Second annual GeoDesign Summit explores the power of geography and design

REDLANDS, CALIF. — Professionals and academics will convene at Esri headquarters in Redlands, Calif., Jan. 6–7, 2011, for the second annual GeoDesign Summit.

GeoDesign introduces geospatial technologies into any type of design process such as developing a community project or conducting scientific research. Attendees will take part in the development of GeoDesign concepts, technologies, and tools that will advance how our global society approaches design.

The keynote speaker will be architect Kimon Onuma, president and founder of Onuma Inc., a firm that describes its team as "a unique blend of building and software architects." His company, based in Pasadena, Calif., uses an integrated design approach for its projects and services for the building industry, using building information modeling (BIM) and other technologies such as geographic information system (GIS) software. The title of Onuma’s talk will be “Getting Real with GeoDesign and BIM.”

In addition, attendees will have several opportunities to share their ideas, challenges, and solutions with an international group of innovators from diverse disciplines. Guest speakers, lightning talks, idea labs, brainstorming workshops, and cross-disciplinary, hands-on learning will foster dialog about the advancement of design and geography.

With GeoDesign, geographic analysis is brought into the design process early on, when initial design sketches are evaluated against spatial data. Planners, engineers, architects, and others who use location information can benefit from this design framework. The resultant designs more closely follow natural systems, which benefits both people and nature and makes for a more synergistic co-existence.

For more information and to register, visit geodesignsummit.com. The registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 3, 2010.