Managing Design

CHAPTER 13Technology: Leveraging Data

INTERVIEW

Arol Wolford, Hon. AIA

Owner, VIMaec, Building Systems Design

27th October 2017

Arol Wolford, Hon. AIA, is a serial entrepreneur, visionary, and software developer instrumental in pioneering new technologies to inform and manage design. In the 1980s, he was one of the first to bring data mining to the AEC workspace by founding Construction Market Data, an industry reporting media firm with hundreds of thousands of subscribers and products users – CMD, Architects First Source, and R.S. Means – all sold to Reed Elsevier in 2002. He serves on the board of DesignIntelligence, and the Design Futures Council. He is currently owner of VIMaec , a 3D visualization and data optimization tool using the Unity gaming engine to link 3D models and data to create virtual information models (VIMs) from building information models (BIMs). He recently acquired Building Systems Design (BSD), a leader in linked, intelligent building specifications and cost information since the 1980s.

Through his leadership in applying technology to the AEC professions, he has connected design and construction through managed information for decades. A frequent speaker, presenter, and juror, he was recognized by the American Institute of Architects as Honorary AIA in 1997.

Mining the Data, Counting Your Blessings, and Seeing Clearly or “Life Is ...