Amber Burt is an Architectural Technologist whose responsibilities include design development, working drawings, technical detailing, and contract administration. Amber has worked on educational, residential, commercial, municipal, and provincial government projects.
She has experience and knowledge in a variety of different computer programs used in the construction industry. Amber has played a key role implementing Revit into the P3A workflow.
Amber managed the REVIT model for the new Mosaic Stadium reference design, a $270 million project. She worked in London, England with the stadium experts managing the flow of information to the North American design contingent including P3A.
On her most recent project, she has assisted with existing equipment reviews and scheduling to ensure all pieces were accounted for and documented within the project; provided Revit support to consultants; coordinated with the energy modelling consultant regarding building details; and was responsible for the coordination and communication with consultants through the use of Revit and Bluebeam.
Q. Please tell us about P3ARCHITECTURE PARTNERSHIP.
A. P3Architecture Partnership (P3A) is one of the largest architectural firms in Saskatchewan. We are a “grass-roots” company with a 65-year history of innovative practice. P3A is committed to design that makes a meaningful difference to people, the community, the environment and the practice of architecture. What we design affects people’s lives and where they work, live, play and learn. We want nothing less than to ensure our impact is positive, enduring, and sustainable.
P3A provides programming and master planning, architecture, interior design, sustainable design, and prime consulting as an integrated service. Listening, interpreting, researching, and communicating are key words that describe our philosophy - a philosophy we have brought to thousands of projects (small to large).
Please tell us about the culture and philosophy for digital technology and innovation at P3ARCHITECTURE PARTNERSHIP?
P3A’s culture and philosophy fosters innovation for digital technology and its use in projects. We routinely try out new technologies and processes on test projects and those processes that prove beneficial, and streamline workflows, get integrated into the overall office workflow. P3A is a team-oriented organization with internal teams regularly sharing project experiences and lessons learned with other peers in the office.
Q. Please tell us about P3ARCHITECTURE PARTNERSHIP ’s work on the École Gravelbourg School.
École Gravelbourg School is the result of renovations and an addition to the high school to accommodate the inclusion of the elementary school. The project vision was developed with students, staff and the community using a collaborative design process. The dramatic update includes over 11,000 square feet of additional space, 5 new classrooms, practical and applied arts space, a new library and media centre, multipurpose areas, and new offices. The Play & Learn Daycare is connected to the school, bringing early learning, elementary and secondary education under one roof. P3A incorporated philosophies of Lean Design and Integrated Project Delivery Models and used Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Pre-K to 12 Facilities Planning Guidelines. The result is a school that incorporates a flexible teaching environment that will allow the pedagogy to shift from a direct instruction - one teacher-one classroom model - to a collaborative teaching environment and best-practice 21st Century learning over time.
Please tell us about an interesting project/case study/product where technology is being implemented or has been implemented at P3ARCHITECTURE PARTNERSHIP?
Our designers have begun using 3D fly-throughs and we have increased our rendering production much earlier in the design process, thanks in part to using Revit. These early fly-throughs and images have been crucial in assisting Clients visualize their spaces and streamline design decisions. On College Avenue Campus, drones, 3D cameras, and point cloud scans were all used to capture existing conditions and assisted in creating accurate as-built models.
How bright is the future for LEED in AECO industry and how are digital technologies being used to advance Architecture design practices across Canada?
We see NECB somewhat taking the place of LEED as the same energy and sustainability practices are being codified through NECB. BIM will allow collaboration across multiple disciplines to ensure those energy targets are met.
Finally, please share your thoughts on what technologies will impact the AECOO industry in the next five years?
Within Regina, I’ve already seen the use of robotics being implemented in concrete demolition and retrofitting. We already see the use of drones, or UAV’s being implemented and used throughout all phases of design and construction – we ourselves use drones to document existing conditions on buildings. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) has already started impacting the industry. I think it is only just the beginning for VR and AR, and see this as having an even greater impact on the industry.
Thank you for taking the time to share with us!
