The College of Architecture at Texas A&M University recently
joined Fully Integrated Automated Technology (FIATECH), a consortium
that envisions a future state where capital projects are executed
in a highly automated and seamlessly integrated environment
across all phases and processes of their life cycle. Though
set-up by the College of Architecture, the FIATECH membership
is for the entire university.
“In other words, all information is available to who
needs it, when it is needed, and where it is needed at an affordable
price,” explained Jorge Vanegas, director of the college’s
Center for Housing and Urban Development and a member of the
FIATECH board of directors.
FIATECH provides global leadership in identifying and accelerating
the development, demonstration and deployment of fully integrated
and automated technologies to deliver the highest business
value throughout the life cycle of all types of capital projects.
The consortium’s “Roadmap for Capital Projects” ensures
that right technologies are developed in the appropriate order.
Consortium members include Intel, Dow, DuPont the Smithsonian
Institution, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Oracle, and
many more highly recognized companies and universities. A complete
member list is available at http://www.fiatech.org/about/memlist.html
“FIATECH,” Vanegas said, “is able to pool
resources and talent and focus them on critical technology
issues and innovations in the capital construction process.
The faculty from the College of Architecture will have an opportunity
to be involved in FIATECH projects, both personally and through
their students. Membership in FIATECH” he continued, “provides
great visibility of leadership for the College and for Texas
A&M University with FIATECH members and in the industry
in general.”
Vanegas, the only academic on the FIATECH Board of Directors,
is currently leading an effort to involve more faculty and
students across the nation in the consortium’s activities.
This, he said “will also further the College of Architecture's
and Texas A&M's leadership role among peer institutions.”
FIATECH Web site: http://www.fiatech.org/
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