We caught up with Daniel Kilarski-Marlow, Senior Architect at Anotherkind, ahead of his session ‘Reaching for the stars with BIM’ at Digital Construction Week. Daniel’s work shows just how impactful digital tools can be – even on the most complex retrofit projects.
We spoke to Daniel about his session, the evolving role of architects, and what’s inspiring him in today’s built environment.
What can attendees expect from your session at DCW? What’s the main focus of your talk, and why is it important?
The session will explore how we used BIM, specifically through Archicad and BIMx, to transform a derelict subterranean Victorian reservoir into a new planetarium and science discovery centre. I’ll share how digital modelling helped us secure funding for the project and communicate designs to non-specialist stakeholders.
It’s also about how we can use digital tools for heritage and retrofit projects, supporting collaborative, sustainable and community-centred outcomes, even when resources are limited, and timelines are tight.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how that’s shaped your approach to this kind of work?
I have around 12 years in architectural practice, 7+ of those as an ARB registered Architect.
My experience in architectural practice is largely rooted in residential, both social and private. However, since joining Anotherkind in 2021, I have been fortunate to work on a variety of projects across a range of sectors, from commercial developments to educational facilities, in addition to residential schemes.
As a practising Architect, my workflow is rooted in BIM coordination to provide coherent solutions with the design team and ensure issues and obstacles can be resolved in 3D to ensure the built form aligns with the digital model.
It’s clear digital coordination plays a huge role in your day-to-day. From your perspective, what trends or shifts are currently shaping the architectural environment?
Sustainability is a fundamental part of architecture given the current climate crisis. And eco-friendly design as a holistic approach is becoming more regulated to ensure buildings address the wider contextual impact concerning their site, rather than just the building itself.
Biodiversity net gain is a key consideration that will hopefully create more projects centred around biophilic design and bridge the gap between man-made construction and nature.
Adaptivity and reuse of our existing building stock is another key facet to sustainable and conservation architecture, particularly in terms of minimising our carbon footprint in the built environment.
What’s the biggest takeaway you hope the audience walks away with after your talk?
I hope attendees leave with a sense of possibility for retrofit and heritage projects, especially where budgets are limited and stakeholder engagement is critical.
The key aspect of a BIM workflow is collaboration within the design and consultancy team. Often, we work on projects that aren’t a specific level of BIM, or even required to use it at all, but applying the same workflow to all projects regardless of scale can yield the best results from concept to completion and ensure the client is fully bought into the design concept from the outset.
For the Sherwood Observatory project, digital coordination with the design team and main contractor didn’t just help us design and deliver a unique retrofit scheme, but it helped bring together funders, the local council, and the public so that everyone knew the vision.
Catch Daniel’s session ‘Reaching for the stars with BIM’ on Day 1 of Digital Construction Week (4 June) at 12:00–12:30 pm on the Innovation Stage. Don’t miss this inspiring deep dive into collaboration, coordination, and creative reuse through BIM.
Register now for your free ticket to attend Digital Construction Week on 4-5 June at Excel London.