The Hord Coplan Macht Cool Box is a place to get to know some of the people and personalities who are delivering great ideas and leading work for our clients. In the Cool Box today: Jordan Billingsley, BIM Coordinator.
Did you have an “ah-ha” moment where you knew you wanted to be an architect? What was it?
My dad wasn’t an architect but he did design and build houses. Most of my childhood memories are helping him with projects and while I can’t say that there was a singular moment, I do remember converting an attic into tiny kid bedrooms with secret passages…I’ve said too much!
“If I couldn’t be an architect I’d probably be a…”
Cowboy. Actually, I am really fascinated with goats but my ideal herd would be 12 goats and 1 cow so that I can legitimately call myself a cowboy.
What drew you to work at Hord Coplan Macht?
I have always been a “jack of all trades” kind of person and I was actually worried about how I would fit in at HCM when I first started. My concern had always been that larger firms forced specialization but I am very thankful to be a part of such a supportive company. Special shout-out to Kacey Huntington for helping me find my way!
Where do you find inspiration for projects?
Finding inspiration isn’t difficult but managing stimulation is. I am a big advocate of transcendental meditation to help the best ideas surface.
How would you describe your approach to tackling challenges when it comes to the client?
As a support person and design technology leader, “the client” is HCM and the challenges are varied and unique. When problems reach me, they are either very difficult or on a very short timeline. I do my best to keep a reasoned approach as I work towards a solution, but am also making an effort to document and spread awareness of the most common issues or eliminate them all together.
What do you wish someone had told you when you were first starting out?
Requirements are an armature, not a mold. Standards provide a framework for you to achieve more and should not be viewed as restrictive. There are many paths to becoming an architect but you cannot ignore the requirements.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to up-and-coming architects?
You cannot critique and create simultaneously. Make the first mark on the page and go from there. Design is an iterative process and there is only so much you can visualize in your head. You must create something tangible before you can critique and improve.
What’s the most exciting trend you see really taking hold in the coming 2 years?
Automation and Computational Design skills are of increasing importance and value. Architecture firms will continue to hire more and more people with programming and data science skills. Construction companies and owners will more heavily rely on BIM throughout the construction process and facility management.