Bill Kwon, MBA, joined HMC Architects in the summer of 2023 and leads the strategic implementation of cutting-edge technologies to enhance HMC’s design solutions and shape the industry’s future. Bill believes that every decision we make towards a technology-driven future will be informed and accompanied by how it will further our Design for Good ethos rather than simply focusing on the technology itself.
Q: What attracted you to the position of Chief Technology Officer at HMC Architects?
A: The culture, the people, HMC’s Design for Good ethos, and the forward positioning of HMC by its leadership for HMC’s future.
Q: Can you share your vision for the role of technology in the architecture industry and how you plan to implement it at HMC Architects?
A: Technology is not just an enabler for core business practices but a driver for enriched value for our PreK-12 clients. As the world’s business landscape shifts, so must our profession. An organization whose authored work thrives in a digital, datacentric landscape will flourish in this new world. Our ambition is to bring HMC to the forefront of our profession through design and technology.
Our ambition is to bring HMC to the forefront of our profession through design and technology
Q: What are the key considerations when designing a school for next-gen learning and integrating technology?
A: Technology itself is rapidly changing. How we access the internet, what kind of digital experiences enhance learning, and how it can make equitable the ability to maximize their education and potential. Much of the cost end concerns traditional IT infrastructure, but increasingly, the more potent considerations are around software. Being future-prepared for performance demands, including high-speed wireless connectivity, hybrid teaching platform technology, and physical learning methods, is a consideration that must be thoughtfully incorporated into any design solution.
Q: Can you describe the process of specifying technology for schools to ensure they are up-to-date and adaptable to future changes?
A: One of the key aspects of building a future-prepared technology strategy is to think of technology as something other than an afterthought in the design process. Advising PreK-12 clients at the beginning of the design process provides the best opportunities to consider cost, short-term goals, and long-term campus-level decision-making. Not only do we consider what is commonly adopted for schools, but we also consider how other sectors that are also human experience focused are advantageously using new technologies to enrich experiences. Specifying solutions that are fit for purpose while allowing for technology’s rapid evolution and expansion is not always easy. Still, it is always made more difficult without thoughtful planning.
