Leadership + Innovation @ NBBJ

// nfo

NBBJ Digital Practice

2011-2013, 2015-2018 (6 years)

// role

senior design computation team leader

innovation program leader

NBBJ digital futures team leader

// tech

code, creativity, listening skills, powerpoint, IoT, paper, markers, sticky notes, cloud collaboration tools, diplomacy, persuasion 

// key activities

design computation

R&D initiatives

product prototyping

innovation program design

strategy

team building/recruiting

collaboration tech

process design

marketing + communications

metrics + reporting

strategic partnerships

mentorship

// description

As the senior design computation leader of the firm, I work with the CIO, COO, and Managing Partners to craft the high-level strategy of our group and develop strategic partnerships where appropriate. I work with my team to refine strategy, identify new opportunities, and define the details of implementation. Our primary mission is to deliver high-value tools and narratives that have a positive impact on our firm's ability to win and deliver projects. 

A selection of key accomplishments include:

  • Key project wins in client interviews in the role of lead design computation specialist (e.g., Google)

  • Primary algorithm development for project work

  • Building an agile culture for design computation (cloud collaboration, code hygiene, best practices, OKRs)

  • Concept and implementation of a platform for scalable tool deployment (now used on over 75 projects and growing)

  • Concept and implementation of Goldilocks, NBBJ’s first internal technology R&D project (featured in Fast Company)

  • Development of the firm’s innovation program

  • Representing NBBJ at South By Southwest, Autodesk University, Metropolis events, among others

 See more here.

NBBJ has been recognized as Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Architecture Firm three times for its pioneering work in architecture, neuroscience, and technology, and during my tenure has become a key player in the technology sector of the Corporate/Commercial market, with large-scale projects with clients such as Google, Amazon, Tencent, Alibaba, and Samsung, to name just a few. Our computation practice also provides considerable support to all markets, including Civic, Urban Environments, and Healthcare.

 

I have personally communicated our approach to design computation in a variety of publications, including Architect Magazine, Metropolis Magazine, Curbed Magazine, and the New Yorker (not yet published), and I appeared at SXSW2018 as part of a panel discussion on technology and the built environment, a session that I proposed as an extension of our work at NBBJ.