Mark Bassett

Summary

Award winning design architect well versed in all aspects of technology management for architectural services delivery. Recognized industry leader in innovative technologies including cutting edge cross-product development, integration and implementation around the following technologies, GIS, FM, CAD, BIM and Virtual Reality. 

Relevant Accomplishments

Gensler:

Led conversion of world’s largest pure architecture firm from AutoCAD to Revit resulting in Gensler attaining the #1 position in the ranking of BIM Giants by Building Design and Construction magazine, by 2014

Acted as Senior Designer on a several projects of varying types and scales, including Myriad Gardens a multiple AIA Award winning project

Hillier Architecture:

Managed ‘whole product’ design practice infrastructure across multiple offices including implementing Revit, IT purchasing, customizing and implementing an RFI and Submittal tracking system, and developing an in-house punch list application using voice and hand writing recognition on the tablet PC

Revit Technology:

As one of two Directors of Technical Sales, played leading role in the initial launch of Revit in the United States and European markets, additionally Introduced Revit to the Asian and Australian markets

Built and co-lead a team that through direct sales, acquired the majority of the 150 largest US architecture firms as customers within the first 18 months of the products release

Next Wave Technologies:

Co-founded innovative technology company, prepared the business plan used for raising capital, led the creation of branding programs, sales collateral, and industry outreach including trade shows, marketing collateral and RFP responses

Convergent Group/EDS/McDonnell Douglas:

Served as Product Manager for a PC based CAD software product

Lead technical presenter for major federal bids

Assisted in industry presence and brand management through industry influence, ghost writing, and technical advice

Co-led design of Graphic Data System’s second generation product suite, an object oriented integrated graphic and tabular database product for the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC), Facilities Management (FM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) markets

Wallace Roberts & Todd:

Led selection and implementation of integrated CAD and GIS system to the 120 person multidisciplinary firm of planners, urban designers, architects and landscape architects

GIS lead on the Growth Management Plan for the State of New Jersey, the Critical Areas Plan for the State of Maryland, and the Hurricane Evacuation Plan for Munroe County Florida

Designer on Liberty State Park Landscape Plan, recipient of a national ASLA Honor Award and a Pennsylvania Society of Architects Design Award in 1990

Personal

Award for Painting, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts

Elected Artist Member of New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts

Professional Awards

American Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award, Liberty State Park NJ Landscape Design

Pennsylvania Society of Architects Design Award, Liberty State Park NJ Landscape Design

American Institute of Architects DC Chapter Honor Award, Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City OK

American Institute of Architects VA Honor Award, Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City OK

American Institute of Architects Houston Chapter Design Award, Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City OK

Urban Land Institute International Open Space Award, Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City OK

Recipient of 1 Gensler Annual People’s Choice Award

Recipient of 1 Gensler Annual Gensler Design Excellence Award (GDEA)

Recipient of 1 Gensler Annual Gensler Research and Innovation Award (GRIA) winning in both research and innovation categories

Recipient of 4 Gensler Annual Innovation Awards

Award for Painting, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, 1981

Elected Artist Member of New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, 1981

Primary Strengths

Developing product strategies targeted at achieving business objectives

Capacity to translate complex technology systems into user friendly platforms

Proven ability to re-engineer business processes and improve return on investment

Public speaking

Architectural Domain expertise; AIA and ASLA Award winning architectural designer

Visual design skills

Fine Arts; Inducted into New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts at age 21; multiple solo exhibitions and commissions

Application level developer on numerous platforms: Revit, Octane, Unity, using vb.net, C#, Lua

Professional Experience

2005 - 2020 Gensler, Washington DC

Senior Associate, Director of Design Systems

Accomplishments

Prepared winning designs for project pursuits prevailing against Gensler competitors.

• Confidential Global Headquarters for a $40 billion company in Washington DC. $75mil construction budget

• Orange Barrel Media HQ, Columbus Ohio, $25 mil construction budget

Participated in the firm’s product design practice area with involvement in products ranging from tea kettles to furniture to computationally designed ceiling systems and demountable partitions.

Led the Digital Design and Fabrication component of the SE regions Month of Making, overseeing the design and development of custom software to enable non-technical designs to conceive and fabricate simple or advanced geometric shapes using 3D printers, CNC machines and laser cutters

Reduced the number of primary tools used in the design & production process to two, and tightly integrated them with proprietary software to increase efficiency and quality of product

Built an architectural and interiors 3D component library and led the creation of a 1100 standard details library

Created and led BIM training program including a “train the trainer” program and personally trained 300 people

Initiated the Revit In-house application development program that produces custom tools

Developed and implemented hyper-speed GPU based rendering platform so that photo realistic rendering, animation and virtual reality experiences became an integral design and communication tool on every project

Worked in various capacities on over 90 architecture or interiors projects, including designing and documenting one of the firm's first digitally fabricated structures

Responsibilities

Direct responsibility for maintaining the digital infrastructure for 500 technical employees in eight offices within the Gensler SE region and managing the staff that services and supports them

Direct responsibility for ensuring Gensler is leading the profession in the adoption and implementation of high impact design, production and communication tools

Key member of the Gensler BIM oversight committee responsible for developing, maintaining and ensuring adoption of globally agreed-upon standards and processes relating to document production

2002 - 2005 Hiller Architecture, Princeton NJ, New York NY, Washington DC

Director of Design Systems

Accomplishments

Initiated the firm's conversion to the Revit platform

Implemented COTS RFI and Submittal Tracking System, designed and oversaw the development of a custom user interface on top of it that was more appropriate to the practice of architecture

Developed an internet based graphic collaboration tool, using transparent window technology to facilitate better and more immediate exchanges with clients

Designed and oversaw the development of a Punch List Application using pen and audio input on the Tablet PC

Worked in various capacities on several of the firm's architecture projects

Responsibilities

Direct responsibility for maintaining the digital infrastructure for 180 technical employees in five offices within the United States and managing the staff that services and supports them

1999 - 2002 Revit Technology, Boston MA

Director of Technical Sales, Product Manager

Accomplishments

Primary presenter at the Revit product launch events in the following regions:

• United States, Boston USA

• Europe, London UK

• Asia, Singapore

• Pacific, Australia and New Zealand

Exceeded sales targets

Specified Revit based FM vertical application.

Responsibilities as Director of Technical Sales

Ensuring that the company's global technical sales staff were able to execute at the required professional level. Working closely with the firm's marketing arm, developed and conducted technical sales training and presentations. Conducted mock sales calls, and rehearsed staff resulting in a confident team who delivered a consistent industry appropriate pitch, followed up with thoughtful and persuasive objection handling.

In conjunction with marketing, prepared product launch events, trade show and press materials

Work with industry influencers and press

Actively involved in recruiting.

Responsibilities as Product Manager

Prepared product specifications for implementation in upcoming releases

1997 - 1999 NextWave Technologies LLC. Denver CO

Managing partner

Preparation of business plan, identification and outreach to potential VC investors

Facilities, leasing of space, managing office build-out

Legal incorporation; LLC structure and documentation; Legal defense

Market presence

Sales

Client relationships

1991 - 1997 McDonnell Douglas Systems Integration Company & Successors Companies, Philadelphia PA, Denver CO.

Technical sales

Business development

Marketing communications

Product management

2nd generation product planning

Wallace Roberts & Todd, Philadelphia, PA

CAD technology, selection, purchase and implementation

GIS technology, selection, purchase and implementation

Architectural Designer

Urban Designer

Project Manager

Education

Master of Architecture

Certificate in Urban Design, Architecture

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Architecture with Honors

Bachelor of Building Science

Victoria University of Wellington

Certifications

Registered Architect, Pennsylvania. Past Membership in AIA. LEED AP BD+C

Activities

Artist Member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts