Professional News

UK Design Dean's Essay in Architectural Record

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 7, 2011) − An essay by Michael Speaks, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Design, is featured in the December issue of Architectural Record. In the essay "Design as Key to Competition," Speaks looks at how the global market is influencing the field of architecture.

The essay explores how technology has put architecture firms worldwide on an even playing field allowing them all to design superior buildings more efficiently. The design concept itself has now become center stage as firms compete for new jobs.

"Technologies, such as building information modeling and integrated-product delivery, have enabled architecture firms to design better buildings and deliver them more quickly and more efficiently," Dean Speaks says. "Yet in today's fiercely competitive global marketplace, efficiency and speed alone are not enough to guarantee market viability. The real differentiator is design — as an engine of innovation and a productive force for creating economic value."

Speaks goes on to share with readers two successful examples out of Hong Kong, architect Andrew Bromberg, executive director of Aedas, and DavidClovers.

To view the Architectural Record essay by Dean Speaks, visit the publication online at http://archrecord.construction.com/features/critique/2011/1112commentary.asp

Essential to the profession for more than 110 years, Architectural Record provides a compelling editorial mix of design ideas and trends, building science, business and professional strategies, exploration of key issues, news products and computer-aided practice.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-8716 or whitney.hale@uky.edu