We spoke with senior technical architect Frank Tran about how his role has evolved alongside advancements in architectural technology, the diverse projects that have shaped his career, and the skills and lessons that continue to guide his approach to architecture.

Q: How has your role evolved over the course of your career?

A: My role as an architect has evolved along with the practice of architecture and the technology advance shift of the industry in general. I remember at the beginning of my career having to learn to draft architectural construction drawings meticulously with drafting ink pens on large mylar sheets when I joined a major firm in the Seattle area in the mid 1990’s (I definitely do not miss that drafting experience). In that era, the building design and construction documentation efforts took much longer because architectural design information and resources were available only on printed hard copies, and communication and the collaborative process with other project team members was much slower.

Nowadays, these processes move much more swiftly and efficiently with the integration of BIM and computer technologies, and a variety of communication channels. My skillset changed accordingly as well after periods of learning and integrating the BIM technology into my work. I have become much more confident at my current role as a senior technical architect and my ability to solve technical issues.

Q: What types of projects have most shaped your experience and how?

A: I have been fortunate enough to have worked on diverse types of projects, from industrial park projects to commercial residential and office high-rises, to complex new freestanding hospitals and hospital expansions and to numerous commercial tenant improvement projects.

These projects were all valuable in my career development and shaped my experience in different ways over the years. The good thing is that none of the projects were the same and that truly allowed me to experience and learn how to work with different types of clients, contractors and design consultants, and even internal team members.

Q: What skills or qualities do you think are essential to succeed in the A/E/C industry?

A: There are several qualities I believe are important to building a successful career in the A/E/C industry:

1. Technical Knowledge: Technical knowledge to make wise and informed decisions that benefit the projects.
2. Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration skills to make the project run smoothly among the project team and avoid undue disruptions and errors.
3. Innovative Problem-Solving: Innovative problem solving because there is more than one way to design and assemble a particular building.
4. Adaptability: Learn to adapt because change is constant in the industry.
5. Attention to Detail: Attention to details to catch errors or omissions early on before they cause major and expensive problems.
6. Flexibility: Be flexible because unforeseeable changes are part of project development. Changes don’t stop just because the plans are stamped and issued, and construction has started.

Frank Tran is a senior technical architect with over four decades of experience across a broad range of project types. His background in architectural design and construction documentation, combined with his ability to navigate evolving technologies and solve complex technical challenges, brings valuable experience to CollinsWoerman’s project teams.

This Q&A is part of our CollinsWoerman Expert Series, where we interview the firm’s architects, designers, sustainability experts, and interior designers to share their perspectives on industry trends, best design practices, and more.