TT5: Building Knowledge

October 30, 2025

This weekly email is my curated selection of interesting and useful topics related to BIM, design, and technology. I aim to provide you with some good information and a few laughs along the way. So, what did I find interesting this week? Read down to find out!

Welcome to this week's Top 5! As I was pulling these links together, I noticed they all share something in common: they're about building better systems for organizing what we know. Whether it's structuring project data, documenting standards, or diving deep into a topic, the goal is to make knowledge accessible and useful. From dashboards to documentation to deliberate learning, here are five resources to help you work smarter this week.

#1: From Computational Design to Business Value

Matt Goldsberry from HDR joins Evan Troxel on the TRXL podcast to discuss how computational design drives tangible business outcomes in AEC. They explore Power BI dashboards, translating BIM data into meaningful decisions, and helping architects evolve from tool users to data-informed leaders. It's a practical conversation about creating measurable impact through data.

Click here to listen to the episode at TRXL

#2: Using Notion for BIM Standards

This step-by-step guide from BIM Pure walks you through setting up Notion as your BIM knowledge hub. Learn how to create searchable documentation, embed videos and images, organize standards by project type, and finally ditch those static PDF manuals. It's a practical alternative to keeping critical BIM knowledge in one person's head.

Click here to read the full article at BIM Pure

#3: AI and Marketing in AEC

Knowledge Architecture shares five observations about how AI is reshaping AEC marketing. The key insight? AI doesn't magically retrieve information; it only accelerates what's already been made accurate, structured, and accessible. This article makes a compelling case for why knowledge management has become a strategic priority for firm leadership.

Click here to read the full article at Knowledge Architecture

#4: The C-B-T Method for Revit Templates

Since I've received a few emails about this article the past couple of weeks, I'm re-sharing my strategy for building flexible, modular Revit templates using the Chassis-Body-Trim method. Instead of one bloated template trying to serve every project, this approach lets you create lean, customizable templates that adapt to specific project types and requirements. Think of it like building cars: start with a solid chassis, add the right body for the job, then customize with project-specific trim.

Click here to read the full article at ArchSmarter

#5: Do You Know How to Do a Deep Dive?

Ryan Holiday explains the value of immersing yourself in a subject. By immersion, he's not talking about just skimming the surface, but going deep enough to understand it completely. Using Lincoln's self-directed education and his own research process as examples, Holiday makes the case that real wisdom comes from swarming a topic from every angle. It's a compelling reminder that shortcuts rarely lead to mastery.

Click here to read the full article at Ryan Holiday

That's all from me. I hope you're having a great week.

Michael