Lab in Blacksburg gives aspiring architects an advantage
Architecture is an industry whose competitiveness is on the rise day after day. It can be difficult to plant your name in the world of building and design, but a new lab on Virginia Tech's campus may be the key to its students gaining the upper hand.
By John Anderson - Apr. 15, 2024
Trimble Technology Labs are a very new phenomenon in the world of design. A piece from PR Newswire discusses that the first of its kind opened at the University of Auckland in New Zealand in April of 2023 with the goal of providing students with new technological advancements. Trimble's official page shows that the practice has expanded to 31 different universities across the globe, with Virginia Tech being one of the lucky few. Graduate student Issac Zheng is an equipment manager at the Trimble Lab with a strong understanding of the value the experience will bring.
"That hands on experience is something you can't do from a Youtube video. Actually playing around with equipment, just getting more familiar through actually using them. I think that's the best way to learn as opposed to watching a video."
Blacksburg, VA, Apr. 5, 2024 - Entrance: The recently built Trimble Lab awaits students looking to take their skills in architecture and design to the next level. Photo: John Anderson
Associate professor Aboila Akanmu is someone who shares the sentiment of needing higher quality equipment for students on an article from LBM Journal.
“Over the years one of the challenges we have had is access to the state-of-the-art software and hardware that are used by industry practitioners,” said Akanmu. “Partnering with Trimble helps us prepare students to excel and innovate in the construction industry.”
The Trimble Technology Lab is not exclusive to just architects, however. Those working in engineering and construction will have access as well, along with all the benefits the equipment provides. There is always going to be some level of fear whenever you step into a field of work for the first time; where will I find a job? Will it pay enough? Will I enjoy it? Very few universities in the world have access to the state-of-the-art equipment the Trimble lab has to offer. This lab in Blacksburg is new, so it's impossible to gauge exactly how much of an impact it is going to make. However, students at Virginia Tech are going to have access to some of the highest quality equipment the industry has to offer, and with the financial upside of the world of architecture, students are going to have a massive advantage in getting started.
This graph is an overview of what the financial aspect of the architecture workforce is like.