G11-Podcast: Digital Transformation in Bim, Working with Frank Gehry, Catia, Revit and The Future of Design Tech.
With Frederic Herbere Interviewed by Paul Sanchez and Jose Lazo
Brief: BIM, while essential for architectural documentation and coordination, falls short as a fluid design tool. Its rigid workflows, lack of real-time adaptability, and limited generative capabilities hinder creative exploration, unlike parametric or computational tools such as Dynamo or Catia.
Thesis: to unlock BIM’s full potential as a design tool, AI-driven automation, parametric modeling, and cloud-based collaboration must be integrated. These innovations can enhance design flexibility, streamline iteration, and bridge the gap between conceptual creativity and data-driven execution.
Research Aim: this research will examine why Bim remains restrictive for design and how emerging technologies like ai, parametric modeling, and cloud platforms, can transform it into a more agile, intuitive, and powerful design tool for architects.
Expert: Frederic Herbere, a leading expert in Bim workflows and digital transformation within the AEC industry. With a distinguished career in design technology leadership and expertise in Revit, dynamo, and Catia, Frederic has played a pivotal role in shaping how Bim is leveraged for both technical precision and creative exploration.
A Notable project in which Frederic applied his 3D advanced expertise was the Frank Gehry’s Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris , France – software use case: Catia.
Source image from Frank Gehry drops a spaceship in Paris | The Verge
Source image from: Louis Vuitton Foundation | STUDIOS Architecture
Podcast Questions
- Initial Question: As a Design Technology Director skilled in BIM leadership, Revit, Dynamo, and Catia, what first inspired you to explore the intersection of design and tech? Reflecting on your career, how has your view of BIM evolved in terms of balancing precision with creative flexibility?
- Podcast Question: So, Frederick, as a design technology director skilled in BIM leadership, Revit, Dynamo, and CATIA, what first inspired you to explore the intersection of design and tech? And reflecting on your career, how has your view of BIM evolved in terms of balance and precision with creative flexibility?
- Timestamp: [01:31.060 –> 01:37.700]
- Initial Question: You have an interesting intersection of experiences between two very different software, 20+ years of Revit, but having used Catia in the Frank Gehry studio for a number of years, do you think the industry would be ready eventually to fully abandon 2D design drawings, in favor of a 3D Model as a construction document solution?
- Podcast Question: Awesome. So, I see, from what you’re saying, a connection between a dream that you had as a child, nine years old, dreaming about architecture, wanting to become an architect, then you find yourself in this passion for technology and how it can make anything better. And, eventually, passion for Gatia, working in Frank Gehry for a number of years. Do you think that the industry would be ready, eventually, to fully abandon 2D design drawings in favor of, let’s say, 3D model as a construction document?
- Timestamp: [08:00.480 –> 08:07.600]
- Initial Question: While BIM is invaluable for coordination and documentation, it can feel restrictive during early-stage design. Drawing from your experience leading BIM initiatives, what core technical, or workflow factors hinder BIM from being a fluid, iterative design tool?
- Podcast Question: Drawing from your experience leading BIM initiatives, what core technical, or workflow factors hinder BIM from being a fluid, iterative design tool? And I really find it interesting how you mentioned education and the rigidity of practice. seems like there’s a disconnect on those two areas, like the academic is not proposing a stricter guideline on the BIM process. Do you think this is related to the industry standards that at an academic level, this is not introduced at a bigger scale?
- Timestamp: [11:12.680 –> 11:19.780]
- Initial Question: What are your thoughts regarding the world of academia VS practice standards, for BIM implementation and education?
- Podcast Question: (Implicitly addressed in the previous question at timestamp [11:12.680 –> 11:19.780], related to academia and industry standards.)
- Timestamp: [11:12.680 –> 11:19.780]
- Idea Question: We would describe you as an active problem solver, a big part of your work is to look at the design-tech landscape and draw the best from it to produce solutions for architectural workflows and enhance them, from your experience let’s theorize about the future of architectural practice, would architects of the future be more like system integrators rather than designers?
- Podcast Question: So, on this mentality, I would say, do you think that in a future, and this is going more in a theoretical route, no empirical questions are required in this question, answers, I’m sorry. And the question would be, if architects of the future be more like system integrators rather than designers?
- Timestamp: [18:06.220 –> 18:11.960]
- Initial Question: Advanced design technologies—like parametric modeling in Dynamo or Grasshopper, AI-driven generative design, and other computational tools—support more flexible iteration. However, BIM’s database-driven structure and automation logic can slow real-time exploration. From your experience with Revit, Dynamo, and Catia, which specific aspects of BIM’s framework limit design freedom, and how do these constraints impact architects who need both precision and adaptability?
- Podcast Question: But, you know, as advanced design technologies, advanced such as parametric modeling in Dynamo or Grasshopper, AI driven generative design and many other computational tools support more flexible iteration. However, it feels like BIM’s database driven structure and automation logic can slow real-time exploration. From your experience with all the tools, right? Revit, Dynamo, Cartier. Which specific aspects of BIM framework limit design freedom? And how do these constraints impact architects who need both precision and adaptability?
- Timestamp: [22:37.620 –> 22:41.180]
- Initial Question: In your experience, if data structures are more or less similar from one project to another, why couldn’t we restructure architectural design workflows into a single step process (e.g. one software) why do we need so many and therefore so many interoperability gaps?
- Podcast Question: And talking about the tools, the expectations of people that they may desire a tool that would complete the whole process as a single stage, instead of multitasking into multiple tools and making the workflow more complex, I was just thinking about that in a sense of, what will be the difference on your experience? Why, if the data is similar for one project to another in terms of materials and constructions, why can it be replicated into a single step process?
- Timestamp: [29:54.940 –> 30:01.880]
- Initial Question: Do you think that AI integration into our workflows is something that would empower architects in the future, or it’s something that’s threatening the practice?
- Podcast Question: Yes, thank you. Thank you so much for that. And in that sense, talking about the technology and tools again a little more, do you consider that the AI tool, it will be considered something that empowers architects in the future, or something that is threatening architects?
- Timestamp: [32:28.180 –> 32:33.700]
- Initial Question: If you could rebuild BIM from scratch—not just as a coordination tool, but as a true design-focused platform—what core innovations would you prioritize?
- Podcast Question: going more in depth into the theoretical aspect of BIM in your perspective, if you had a magic wand, let’s say, if you could rebuild BIM from scratch, but I say design-focused platform that doesn’t lose the core of what it already has, of course, what core innovations would you prioritize?
- Timestamp: [37:37.380 –> 37:43.860]
Glossary of Terms and Roles:
- BIM (Building Information Modeling):
A digital representation and management method involving the creation and sharing of 3D models containing information about a building’s structure, systems, and components throughout its lifecycle. - Computational Design:
A design methodology using algorithms and programming to create and optimize architectural forms, enabling designers to quickly explore multiple solutions. - Parametric Modeling:
A process of modeling architectural elements using parameters and rules, enabling rapid exploration of variations by adjusting inputs, maintaining relationships between components. - Catia:
A robust, parametric, 3D modeling software developed by Dassault Systems, historically associated with advanced geometry and engineering applications, including aerospace and architecture (notably Frank Gehry’s projects). - Dynamo:
A visual programming environment integrated with Revit, allowing architects and engineers to automate complex tasks, create parametric designs, and manipulate BIM data. - Digital Transformation:
Adoption of digital technologies to fundamentally transform design, production, and collaboration processes within architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). - Cloud Collaboration:
Using online platforms to enable real-time collaboration, version control, and sharing of models, drawings, and data across dispersed design teams. - AI-driven Automation:
Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate repetitive tasks, optimize designs, and enhance decision-making processes in architecture and construction.
Special emphasis on:
Non-destructive Modeling:
A modeling methodology allowing architects to create, iterate, and explore design variations freely without permanently altering the original geometry. Changes remain adjustable at any stage, preserving the integrity of the initial model and enabling flexible experimentation. This approach contrasts with traditional BIM workflows, where changes often irreversibly affect geometry, requiring time-intensive rework.
Special thanks to Frederic Herbere for generously taking the time to share his valuable insights, experiences, and perspectives in the field. Your expertise has greatly enriched our discussion and provided meaningful guidance.
IAAC Chanel Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eMkv5PttJyT8TZ4tucCAm?si=c7daee5d43c948de
Podcast Direct Link: (University publication date pending, will update to this Blog as soon as is published!)
