An interview with Anthony Pearce, Architectural Technologist and BIM Coordinator at PARTISANS
Anthony Pearce is an architectural technologist and BIM coordinator at PARTISANS. He graduated from George Brown College in the spring of 2019, prior to GBC he worked as a carpenter.
CanBIM: Please tell us about PARTISANS
Anthony: PARTISANS is an Architecture and Design firm based in Toronto. It was founded by Alex Josephson and Pooya Baktash, later bringing on Jonathan Friedman as a partner to round out a very dynamic management team. We work in all forms of design, from products and furniture to residential and commercial buildings.
CanBIM: Please tell us about the culture and philosophy for digital technology and innovation at PARTISANS?
Anthony: Technology and innovation has been at the forefront of everything PARTISANS has done. We create designs with complex geometry and forms, it is our use of technology that allows us to bring these designs to reality. We are also always experimenting with new technology and seeing how it can inform design, construction and architecture. New technology excites us, we are constant students, we always want to learn.
CanBIM: Please tell us about an interesting project/case study/product where technology is being implemented or has been implemented at PARTISANS?
Anthony: We have been working on a downtown commercial building for the past year. We took it from existing conditions to a new base building and now we are working on the tenant fit-out. From day one of this project we started using Lidar scanners to capture the building information. We scanned the building prior to construction, we are scanning the building at different construction milestones and will scan the finished condition. This constant scanning gives the ability to create accurate 3D models and to ensure that the work being performed on site is accurate, as well it will give us a detailed 3D view of as built conditions once the project is over.
CanBIM: Please share information about the major challenges in the AECOO industry you feel technology will help to overcome.
Anthony: It is very difficult to foresee all issues during the drawing phase of a project. This means that a lot coordination and updates need to happen on site. Connecting the Architect, Engineers, Contractors, Trades and Owners still pose efficiency challenges and often slow down work when a change order or RFI is needed. I think a lot of the programs starting to be implemented more widely will help speed this up and close the gap between all parties involved.
CanBIM: Finally, please share your thoughts on what technologies will impact the AECOO industry in the next five years?
Anthony: I think more user-friendly BIM applications. The need for more information from owners, contractors and trades means that BIM software needs to become accessible to those without expertise. Data is a huge part of business and I think you’ll see that all involved in a construction project will want to access that data in a more visually interesting way.
CanBIM: Thank you for taking the time to share with us!
