Digital infrastructure has progressed considerably over the last decades, and the architecture, engineering, and construction industry is no exception. Building Information Modeling (BIM)—a 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction professionals the insight and tools to plan more efficiently, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure. 

 John Mack, Dome’s BIM Department Manager, has been utilizing BIM/VDC since 1993 and has advocated using lean processes for over a decade. John’s forward-thinking, proactive approach to finding and implementing procedures and technologies that makes him an expert in his field.

To better understand BIM, the impact it has had on our industry, and where the technology is heading, we interviewed long-time BIM guru and pioneer John Mack.

Over 35 years ago, John joined the plumber’s union, following in his father’s footsteps. He began in the pipe trades as a union-trained plumber, and it didn’t take him long to become a Detailing Manager. Shortly after, John became a BIM Manager before moving into the CIO/CTO and Director of IT role at a general contractor’s firm. And today, John has found his home at Dome, as the BIM Department Manager.  

Throughout our interview with John, we asked him about Managing the new BIM Department and his approach. “As the BIM Department Manager, I am responsible for ensuring the department is functioning at the highest level,” John states. “The people in the department are our most important assets, and making sure they have the tools and training to be successful is my top priority. I’m a firm believer that if the people are the focus and they are happy, the outcome is a department that delivers on time and budget.”  

Over a career that spans close to four decades, John has learned a lot. “There’s a saying I learned in my Lean training, ‘go slow to go fast,’ and it made a lot of sense to me. Something you see a lot with BIM, we are squeezed into a scheduled slot, and you have to take the time to do it correctly the first time, a lesson I learned early on that has helped my process.” John explained. “But, the greatest thing I learned in my career is to have core values and not to wavier from them. They help keep your mindset going the correct direction no matter what happens in life, both work and play.”  

When John isn’t working, you can find him road tripping through the coastal mountains, playing ice hockey, playing video games, taking his dog for a run, or just relaxing.  

We are delighted to welcome John to the Dome team, and we are excited to see what the future holds for the department and the future of construction as BIM technologies only continue to advance.   

Check out the full interview with John Mack to learn more! 

What does the future of BIM look like to you?

Industry analysts say BIM will grow 15-20% over the next 5 years. I feel we will get more automation out of BIM from all aspects of the building life cycle. We are starting to see automated layout robots in the field, variance/alignment reports from laser scans to models, and more UAV uses, to name a few. I see a huge leap starting to happen around facility maintenance (FM), aka 6D, and this will be the focus over the next few years.

-John Mack

MORE ABOUT JOHN

 1. What is your dream vacation?

It is a tossup of going to Japan or Patagonia of Chile and Argentina, with a side trip to Easter Island.

2. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

    • Make it fun
    • Outward smiles and inward screams

3. What would you tell your younger self if you had the opportunity?

I have no regrets in life, so I would tell myself to do it exactly the same way.

4. What does a typical day on the job look like for you?

It varies. That is why I like this role.  I cannot say I have a typical day.  There are only 3 things that I try to make happen every workday:

  1. Reviewing my Core Values, going through email, and planning the day
  2. Taking time for lunch. Stepping away from the computer and eating.  After lunch, I take the dog for a walk.
  3. Focus time at the end of the day to reflect on what I did, update my calendar of the day’s activities, set up for the following day, and SHUT DOWN my computer.

5. What are some things people do not know about you?

I started my own recipe book, mostly my own creations, but there are some I pilfered because they just taste too good.