Arch_Manu Talk Series 42_ Allister Lewis

Join us for Arch_Manu Talk Series 42 with Allister Lewis, Architect, Digital Transformation Advisor & CEO of Automated Data Driven Design (ADDD).

Talk title: Your Software Was Designed in the 1900s: Why We Must Evolve to BIM 2.0

Abstract: Much of today’s architectural software was conceived decades ago. AutoCAD is over 40 years old, Revit nearly 30, and many “modern” tools still reflect workflows designed for a different era. As a result, BIM has often stalled as a documentation process rather than fulfilling its promise as a platform for collaboration, intelligence, and design innovation. This lecture argues that the industry is now approaching a fundamental shift. Drawing on real project experience, Allister Lewis explores the emergence of BIM 2.0, driven by AI, automation, interoperability, and data-centred design, and presents a practical framework for assessing future-ready technology and building the foundations practices need to thrive in the next era of architectural work.

Speaker bio: Allister Lewis is an architect, digital transformation advisor, and CEO of Automated Data Driven Design (ADDD). With 25+ years in AEC, he helps global design practices move beyond software adoption to achieve meaningful workflow, BIM 2.0, and AI-ready transformation across design and delivery.

Formal CPD offering: his talk is offered as a formal CPD course for architects, mapped to the performance criteria of PC18 and PC28 in the Australian 2021 National Standard of Competencies for Architects. You will earn 1 formal point upon completing the CPD questions. If you would like to receive a certificate, please select the Formal CPD Add-On when ordering your ticket. The questionnaire will be sent to you on the morning of the course. A certificate will be issued once your attendance for the full lecture hour is confirmed. Please note that late arrivals and early departures will result in the loss of the Formal CPD certificate.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to integrate knowledge from building science, environmental performance, and social and behavioural considerations into early-stage design workflows—using data-driven, BIM 2.0–enabled tools to inform preliminary research, evaluate options, and optimise conceptual design performance across spatial, environmental, and user-focused criteria. Participants will also be able to critically evaluate and apply emerging digital design technologies, data-driven workflows, and BIM 2.0 principles to inform concept design development—using research, precedent analysis, and creative imagination to explore, test, and refine three-dimensional form, spatial quality, and design options within an integrated, future-ready design process.

SDG Goals: This presentation addresses the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 9 and11 .

Online: Thursday 26 February 2026, 6:00-7:30PM AEDT

The MS Teams meeting link will be emailed with your registration confirmation.

This event is organised by the ARC Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing (Arch_Manu). For further information please visit: www.archmanu.com