Our Group
Who we are
We are a research group dedicated to studying new and emerging technologies that can enhance Building Information Modeling (BIM) efforts to improve building design, construction, and operation.
Which technologies we study
We explore a variety of new technological tools that tie into Building Information Modeling processes, including: mobile computing systems, mixed (and augmented) reality, virtual reality, simulation games, wearable technologies, and other new and emerging technologies.
Why study emerging technologies
The building industry is rapidly evolving. Increasingly, companies are looking to leverage computer technology to improve design and construction processes. In a time when new computing technologies seem to be created every day, understanding how to use these tools appropriately to improve design and construction is critical. We aim to research these technologies to identify the types of tools and implementation approaches that offer the most benefit to the building industry.
Experiences and Opportunities
Student Presentation and Conference Travel
Meet The Team
STEVEN K. AYER, PhD
Dr. Ayer oversees the Emerging Technologies BIM Research Group at ASU. He started working at Arizona State University in August of 2014 as an Assistant Professor in the Del E Webb School of Construction within the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE). Prior to joining ASU, Steven studied at The Pennsylvania State University, where he completed his Ph.D. During his graduate work, he researched how mobile computing systems using augmented reality (AR) and simulation game technologies can influence student design processes. The results from this work provided some encouraging findings that will help to influence future research endeavors.
In addition to his education, Steven has had several opportunities to work in industry with construction companies, a design firm, and a Building Information Modeling software development company. These work experiences gave him an appreciation of the workflows and challenges associated with design and construction from a variety of different perspectives.
Ultimately, his academic and industry experiences have shaped his research interest to study the intersection of technological capability and human behavior to better understand how we can intelligently use new technological approaches to improve the building industry.
ARCHANA HARIKRISHNAN
Archana Harikrishnan is a Construction Management Graduate Student at ASU.
She has a B.Tech. in Civil Engineering and an M.Tech. in Construction Technology and Management. Her research focus is augmented reality for communication in the construction industry.
KARAN PATIL
Karan Patil is working towards his Master’s Degree in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction. Karan is a graduate from the Del E. Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University, receiving his Bachelor Degree in Construction Management and a Minor in Urban Planning. Karan is a Graduate Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant for the construction technologies (CON453) class in the Del E. Webb School of Construction. His research involves studying Mixed and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) applications for safety and training purposes within the construction industry.
KIEREN SMITH
Kieren is pursuing her PhD in Construction Management in the Del E. Webb School of Construction at ASU. Her research focuses on the impact of VR/AR in construction education. She received her Bachelor of Music with minors in Physics and Mathematics from Brigham Young University in 2017. She received her Master of Science in Architectural Engineering in 2019 from the University of Nebraska--Lincoln.
ABDULLATIF SAID ABDALLAH
Abdullatif obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering and Master’s degree in Construction Engineering and Management from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He is currently pursuing a PhD in Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering. His research focuses on the use of augmented reality to facilitate effective and efficient communication in the construction industry.
Our Alumni
AYAZ PALEKAR, MS
B. Eng Civil Engineering Mumbai University
M.S. Construction Managment ASU
Research Focus:
Alternative information handover methods in construction to enable better facility management and innovative technologies in the electrical industry.
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
B.Eng Civil and Environmental Eng.
M.Eng Civil and Environmental Eng.
PhD Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
Research Focus:
The importance of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a skill for project managers to better understand how emerging technologies influence project managers in the construction industry.
APARNA PERIKAMANA, MS
BS Civil Engineering
MS Construction Management
Research Focus:
Assessed the impact of various process mapping activities in Building Information Modeling (BIM) education by developing a standalone document to evaluate BIM process maps which can be restructured to assess any business process map.
SULEIMAN ALSAFOURI, PhD
BS Civil Engineering
MS Construction Management
PhD Civil, Environmental & Sustainable Engineering
Research Focus:
Mobile Mixed Reality visualization interface and human behaviors factors in design and constructability review sessions.
NISHANTH KATHULA, MS
MS Construction Management
Research Interests:
Architecture, Construction, DesignBuild and Project Management.
IMAD A. KHALEK, MS
BS Civil and Environmental Engineering MS Construction Management
Research Focus:
Impact of Mixed Reality technologies on designing for constructability.
JAD CHALHOUB, PhD
BS Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering
PhD Construction Management
Research Focus:
mproving design communication and comprehension through marker-less based Mixed and Augmented Reality technologies.
MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, PhD
BA Architecture
ME Construction Management
MBA Supply Chain
PhD Construction Management
Research Interests:
Strategic sourcing, facility management, operations, and business development on regional, national and global initiatives.
JUSTIN HARTLESS, BS
BS Construction Management (Sustainability Minor)
Research Focus:
Mixed Reality (MR) and its application within the construction industry.
JEFF WILSON, BS
BS Construction Management
Research Focus:
Development of new technologies to advance the field of construction.
Sponsoring organinzations
Participating organizations
