TTF: Challenge Accepted

 October 16, 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. What did I find interesting this week? Read down to find out!

Welcome back to another Thursday Top 5! This week's links share a fascinating theme: transformation and challenging the status quo. From questioning whether BIM delivers on its promises to reimagining how our homes evolved from formal parlors to open floor plans, these articles push us to rethink conventional wisdom. 

We'll examine how AI can transform civic engagement, how computational design revolutionizes complex architectural forms, and why you should consider building something new before year's end. It's all about challenging assumptions and embracing change. Let's get started! 

#1: Is BIM Dead?

KP Reddy drops a bombshell: after talking to thousands of AEC leaders, he claims BIM is dead and our expensive software investments aren't delivering real ROI. His argument? The truth lives in email boxes and spreadsheets, not our centralized BIM platforms. Whether you agree or not, his perspective on why BIM's promises remain unfulfilled is worth your attention.

Click here to read the full article at Substack

#2: AI Meets Town Hall

What happens when a small-town mayor becomes a tech founder? Nichole Sterling created MyTownAI to solve a simple but maddening problem: municipal staff bouncing between disconnected databases just to answer "What can be built here?" Her AI platform now helps 83% of American towns (those under 10,000 people) make smarter decisions with digital twins and integrated data.

Click here to listen to the podcast at Practice of Architecture

#3: The Art of Complex Geometry

Parametric Monkey reveals how they conquered the geometric nightmare of creating roofs featuring single and double-curved surfaces. Their rule-based parametric system adapted to each unique form, turning what could have been months of manual modeling into an efficient, file-to-factory workflow. If you've ever struggled with warped geometry or digital fabrication, this is your masterclass.

Click here to read the full article at Parametric Monkey

#4: From Parlors to Open Plans

Why did parlors vanish from American homes? This video traces how formal Victorian waiting rooms morphed into living rooms, family rooms, and today's open floor plans. It's a fascinating look at how changing social values literally reshaped our houses. 

Click here to watch the video on YouTube

#5: Your 90-Day AI Challenge

Darius Foroux has a challenge: stop watching AI from the sidelines and build something real before year's end. Not a productivity hack – an actual product, service, or brand with your name on it. His 90-day roadmap shows how to use AI as leverage to launch fast and learn skills that "keep paying you back."

Click here to read the full article at Darius Foroux

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

Michael