed Architect and a Senior BIM and Computational Designer at Buro Happold, where she leads BIM practices and supports the integration of digital design tools across global projects. She plays a key role in implementing and refining BIM workflows, ensuring teams are aligned with best practices and project goals.
Moj collaborates closely with the Buro Happold development team, providing critical feedback on tool development and helping guide the successful rollout of these tools to broader project teams. With a focus on efficiency, coordination, and innovation, she helps bridge the gap between design intent and technical delivery.
She received her Master of Architecture from the University of Southern California and her B.S. in Architecture from the University of Texas.
Satoshi Kiyono is the New York Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Manager at Turner Construction Company, a global leader in complex and innovative building projects. With a Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Architecture from Columbia University, Satoshi brings a strong design and technology background to his role, where he focuses on advancing digital construction strategies and operational excellence.
Join us after TECH Perspectives New York on June 26, 2025, for the Graitec Solutions City Tour—an exclusive event where you’ll explore actionable solutions for enhancing data integrity, minimizing risks, and streamlining your design and construction BIM document workflows.
This event combines hands-on demonstrations of Ideate Software with an introduction to Graitec File Sync, designed to help you streamline your Revit tasks and safeguard your project files.
Taking place from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM at the Japan Society, we’ll kick things off with box lunches provided after TECH Perspectives. Earn 2 AIA Learning Units.
Limited Seating Available—save your spot now!
In 2025, Autodesk’s State of Design & Make report anticipates AI to play a larger role in design and make industries, with tools enhancing day-to-day workflows and impacting project outcomes.
While some leaders express concerns about AI, many are still bullish on its potential to drive digital transformation and improve efficiency. AI is seen as a key enabler for sustainability, with many companies using it to optimize processes and reduce environmental impact.
Check out this insight on AI use cases within the AECO.
Hosted by Microsol Resources, Graitec Group and now in its 11th year and our first as part of the Graitec family, TECH Perspectives New York offers presentations on the most cutting-edge technologies and trends that are driving the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry forward.
TECH Perspectives brings together pioneers, thought leaders, and innovators to delve into the transformative power of AI in reshaping design, engineering, and construction processes.
You can view last year’s TECH Perspectives here.
Join us at TECH Perspectives New York as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI in AEC, and together, unlock new possibilities for innovation and growth.
Experience hands-on technology demos and get valuable face time with industry experts. Discover new tools, gain design ideas and inspiration, and connect with industry leaders.
Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform helps you get everyone on the same page to plan, design, construct, and deliver better projects.
With Autodesk Construction Cloud, your project teams can collaborate securely and quickly, so you can deliver projects on time and on budget. Your single source of truth for every project as it connects teams and data from design to done.
In the dynamic world of architectural design and construction, efficiency is key. Ideate Software offers a suite of Revit add-ons that are engineered to streamline your BIM workflow and enhance productivity. With a focus on ease of use and powerful functionality, Ideate Software solutions are the perfect tools for Revit users looking to optimize their design process.
In a rapidly growing, data-driven market, Data Connect solutions enable AEC organizations to connect disparate business systems, synchronizing project and financial data seamlessly.
With Graitec Data Connect File Sync, the ultimate solution for protecting your critical project data safe, secure, and accessible—no matter where it lives.
Imagine. Design. Believe. Chaos provides world-class visualization solutions helping you share ideas, optimize workflows and create immersive experiences.
Photographs and/or video will be taken at this event. By taking part in this event you grant the event organizers full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for publicity or other purposes to help achieve the organizer’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, social media, press releases, and website. If you do not wish to be photographed please inform an event organizer.
Sustainable design has become a cornerstone of modern architecture and urban planning, emphasizing resource efficiency, environmental responsibility, and long-term resilience. As the construction industry faces increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints and optimize energy performance, digital tools like Autodesk Forma are revolutionizing the way architects and engineers approach sustainability.
By leveraging data-driven insights and predictive modeling, Autodesk Forma enables professionals to design buildings that minimize environmental impact while maximizing efficiency and functionality.
This article explores the role of Autodesk Forma in promoting sustainable design, its benefits, and the challenges it helps overcome in the pursuit of greener, more efficient buildings.
Sustainable design focuses on reducing resource consumption, minimizing waste, and creating buildings that enhance human well-being while mitigating their impact on the planet. Because buildings account for nearly 40% of global energy consumption and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, it is no wonder why sustainability in building design is of paramount importance. Key aspects of sustainable design include energy efficiency, water conservation, material sustainability, and indoor environmental quality.
As sustainability becomes a global priority, digital tools like Autodesk Forma are playing a pivotal role in enabling teams of architects and engineers to integrate sustainable principles into their designs from the earliest stages. By utilizing advanced simulations and real-time data, these tools can empower your team to make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals.
Autodesk Forma is a powerful cloud-based design tool that integrates sustainability analysis into the early stages of architectural planning. With AI tools and real-time environmental data, Forma enables architects, urban planners, and engineers to make data-driven decisions that optimize energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance overall building performance.
One of Forma’s key strengths is its ability to analyze site-specific conditions such as sunlight exposure, wind flow, and energy consumption patterns. These insights allow designers to adjust building orientations, facade designs, and material selections to maximize sustainability.
For example, Forma can simulate how different design choices impact daylight utilization and solar heat gain, helping architects optimize passive heating and cooling strategies. Additionally, Forma supports carbon impact assessments, allowing users to evaluate and reduce the embodied carbon of materials and construction processes. This feature is crucial as the industry shifts toward net-zero energy and carbon-neutral buildings.
Incorporating Autodesk Forma into the design process offers numerous benefits that enhance both environmental sustainability and project efficiency. By providing real-time data analysis and predictive simulations, Forma can help your cross-functional teams make informed decisions that lead to more sustainable outcomes.
Forma enables designers to assess solar exposure, wind patterns, and thermal performance, allowing them to optimize building orientation, glazing, and shading strategies to reduce energy consumption.
With real-time simulations and AI-driven analysis, Forma allows professionals to test multiple design scenarios and select the most sustainable option. This reduces guesswork and ensures that buildings meet energy performance and sustainability benchmarks.
Forma helps designers evaluate the embodied carbon of materials and explore low-impact alternatives, contributing to the creation of carbon-neutral structures. By integrating lifecycle analysis early in the process, projects can reduce long-term environmental effects.
Autodesk Forma provides insights into rainwater management, green infrastructure, and passive design strategies, helping architects incorporate features like green roofs, permeable surfaces, and efficient water systems.
Forma simplifies the process of meeting sustainability standards such as LEED, BREEAM, and WELL certifications. This ensures designs remain compliant with different sustainability standards.
Sustainable design is guided by a set of core principles that prioritize environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, and occupant well-being. By incorporating these principles into the design process, architects and engineers can create buildings that minimize negative environmental impacts while maximizing long-term benefits.
A key strategy in sustainable design is optimizing energy use through passive design techniques. This includes maximizing natural daylight, optimizing building orientation, and leveraging thermal mass to reduce reliance on artificial heating and cooling. Autodesk Forma helps designers simulate these factors, ensuring that buildings achieve optimal energy performance from the start.
Selecting low-impact, locally sourced, and recyclable materials is essential for reducing a building’s embodied carbon. Forma’s carbon impact assessment tools allow designers to evaluate materials based on their environmental footprint, helping them choose options that align with sustainability goals.
Sustainable design incorporates rainwater harvesting, efficient plumbing fixtures, and drought-resistant landscaping to minimize water waste. Forma provides climate and site analysis data, enabling architects to integrate water-efficient solutions tailored to specific geographic conditions.
With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, buildings must be designed to withstand environmental stresses. Forma’s climate analysis capabilities help professionals assess factors such as flood risks, wind loads, and temperature variations, allowing them to develop resilient, adaptable structures.
Sustainable buildings enhance occupant well-being by incorporating green roofs, vertical gardens, and outdoor communal spaces. These features improve air quality, regulate temperatures, and contribute to urban biodiversity. Forma’s urban analysis tools support the planning of these elements, ensuring they are integrated effectively.
Sustainable buildings aim to reduce environmental impact and enhance efficiency. Autodesk Forma supports this by optimizing energy use through strategies like solar orientation and passive cooling. It helps select low-carbon materials and improve indoor air quality by simulating natural lighting and ventilation.
Forma also facilitates water efficiency and the integration of renewable energy sources like solar panels, ensuring buildings are both eco-friendly and resilient. Additionally, Forma streamlines the incorporation of smart technologies, making buildings future-ready and energy-efficient.
The characteristics outlined above can be seen in examples of sustainable architecture all over the world. With green architecture gaining popularity as countries such as the United States attempt to reach its net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
Sustainable design faces several challenges, including high initial costs, complex regulations, late-stage sustainability integration, and industry resistance to change. Many stakeholders hesitate due to the upfront expenses of eco-friendly materials and renewable systems, even though these investments lead to long-term savings. Additionally, meeting sustainability standards like LEED and BREEAM requires extensive data tracking, and many projects struggle with accurately predicting energy performance and carbon impact.
Autodesk Forma helps overcome these barriers by integrating sustainability analysis from the conceptual stage, allowing designers to optimize energy efficiency, material selection, and carbon impact early in the process. Its AI-driven simulations and real-time performance metrics simplify compliance with regulations and provide cost-benefit analyses to justify sustainable investments.
Additionally, Forma’s user-friendly interface and integration with Autodesk’s ecosystem make it easier for firms to adopt sustainable practices without disrupting existing workflows. By addressing these challenges, Forma empowers architects and engineers to create sustainable, cost-effective, and high-performance buildings.
Autodesk Forma is transforming sustainable design by enabling data-driven decisions that optimize energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance building performance.
As the industry continues to prioritize sustainability, tools like Forma will play a crucial role in shaping the future of architecture, making it easier for professionals to create buildings that are not only environmentally responsible but also cost-effective and resilient. With ongoing advancements in AI and real-time analytics, the future of sustainable design looks promising, with greater integration of technology to meet global sustainability goals.
Microsol Resources. (n.d.). Autodesk Forma. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://microsolresources.com/software/autodesk/autodesk-forma/
Microsol Resources. (n.d.). What is Autodesk Forma & why is it important to the AEC workflow? Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://microsolresources.com/tech-resources/article/what-is-autodesk-forma-why-is-it-important-to-the-aec-workflow/
Microsol Resources. (n.d.). Enscape impact: Real-time insights for sustainable design. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://microsolresources.com/tech-resources/article/enscape-impact-real-time-insights-for-sustainable-design/
Microsol Resources. (n.d.). 7 examples of green architecture around the world. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://microsolresources.com/tech-resources/article/7-examples-of-green-architecture-around-the-world/
Farrelly, L. (2023, October 4). What is sustainable architecture? In The Spruce. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-sustainable-architecture-4846497
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