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Our Approach
We form a unique union of minds that elevates the AEC industry from multiple different angles / perspectives. Our goal is to empower each participant in the design process with knowledge to succeed in a BIM environment.
Our Story
Bethany's focus is on increasing the efficiency of production by developing tools and resources to increase the skillset of each person working on a project team, making the entire process more productive. Sidney's focus is on the big picture of the industry, the future of technology and encouraging the growth of the stakeholders understanding of the evolution of the role technology can play in their projects. Bethany is focused on the little things that add up to efficiencies on a larger scale, and Sidney makes sure that what she is teaching the production staff stays focused on the future, leading them in a direction that will ensure they are prepared with the skills to be successful in whatever endeavors are ahead of them.
Meet the Team
Sidney and Bethany are former colleagues who share a commitment to encouraging and supporting the adoption and use of technology in the AEC industry. They are both on the board of directors for the Charlottesville Revit User Group, but have joined forces here to provide an online resource for BIM training and implementation strategies.
Bethany Pritchard
Bethany Pritchard is the Director of Design Technology at VMDO Architects. In this role, she aims to streamline BIM implementation on all projects and introduce staff to advanced design technologies through mentorship, training and the creation of customized resources.
Throughout her educational and professional careers, Bethany has pursued architecture & technology, a symbiotic union resulting in her passion for providing specialized technology solutions unique to the needs of the AEC industry. Over the years Bethany has worked with several architectural firms as a designer, architectural intern, CAD manager, BIM manager and BIM specialist.
Early on her specialization was in AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop (now called AutoCAD Architecture), but since 2008 Bethany’s expertise has expanded to include Revit and BIM. Her experiences teaching Architectural Desktop at a local community college and attending Autodesk University in the early 2000’s sparked her interest in expanding the use of technology in the AEC industry through training and development of standards, templates, customized tools and workflows. She has been committed to providing these types of services to the AEC industry since 2002 when she started a consulting business.
In 2011, Bethany started the Charlottesville Revit User Group – another avenue for supporting the adoption and use of technology (specifically Revit) in the AEC community in Charlottesville. The group continues to have a strong local presence and has expanded its reach recently by offering virtual and hybrid events.
For several years Bethany has been a beta tester for Revit and is an active member of a customer feedback group for the Revit development team. She has also attended “Inside the Factory” events at Autodesk where she helped test new Revit functions and features to discover and report bugs and issues to the developers.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Architecture, Smith College, 1998
AutoCAD Certificate, Holyoke Community College, 1998
Sidney Griffin
As Director of Digital Technology, Sidney supports the development and integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in all of VMDO’s projects. Responsible for managing BIM related issues and tasks, Sidney supports efficient and streamlined project delivery by:
- Reinforcing standards
- Refining models and BIM deliverables
- Enhancing reporting and design review
- Facilitating model handover from the design team to the general contractor
In addition, Sidney develops the requirements and standards for integrating submittals, shop drawings, RFI tracking, manufacturer’s data and as-built information into the BIM model. He works with the design team and general contractor to facilitate early release of prefabricated components, workflow systems, model utilization through construction, and integration into the commissioning process.
Overall, Sidney contributes significantly to the efficiency and success of all VMDO projects, from pre-design through final completion. His breadth and depth of technical skills and modeling expertise help bring VMDO’s designs to life.
Education
Master of Architecture, University of Virginia, 2001
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, University of Virginia, 1998
