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BECAUSE PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING
... Welcome to Clayco's Think Tank
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By James Nicholson
Imagine a client in New York participating in an elaborate design meeting in
St. Louis, viewing instant changes in the design of the project, and even being given a virtual tour of the building to be. Further imagine an interactive broadcast on design issues presented to a roomful of employees.
Welcome to Clayco’s Think Tank. In a fairly unprepossessing building in Overland, situated between a man-made lake and the second largest natural lake in the State, Clayco is redefining the cutting edge of interactive design technology. The Think Tank is the brainchild of CEO Bob Clark, who envisioned a technically advanced space in which to aid the design process from start to finish.
 The Think Tank is the brainchild of CEO Bob Clark, who envisioned a technically advanced space in which to aid the design process from start to finish. |
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According to Mike Schaefer, Clayco’s Information Systems Manager, the room is devised to allow Clayco and its clients “to go from the beginning to the end of the design process of a building anywhere in the
country.” With four screens capable of splintering to allow four simultaneous viewing areas, a ‘smart board’ where instant changes are put in place, and modular tables on wheels which reconfigure to the needs of the
meeting, the Think Tank allows form to follow function, while making the most of its high tech potential.
Clark’s desire to make the client feel part of the design process and more connected with the on-going stages of that process by utilizing technology for collaboration with the client has been realized in a spectacularly successful manner. That success, observes Schaefer, “shows how important it is (for the client) to see what we provide.” Seven to ten people collaborate in the design process and provide the client with multiple design options. In operation since February, the Think Tank already is integral for Clayco’s presentation.
Clients participating in Think Tank sessions leave, observes Schaefer, “knowing exactly what they will be getting.” Aided by graphic designers, CAD (computer aided design operators) and architects from Forum Studio, Clayco’s architectural firm, they are able to visualize all aspects of the project and to be presented with varying options in a visual manner. The technology does not end there. Officials of the Baltimore Ravens, for instance, were given a 3D animated fly-by of their team’s future headquarters and training facilities. The ability to ‘see’ a building that’s still in the design stage seems certain to raise expectations and diminish the potential for disappointment. The reality, as far as the design of the building goes, can no longer provide an element of surprise.
| Bob Clark, CEO, Clayco |
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Clayco’s physical plant allows for rapid collaboration as practioners of all elements of the design process are housed in the same building. The extremely open nature of that building and the obvious free flowing traffic pattern of Clayco’s employees indicates that that collaboration is not confined to offices or meetings. Clayco, in fact, has provided its employees another extremely open space, dubbed the Tree House, specifically for informal meetings of varying design teams. This predictably airy space provides visual focus while allowing for physical comfort, and is mildly reminiscent of any number of informal campus spaces (think Washington University’s Holmes Lounge), which promoted free exchange of ideas and often were responsible for deeper learning than any number of actual classrooms.
Utilizing Think Tank’s technology, Clayco’s St. Louis employees are able to communicate face-to-face with employees in branch offices in Detroit and Chicago. The wireless four-screen technology allows participants to see four items (presentations, speaker’s faces, et cetera) at once with seemingly limitless potential for instant change of focus while providing the option to regroup as one screen for major presentations.
Another key feature of the Think Tank is its ability to be used internally for training sessions. David Lewis, of the Technical Services Group, for instance, uses it to stream web casts from professional organizations on subjects such as building code changes, designs to prevent mold and other relevant technical topics to a roomful of employees. The live camera also allows these sessions to be broadcast to Clayco’s remote offices and, utilizing e-mail, as live Net communications. |
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