Inspiration at Sketchup 3D Basecamp

Attending Andrew Nathanson's presentation and Google Sketchup Basecamp 2008 I realized that there is an opportunity to empower a much younger user base with the power of building through the use of Sketchup. Twenty years ago I would bring my first grader into AutoCAD classes to show architects that it really was not too hard to use. That child never continued with the program because he was not really interested in drafting and producing construction drawings. For that matter many design professionals never learned the program for the same reasons. They instead did the designs with sketches and cardboard models then they gave the young interns the job of CAD drafting.

I believe that Sketchup changes the rules and Andrew is a good example of what can be done. At last weeks Basecamp Andrew showed the group how he decided in 7th grade to put together an independent study program to build his school in Sketchup. The next year he decided to do another independent study program where he proceeded in creating the central business district of Rye New York. This project then led to him being noticed by local city planners who wanted to use his model to show civic improvements. He later became too valuable to be let go and he ended up working for the same group in the summers to help them look at flooding and other issues before the city planners. He is fond to tell that he never once had to fetch coffee.

Today Andrew is a senior in High School with a job at a local Architectural firm. When most kids are wondering what they want to do with their lives he has already started a career and is contributing to society. He could go into the architecture profession on his golden ticket or decide that he is not interested based on his real experiences. The point is that I feel that he has learned how buildings are put together and can use these tools in many other capacities that require 3D visualization.

The challenge as I see it is, what if elementary and middle school kids can do the same thing. If they can then we will have a whole generation trained in the skills that some architects never achieve. With all of these trained individuals we might be able to change the world by: creating better living standards in our homes, communities and even with products that help us get our work done.