We continue our 2020 predictions series with Allister Lewis, founder of the Association of Data-Driven Design, and Galliford Try’s John Ford with their tips for the new year.
Allister Lewis
What is your New Year resolution?
This coming year it may be to focus on one or two key projects and implement them as effectively as possible. With so many new developments in the industry: new software, ways of working, processes, standards and client needs, it’s easy to become distracted and spread yourself too thin. My aim is to focus on a few key areas to ensure these are delivered in the best possible way.
What piece of kit might you buy in the sales (non-work)?
A drone. This has been on my list for a while.
What is your most important lesson learnt from 2019?
That it is impossible to know everything. There are a number of people who are experts in their respective fields, I am interested in a number of these but I accept it’s okay not to be an expert. For example, the world of generative design is fascinating, however understanding the opportunities it provides is a great place to start without being a super-user.
What innovative technology are you most excited about in 2020?
Rather than a technology, I’m interested in understanding the data that can support a data-driven approach. This is the ambition behind the Association of Data-Driven Design – www.addd.io. The aim is to be able to share this across industry and support three key aims: greater sustainability in construction; increasing productivity; and reducing costs with data-driven processes.
What individual or company is going to be one to watch this year?
Hypar appears to be really interesting development and I can see this expanding in 2020.
Which construction technology do you think might make the leap into mainstream adoption this year?
Drones on site – for surveying, illustrating progress and quality, monitoring sites, inspecting structures and supporting safety. It appears time for this to be part of the way we work.
What do you see as potentially the biggest barrier to digital construction progress in 2020?
Short-term decision-making and missing the longer-term benefits of managing data over the life-cycle of a building or asset. There is a lot of opportunity for clients to take advantage of and these require foresight, good judgement, and long-term decision-making.
What industry event are you looking forward to attending?
Shape to Fabrication 2020. This was excellent two years ago and the speakers and content were consistently excellent and absorbing.
John Ford
What is your New Year resolution?
To lose two years of house renovation weight gain!
What piece of kit might you buy in the sales (non-work)?
An e-bike, to help with weight loss… and fatigue.
What is your most important lesson learnt from 2019?
Never move house again.
What innovative technology are you most excited about in 2020?
Electric cars.
What individual or company is going to be one to watch this year?
Me and ours of course!
Which construction technology do you think might make the leap into mainstream adoption this year?
Dalux.
What do you see as potentially the biggest barrier to digital construction progress in 2020?
Adversarial cultures around minimalist fees and contracts.
What industry event are you looking forward to attending?
BIM Show Live.
