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.
MICHAEL BEAUREGARD, MBA MS
Michael Beauregard, a Ph.D. candidate at Arizona State University with a proven track record spanning over 20 years in managing strategic sourcing, facility management, operations, and business development for numerous fortune 100/500 corporations on regional, national and global initiatives.
Mr. Beauregard has directed the strategic sourcing roadmap, vested outsourcing strategy, and managed service contractor relationships for global corporations exceeding 100M sq. ft. with annual expense spending in excess of $400M. He has extensive experience staffing and managing global strategic sourcing organizations through the effective use and leverage of supply chain relationships. Michael is a content expert on controlled environment facilities, including cleanrooms, data centers, and cGMP manufacturing space.
Mr. Beauregard received his B.A. in Architecture (96), ME Construction Management (2002), and MBA Supply Chain (2004) from Arizona State University.
JUSTIN HARTLESS
Justin Hartless is currently the Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Emerging Technologies BIM Group at Arizona State University. As an Undergraduate Student, Justin Hartless is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction Management with a Minor in Sustainability through the Del E Webb School of Construction within the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment (SSEBE). Justin has been an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant with the Del E Webb School of Construction where he has been involved in leading lectures and assisting in evolving content.
Justin plans are to continue his education and research into the Graduate Program at Arizona State University. His focus will be with studying Mixed Reality (MR) and its application within the construction industry.
AYAZ PALEKAR
Ayaz Palekar is a Construction Management Graduate Student at ASU. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Mumbai University. His research work concentrates predominantly on innovative technologies that aid productivity and their trends in construction. In the past he has worked on a residential project using Pre-cast Construction.
JEFF WILSON
Jeff is completing his Bachelor's of Science degree in Construction Management with the Del E Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University. Jeff worked in facility maintenance at the Mesa Financial Plaza, a 16-story. office building. He spent time as a property manager at Gifford Business Park, a small-user industrial park in San Bernardino, CA. Jeff is interested in the development of new technologies to advance the field of construction.
Our Alumni
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.
RAHIMI A. RAHMAN, PhD
A PhD student in the Emerging Technologies BIM Research Group at Arizona State University, Mr. Rahman studied at Saitama University, completing his B.Eng and M.Eng under the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. At Saitama, Mr. Rahman researched how cyclist and motorist perceived each other on the road by using eye mark recorders (EMR). Mr. Rahman also served as a senior consultant in Malaysia prior to his studies at ASU.
His research interests included 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. Rahman is fluent in English, Malay and Japanese.
NISHANTH KATHULA
Nishanth is a Graduate student enrolled in the School of Sustainable Engineering and Built Environment and majoring in Construction Management at Arizona State University with professional experience and affiliations spanning across the fields of Architecture, Construction, DesignBuild and Project Management.
IMAD A. KHALEK
Imad earned a Master’s degree in Construction Management at Arizona State University. Imad received his Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the American University of Beirut (AUB). Prior to joining ET BIM Lab he spent six months as a resident engineer in Dubai. Imad studied the impact of Mixed Reality technologies on designing for constructability.
JAD CHALHOUB
Jad received his Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. Jad began his Master’s degree in Construction Management at Arizona State University in the Fall of 2015 transitioning to a Ph.D. Fall of 2017.
Prior to joining the ET BIM Lab team, he spent a year working in the roadway design division at KimleyHorn. Mr. Chalhoub has always been interested in the latest technologies with a special interest in Mixed and Augmented reality. Jad worked on improving design communication and comprehension through marker-less based Mixed and Augmented Reality technologies.”
Sponsoring organinzations
Participating organizations
