On our Wednesday, June 8th session of Design Open Mic, we had presentations from Damon Hernandez of IDEAbuilder, and our very own Sandhya Janardhan, Program Manager currently working on projects in Haiti.

Starting things off, Damon Hernandez got plenty of "oohs" and "ahhs" from the audience over his presentation of the IDEAbuilder system, which uses Web3D technologies to create virtual models of architectural projects, and which can then be used to facilitate communication and collaboration among architects, builders, contractors, and clients throughout the development process. Damon also touched upon his company's use of robotics in building and construction, and how this method is inherently more efficient and eco-friendly than traditional ways of building. The moral of the story, which Damon illuminated for us very well, is that the convergence of 3D, web, geospatial, and digital fabrication technologies is changing the way we design, build, and maintain our real world, and for the better. Check out some of the highlights from Damon's presentation in the video below.

After hearing from Damon, we got an in-depth update from Sandhya Janardhan on the work and projects underway in Haiti. Sandhya briefed us on three main initiatives in progress at the Haiti Rebuilding Center: the School Initiative, which has already seen through the completion of the Ceverine School and is making progress on at least eight other schools; Bati Byen, an awareness and training program for safe building and construction; and the Economic Corridors project, which seeks to identify and target specific areas and neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince for small and medium business reconstruction. See what Sandhya had to say in the video highlights below.