to start a firm

cheers
Wed, 09 May 2007 16:23:47 +0000

That is part luck–but who would have thought to ask the clerk in the first place? I have had great luck–but always following an effort to put myself out there. My partner is king of the cold call.

From my perspective, wanting to do some free form bits on bigger projects, I think Catia will help me get those bits specified to the nth degree so that I can get the bits manufactured and installed at a reasonable cost. I also find AutoCAD and revit frustrating and inefficient–because they approach 3D from a mechanical drafting base. The system needs too many bandaid moves to be truly fluid. Those bandaids cost me money. Grrrrr.

All the clever manufacturers went to Catia fifteen years ago and those that didn’t are getting killed in the cross global markets. I look at my models and think why shouldn’t I be thinking about this tower like any other manufactured product–with this bit from China and that bit from Thailand? Manufacturers spread the cost of Catia by sharing the licenses all over the place. We might spread that cost among the engineers, our office and the builder–especially in the first year or two when we won’t need our seats 12 months of the year.

Partly I am influenced by my 18 year old–who learned five new program languages in the last three months. He’s updated his website with the latest movie animation software. (He doesn’t have that anti-fame thing. He’s got a website and he has already been an invited speaker at an educational conference). He has an intuitive, fearless feel for cyber-everything–and he’s not a CS geek–he will be an IR major. He’s just young, keen and part of the cyber revolution.

My gut tells me that there will be many young architects coming up with that intuitive feel–kids like Tzar or sashimi or vyan. My gut also tells me that this could be the way to get to Ronchamp. I’ll take the risk and see what happens.

I tell you what–Catia is going to be a big aphrodisiac for clients. Clients will think Catia is bringing sexy back. Says me.