The Great A&E Upgrade: How Technology Turned Our Workflows into Works of Art

By Cristin Peacock, Vice President Peacock Architects

Technology has always been part of my story. I grew up in that in-between era where floppy disks lived next to drafting boards, and AOL Instant Messenger chimed in the background while my family sketched on vellum. As I got older, I realized those two worlds — the analog and the digital — were on a collision course that would reshape not only my relationship with architecture, but the entire profession.

Today, technology isn’t just a tool for us at Peacock Architects. It’s a partner in creativity. And honestly? It’s one of the reasons our workflows have evolved into something that feels a lot like art.

A Legacy Rooted in Innovation

Peacock Architects has been a family practice for four generations, guided by a simple philosophy: Designing Beyond Dreams. Over the decades, we’ve grown into a boutique, collaborative firm known for taking on schools, civic spaces, healthcare, residential work — even monuments.

What’s carried us through each era is the willingness to blend tradition with innovation. Technology has become the bridge between the architectural values we inherited and the possibilities waiting ahead.

The World Before the Upgrade

It’s easy to forget how different architecture felt before the digital revolution. Workflows were slower. Hand drawings ruled the day. Physical models filled every office shelf. Revisions took days — sometimes weeks — and clients often had to take our word for it rather than truly “see” the space.

Great work was absolutely being done. But the tools placed limits on speed, collaboration, and the creative imagination.

The Five Forces That Changed Everything

Then came the great upgrade — the wave of tools that transformed the A&E industry. I think of them as five major forces:

1. BIM & 3D Modeling

The moment BIM entered the scene, everything changed. Suddenly we weren’t just drawing buildings; we were constructing digital twins. Every duct, beam, and fixture lived in one coordinated model.

Errors dropped. Clashes surfaced early. Collaboration across disciplines became seamless. For complex, multi-disciplinary projects where precision is everything, this has been a game-changer.

2. Visualization Tools

Renderings, VR, and AR unlocked a new dimension of design. Clients don’t just see plans — they experience the space. When we worked on Key Biscayne’s Beach Park, immersive visualization helped the community fall in love with the project long before construction began. These tools didn’t just improve communication; they sparked inspiration.

3. Collaboration Platforms

Cloud-based collaboration reshaped how we work with consultants, partners, and even each other.

No more mailing drawings overnight. No more waiting for markup revisions. Now we open up shared models, review changes in real time, and keep the project moving regardless of geography. The workflow is continuous, connected, and fast.

4. Data & Performance Tools

Architecture is no longer just about aesthetics. With energy modeling, material analysis, and CPTED strategies integrated early, we can design smarter, safer, and more sustainably.

Compliance becomes part of the creative process — not a hurdle at the end.

5. AI & Automation

And then there’s AI — the newest (and admittedly most exciting) upgrade. From generative design to drafting support to helping with proposals, AI is steadily taking on the repetitive tasks that once ate up hours of our day.

It doesn’t replace architects. It frees us. The more it automates the tedious, the more we get to do what we love: solve problems, shape experiences, and push creativity further.

Turning Workflows into Works of Art

All these tools — BIM, visualization, cloud collaboration, performance data, AI — they work together to elevate how we design.

At Peacock Architects, we’ve seen our workflows become part of the artistry:

• BIM streamlining complex large-scale building revitalizations

• Digital tools transforming façade studies into sculptural compositions

• Renderings bringing civic and community projects to life long before they break ground

Technology hasn’t just improved efficiency. It’s opened up new creative pathways.

Looking Ahead

Growing up with both architecture and technology shaped the way I see the world: limits aren’t dead ends — they’re launchpads for possibility.

The message I want to leave you with is this: technology isn’t replacing artistry, it’s amplifying it. If we stay curious, stay open, and keep pushing the boundaries of these tools, we can continue to turn workflows into works of art.

That’s what Designing Beyond Dreams means to us.