Buildings, People & Technology

DESIGN QUAR- BUILDINGS, PEOPLE & TECHNOLOGY TERLY ISSUE 09 Dynamic response to digitally driven change DESIGN

THOUGHTS, TRENDS AND INNOVATION QUAR- FROM THE STANTEC BUILDINGS GROUP. The Stantec Design Quarterly tells stories that showcase thoughtful, forward-looking TERLY ISSUE 09 approaches to design that build community. IN THIS ISSUE: BUILDINGS, PEOPLE & TECHNOLOGY

Increasingly, our digital life intersects with design of the built environment. Technological change challenges our clients to keep pace. The tools and methods we use for designing, building and getting feedback are changing quickly.

In this issue, we look at tech from both the design practice and the client perspective, from the digital twin concept to 3D scanning, which digital trends we should design for, and when to think beyond them. Get to know the digital twin

The next gamechanger for digital design and buildings.

BY RICHARD BAKER AND SETH ELY Top five categories of data cities are using now

100

2020 may be the year 90 of the digital twin. 80

60 For designers and planners facing the challenges of designing a smarter, more sustainable building and 50 community, the digital twin is a potentially powerful NUMBEROF CITIES game-changer. We’re experiencing a push to develop 40 and implement the digital twin. But what exactly is the buzz about? What is a digital twin, what elements 30 define it? When can/should we apply this technology? What makes it so powerful? And how will its adoption 20 influence our design process and ultimately our buildings and cities? > 10

1 2 3 4 5

1. IoT–data from the interconnection of devices and machines 2. Artificial Intelligence–data derived through AI and machine learning 3. Real-time–data used immediately after it is generated 4. Citizen satisfaction–data sourced from regular surveys of citizens 5. Administrative–internal data from across departments and city services Microsoft 83 Redmond, Washington Architect of Record: BORA Interiors and ZGF Shell Engineer of Record: Stantec Source: Building a Hyperconnected City, a survey of 100 cities by ESI ThoughtLab co-sponsored by Stantec Check out this interactive piece on 7 Best Practices of Highly Effective Smart Cities Top five categories of data cities plan to develop in next three years Lincoln Square Bellevue, Washington Architect: HKS Architects Lighting design by Stantec What is a digital twin? A single pane of glass 100 There are many ways to define digital Across the industry, the ideal metaphor for twin and it’s likely our understanding will digital twins is the “single pane of a glass.” 90 change as we see it go from concept to real Ideally, we are creating a single pane of glass world application. A digital twin is a digital to look into the building where all systems 80 representation of a physical environment are in one spot. In general, today’s systems that collects real time data, it’s where the real and data are distributed and siloed, they 70 world meets data science and computational are difficult to manage and understand as engineering. This digital model incorporates a whole. From an operations perspective 60 not only the building information model, but we could have users creating different KPIs also live system data from devices within for what they feel is critical and necessary 50 the building. All these different data streams information, but it results in a mixed and

NUMBEROF CITIES are brought together and expressed in a unwieldly segmented data stream. But what 40 common 3D environment to, in simple terms, happens if we create a unified data platform recreate the physical world. It allows users that places all this data together, side by side? 30 and operators to query, analyze and track the inputs as well as the parameters of the model User interfaces 20 itself to create a variety of uses. Not everyone accesses the data the same way. A unified data platform is overlaid 10 It's visual. with a system featuring multiple user

1 2 3 4 5 Buildings have been collecting data for interfaces. The building operator will work years. It’s the 3D representation that enables with an interface that show the KPIs that are 1. IoT–data from the interconnection us to visualize the data and see it in real important to them, say energy consumption of devices and machines time that’s the game changer. This data and occupancy. Another user might access 2. Real-time–data used immediately after it is generated rich platform allows us to see and use that the data related to emergency preparedness historical collection of data to understand to see how the building will operate during 3. Artificial Intelligence–data derived through AI and machine learning how a building performs and how it’s an extreme weather event or emergency. 4. Administrative–internal data from being used. Rather than a virtual “mirror” Another access point might simply allow across departments and city services of the building, the digital twin is a visible employees to see the location of the available 5. Business–data from local companies abstraction of all the usable, relevant data desks in a free address system. > reflecting trends and activities of their customers about the building.

Source: Building a Hyperconnected City, a survey of 100 cities by ESI ThoughtLab co-sponsored by Stantec TAKE THE QUIZ Are you Smart Cities Smart? Stantec Tower Edmonton, AB What are the elements that make a digital twin?

Internet of things Can be focused Hot data vs. cold data Internet of things or IOT The digital twin can be A digital twin offers clients BUILDING SYSTEMS HAVE devices are devices that collect leveraged at several levels of the opportunity to bring all data from a sensor and send implementation. Some digital this data together, to harness ALWAYS PRODUCED A that data to the cloud. In the twins are relatively focused on the future power of cold data, LOT OF DATA BUT IT cloud, a conglomeration of a specific function, say on so that people understand IS TYPICALLY ONLY data from many devices has energy use. A power utility how their interactions with ACCESSIBLE TO ENGINEERS the potential to relay a lot of company, for example, might the building and business are AND DOES NOT PROVIDE intelligence about everything deploy a digital twin strategy related to it. When we’re making ANY VALUE TO USERS. THIS from room occupation to on a district scale. data relevant, we’re turning it IS COLD DATA. technology use to temperature into hot data. and air quality. They're interested in data sets related to energy use because THE DIGITAL TWIN The IOT device itself is not their key performance indicators PROMISES TO MAKE necessarily a digital twin but are all about power usage and BUILDING DATA VISIBLE SO combining IOT sensors and efficiency. IT CAN BE ACCESSED AND IOT inputs with the digital twin ANALYZED BY END USERS creates a really powerful tool. When we talk about live data TO SUPPORT THEIR GOALS. inputs, we’re talking about the ACTIONABLE BUILDING data from IOT devices relaying DATA IS HOT DATA. information into the digital twin.

Get to know the digital twin | 04 Stantec Tower Creating a digital twin at Stantec Tower Edmonton, AB

We are in the process of creating a digital twin and a smart building and living learning lab in Stantec’s Edmonton tower. Here are a couple of the promising facets from Stantec Tower’s digital twin we’re investigating and hoping to push forward.

THE INSTANT FEEDBACK LOOP

Typically, in the process of design development you Practically, digital twin is likely to have a profound effect do research, you develop strategies, you build it, you on how we design buildings. Either by code or by training, implement it, and then you evaluate how successful it overwhelmingly, designers are taught to over design was. In the traditional building design process, we receive in the current paradigm. Overdesign impacts costs, but most of the feedback at the one-year mark in a post- also sustainability and embodied carbon. Once we start occupancy evaluation. Then you do the next project to understand the data, we can understand where with the data or feedback from your previous project, overdesign is happening, we can reduce infrastructure, captured at just one moment in time, in mind. So, we can update codes, and then we can start to create traditionally, we accumulate design feedback sequentially truly sustainable smart buildings, which aggregate into from project to project. sustainable smart cities.

Digital twin technology changes all that. A digital We could, for example, through digital twin identify a twin gives us access to continuous and ongoing peak energy requirement. We could then design a system feedback around systems, performance, and utilization that meets that maximum requirement but leverages within the building. It’s a much richer and prolonged timing or scheduling to shift the load and minimize the feedback process. energy use so that a smaller system can be used. The result? Greater efficiency and cost savings. With continuous access to the data visualization of the digital twin, we can receive instant and continuous And we’re just getting started imagining the potential of feedback from our design. We can test and simulate the digital twin. It’s theorized that in the future the digital changes to the system before they are implemented. twin will harness the power of AI to refine and improve

Ultimately, this means that the digital twin will change systems autonomously. Constantly adjusting toward This Globe and Mail series speaks to the breadth and depth of our 01 the design process just as much as building operations. smarter and more efficient systems.> experience and expertise in Smart Cities. INTEGRATING THE DIGITAL TWIN AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL

The power of a digital twin really starts to get interesting if we think about aggregating data digital models of buildings within a defined area. We could literally create a model of a district, a town. 02 In the example of Stantec Tower, how can our data be integrated into the ICE District in Edmonton in which it resides? How can this help us make connections with intelligent transportation or intelligent power? What kind of information can we gather on the district level that will help us change the way we approach design for buildings? We’re just beginning to uncover the possibilities. >

Stantec Tower Edmonton, AB Stantec Tower Edmonton, AB

A UNIFIED MODEL

At present, the typical digital twin often consists of minimal characteristics modeled onto and specific to one type of system. We have yet to see fully integrated, 360-degree integration. Based on what we're developing today, we think the most powerful platform in the future will be a model that unifies disparate systems within a building. We’re working to refine and develop our digital twin at Stantec Tower to incorporate the deep resources and pools of expertise we have into this unified, integrated model. By doing so, we create a broader vision and potential for digital twin—one that is connected to a broad range of KPIs that our owners can use.

We’re just starting to understand the collective power of digital twins. Once we can aggregate individual building’s digital twin into districts or geographies, we’ll be able to realize the power of a smart city. We’ll be able to uncover efficiencies MORE SMART CITIES possible with district heating or water or other interconnected infrastructure. We’ll be able plan Richard Baker focuses on the and build more resilient communities because design and implementation of the infrastructure for technology we can test scenarios for extreme weather systems in buildings from our events or pandemics using the digital twin—at Lynnwood, Washington office. Seattle-based lighting designer the building and community scale. That’s game Seth Ely creates meaningful and changing. This data-rich approach is going to practical spaces at art museums, public spaces, civic buildings, change the way we design buildings, cities, and and educational facilities. 03 our sustainable future. D Staying smart Hospitality design in the digital era

BY DUK KIM

The way travelers use technology is changing the hospitality industry. Apps for discount booking, Airbnb services, and in-room tech have already upended the business. Digital tech continues to present us with design challenges. As designers we look at the ways our design for hospitality can accommodate technological evolution intelligently to bring value to the guest and our client. These are some of the digital trends and challenges I see impacting the hospitality industry right now.

Citizen M Hotel New York, NY Architect: Stephen B. Jacobs Group Engineer of Record: Stantec Check-in Streaming with ease Let’s talk basics. How are people of the future going to By now many of us are used to streaming our favorite check into and unlock their rooms? Very few hotels use a programs whenever we like at home, on our laptops or via real key anymore. They’re in the process of getting rid of smart devices. And some hotels tout the ability to watch the magnetic strips, that’s old technology—the new key is our streams on their flat screens, but if it’s too difficult to an RFID card. And the next big advancement is a digital key “cast” our programs, this can lead to frustration. After all, on your smartphone. But a basic question arises. It may we’re traveling, we want to relax, we don’t want to click work for a good segment of people, but there's going to be through menus. Hospitality providers that can create more a contingent who may not be able to figure out how to use seamless streaming experience for technology travelers it. What works for most? We must strike a balance between use will have an advantage. innovation and ease of use. Rideshare Universal configurations The ability to hail a car with a smartphone app empowers It wasn’t too long ago when many hotels thought it would travelers, but it poses significant challenges for large hotels. be great to have iHome charger/audio devices in guest With a 150-key hotel, accommodating rideshare traffic at rooms. And it wasn’t so long after they invested in these the entrance might not be a big deal. But at the 5,000-room devices that Apple changed the charger on its iPhones, hotels you find in Vegas and with convention centers, it is a rendering the iHomes quickly obsolete. Naturally, hoteliers very big deal. How are those rideshare users getting picked have to stay on top of these tech compatibility details now up? Where and how do they queue? One solution we we’ve more than ever. Should they now adapt to Apple’s current seen is the creation of rideshare pick-up locations away lightning charger? Not so fast. The European Union is from the front of the property. demanding a universal configuration from Apple that would push lightning out. And what about Android phone users? I But that’s where the details matter. Today’s cars are bigger, see more hotels embracing Bluetooth connectivity, a nearly rideshare vehicles are often SUVs, not cab-sized sedans. universal feature in smartphones. They must, however, do And hotels are often adapting areas for rideshare pick-up this in a dummy-proof way. And it doesn’t enable charging. that were not meant for that kind of vehicular traffic or any Smartphone room compatibility might sound mundane, pick-up and drop-off at all. Many use planters to create but these choices about technology add up to the guest barriers between pick-up and pedestrian areas. Imagine experience. And for large hotels, they’re a significant rideshare vehicles entering these unfamiliar areas with an investment. Hotels must opt for the easy and instinctual SUV’s limited visibility? Predictably, they back over planters over the complex whenever they can to make the most and we get gridlock. These are unintended consequences from digital tech. of ad-hoc adaptations to technology and hospitality. We’re Aloft Hotel being asked to create innovative and smart solutions for South Beach, FL rideshare at both new and existing hotels. >

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Staying smart | 09 In my team’s design process, we walk The Merchant Kitchen & Bar through the entire hotel experience from Winnipeg, Manitoba guest drop-off to room entry, we visit the fitness center and experience the bar and the dining room. We identify how people go through the natural progression of the spaces and we look to create genuine moments. We trace our path through every single possible moment in time in that particular The Instagrammable moment hotel. And we identify which of those could In hospitality design, there is such a thing as be peak moments or interesting discoveries being too on trend. Take the Instagrammable along the path. We think about design from a moment for instance. The minute you start long-term experiential point of view. putting up a sign that says “take a photo here” or “Instagram moment here,” you turn a From our perspective, there’s a chance to have portion of your property into a theme park. I fun with transition or utility spaces. We can understand that there may be certain times, create ‘Aha moments’ in the spots where you particularly in restaurants or entertainment least expect them. venues where you want to be cute, you want to be funny, and that’s great. But you’ll achieve Tech overload, tech fatigue a higher level of sophistication and refinement But are some hotels going too far with in letting these moments occur naturally as technology? Perhaps. It’s wise to consider that opposed to forcing the issue. the guests are likely using the room for the first time. Is it intuitive for them to figure out how to There’s a trend toward using large scale turn off the automated lights that switched on graphics and street art-inspired murals or when they entered? Some high-end hotels have enlarged photographs as wall covering and a glass partition between the bathtub and to for parts of feature walls. That’s exciting and the rest of the guest room and with the flick of those can become Instagrammable moments a switch an electric charge makes it completely themselves. There are opportunities to opaque or transparent. That’s a cool experience, create moments that are photographable, unless of course, you don’t know how it works or memorable without being so obvious. know where to find the switch. >

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Staying smart | 10 The same can be said for hotels MORE HOSPITALITY that experiment tablet-controlled functions. Theoretically guests can Chicago-based hospitality control their flat screen TV, the leader Duk Kim draws on his experience in global design room lighting, window shades, set and design education in alarms and order room service, collaborative hospitality projects that reflect today’s culture. all from a dedicated tablet device. That’s great for the technology savvy, but who might be left out or confused? Hospitality design will be more successful when it allows for guests to use their personal technology as seamlessly as possible without forcing visitors to adopt a new app, password or device that they didn’t bargain for when they booked. While technology and how we use it will continue to influence hospitality, we should continue to evaluate the experience from the traveler’s point of view, not just a smartphone lens. D

Hotel Zachary Chicago, IL

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Staying smart | 11 SCANNINGSMARTER USING REALITY CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY ON RENOVATIONS

BY ZILDA HIJAZIN AND DAVID KURY Take a 3D walkthrough of Stantec’s Vancouver office from your smartphone or computer.”

In the past, the ability to At Stantec, our designers are using programs see spaces precisely as including Matterport, a 3D- scanning product which originated as a real estate marketing tool. they are and walk through The Matterport’s power is in its ability to stitch them in three-dimension together thousands of images. Move it through sounded like science a space two meters at a time and its camera fiction. Enter Google Earth. captures detailed, zoomable 360-degree visuals. It’s essentially a 3D mapping tool. Now anyone, anywhere could visit any place on Document what exists Earth from our backyard Walking through a space we absorb an abundance to the pyramids. Today, of information that conventional two-dimensional plans and photos simply cannot communicate. advances in reality We discovered the Matterport is a fantastic tool capture technology have for documenting the existing conditions of a site, made this technology remote or not. Now we are using creating 3D fly- more accessible than ever throughs on most of our healthcare renovation projects in British Columbia. before. Hyper-detailed virtual walkthroughs for If we have any existing space, whether its shelled The power of conversation space or otherwise scanning it and making a buildings is now a reality. We thought the most powerful feature of 3D of the conversation this immersive environment digital twin is always our first step. This technology holds scanning would be its ability to link the point generates. The fly-through enables clients to show cloud scan generated with our BIM and Revit and tell simultaneously. We can point to an area enormous potential for For example, our Victoria office is working on models. In our experience, however, its most and say what's going on here? How often do you the architecture and a renovation to the surgical daycare unit within influential aspect has been how it revolutionized use this medical gas outlet, this light fixture? a hospital on Vancouver Island. Hospitals are construction industries. the quality of conversations we have with clients notoriously hard places to document in detail So how are architects and consultants. No 2D image has ever been The digital twin allows us to get straight to the due to their 24/7 operation and infection control as useful as a client walking the existing space point. We’ve even begun sketching overtop of and designers using these concerns. We can quickly scan a space in off-peak with us as they show us how and where they the flythrough and saving screenshots as our powerful digital tools to hours to limit disruptions to operations. During a work. Now, with these fly-throughs, we can meeting markups. Even if we’re designing a global pandemic like COVID-19, rather than sending capture, explore, and speak to them from anywhere while they move new building, a Matterport scan of the client’s our staff into a dangerous environment, we can document spaces? through the space in three dimensions. We’ve existing space to > virtually re-walk the space at the click of a button been amazed at the depth and richness from our home office.

Scanning smarter | 13 understand how and where they work can health authorities in lower mainland Canada Before After be valuable. The 3D walkthrough can help are considering purchasing 3D scanning the design team and the client develop the tools. These authorities are responsible for functional program of a new hospital. maintenance of numerous properties and are looking for better ways to document the A tool for collaboration existing conditions at each. Stantec is a big company with experts across the globe. Now, when we are flying in Seeing infrastructure an expert for a day to meet and talk about Often, in older buildings, there are significant their project, we can virtually walk them pieces of complex infrastructure. Years through the space in detail and get them up of renovations, additions, and numerous to speed before client meetings. Similarly, changes make tracking existing condition the 3D imaging makes it possible to have particularly challenging for both client and a conversation with equipment suppliers project team. Existing drawings often remain about replacement versus salvage of existing outdated, leaving many design decisions to 360º equipment. When we can virtually walk up be verified in field and during construction. to a refrigerator and share a model number A digital twin lets us virtually pinpoint the Before and after renovation 3D scans of the Sea to Sky Hospice Project in Squamish BC we get answers more quickly. location of that infrastructure relative to the rest of the building, so it's made it easier, for Remote locations, property instance, to coordinate our new ductwork and maintenance, equipment replacement pipes with the existing services in the ceiling. Point cloud scanning to mitigate risk the assurance that your 3D model is an accurate This tool continues to be useful well after the In Philadelphia and elsewhere, we are using point representation of reality. The point cloud we design phase of a project too. We’ve started Before and after cloud to map existing three-dimensional space as receive from our scanning service is very detailed, including the fly-throughs within our contract 3D scans and digital twins are starting to accurately as possible. Point cloud technology is so we simplify the data to make it compatible with documents, and are considering virtual become great tools for telling the detailed less about visuals and more about creating a data our BIM model. contractor walkthroughs, which could have before and after story about a project. Ideally, map of existing conditions in 3D. the potential to increase the interest in remote we will have a library of various projects in 3D For a client that’s been burned before by its project locations. Now they can see and re-see to show to potential clients. If we’re doing a Done right, the point cloud can capture and unpredictable and troublesome space, the point the conditions as many times as necessary new hospice project, our client can virtually document the 3D geometry of above ceiling clouds offer some potential validation before while they bid the job and the information can tour our last three hospice projects. It’s the fixtures over and above walls. It documents existing design and construction. For example, one of our be shared with their subcontractors as well. next best thing to having them walk through architectural and MEP conditions in a single clients has a very old building which has been There’s a great potential for clients to use your projects in real time. It's really powerful. accurate 3D model. You're really seeing spaces renovated many times and has a variety of poorly the Matterport data going forward. Several that you would not see in a survey armed with documented MEP and structural conditions. >

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Scanning smarter | 14 Point cloud images from digital twin management platform Cintoo In the past, upon starting field work, they encountered major challenges that lead to additional costs and delays. To elevate our approach and better serve our client, we decided to utilize a digital twin to provide more accurate design solutions. We used the cloud-based digital twin management MORE BUILDINGS DIGITAL PRACTICE platform Cintoo. The point-cloud scans and our data management tools help us gather Zilda Hijazin is an architectural and understand existing conditions to designer and master planner better mitigate project risk. out of Stantec’s Philadelphia office with a focus on healthcare projects. She recently was a part Using Cintoo and bit of help from our of completing a new ambulatory care building and a system- geospatial technology colleagues in wide masterplan for various Edmonton CA, we're able to seamlessly Stantec offices. ArchitectDavid Kury works out of Stantec’s incorporate our digital twin data into our We can see that, for example, if we need to With point cloud scans interfacing our office in Victoria with a focus BIM and Revit work flow. demolish a wall whether that will result in major drawings, we’re delivering a highly accurate on healthcare projects in British Columbia. He was recently part complications for mechanical systems. It’s all model of existing spaces to the client that will of the team that completed two Validate clash detection about eliminating those gotcha moments and not only validate our design but will be of use new acute care hospitals on Vancouver Island. We can use reality capture for an existing making the most informed design decisions to architects, designers and engineers moving space to conduct clash detection with our about the renovation. Ideally, the investment forward on future renovations. BIM model. Once we have received the point in point cloud scanning and clash modeling cloud, we import that data into our model in the design phase enables us to validate our Reality capture technology is a significant and continue to design and document as we deliverables and therefore mitigate changes addition to the architect’s toolbox and we’ve would usually. Now we have an overlay which during the construction phase. Construction only begun to uncover its potential. D we can use to validate our design against changes result in premium charges, so by existing conditions. minimizing them, we’re saving our clients money.

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY "Pebble" detail at Stantec Tower Edmonton, Alberta

TRANSLATING DESIGN TO CUSTOM ELEMENTS

Possibilities for parametric design and custom manufacturing

BY RAY KETTNER We’re exploring a new world of possibilities for creating architectural solutions through the power of parametric design and manufacturing custom interior elements. I’ve been involved in leading a team in investigating the opportunities for employing this design process and had the privilege of taking our digital design all the way to a finished project via a collaboration with custom manufacturers. I believe these tools and processes can unlock design potential that we’ve only begun to dream of.

Recently, we had a chance to apply these innovative design practices and manufacturing techniques on Stantec’s home office in Edmonton. Our team designed the interiors for the third and fourth floors of Stantec Tower, the common floors which feature the collaboration spaces, shared meeting rooms, large all-hands areas, and cafe space. With a huge floor plate to work with, we were encouraged to spread our creative wings, let our imagination guide us and devise design strategies that would make the space interesting at a human scale.

We came away with several big takeaways from the experience. > The finished "pebbles" or pods create interest at the human scale within the huge floor plates of Stantec Tower in Edmonton, Alberta

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Tranlating design to custom elements | 17 TAKE INSPIRATION FROM NATURE where we shared our digital model considerations. We didn't want We took inspiration from the directly with the fabricator. We then to design with a lot of triangles slot canyons of the American exchanged that 3D model back and but rather planar quads, panels southwest such as Antelope forth so we could evaluate their with four points which added Canyon in Arizona as well as large details against our design intent. some complexity to the project pebble shapes we observed in an but made the expression more architecture project in Rotterdam. USE AN ALGORITHM TO DEFINE FORMS interesting. And the other We took these organic pebble You can define forms mathe- constraint was that our shapes forms and decided they would matically or you can define them would be built from a four-by- become inhabited, while the by hand. Defining them by hand eight plywood sheet. We opted spaces between would create more than once is potentially a for waffle construction to support visual interest like the slot canyon. lot of wasted effort. So, knowing the outer skin. The waffle is We chose to scale up the pebbles that we're going to iterate through constructed with a laser cutter and then live in them. That was forms during design, we want and formed into three dimensions the genesis of the idea. These to use the power of a computer with two dimensional ribs. freestanding forms, blurring the algorithm to work through line between interior and exterior constraints and details for the CREATE A MULTITUDE OF OPTIONS architecture, are the homes for shape. The algorithm allows Parametric design is about the new office meeting rooms designers to play gesturally with creating a range of possibilities. and break out spaces. We the larger form. I trained as a You devise an algorithm to give affectionately called them pebbles sculptor, so for me it's creating a you a field of outputs. My goal is during design, while users now mathematical paintbrush where usually to create something that know them as pods. I know I can just draw freely. If gives me a field of possibilities that I create a shape, the algorithm I I can pick through—sometimes PLAY WITH ORGANIC FORMS write does the repetitive calcu- the algorithm finds a solution you We wanted to be playful in creating lations for me, so that I don't have never would have considered. organic forms, but we knew that to compute it every single time. Having a range of solutions allows eventually describing those shapes the design team flexibility to for contractors would become CONSIDER BUILDABILITY respond and adapt to change that To make the project visible and understandable to contractors, necessary and might prove difficult. Our algorithm was driven inevitably presents itself. > Stantec showed them the pebbles as a kit of parts that come together. Each of the six pods we designed had its own exploded Ultimately, this led us to a process by aesthetic and practical unrolled view, sections, and exploded axonometric views.

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Tranlating design to custom elements | 18 DOCUMENT IT FIND THE RIGHT FABRICATOR BUILD ON WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED As I said, for this workplace project, we The 3D model must become reality at some We’ve adopted elements from this found that creating a variety of these pebbles point. We found a fabricator that could not parametric-to-manufacturer process with the usual tools was challenging. So, only build our pods, but do the millwork, into our studio’s daily workflow. We’re we started by creating an algorithm in casework, and felt backing on half a dozen using VR headsets for walkthroughs. We Grasshopper playing with the form and pieces of custom casework. use software algorithmically on more playing with the idea. When we got what we typical architecture projects to take wanted, we translated it all into Dynamo. We TAKE VR WALKTHROUGHS, GET MOCK-UPS on repetitive tasks and complete them were able to embed that in Revit, the industry During a factory visit, our fabricator asked us, quickly. The more we are leveraging the standard, to hand off to the contractor. ‘Why don't you look at your pebbles in VR?’ power of the algorithm to iterate design, The interior design principal and I did a virtual the greater our confidence in designing Putting everything in Revit also enabled us reality walkthrough reviewing details, making and executing more complex ideas. We to coordinate with our consultants on walls, decisions on modifications and fine-tuning the learned that incorporating parametric glazing, audio visual components, as well as pods. For a project like this which occupies a tools and this kind of process isn’t the furniture that had to fit within the pebbles. huge space, our ability to do a walk-through overwhelming to the schedule—the time prior to fabrication, to see the designs in spent designing a robust algorithmic SHOW PROOF OF CONCEPT AND GET PRICING three-dimensions and move around them is toolset made the delivery of complex To ease our contractor’s concerns, we extremely important. geometric spaces quite manageable. D provided extra documentation to show proof of concept for this complex project so they A couple of months later we came back could not only price it but believe in the to visit, and they had built a full-scale concept. But typical elevations of non-square mock-up that had all the elements we objects aren’t too useful. So, we wrote a script were interested in evaluating. This helped that unwraps the outside of our pebbles, us validate our design decisions before so our contractor could count every single manufacturing and shipping. panel and get the exact square footage. The goal was to make the project visible and understandable, show them a kit of parts MORE COOL TECHNOLOGY that come together. Each of the six pods we AND RESEARCH designed had its own exploded unrolled view, The pebble From parametric model to factory prototype to sections, and exploded axonometric views. final built structure on site. Based in Stantec’s Boston studio, architect Ray Kettner enjoys applying parametric digital tools in his daily practice.

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Tranlating design to custom elements | 19 Playing for Keeps

Why we’ve added Playmobil figures and 3D printers to our healthcare planning toolkit

BY MARIA BARILLAS

What do German toy figurines and 3D-printed objects have to do with the size of patient rooms in a hospital? The toys and printed furniture are all about unlocking creativity, ideas, and communication. They’re powerful additions to our collaboration toolkit for healthcare clients. Let me explain why. We design collaboratively with our end users.

Our traditional design process involves much information is efficiently received and users these diagrammatic drawings might conceptual design, schematic design, understood between designers and users. as well be written in an alien language. Much design development and construction information can be lost, as they struggle to documents stages. When we’re collaborating with a client, on understand scale, drawing symbology, and how the organization for patient rooms in a this translates in their mind to the real world. During the schematic and design develop- health facility refresh for example, we take the If a portion of the participants are struggling ment phases, we typically have a series of driver’s seat and give the client design schemes to read the drawings, and perhaps too bashful data gathering meetings with the users of that they can react to. We take their comments to ask questions, user engagement could that facility in order to obtain vital functional and either sketch it out in the moment or come potentially be impacted. Their silence might information that will allow the design team back later and present options from mean that important stakeholder information WHEN WE INVOLVE to tailor our design to meet their needs, the their feedback. is not being shared. THEM AND THEY needs of their patients and code requirements ACTUALLY TOUCH of local jurisdictions. In a healthcare project, Traditional methods for presenting developing I want to maximize user engagement—so THINGS, THEY LOOSEN these meetings are crucial to the success of designs have relied on two-dimensional what we design is what users want. I’m always UP, THEIR IDEAS FLOW the design, and so our communication skills plans and room elevations. While designers on the lookout for new tools to add to my MORE FREELY. and methods play a very important part on how understand these drawings fluently, to some communication toolbox. >

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Playing for keeps | 21 We look for ways We have to go 3D to boost engagement in the design. The 2D foam core cutouts allowed for flexibility and improved engagement from our users. But we clearly had one more step to explore: We had to go 3D. With this third One recent Thursday afternoon we headed down to our We had an AHA! moment. As we presented this new tool, dimension, our users would better visualize the spatial second design development meeting with a group of the doctors immediately approached the table and began relationships between room components, staff and the anesthesiologists and surgeons for a new procedure to manipulate the room components. The conversation room environment in general. We settled on a one foot- room. Our first meeting had been difficult as both was rapid, animated, and productive. We had found a to-one inch scale which was large enough for users to groups of stakeholders struggled to make their wishes way to equalize the stage and give the users a turn in the handle easily and maintain a roomful of participants understood. Equipment and personnel in the room driver's seat. engaged. shifted positions depending on the procedure and stage of the procedure. We needed to quickly explore Even better, the interactive sessions explored several This is where the Playmobil set came in. The Playmobil snap shots of the room in use throughout the day to scenarios, satisfying space concerns for all personnel. City Life hospital kit is also built at the 1x1 scale and understand the space better. We needed to see the And we proved that stretcher movement was feasible, comes with many pre-manufactured room components procedure room in four dimensions. under approving nods from the nurses. We also finalized and figures. It allowed us to set up scaled simulations equipment boom locations. We headed home with a well- of basic clinical environments such as exam rooms, So, for this second meeting, with limited prep time we developed design concept, and a thoroughly satisfied recovery rooms and minor procedure rooms. The decided to create rudimentary paper and foam core group of stakeholders. I had to explore this mode of whimsical figurines also infused the process with a bit of cut-outs as a simple tool kit the doctors could engage presentation further. fun. To represent more specialized components however, with in planning. I knew we had to look elsewhere. >

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Playing for keeps | 22 We print 3D components A case study in hands-on from our digital models. 3D collaboration

Of course, Playmobil doesn’t have all the components We first brought out our newly constructed kits to a we need, so we explored 3D-printing them ourselves. client in the southeastern United States for an existing We gathered our relevant BIM families into a library, outpatient cancer center specializing in head/neck, simplifying them slightly for ease of manufacturing— plastics, and voice cancer treatments. The client’s maintaining enough detail to make them identifiable— existing space appeared to be undersized and lacked and printed them in-house. adequate clinical support spaces. The project was at the conceptual stage and our goal for the meeting was Before long, we had a 3D-printed library that includes to help them define their programmatic needs and exam tables, mobile light fixtures, computers on establish a vision for their planned renovation. wheels, chairs, case work, wall-mounted sinks, and garbage cans. Anything that might take up space The meeting began with our team running through within a room. While we do take hardline drawings to the client’s existing program, bubble diagrams to our meetings, we also overlay tracing paper and create understand flow and then moving on to basic planning multiple iterations as we explore a solution. The kit is scenarios to get and understanding of functional even more flexible. Anything that can be moved, can needs. The mock-up exercise would help us right-size be removed, and moved again. These kits make the the exam and treatment rooms, which then in turn process even more dynamic and fluid, as our sketches would help us define a clinic module. become three-dimensional and accessible. Lurie Children's Hospital Chicago, IL

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Playing for keeps | 23 We laid out three Playmobil/3D to offer medical planning advice and better understand the clinic module planning kits containing typical guidance. At the beginning of the configuration and the client’s components for exam and procedure session they had all expressed how current shortcomings in clinical rooms. A 1"x1" gridded base would differently each clinic functioned and support spaces. serve as the floor of the room to enable a desire for larger exam and treatment the users to intuitively move the pieces rooms. To everyone's surprise, by the Best of all, our clients were comfortable What's next? within the room. Physicians, nurses and end of the exercise they had found and secure in their understanding of We’ve seen how effective this administrators alike were thoroughly more commonalities than differences. their current state in order to quickly collaboration can be in healthcare. intrigued by the models. From the We were able to reduce room sizes make decisions for their future space. Now we’re curious to see how it can get-go, they were engaged, and the because of the efficiencies found in Their genuine satisfaction and gratitude be used in workplace, hospitality brainstorming was energetic and their layouts. was evident as we wrapped up the and so on, anywhere planning productive. meeting and made plans for future collaboratively with the client is This process unlocked the potential meetings moving forward. possible. One thing that we’ve We gave them the components (sinks, to explore universal room concepts uncovered is that the most engaging base cabinets, storage cabinets, exam and consider designing adjacent clinics and collaborative technology isn’t table) to arrange and the ability to look modules to allow for ebb and flow D What's next? always on your digital screen. at options such as a wall-mounted or and increased capacity based on mobile computer monitor system or fluctuating needs. We’ve seen how effective this swinging doors versus sliding barn collaboration can be in healthcare. doors. This helped the client see that Our use of 3D physical models Now we’re curious to see how it can be a sliding door or wall-mounted monitor coupled with more our traditional used in workplace, hospitality and so unlocks more wall space. design tools put the users in the on, anywhere planning collaboratively driver's seat, allowing them to with the client is possible. One thing Through this exercise, all three articulate their ideas and needs that we’ve uncovered is that the most specialties laid out their ideal exam unrestrained. We were able to engaging and collaborative technology MORE HEALTHCARE DESIGN and treatment rooms. Each of the achieve universal layouts for all Mary Bird Perkins – isn’t always on your digital screen. D Our Lady of the Lake groups had a Stantec facilitator helping exam and treatment rooms, reduce For more on how Stantec is Cancer Center the process along and answering space required for exam (-6 SF) designing for virtual care and Baton Rouge, Louisiana questions. I moved from table to table and treatment rooms (-28 SF) and pandemic response.

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Playing for keeps | 24 ASK AN EXPERT Modular residential project 28 Austin Why build Newtown, MA modular residential buildings?

Architect Larry Grossman on how we are designing modular multifamily dwellings Q INTERVIEW BY JOHN DUGAN &A How did you get into doing modular Q What are some of the benefits Q Where are the additional costs? Q design for residential? of modular construction for residential? LARRY: Each box is loaded on a flatbed truck LARRY: I've been practicing architecture since 1985, and shipped one at a time. Transportation and LARRY: For the region that we work in, and the multifamily practice at our firm was pretty storage have to be synchronized so that when New England, one benefit is that you're not well established some 15 years ago when we started you start to place the boxes, they all have to building in the middle of the winter. Instead, designing a whole range of residential project types. be ready. They need to all be stored at some you have a controlled environment and Our residential design work was an outgrowth of location very close to the site because each workforce. We visited the factory in Canada our well-established commercial practice. And this day putting six to ten in place. There has to be in the middle of the winter to see how they modular project, though it was on the smaller side at a stockpile ready for installation. And because do it. It’s almost like the old Ford Model T 68 units, was an opportunity to learn something new the boxes are transported outside, they must plant that's building the units. There is literally with the goal of finding a better way to economically be tightly wrapped and able to withstand an assembly line where the boxes are built. satisfy our clients. the elements—rain, snow, sleet. You have to They're moved across the floor on a pulley make sure each modular box is watertight. It system to the different trades on site. It was requires additional costs and logistics. really interesting. In terms of design, there’s a certain What attracted you to designing a We found the quality to be quite high and Q duplicity in the materials. Typically, when residential modular building? they benefit from working in shop conditions, we build with wood, a floor becomes a roof not in rain and snow. I was intrigued because and then a roof becomes a floor. But with LARRY: This was the first time I had an opportunity This project was a bit unique, it I thought this could be leveraged up with modular, because you’re building a box, to work on a modular project and what interested was wood on top of a concrete more practice, more sophistication to really podium but everything on top you have to build a complete roof and a me is that we've been trying for years to crack the save money. In this case, it saved us time of the podium was to be built complete floor in addition to duplicate walls nut on the economics of multifamily. We have been and we got a superior product because of the in a factory in Canada. The for each unit. This duplication adds some challenged to build more economically because controlled environment. But there are unique “boxes,” as they're referred to, cost but has tangible benefits such as construction in Boston is expensive, and prices are added costs. are almost entirely completed better acoustical separation. > continuing to escalate. on the interior in the factory. Everything right down to the paint and the tiles on the wall and the carpets on the floor.

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Why build modular residential buildings? | 26 AFFORDABILITY HAS ALWAYS Q What are some advantages of it? Q And from the design side? How did this modular project BEEN THE CHALLENGE. Q come about? We’ve designed buildings with micro-units, which my LARRY: I think there's a great deal of LARRY: The rules are different. The boxes colleague Aeron Hodges has written about extensively. potential in building modular for residential are all plumbed and wired, panel boards and LARRY: The backstory behind 28 Austin projects. From a design perspective, we're light fixtures are in, everything's in it's final in Newton, Massachusetts is kind of usually very site specific, we're always trying location. Each box has these stubs—wires interesting. It was a city-owned parcel, a to improve upon our work and we rarely and pipes—that project out into the corridor. municipal parking lot in an urban location use what we've done before. But in cases A crew comes through and connects next to a main shopping street just where we want to minimize costs, we may everything up. But everything's there to be outside of Boston. The city put it out for be able to simplify, we could reuse some of connected. It’s plug-in. The rules are not development and its main stipulation for the our unit designs for a modular project. That onerous. It's a kit of parts that we have program was that it had to retain the same encourages us as designers to come up with learned how to manipulate and exploit. number of public parking spaces. a kit of parts of standard modules. There are some real benefits to this approach, for There are certain dimensional issues we A client asked us to join it on the competition. example, to a developer. A manufacturer must be aware of because we have to They brought in a partner, a husband and could put a package together, for say a design a module that can be shipped by wife, team of architects who had some

Video with Aeron Hodges on living hundred units of various types, and price flatbed truck. For this project, the module experience with doing modular construction. small, sharing more that quickly. That can reduce the developer’s we came up with doesn't vary much from They suggested we propose a modular risk. If you can determine prices early on, 13 feet wide by 62 feet in length. solution, so we could build it quicker which that’s an advantage. Predictability of costs is would be less of an imposition to that

QUICK LINKS very attractive as is predictability for project You can’t tell by looking at a finished community than traditional construction. duration. If you know it takes six months building that it’s modular construction The community liked the idea that modular > Making the case for living small to build a 50-unit project and that can be and wouldn't know that this was the would take less time. We were the only replicated, that’s good. methodology used to build it. Except for the ones who offered modularity and we > Are micro-lofts comingto the suburbs? module dimensions, there are really no other won the work. Ultimately, we were able to > Inside a micro-unit design limitations. And it doesn't need to be accommodate residential parking in a below- just an extruded form. The facades can step grade garage. We lifted the building up and in and out. With balconies and bays. Some we were able to replace all the community things are more cost effective but otherwise parking by tucking it behind a small lobby the possibilities are limitless. and some retail space. >

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Why build modular residential buildings? | 27 Do you see a lot of growth Q potential for residential modular? Modular residential project 28 Austin LARRY: We need to build tens of thousands of Newtown, MA housing units in the New England area over the next several years just to meet demand. And the construction process hasn't changed that much over the course of my entire career. There are still men and women on the site nailing one piece of wood to another piece of wood. And a plumber comes in and attaches one piece of pipe to another piece MORE RESIDENTIAL of pipe and then electric puts the wire in. They all drive, they bring their trucks in, the John Dugan is the Editor of the Stantec Design Quarterly. materials in. It’s very linear and slow. Larry Grossman leads the planning and design of large- scale, mixed-use residential, There’s an opportunity on the commercial, and retail projects manufacturing side. This assembly line from the Stantec Summer approach offsite offers a lot of advantages. Street studio. I think it's in its infancy. If a factory fell into place in the Boston area where they could actually build modular units close by, where we could inspect them locally and have local transportation and labor force, I think the program could take off. D

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Why build modular residential buildings? | 28 Virtual reality still of UCSF PCMB

FINALTHOUGHT Why VR matters It might not be in your home, but virtual reality is reshaping our healthcare design practice.

BY JESSICA O’REGAN UCSF Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building (PCMB) San Francisco, CA Adding value Sample Projects at all project CHECK-IN phases.

Marketing & Business Development Clients, regardless of location or Experience your experience, can tour our projects around the world and experience project in all our ideas for their project in three dimensions. dimensions. UNIT ENTRY VR walk-through image to interpret a floor plan. If it's their Experience your How we use technology, creatively, See a internally, and externally is important. first time looking at a two-dimensional Internal Design project in all When we use it wisely, it can unlock drawing, it can be hard to understand projectdimensions. possibilities for our projects. A prime the space and how they will work in it. Multiple team members, across example of this is virtual reality. We’ve developed 2D plans and sections the ofﬁ ce or across the globe, can in virtual Hyped in the media for years, VR has and 3D axonometrics and renderings collaborate and walk through virtual Instructions Sample Projects not been adopted into everyday life to help, but this can be laborious. We at home, except perhaps by the still find translating design information 1 spaces at a human scale. reality. From your iPhone camera app, NICU ROOM gaming community. between these different mediums can be scan the QR codes below and confusing to users. So, we were always 2 Instructions Sample Projects select to open in Safari. Click the Designers, however, know how powerful looking for better ways to make sure that viewer icon (looks like a mask) on Client Design Review 1From your iPhone camera app, NICU ROOM it is. It’s been a game changer for my everyone is on the same page. scan the QR codes below and the bottom right and place iPhone work in healthcare design. How? 2 3 select to open in Safari. Click the in the cardboard viewer. Rotate Envisioning a new space Revolutionize the design review viewer icon (looks like a mask) on phone and place in cardboard. the bottom right and place iPhone Clearer communication One of the big hurdles in designing a new process through an immersive 3 UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg, Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit in the cardboard viewer. Rotate Step 1 As healthcare designers, our process space is that our clients often struggle phone and place in cardboard. Harrisburg, PA experience, supplementing or is based on clear communication. to envision their future space. They Step 1 replacing traditional renderings and INFUSION We begin a project by listening to our just can't picture it. They may forget or clients and gathering information. We confuse the details of the new floor plan physical mockups. NICU ROOM NICU ROOM strive to understand the client’s way of and keep relating things back to their working, its culture, its future needs, current, likely outdated, space. While we and ultimately its goals for a new might want to replicate some valuable Project Delivery space. Traditionally, we translate elements from their current layout, the this information into floor plans and health system stakeholders often want Step 2 Transform coordination between elevations that we then present back to improve workflows and make sure Step 2 the construction and design teams, to the client for feedback. that the new facilities support new ways of working. VR helps us overcome the bridging the gap between BIM and FAMILY AREA The challenge is that most end users limitations of two-dimensional drawings the construction site. are clinicians or health practitioners, not and broaden our client’s vision and design professionals. They aren’t trained understanding of what is proposed. > FAMILY AREA Project Tours Step 3

The value remains after the project UCSF Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building San Francisco, CA Step 3 is over. Potential patients can Why VR matters | 30 tour hospitals in other cities, or developers can show their buildings to tenants around the world.

Design with community in mind VR allows us to collaboratively help users to understand the look and function of various spaces from multiple perspectives The virtual walkthrough as they make significant decisions We've found that it's most about design. effective for us to begin by walking the client through the space. We can guide them through the patient experience from arrival, to registration, to waiting space. We consider each experience from multiple perspectives (patient, nurse, staff, family) so users understand what a room looks like and functions from each perspective. With VR, we take them to key areas, then we have the user try on the goggles and understand the Touring and design imagination to it, we’ve found that they might not space from each perspective. Historically, we’ve used touring other have a solid understanding of what they Virtual reality recently completed facilities as a are agreeing to for the future space. As walkthroughs of In one instance, we showed a method for demonstrating new ways designers we want to share the design design concepts client three floor plan options and of working and concepts in healthcare. vision and help clients picture what's provide us with a they immediately picked option C This presents a challenge, however, that possible beyond what already exists. common language and had no interest in option B. we are not replicating the place we tour VR is a great addition to touring existing so that we can all They just didn't think it was right or the client’s previous space. The client facilities because it allows us to show the understand, identify for them. But when we presented tends to cull bits and pieces from the aspects we are replicating and confirm challenges, and those options again in VR, we tour together with elements of their expectations. How have VR walkthroughs work to develop presented option B again to give existing space. When it comes down changed our design process and projects? shared solutions. them all an equal chance. >

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Why VR matters | 31 Someone immediately responded, that design intent in the selected area, Quick assessments ‘Now I see that's where the sink is in but also what’s around the corner, Capital projects are complicated. option B. That’s the right one, why down the corridor, everywhere. By Budgets get squeezed, priorities SPOTLIGHT aren't we going with that?’ That's a engaging in a virtual walkthrough with change, timelines get compressed. clear indication of how often the client our client, we can shine a light on our It’s a reality of our industry. How Stantec is might see things differently from a design intent more thoroughly. using virtual reality floorplan to a virtual experience. VR helps us stay nimble and add value How remote Insite VR With a recent project for UCSF Bakar to our clients as they make tough meetings help design On another project, a client was Precision Cancer Medicine Building, decisions. Our recent work with Main teams overcome the evaluating the need for a computer for we rendered the entire model with Line Health is a good example. They challenges of COVID-19 every infusion bay or one for every two finishes and we were able to walk had a very short window in which they infusion bays. They initially budgeted down every hallway and confirm that needed to reevaluate some of their for just the one computer. But seeing floor patterns and colors were in pricing assumptions. We were able to the infusion bays in VR, they realized harmony. With VR we can drill down virtually walk them through the design, that its distant positioning didn't allow to those details, explore the space in talk about key elements, get more for the level of patient privacy required 360 degrees from every vantage point accurate pricing figures, and help to complete the personal questions and reduce the chance of surprises them make smarter decisions about required for treatment. The virtual during construction. where to invest. environment quickly uncovered this privacy issue. With the issue identified Collaborating with contractor early and addressed, we expect With our UCSF Bakar PCMB project greater patient and nurse satisfaction we were co-located with the with the completed space—a win-win. contractor and during our weekly meeting about interior elements and Externally, no surprises we could virtually walk around the Previously we may have shown our space with them to understand how design intent in carefully selected we can achieve the desired design Video renderings of the most significant while staying on budget. VR was See why a virtual walkthrough is valuable for spaces. While those renderings are a hands-on collaborative tool for communication in interior design and architecture still valuable, with VR, we can show realizing our design.

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Why VR matters | 32 Exporting views When we can’t share a full VR experience, we can always export a 360-degree image. We've started including these views in our documentation or pricing drawings and for reference in the actual construction documents so that our contractor under- stands our design intent.

Using it on small projects, getting past the novelty VR is starting to become more of an expectation on projects. I am doing a series of lower budget temporary renovation projects for a client right now. While the client isn’t making a huge capital investment in these temporary spaces, we still find value in producing 360-degree renderings and showing them VR walkthroughs of their space. We believe there is long-term value in introducing virtual reality as a design tool for future projects. Ideally, our clients will become accustomed to the technology so that they can focus on making major decisions rather than the novelty of the technology.

Right now, people can get distracted by the wow factor of the VR experience itself. But Scan the QR code MORE HEALTH someday soon I believe that VR will be an with your smartphone D everyday experience. camera to see the Based in our Philadelphia office, UPMC Pinnacle designer Jessica O’Regan is Harrisburg, Neo-natal passionate about create healing Intensive Care Unit in environments that are beautiful Harrisburg, PA and functional.

Stantec Design Quarterly Issue 9 | BUILDINGS, PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY Why VR matters | 33 DESIGN QUAR- TERLY SUBSCRIBE STANTEC DESIGN QUARTERLY

Executive Editor Andrea Johnson Editor John Dugan Graphic Design Miranda Esteve