Personal Statement

Informatics: "Computing technology applied to wicked problems!" --George P. Richardson, SUNY Albany--

Eric Field teaches, develops, and conducts applied research in design informatics -- specializing in simulation, visualization, information design, and applied information technology. He is founder and Director of the Insight Lab at the UVa School of Architecture, and founder of the school's CNC Fabrication Lab. Mr. Field is also a involved in the management and development of information technology in the school and university.

Areas of teaching and research include:
- Design Informatics
- Analytic and Design Simulation / Modeling
- Complex Systems Simulation
- Information Design
- Analytic CAD/BIM
- Strategic Applications of Information Technology

Other technologies include:
- Distributed Rendering / Grid computing
- Parametrics and Generative Design
- CNC Fabrication and Rapid Prototyping
- Applied Information Technology

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 apply to the disciplines of the school.

Mr. Field currently teaches Energy Performance Workshop - covering energy modeling and passive performance simulation; Special Applications of Technology - an exploratory research seminar in applied topics of design information technology; and Information Space - a seminar on information visualization. He has also pioneered courses in digital CNC Fabrication, advanced geometric CAD modeling, and daylighting design.

Major research projects include ecoMOD, focused on passive energy design and energy performance simulation; the UVA Bay Game, a Chesapeake Bay sustainability simulation project; the SEED Network for Social, Economic, Environmental Design advocacy where he is on the steering committee; the UVA Food Collaborative and other sustainability centered web spaces; and the Morven Research project. Mr. Field 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. 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 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 and visualization lab.