As technology continues to reshape industries across the globe, architecture is no exception. The ability to visualise a project at different stages of the design process has become a game-changer, reshaping how spaces are conceived, refined, and ultimately brought to life.
With an unwavering commitment to innovative architectural design, Gray Puksand utilises a number of cutting-edge technologies to enhance design accuracy, improve collaboration and streamline project execution from conception to completion.
The utilisation of these innovative platforms has proven invaluable not only in our day-to-day projects but also in wider industry demonstrations and design competitions.
Most recently, our team entered the Autodesk Forma Architectural Design Contest with a project titled ‘San Diego Estuary Lakes’, which reimagined an industrial container terminal into a vibrant public parkland featuring estuary lakes, mangrove ecosystems, and recreational spaces.
Led by Digital and Design Technology Manager, Páraic Walsh, Senior Associate Ian Hollen and Architectural Student Han Lin, the team took advantage of Forma’s interoperability throughout the project, seamlessly working across multiple platforms including Rhino, Revit, and Morpholio Trace to deliver a thoroughly detailed and compelling design solution.
“By offering in-depth preliminary environmental analyses, Forma supports early-stage design with data on heat load, sunlight, wind, and geological factors, making it a valuable tool for scientific analysis and informed master planning,” said Ian.
The pro symbolises sustainable urban renewal, integrating slender mixed-use towers, a market for local vendors, and pathways through diverse landscapes. Prioritising sustainability, it also features green façades, rooftop gardens, and renewable energy, with mangroves and water systems to bolster resilience.
While Forma is still evolving, Ian and Páraic envision it becoming an essential tool across our projects. By embedding accurate environmental analysis right from the early design phases, the platform promises to streamline decision-making, enhance sustainability, and lay a strong foundation for future projects.
“At Gray Puksand, we’re increasingly using Autodesk Forma to enhance early-stage design in architecture and urban planning. It supports real-time collaboration and provides data-driven insights on factors such as energy use and pedestrian flow to improve project sustainability.”
“Our vision is to fully leverage Forma’s capabilities across all studios, integrating sustainability insights from the outset to shape more responsive and resilient designs,” said Páraic.
Beyond Forma, Gray Puksand employs a range of advanced technologies to deliver innovative and sustainable projects, from front-end design tools to documentation and visualisation platforms. This toolkit enables our teams to integrate data-driven insights and achieve high standards for efficiency and resilience across all project stages.
“Forma’s intuitive conceptual tools allow for initial design exploration without detailed modelling and integrate seamlessly with Revit, Rhino and Sketchup for smooth progression to later stages. Its automated workflows also simplify repetitive tasks, making it ideal for complex, large-scale projects,” added Páraic.
As architectural technologies continue to emerge and evolve, Páraic predicts three major developments that will shape the future of architectural design.
“Based on current trends, AI-driven tools will play a huge role in optimising processes and realising more efficiency’s for our design teams.”
“Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies still require improvements, but as the technology advances, I believe they will become more affordable and widely used in everyday industry practices.
“Finally, I think we will see sustainability metrics be increasingly integrated into 3D platforms, allowing our teams to make informed, environmentally-conscious decisions that align with the goals set out in Gray Puksand’s Sustainability Action Plan,” he concluded.
Learn more about our commitment to leading design here.
