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2. Working with telecom consultants INTRODUCTION Architects aren’t strangers to using consultants. Designers regularly employ specialists to nail down engineering, lighting, landscaping, and other important details in their projects. These days, architects are turning more frequently to a new type of consultant for the digital age—one that specializes in networking, telecommunications, and audio/visual (A/V) systems, as sophisticated communications technologies become essential elements in buildings.

3. ا The elevated role of communications consultants results from the increasing willingness of corporations, universities, health-care organizations, and others to embrace maturing technologies like videoconferencing and so- called “converged” networks, which merge data and voice traffic over a single digital infrastructure. These consultants don’t just handle phones anymore. Often, they have expertise in designing and installing data networks, video production, and sound and lighting systems that make it possible to view a discussion in a conference room in New York City from a location in Los Angeles or anywhere else in the world.

4. A niche with influence Rather than outsiders who sign off on one element of a design, these specialists often have a lot of input on the look and feel of a project. “Five years ago, bringing in a [communications] consultant would have been an afterthought,” says Glenn Leitch, AIA. “Five years ago, bringing in a [communications] consultant would have been an afterthought,” says Glenn Leitch, AIA. “Now it’s something standard that happens before design begins.” “Now it’s something standard that happens before design begins.” In New Jersey, Chase ManhattanBank’s ChemNetwork houses critical data in a single structure. The viewing gallery (not shown) lets visitors see some of the action. A video wall (at right above) keeps employees abreast of the latest headlines. Photography: © Walter Dufresne

5. The tie between communications technology and design is becoming so intimate. Clients who want to look like leaders in their fields believe that high-tech touches provide a symbolic aesthetic image, which opens up designers to new visual possibilities. Technology becoming part of the design and gives us a new material to play with.”

6. Architects say their most forward-thinking clients want to blend hardware and software into the overall design for operational efficiency, and to reduce the expense of future upgrades and retrofits. To merge form and function successfully, architects and communications consultants must forge close working relationships,“It’s sometimes very difficult for an architect to give up his aesthetic wishes for the sake of acoustical or video performance,” says Frank McCann. Communications technology evolves so quickly that few guidelines or case histories of similar projects exist. Often, clients know they want to use new technologies to meet their program objectives Communications technology evolves so quickly that few guidelines or case histories of similar projects exist. Often, clients know they want to use new technologies to meet their program objectives

7. Thinking ahead As buildings incorporate videoconferencing and other communications techniques that require sending a lot of data over the wires in real time. A model of high-tech appointments, one room includes a massive video wall that displays data from Chase Manhattan’s processing centers in New York City, as well as weather reports and news broadcasts. Other consultants on this project were also asked to accommodate its video and data systems. The project team could ill-afford to underdesign these support systems, because the failure of a company’s data center can be disastrous and costly.

8. Early collaboration also addresses the importance technology holds for clients. “The telecom and A/V components were such major pieces of the client’s vision, we wanted a consultant that could [make sure] we weren’t short on something that would make [the project] look weak,” says Maria Bonau, AIA, associate principal. Consultants can also help architects see into the future. “From an A/V point of view, we tried to look at what technologies they would be using on Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3,” recalls David Ottavio, KPF associate principal. “Then we created a framework for the [technology] infrastructure, including a tremendous telecom backbone to run data cabling” so future upgrades wouldn’t be as costly. He calls this technique “future proofing.” With the help of consulting firm Shen Milsom & Wilke of New York City

9. Communications breakdown Blending beauty and function is, as always, the trickiest balance. “Architects love glass conference rooms because they look techy. But they’re the worst thing [for] videoconferencing. There are no acoustic [insulation] properties in glass, the sound is hard, and it reflects around the room. You end up creating little echo chambers” McCann suggests holding brainstorming sessions to identify solutions before the client sees design proposals, so the team forms a united front. Once a project is done, informal meetings can also help design teams build on experience to avoid past mistakes