Introducing RTC Spotlight Events: In-Depth Discussions for Industry Innovators

RTC’s Spotlight Events are a new series of hybrid gatherings designed to connect small groups of top-tier professionals from specific industries—such as VFX, Animation, Digital Fashion, Architecture, Automotive, Education, Retail & 3D Commerce, Interactive Storytelling, and more—for focused and intimate discussions on cutting-edge topics.

San Diego, October 14

Advancing Real-Time Technologies in AECO

Join us on October 14, 2024, for an exclusive RTC Spotlight Event focused on the future of real-time technologies in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sectors. This event will showcase the pivotal role of GIS and real-time technologies in modernizing AEC workflows, from immersive 3D visualizations to intelligent design processes that enhance collaboration and quality across project phases. Registration is free for RealTime Society Members!

Event Highlights

  • Date & Time
    • October 14, 2024, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Location
    • HNTB San Diego – Wells Fargo Plaza – 401 B St, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Agenda Overview
    • GIS: The Foundation for AEC Projects
      • Understanding the integration of geospatial systems in digital workflows.
    • Digital Storytelling in Real-Time for AEC Design
      • Explore how real-time gaming engine technologies visualize large infrastructure projects.
    • Designing for the Future: Harnessing Intelligent Digital Processes
      • Learn about integrating architecture with real-time technologies for innovative solutions.
    • Fireside Chat
      • A panel discussion on the standardization of technology in AECO, exploring the integration of AI, VR, and Digital Twins.

Networking Opportunities: Engage with industry leaders over lunch, breaks, and a networking dinner.

Limited Seating – Only 32 Spots Available!

  • Hurry, seats are limited! We only have space for 32 in-person attendees at this year’s AEC Spotlight Event, and spots are filling up quickly. Make sure you register as soon as possible to guarantee your place at this exclusive gathering of AEC industry professionals. Don’t wait—secure your spot now!
  RTS Member Non-member
    ≤ Sept 29 > Sept 29 3+ Attendees (*) Conference Lunch/Snacks Dinner
In-Person Full Access $0 $129 $149 $119 x x x
In-Person Conference Only $0 $49 $59 $45 x    
In-Person Closing Dinner Only $0 $49 $59 $45     x
Remote Online Participant $0 $25 $30 $20 x    

(*) 4+ Attendees – Email us directly, and we’ll contact you with the details and discount.

This event is designed for professionals eager to stay at the cutting edge of technological advancements in AECO. Gain practical insights and connect with peers to drive your projects forward.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation. Register now to secure your spot!

Agenda

12:00 – 1:30 PM Sign-In & Lunch

  • Settle in and connect with fellow professionals over Lunch before the day’s sessions begin.

1:30 – 1:45 PM Welcome and Introductions

  • Kick off the event with a warm welcome and introductions, setting the stage for a collaborative and insightful experience.

1:45 – 2:05 PM 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
2:05 – 2:30 PM Q & A

2:30-2:50 PM Digital Storytelling in Realtime for AEC Design

  • Speaker: Dave WillardDTS Principal Technologist, Immersive Media Team Lead, HNTB
  • This topic will discuss how HNTB is using Real-time gaming engine development to support design data visualizations for large infrastructure projects.  We will touch on the multiple data sources used to quickly build real-time 3D environments for our Infrastructure projects, how HNTB is using these 3D environments to paint a clearer picture of our projects for both internal design use, as well as building client & public understanding. We will wrap up this topic showing how we’ve integrated a 3D Quality Control tool into our Real-time environments allowing for an enhanced review/comment solution all stakeholders can use.
  • Key Takeaways:
    • How Gaming Engine Technologies are being used to visualize large Infrastructure Projects
    • Understanding the multiple data resources for Rapid 3D Viz environment Builds
    • Experience a new take on Real-time Quality Control Environments
2:50 – 3:15 PM Q & A
3:15 – 3:30 PM BREAK

3:30 – 3:50 PM Designing for the future: Harnessing Intelligent Digital Processes 

  • Speaker: Kerenza Harris – Director of Advanced Technology and Associate Principal, Morphosis Architects
  • Join us as we explore the dynamic integration of architecture with real-time technologies, where the design process is embedded within a digital computational and organizational matrix. This matrix serves as the nexus for all physical and digital interactions, allowing processes to unfold both within and beyond its bounds. While the design process traditionally follows a linear path, centralizing digital models within this matrix introduces flexibility, enabling multi-directional timelines and real-time adaptations. By embedding intelligence in digital spaces and architectural geometry, we can address complex global and local challenges with enhanced control over design solutions. Discover how real-time technologies are revolutionizing our approach to architecture, empowering us to innovate with greater precision and responsiveness.

3:50 – 4:20 PM Q & A

4:20 – 5:20 PM Fireside Chat: Standardizing Technology to Stop Chasing and Start Utilizing in Production

  • Panelists:
    • Mark Kauffman -Technology Lead, Visualization & Data Intelligence, AVP, WSP;
    • Dave WillardDTS Principal Technologist, Immersive Media Team Lead, HNTB;
    • Kerenza Harris – Morphosis – Director of Advanced Technology and Associate Principal, Morphosis Architects,
    • Austin Reed– Director Creative Media Studio, AVP, HNTB,
    • Mateusz Gawad – Visualization Regional Director, HOK
    • Moderator: Reeti Gupta, Senior Special Projects Lead, Futures, HKS
  • Join us for an engaging fireside chat on the crucial role of technology standardization in the AECO industry. We’ll explore the shift from constantly chasing the latest tools to maximizing the potential of existing technologies in production. This session will focus on standardizing processes for large-scale projects, emphasizing the importance of interoperability between various tools, collaboration with different firms, and streamlined workflows. We will dive into the integration of AI to boost efficiency and achieve diverse outcomes. The panel will also highlight the significance of visualization in delivering advanced solutions such as Digital Twins in real-time environments, immersive technology like VR, and pixel streaming deliverables, all aimed at enhancing QA/QC processes in projects.

5:20 – 5:45 PM Closing Remarks

  • Wrap up the day’s discussions with closing thoughts, key takeaways, and a look at what’s next for real-time technology in AECO.

6:00 – 8:00 PM Happy Hour and Dinner (Location TBD)

  • Continue the conversation in a relaxed setting over dinner and drinks, allowing for further networking and relationship-building with fellow attendees.

Why Attend?

This event is a must-attend for professionals dedicated to staying at the forefront of technological innovation in the AECO industry. Whether you are involved in architecture, engineering, construction, or operations, this event will provide you with valuable insights, practical knowledge, and meaningful connections that can drive your projects and career forward.

Speaker Bios

Austin Reed – Director Creative Media Studio, AVP, HNTB

For over 20 years Austin has been bringing his passion for video games and the technology used to create them into other industries to help visually communicate and tell a story. Austin is currently the Director of the Creative Media Studio at HNTB where they visualize the largest Infrastructure projects in the United States. He is active in multiple local and worldwide advisory boards that he sees help grow the real time community. When Austin isn’t trying to spread his passion for real time technologies he spends time with his wife Ashley and kids Calen and Caitlyn. Austin is active in Boy Scouts as an Assistant Scout Master and an Elder at his Church.  

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. 

Kerenza Harris – Director of Advanced Technology and Associate Principal, Morphosis Architects

Kerenza Harris is the Director of Advanced Technology and Associate Principal at Morphosis. She oversees advanced computational design and simulation for all projects. Her team focuses on the research, development, documentation and integration of real-time technologies from early concept phases through the construction process. She also leads the design, optimization, and construction of exterior envelopes with special focus on complex systems and complex geometry. She developed the terracotta façade for the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa, CA, as well as the main GFRP façade of the Kolon One & Only Tower in Seoul, South Korea.   

Kerenza is also faculty at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), where her teaching focuses on digital design tools and integrated project delivery. She is a frequent speaker on design computation and its impact on the making of architecture. 

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.

Mateusz Gawad – Visualization Regional Director, HOK

Mateusz Gawad is a visual artist and creative technologist with close to 20 years of professional experience in architecture visualization, advertising, game development and industrial design. Since 2015 leading the visual communication department from HOK’s Washington, D.C. office. As a Regional Director, he oversees the digital content creation process across multiple disciplines to ensure consistency in the quality of the visual product. He serves as a firm-wide leader of creative technologies, VR/AR and Generative AI research, developing and overseeing visualization standards and client strategies. Since 2020 Member-at-Large on the Board of American Society of Architectural Illustrators committed to the community, advocacy, and improvement of architectural visual communication worldwide, as well as preservation of the craft of portraying architecture. At the same time committed to innovation and adoption of modern technologies as a curator of the AECO Special Interest Group of the Real-Time Community.

And thank you!

A Special Thanks to Our Partners and AECO SIG Leaders

We’re grateful for the support of our valued partners, whose collaboration helps make the RealTime Spotlight Events possible. A heartfelt thank you also goes out to the leaders of the AECO Special Interest Group for their dedication and leadership in driving innovation within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations community. Your contributions continue to shape the future of our industry.

Thank You to Our Supporters