Kunal’s journey from Georgia Tech to leading BIM initiatives highlights the importance of education in preparing architects for a digital future.
Kunal Chhatlani
From small-town Ulhasnagar to managing large-scale projects in New York, Kunal Chhatlani’s journey reflects the growing impact of digital transformation in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. As a BIM Manager at Hirani Group, Kunal has witnessed firsthand how Building Information Modeling (BIM) is reshaping the way projects are executed. "BIM allows architects, engineers, and contractors to collaborate on a 3D digital model, spotting issues early on, reducing mistakes, and optimizing project timelines," he explains. This shift is particularly beneficial for complex, large-scale projects like airports and metro lines, where coordination across multiple disciplines is essential.
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The adoption of digital tools like BIM is not just accelerating in the West but also rapidly rising in India. With infrastructure projects like the Mumbai Metro Line 3 and Navi Mumbai International Airport, BIM is playing a pivotal role in managing project complexity and ensuring efficiency. Kunal notes, "India’s construction landscape is embracing these technologies to meet the demands of urbanization, tighter budgets, and sustainability goals." Over the next decade, technologies like robotics, 3D printing, and digital twins are expected to further streamline workflows and enhance decision-making, making construction faster, more efficient, and eco-friendly.
Kunal’s journey from Georgia Tech to leading BIM initiatives highlights the importance of education in preparing architects for a digital future. He believes that India, too, needs to evolve its architectural education by integrating digital tools with real-world applications. "An architect is never alone in this profession," he says. "We need to be taught how to collaborate across disciplines, bridging the gap between academia and the rapidly transforming construction industry in India and beyond."
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