Practice
DOUGLAS HANSON, FAIA, NOMA
Douglas Hanson has been instrumental in revolutionizing architecture through his work integrating emergent technology and developing an interdisciplinary workflow across practice, design, and construction—bridging the gap between what is imaginable and what is possible.
I. REVOLUTIONIZING ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE WITH TECHNOLOGY
Early in his career, Douglas Hanson utilized emergent technology to overcome obstacles surrounding the design and execution of projects where traditional two-dimensional forms of representation could not fully translate the complex three-dimensional structures. By using novel technology and developing new, collaborative workflows to execute a series of revolutionary, complex projects Hanson’s work pushed the practice of architecture forward.
As the Project Architect for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao at Frank O. Gehry & Associates, Hanson took a comprehensive approach to technology. He expanded the role of technology beyond simply developing new forms to an integral tool for project management through to construction. In working to materialize the radical curvatures of the design, Hanson and his team invented new methodologies and systems to communicate the geometry of each curve. Cobbling together analog modeling techniques with scientific measuring calculations, they translated the cutting- edge design into workable construction documents and digital models. New methodologies that Hanson innovated for the Guggenheim Museum profoundly minimized architecture’s limitations, expanding new possibilities.
Throughout his career, Hanson has continued his commitment to shifting architectural practice via technology. He cofounded the start-up Smart Architecture to consult with firms on how to develop digital models and utilize them throughout the entire workflow of a project. Hanson educates his private clients and the builders on the value proposition of technology on all projects such as his 3275 Wilshire project where the smart model optimized cost savings and enhanced design excellence.
II. UTILIZING NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR DESIGN INNOVATION AND PROJECT DELIVERY
Douglas Hanson launched his career working on seminal buildings that represent an evolution in design innovation and project delivery facilitated by digital technology—each of which have influenced the innovation of architectural design and have been lauded as catalysts for societal change. He was a key member of teams that were instrumental in innovating the systems and processes necessary to complete some of the most significant buildings in contemporary architecture: as the Project Architect for El Peix in Barcelona’s Olympic Village; as the Project Architect for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; and as the Project Designer for the Peter B Lewis Building at the Weatherhead School at Case Western University. Hanson applied new technologic to develop tools for the design and project delivery, enabling new possibilities in architecture with each building and revolutionizing the discipline.
From early in his career, Douglas Hanson established himself as a leader in the industry. As someone at the forefront of integrating technology in architecture, he has deep professional knowledge around opportunities to innovate in design and delivery which he continues to implement in projects today. He regularly finds opportunities to share his knowledge about technology-rich processes through teaching, writing, and public speaking across the field of architecture. As a committed mentor, he fosters emerging professionals to support their career and help to bring technology forward with the next generation of architect.
Hanson integrates technology in his projects to make design innovation and comprehensive workflow a part of standard practice. He impresses upon the client and the design team that cutting- edge technology in design, documentation, and construction has great value and will lead to the creation of a better, more efficient built environment.
III. ENABLING TECHNOLOGY-RICH COMPREHENSIVE WORKFLOW
Throughout his career, Douglas Hanson has harnessed technology’s capabilities to enable design innovation and comprehensive workflows that seamlessly integrate the design and construction of buildings. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of technology in architecture—an arc that began by revolutionizing the practice and influencing design innovation to his current work in developing comprehensive and efficient workflows in standard practice.
Douglas Hanson has an innate understanding of how technology facilitates a comprehensive workflow which is essential to the constructability of innovative buildings. Hanson focuses his energy on refining methods to translate rough sketches into meaningful buildings. He has honed his directorial expertise, developing a sophisticated process of collaboration and orchestration to seamlessly integrate the design phase through to construction.
Today, Hanson is continuing his work to disrupt the industry by developing technologically-rich workflows and smart models into each of his projects. He understands the value of this work through his experience in a leadership role on the revolutionary projects El Peix and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. It was during this time that he was not only revolutionizing the tools of architecture via digital technology, but where he gained a rich understanding of how a technology-rich workflow adds value to a project with dynamic systems, clear communication, and an efficient schedule.
While digital models are now commonplace and integrated into offices—both small and large—across the industry, Hanson sees latent opportunities with technology. Hanson optimizes the performance and efficiency in his projects through a technology-rich infrastructure with shared information embedded into smart models upfront.