Lessons from our Charette with OPN Architects
“50 Steps Ahead in 15 Minutes”
Time and again we’ve heard that automation is disrupting the profession, and architects have no choice but to respond. Technology leaders at AEC firms are looking at three possible avenues:
Build and maintain a custom solution.
Buy an off-the-shelf solution from a 3rd party.
Partner with a solution provider.
Skema offers the Partner route. We believe the partner approach is the best path for delivering solutions that solve firms’ urgent problems. Because it’s not just about software. Our team is listening deeply to our partners to ensure that both Skema’s product capabilities and our entire support ecosystems deliver as much value as possible.
We’re honored that key firms have chosen to work with Skema as Pioneer Partners. These forward-looking firms recognize that a sea change is underway in our industry. They envision the future state of the business of architecture and their role in it. They’re innovators who are making changes in their firms for competitive advantage.
OPN Architects Add a New Tool to Their Toolbelt
OPN Architects is a Pioneer Partner working with Skema to fast-forward their design process. We spent time together earlier this month on a fast-paced design charette for a school project.
The Skema team and architects from OPN’s five offices came together in their Des Moines, Iowa, studio for a one-day charette. Skema created a custom catalog of OPN’s signature design elements that designers used like puzzle pieces to apply to the new project.
Our goal was for each designer in the room to create a 32,000 sq. ft. school with 9 classrooms, a gymnasium, cafeteria, special education classrooms, and a music room. Using Skema, they did massing, then blocking and stacking with multiple options. Those designs then were seamlessly pushed to Revit where all of OPN’s design standards were automatically applied to the model, with no redrawing.
This hands-on experience showcased the power and versatility of Skema, illustrating how it can significantly benefit architectural projects by giving designers the ability to reuse their previous designs, without giving up any control over the design.
“Creating a building with walls - not just jello cubes - in 15 minutes. Blocking and stacking like this puts us 50 steps ahead of where we would typically be after two hours.”
Solving Real Problems with Skema
The guiding principle for our creation of Skema is a relentless focus on solving the problems of our customers. As a company of architects for architects, Skema applies our expertise - in BIM data, architectural workflows, and the smart implementation of AI and advanced computing - toward giving firms new opportunities to capture value.
First Mover Advantage for Early Adopters
We have been conducting workshops and charettes with Pioneer Partner firms across the country. We surround our software with our product experts and client success teams who roll up their sleeves for these hands-on workshops.
Through this close collaboration, firms can quickly apply Skema to a project and fast-forward the delivery of their instruments of service.
Taking Steps to Future-Enable Your Practice
With the input of our partners, we’re innovating, improving, and adding new capabilities to the Skema Software Suite all the time. Be at the forefront of the future of design. Get in touch to schedule a conversation with one of our founders and to learn more about how Skema can benefit your firm.