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8 approach to the collaborative design, construction, and op- eration of buildings. With Nemetschek solutions support- ing the Trimble Connect platform – a cloud-based collabo- ration environment that features an open environment for BIM-based AEC workflows – Trimble and Nemetschek are coordinating their efforts to offer best-of-breed solutions for customers. “Across the DBO spectrum, customers want the freedom to choose the best tools for the job and the security of know- ing those tools will work together. But too often they find that the data they need is not interoperable across their dif- ferent software workflows,” says Bryn Fosburgh, vice pres- ident responsible for Trimble’s Construction Technology Divisions. “Our companies’ shared vision is to give users a choice, rather than dictate what they use. We’re pleased to partner with Nemetschek on these important initiatives.” “Our customers already enjoy the benefits of workflow in- tegration between most of our products. This collaboration allows us to provide an overarching strategic layer on top of everything we do,” says Patrik Heider, spokesman and CFOO of the Nemetschek Group. “This will better enable us to provide our customers with end-to-end workflow solu- DBO, from page 5

tions that cover the entire AEC lifecycle in a fully transpar- ent and open way.” COLLABORATION BEGETS COLLABORATION. Rob Painter, general manager of Trimble Buildings , explains that the all-too- common lack of collaboration among professionals in the construction industry is detrimental to project accuracy, ef- ficiency, safety, and overall quality. “We don’t believe the problem will be solved by only one company’s solution,” he says. “But, we feel confident that our coordinated efforts and strong technology portfolios will have a major impact to improve the situation.” Along with strengthening “the office-to-field connection,” Painter says that the alliance will marry Nemetschek’s ar- chitectural 3-D design software with Trimble’s project man- agement technologies and precision tools, such as GPS, con- struction lasers, total stations, scanners, unmanned aerial vehicles, and wireless communications. “Just as there isn’t a single tool that can solve the challenges of all disciplines in the design-build-operate lifecycle, there is more than one area that will benefit from our collabora- tion,” he says.

WORKSPACE, from page 7

will soon begin and are typically at the forefront of many owner’s concept for their workplace,” he says. The details build and the design be- comes more “in-focus” as the architect and client refine the design until ac- tual furniture, casework, glazing, and partition systems are completely re- solved. THE RIGHT STUFF. Leigh Stringer, a senior workplace expert with EYP Architec- ture & Engineering (New York, NY), a 525-person firm, says that successful workplace designers are really good at asking the right questions at the right time in the design process. “Their tactics typically involve a com- bination of research and ‘engagement’ with clients to find out what is work- ing today and how they would like to work in the future,” she says. “The de-

signer’s approach may vary based on project requirements and the level of change involved – in other words, how different the ‘new space’ will look and operate versus the current space.” Engagement activities might involve executives, managers, employees, vendors, contractors, partners, or oth- er stakeholders in workshops, inter- views, focus groups, surveys, or obser- vations during the design process. “Right before and after move-in, work- place designers might also need to en- gage in change management activities, helping clients to use their space ef- fectively, leverage new technology, or adopt new workplace behaviors. Re- search shows that the more engage- ment clients have in the process of de- signing their workplace, the more like- ly they are to like it and use it produc- tively,” she says.

“While there isn’t a right way, there are right things to do and being complete- ly transparent on both ends about needs, design, and goals is the fastest way to take the tools out of the box and use them to put together a physi- cal building solution,” Medd says. Help them visualize. Kevin Berman, partner at Hoefer Wysocki Architec- ture (Leawood, KS), a 99-person firm, says that early design concepts need to be loose and gestural, fostering a first round of critique by the owner. “Sketching, computer modeling, day- lighting studies, zoning of the space, and a myriad of other tools are pre- sented for initial feedback. These graphic tools are necessary so the owner can visualize the space, and the design team can pull the team’s focus away from the planning efforts which

WORLD’S COOLEST OFFICES 2015 The top five designs featured in Inc. magazine’s fifth annual highlight of the coolest offices around the globe:

Airbnb | San Francisco Designed by: Interior Design Fair & WRNS Studio

Bluecore | New York Designed by: Justin Huxol of Huxhux Design for Homepolish

Ekimetrics | Paris Designed by: Estelle Vincent Architecture

Kickstarter | Brooklyn Designed by: Ole Sondresen

iHeartMedia | New York Designed by: Architecture + Information and Beneville Studios

THE ZWEIG LETTER NOVEMBER 2, 2015, ISSUE 1126

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