TTF: Future Proof Yourself!

June 26, 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!

This week, I've been thinking about what it means to future-proof yourself in our industry. Is it about mastering the latest AI tools? Understanding timeless design principles? Learning to code? As you'll see in today's links, the answer is probably "all of the above." What strikes me most is that future-proofing isn't about predicting which tools or technology will win—it's about developing the adaptability to thrive regardless.

But here's the thing—as Pat Flynn argues in his new book (see link #3), we often mistake collecting information for taking action. We hoard tutorials and courses like they're going out of style, when what we really need is to start building.

Speaking of which—mark your calendars! I'll be running a free "summer school" coding mini-course starting July 21st. Think of it as lean learning in action: just enough knowledge to start creating your own solutions. More details coming soon.

Alright, here are five things to check out this week: 

#1: Building an AI-First Practice

Patrick Chopson and Eric Cesal join the TRXL podcast to discuss what happens when you build an architecture firm around AI from day one. They're not discussing layering new tools on old processes—this conversation is about fundamentally rethinking how we deliver design services. The key insight? It's not about speed for speed's sake, but about giving experienced professionals more time to do what they do best.

Click here to listen to the episode on TRXL

#2: Dear Future Architects

Bob Borson and Andrew Hawkins deliver some hard-earned wisdom in this Life of an Architect episode. From choosing firms based on the skills you want to build to mastering the language of money, this is required listening for anyone starting their architectural journey. My favorite bit of advice? Design for others, not yourself. It's a simple concept that's surprisingly hard for many of us to internalize.

Click here to listen at Life of an Architect

#3: Learn Less, Build More

Pat Flynn, a former architect turned online entrepreneur, has a new book about something we all struggle with: information overload. For those of us constantly consuming tutorials, courses, and newsletters (guilty!), Flynn's thesis is refreshingly simple: learn what you need, when you need it, then actually do something with it. Good advice! Maybe we all need to consume a little less knowledge and start building things instead.

Click here to learn more at Goodreads

#4: The Computational Engineer Roadmap

This practical guide from BIM Corner maps out the real journey to becoming a computational engineer in AEC - starting with computational thinking and reverse engineering workflows on paper before touching any code. This smart progression moves from visual programming (Grasshopper) to text-based scripts, then eventually to APIs and custom tools. What I love is the emphasis on learning tools you can actually apply to your daily work. Good stuff!

Click here to read the article at BIM Corner

#5: Tools of the Trade

Why not build the solution yourself instead of waiting for someone else to solve your Revit problems? This showcase of Revit add-ins created by my Revit Add-in Bootcamp graduates proves that you don't need a massive R&D budget to innovate. From automating legend creation to preventing file corruption from forgotten overnight sessions, these tools address real pain points from real users.  

Click here to read the full article at ArchSmarter

That's all from me. Have a great week!

Michael