Shane Burger

About Shane Burger

I am passionate about creating the future of architecture and engineering through the application of forward-thinking digital technology. As SOM’s Chief Design Technology Officer (CDTO), I lead our global Design Technology team and direct the workflows and softwares that empower every member of our team to better foster efficiency and innovation.Design and user experience remain central to my vision for technology in our industry. By providing a positive experience to designers, their efforts are more informed, enjoyable, efficiently delivered, and communicative, ultimately driving a greater value for our clients.In my previous role as a Principal at Woods Bagot, my platform was centered on technical innovation. For 13 years I led a global DesignOps team dedicated to researching, developing, and applying new models of design and delivery to projects, and fostered a global community of designers that was defining the innovation-led future of practice.From 20••••11 I was a Design Associate and Head of Design Technology at Grimshaw Architects. At Grimshaw I specialized in design for Arts & Cultural facilities and the use of advanced computation techniques for advanced geometry, analysis, and fabrication. I also established Grimshaw’s first BIM projects.Starting in the early I was an early advocate and active developer of design computation methodologies in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. I served for 8 years as a director of the design computation and education non-profit Smartgeometry, firmly positioning that organization at the intersection of art, design, technology, and the modern human experience. At Smartgeometry, I promoted the emergence of a new paradigm for digital designers and craftsman where mathematics and algorithms are as natural as pen and paper. Education was at our core - through mentorship we helped create the next generation of computational designers. My expertise and curiosity have made me a sought after lecturer on a range of topics including BIM, design computation, digital fabrication, building and spatial performance, analysis and simulation, augmented design, VR/AR, Smart Buildings, Artificial Intelligence, and digital culture and experience.I am also a cyclist, lapsed musician, community gardener, and dog lover.

Experience

1. Chief Design Technology Officer

   Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

   Feb 2025 — Present · New York, NY, US

Education

• University of Cincinnati

  Bachelors, Architecture

  1995 — 2001

Skills

• Concept Design
• Geometry
• Architecture
• Comprehensive Planning
• Architectural Design
• Digital Fabrication
• Design Research
• Bim
• 3d Studio Max
• 3d Visualization
• Architectural Drawings
• Parametric Design
• Sketchup
• Rhino
• Residential Design
• Mixed-Use
• Cad
• Architectures
• Agile Project Management
• Ecotect
• Revit
• Vray
• Urban Design
• Sustainable Design