Panel Discussion: BIM/VDCO in Academia

Please join us at our inaugural BIM in Academia as we start a year of academic focus with a panel discussion of 4 teachers from 4 schools: Francisco Pineda, Columbia; Ayse Polat, NYU; Charles Portelli, Rensselaer; Lennart Andersson, Pratt.

1. Define the how various advanced BIM tools/workflows/processes can support and advance the learning process
2. Understand the impact that BIM execution planning process has on a project’s life-cycle
3. Conveying computational strategies and BIM in the education & professional setting
4. Using digital strategies to convey fundamental first principles in architecture
5. Teaching & Training: Educating Architects of the Future vs. Marketable Skills at Graduation

SPEAKERS:
Francisco X. Pineda is the Program Director and Lecturer for the Master of Science in Construction Administration at Columbia University. His research & professional interests lie in organizational intelligence, critical capabilities, and the structuring and management of complex project-based teams and enterprises. In his nineteen-year career, he has worked on all aspects of the development cycle—investment, development, and construction. He has led and turned-around property development companies and construction projects, as well as businesses in hospitality and building materials. He holds an MBA & MPA from Columbia University.

Charles Portelli is a Senior Associate Application Developer at Thornton Tomasetti’s CORE Studio where he focuses on the intersection of computational design & application development. Charles is an adjunct professor at the CASE program at RPI where his work focuses on the intersection of computational methodologies, sustainability analysis, & optimization. Charles teaches at City Tech where he emphasizes the use of BIM in conjunction with construction fundamentals. Charles holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from NJIT & a Master’s degree in Product Architecture from Stevens Institute of Technology. He is a licensed architect in the state of NY, with strong interests in exploring new methodologies that link design, construction & fabrication

Ayse Polat is a NY Regional VDC Manager in NY overseeing a team of 30 technical professionals who provide BIM services during preconstruction, construction & post-construction phases. She assists project engineers implement BIM practices; researches & implements new technologies & liaises with various agencies. Ayse also led a team of professionals responsible for the implementation of BIM site safety logistics submissions for the NYC DoB.
A licensed architect in NY, Ayse has more than 18 years of architectural and construction experience in NY & NJ. Ayse has worked on some of NYC's most renowned projects including the transformation of Madison Square Garden, NYU Langone Medical Center campus transformation, Hudson Yards, Manhattan West developments and NYPH DHK Center.
She also teaches graduate BIM classes at NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate.

Lennart Andersson is an architect & AECO technology innovator.
With over 20 years of experience, he has applied VDCO methodologies on a wide variety of building typologies.
He teaches at Pratt Institute, where he is focusing on teaching Virtual Design, Construction and Operations methodologies with the intent to foster the next generation of AECO professionals. He is the founder of FormD a next-generation AECO startup and prior to that the Director of VDCO at the LiRo group.
He published a book on implementing VDC methodologies and is currently writing a book “The life of buildings” with focus on sustainable life cycles of facilities and how technology is transforming how they are realized and managed.
Lennart received the Autodesk Excellence award for BIM in 2017, Digital Edge 50 award in 2018 and the CIO 100 award in 2019. He is a member of IFMA’s Environmental Stewardship, Utilities & Sustainability committee. He also testified for US Congress Small Business Council about innovation in the AECO space.