Eric M. Field

BSAD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
M.Arch, University of Virginia

Applied and Advanced Technologies; Director of the Insight Lab

Eric Field teaches, develops, and conducts applied research in Building and Information Technology throughout the School of Architecture. He is co-founder and Director of the Insight Lab, as well as founder and manager of the school’s CNC Fabrication Lab. Mr. Field also has a hand in management and development of information technology infrastructure throughout the school.

Areas of teaching and research include:
- Energy Performance Simulation, with a particular focus on Passive and Renewable Energy
- Light Energy Analysis simulation and daylighting
- Physical Fabrication, Assembly Prototyping and Materials study through "digital" CNC technology
- Information Visualization and the construction of Information Space
- Spatial Interfaces
- Geometric Studies in Historical Archaeology

Other technologies include:
- Building Information Modeling
- Distributed Rendering / Grid computing / Render Farm
- Parametrics and Generative Design
- Rapid Prototyping
- Any form of Information Technology as it might be applied to design and building

Working at the intersection of architecture and information technology, part of Mr. Field’s role is to seek out and develop new and emerging technologies as they might apply to the disciplines of the school.

Mr. Field has introduced and taught courses in digital CNC Fabrication, advanced geometric CAD modeling, energy systems analysis, daylighting, and Information Space. He currently hosts an exploratory research seminar in applying advanced topics in design information technology.

He has co-taught core classes in 3D Computer Aided Design, Visualization, Animation and Moviemaking, and has collaborated extensively on technology applications in design studios, seminars, and other courses. He is currently consulting with the ecoMOD project focused on passive energy design as well as a fouth-year studio focused on daylighting technology. Mr. Field collaborated with SHoP Architects in 2003 on a graduate ‘Versioning’ design studio focused on information modeling. In 1998 he introduced with Donald Prowler (U. Penn) a course called Simulating Heat and Light for passive solar energy design. Mr. Field has also taught several segments of AIA/Continuing Education seminars on various technology.

In 2001, Mr. Field founded and continues to manage the school’s CNC Fabrication Lab of computer-controlled lasers, milling and routing machines, 3D digitizing and rapid-prototyping equipment, and the associated Parts Lab, enabling fabrication in the design school setting.

In 2009, he co-founded and is Director of the Insight Lab — a multi-disciplinary advanced technologies research lab.

Mr. Field is also a involved in the management and development of Computing and Information Technology in the school.

Published work includes design editing of Hōryūji Reconsidered (2008, Cambridge Scholars Publishing); "The Central Core Structural System: A Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Five-Story Pagoda of Hōryūji" (2008), a chapter in the same; "Performative Modeling and Versioning: Experimenting with Performance Driven Design" (2004); "A Photographic Analysis of the Kentucky Coffee Trees on the South Lawn at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest" (2002); and contributions to the "On the Job: Design and the American Office" exhibit (National Building Museum, Washington, D.C., 2000-2001).

Prior to the School of Architecture, Mr. Field was a technical design lead and project manager with the Office of the University Architect, coordinating the university’s first Electronic Master Plan and the University Information Kiosk project (1995).

Outside of the school, Mr. Field maintains a small consulting and research practice focused on technology in the design professions.