On this episode of Design Hive, Stantec’s discipline leader for design computing Brendan Mullins joins us to talk about technological change in the architecture industry. Brendan is an architect who is passionate about technology. He has seen BIM (building information modeling) and design visualization evolve rapidly and become mainstays of design practice and delivery. Now new computational design tools and artificial intelligence-powered applications are proliferating through architecture and building engineering. Brendan shares his thoughts on what this new technology means for the capability of design teams and ultimately how it may reshape the business of architecture itself.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

· About Brendan’s long-term passion for design technology, from modeling health projects in virtual reality to building a team of technology-forward designers at Stantec

· How Stantec’s design computing group finds ways to empower designers, solve complex building challenges and partner with the design practice group on project delivery

· How computational design can help designers turn bold ideas into buildable architecture—such as the complex curved structures on Royal Caribbean’s Paradise Island project

· How AI is emerging as a powerful design partner for architects and designers

· Where designers are using AI today and where they may be able to use it in the future

· Why real-time visualization is reshaping client collaboration and workflows

· Why organized design data could become one of the industry’s most valuable assets

· Why human designers will remain vital, connecting client needs, context, and creativity

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On this episode of Design Hive buildings podcast, architect Michael Moxam discusses a transformative healthcare project with guest host Shaun Green. The architecture for Anishnawbe Health Toronto - Indigenous Community Health Centre (AHT ICHC) was shaped in close collaboration with the Toronto Indigenous community and codesign with Indigenous architecture firm Two Row Architect. Michael talks about how this collaboration resulted in a design informed by cultural elements, a connection to the land and ecology, and its importance in neighborhood transformation.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Codesigning with Indigenous design firm Two Row Architect
• Deep listening and collaboration with Joe Hester from Anishnawbe Health Toronto
• Neighborhood transformation in Toronto
• How client feedback and cultural elements shaped the hospital design
• The importance of the building architecture’s connection to land
• Influences like nature, land, and transparency on the hospital design

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On this episode of Design Hive, Hans and David discuss how their team leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) tools in IdeaXchange, Stantec’s internal design innovation competition.

Hans and David share firsthand insights into applying AI-driven design workflows, highlighting the practical benefits for architects and designers seeking to boost creativity, speed up project delivery, and collaborate more effectively.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

· How Hans and David got into architecture

· Using artificial intelligence tools for various tasks in a digital design workflow including workplace programming, building massing, parametric façade design, and design visualization

· How the team approached IdeaXchange, an internal competition project at Stantec

· Why experiment and play are important approaches to using AI for design

· The importance of overcoming fear and seeing AI as a tool, not decisionmaker.

· How Hans and David are using what they learned about AI design tools in their day-to-day roles in architecture and interior design

More Ideas from Stantec Buildings