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November 16, 2011
BIM and the Changing Nature of Practice
The University of Washington asked DKA to present to an audience of students and aspiring practitioners regarding the value-added proposition of Building Information Management (BIM) in a ever-changing workplace. Topics discussed included:

-- The philosophical differences between BIM and CAD (Computer Aided Drafting)
-- Types of BIM programs
-- Advantages and challenges of working in a BIM environment
-- The growing trend of firms and companies making the transition to BIM

November 2011
Autodesk University
DKA presented two classes at the conference on Small Firm Transition to BIM addressing firms and individuals considering making the transition to BIM, but looking for additional quantifiable data that will help them assess the technology, human resource, and consulting needs they will encounter in making the transition.

April 26, 2011
BIM There, Done That
DKA participated in a presentation to approximately 100 attendants discussing the business case for firm transition to BIM

Round table discussion guest speakers included:

Ron Rochon AIA, LEED AP partner at The Miller/Hill Partnership
Rico Quirindongo, AIA, partner at DKA Architecture
Geoff Anderson, AIA, LEED AP, principal at ORB architects

Learning objectives included:

• Understanding the benefits of BIM
• Managing the unknowns of transition
• Breaking down the costs of BIM implementation
• Understanding the “four step” transition process
• Redefining team roles when using BIM

October 28, 2010
Using technology as a springboard to new work
DKA began offering certified Revit classes earlier this year and has since trained more than 30 people through a new service division. The software allows contractors, architects, owners, subcontractors and others to build projects virtually in 3-D, saving money and time in the process. Building virtually is the future of development, and was first embraced by general contractors.

According to a recent Forbes article on virtual construction, industry use of BIM tools went from 28 percent of firms to 48 percent between 2007 and 2009. BIM is fueling growth in Autodesk’s 3-D modeling business, which grew 10 percent last year, according to the article. Architects have been slow to adopt the evolving technology, but it’s a collaborative concept that’s gaining steam.

September 14, 2010
September SeaRUG Presentation Q&A
DKA appreciates the opportunity of presenting at the September 14 SeaRUG meeting. We hope all attendees were able to take away a few useful tips concerning Revit’s site tools. We enjoyed demonstrating Eagle Point’s Siteworks & LandCADD software for everyone. DKA is in constant pursuit to streamline the production process and incorporating Eagle Point’s software helps eliminate several cumbersome tasks and hours of work.

The PDF linked to the title of this post is a response to some of the detailed questions regarding the newest version of Eagle Point’s Siteworks & LandCADD software from last week’s SeaRUG presentation.

March 1, 2010
Energy Efficiency: Once Overlooked, Now an Area of Growth
High-end, expensive green projects have always captured the attention of the nation. But as the nation focuses more on maximizing resources and minimizing waste, and the costs associated with “building green” become more affordable, designing and building structures that save energy and the environment have become the new frontier.Northwest Construction

February 19, 2010
Built to Last
Architects Donald King and Rico Quirindongo understand resourcefulness. Each grew up in a poor household where reusing and conserving was a way of life. So, when King started DKA Architecture in 1985, designing projects to be sustainable, within budget and stripped of wasteful excess was less of a choice and more of a natural way of operating. Puget Sound Business Journal

February 18, 2010
African Americans and sustainability: It's all about 'making do'
DKA Architecture wasn't going for gold when the firm took on the renovation of the Police Support Center for the city of Seattle. The Seattle architecture firm was just doing what was normal- designing the very best building the firm could, given the client's limited budget and resources. Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce

Fall 2009
The New Black is Green
Recognizing the growing necessity of green design and building on minority cultures’ tradtion of investment in community and making the most of limited resources, DKA supports Green For All, a national organization focused on creating a path out of poverty via green job creation, and the Architecture 2030 movement. NOMA Magazine

November 6, 2009
Benefits of Sustainability Must Spread to All
Sustainability is a much bigger concept than an efficiently operating building. Social consciousness is as important as environmental consciousness when designing a sustainable project. DKA combines green building applications with a concern for economic and social equity, bringing green design to historically underserved populations.Puget Sound Business Journal