Driving Innovation in AECO: Three Takeaways from BuiltWorlds
This year’s NYC Real Estate Tech Week proved, once again, to be the premier gathering for leaders in real estate, proptech, construction, and design technology to discuss the technological advancements driving transformation across the AECO industry. Among the standout events was BuiltWorlds’ AECO Innovation: A Full Lifecycle Perspective.
I had the opportunity to represent Skema at BuiltWorlds and share the progress we’ve made over the past year. This event brought together key industry leaders, including many early supporters of Skema who have played a crucial role in helping us address inefficiencies in the design-to-BIM workflow.
Reflecting on the insightful conversations that took place, three key takeaways stood out.
Closing the Gap Between Pilots and Adoptions
When technology pilot projects show promise, firms face challenges when it comes to scaling these innovations. How can firms quickly onboard new tools and refine their workflows to gain a competitive edge?
One potential solution lies in evolving the role of the project architect. As routine, repetitive tasks are automated, architects may find themselves stepping into a partial R&D function—testing new tools and approaches. However, this requires organizations to rethink how they incentivize and reward individuals for driving change.
The conversation at BuiltWorlds highlighted a critical need: empowering professionals to bridge the gap between experimentation and real-world implementation.
Rethinking Traditional Contract Models
Value-based pricing is not a new idea, but the mood in the room indicates that its relevance has never been greater. With advancements like AI accelerating design timelines, owners can reap significant financial benefits from faster schedules and faster building delivery. Traditional time-and-materials models fail to capture the real value architects bring to the table.
What are clients truly paying for? Expertise. Code compliance. The all-important stamp. As frustration with outdated contract structures grows, pressure is building to reward firms for the outcomes they deliver—faster, smarter, and more impactful design solutions.
Unlocking the Potential of Adaptive Reuse
Adaptive reuse continues to dominate the conversation, presenting an exciting opportunity for architects and developers.
From transforming underutilized office buildings into vibrant mixed-use hubs to converting industrial spaces into residential communities, the potential for repurposing existing structures is reshaping how we approach design and development.
Technologies like Skema, along with AI-driven tools and digital twins, are making it easier to unlock the value of these spaces and redefine what’s possible in the built environment.
What’s Next for Skema?
Skema is already looking ahead to our next milestones. With new integrations, an impressive stream of product enhancements, and continued customer collaboration, we’re committed to driving innovation and helping architects achieve real, measurable impact.
The conversations at BuiltWorlds shone a spotlight on the major shifts coming. I’m optimistic about the pace of progress.
If you’re ready to see how Skema can make a difference in your design-to-BIM workflows, let’s connect. And stay tuned—there’s so much more to come.