Agenda

1:00 – 1:30 PM Foster + Partners: From Real-Time to Real-World: Shaping AEC with XR and the Metaverse

• Speakers:
  • Charles Willcocks – Partner – Visualisation
  • David Gillespie – Associate Partner – Applied Research + Development, Forster + Partners
• An overview of how Foster + Partners have been at the forefront of real-time technology within the AEC industry. Driving innovation through a strategic combination of cutting-edge visualization tools coupled with bleeding edge development on the latest XR hardware technologies. They will show you where this is taking the future of our spatial environment, where hybrid spatial tools offer innovative opportunities for collaboration, crossing the boundaries between the digital and the real.
• Key Takeaways: 
  •  An understanding of the practical applications of realtime technologies, moving beyond the theoretical to direct application.

1:30 – 1:45 PM Q & A

1:45 – 2:05 PM WSP: GIS: The Foundation for All AEC Projects

• Speaker: Mark Kauffman – Technology Lead, Visualization & Data Intelligence, AVP, WSP
• Historically, GIS (Geographic Information System) has been a secondary aspect in AEC projects, often managed separately and only loosely integrated with project data. As we move from traditional plan sets to digital models, the role of GIS has shifted significantly, becoming the cornerstone of contemporary digital delivery workflows. This session will delve into geospatial principles, integrating geospatial and non-geospatial systems, operating in both horizontal and vertical spaces, working withing a common data environment, and the critical importance of incorporating GIS throughout the entire project lifecycle, including planning, design, construction, and asset management. We will also examine how leveraging GIS across the project lifecycle is essential for implementing effective digital twin environments.
• Key Takeaways: 
  • Better understanding of Geospatial and how its critical in tying projects together

Speaker Bios

Charles Willcocks – Partner – Visualisation – Foster + Partners

Charles’ visual storytelling skills were developed while working as a CG artist in film, TV and advertising. His passion for telling stories through film was further developed with a series of shorts that he directed and produced. As Head of Production in the Visualisation team, Charles directs and produces content to support the creative work of all teams within the practice. This spans film, animation, motion graphics and real-time experiences, visualising the developing narrative of the practice’s many projects.

Dave Willard – DTS Principal Technologist, Immersive Media Team Lead, HNTB

For the past 37+ years, Dave has focused his efforts on the development, implementation, and support of advanced technologies within the AEC Industry, with a focus on BIM and 3D Rapid Visualization. As an early of adopter of Revit/BIM, he has since directed BIM implementation programs for some of the top Architectural / Engineering firms in the United States and Southeast Asia, successfully leading Revit/BIM efforts for a wide variety of projects across the world, including some of Revit’s “Firsts” in the industry. Today, Dave works within HNTB’s Digital Infrastructure Solutions Team as the Immersive Media Team Lead, providing BIM & Rapid Visualization expertise on a wide variety of Projects. His latest efforts include Real-time Immersive Media development and gaming engine integrations for Digital Twin Delivery. 

Mark Kauffman – Technology Lead, Visualization & Data Intelligence, AVP, WSP

Mark’s journey in animation began in the dynamic early 1990s with Autodesk’s 3d Studio for DOS version 2. By 1995, he co-founded Paradigm Ranch Animation Studios and contributed to film and television projects for prominent clients like Disney, Warner Bros, and the ad agency DDB. In 2003, Mark transitioned from VFX to engineering and design visualization, joining the Visualization & Data Intelligence (VDI) group at WSP. There, he worked on significant initiatives such as the Presidio Parkway, the new East Bay Bridge in San Francisco, the Seattle SR 99 Tunnel, California High-Speed Rail, and the renovation of New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Currently, Mark holds the position of VDI technology lead and is part of WSP’s digital delivery advisory committee. 

Reeti Gupta – Senior Special Projects Lead, Futures, HKS

Reeti Gupta is a Visionary Design Technology Projects Leader at HKS with their new Futures Practice, she focuses on innovative design solutions and problem solving through creative storytelling and data driven processes on their projects. She deepens the firm’s bench of knowledge as a global mentor and enjoys delivering projects through implementation of current and emerging technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Immersive Technologies (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Twins and Real-Time Technologies (Metaverse). 

She has over 23 years of work experience on projects in Healthcare, Retail, Commercial, Mixed-Use and Hospitality. She is deeply interested in bringing her strengths and skillsets to help with projects for the benefit of the community where she keenly watches and educates others in the areas of intersection in Data and Digital technologies such as Smart Cities, ESG and Augmented Reality in the built world.