S4, E2: Designing Immersive Experiences: The Intersection of Architecture and the Metaverse with Erin McDannald

The Metaverse world is not as daunting as it may seem and doesn't have to be an eccentric utopia. Rather, it can be an architectural realm where we put our designs and use them in diverse ways. As designers, knowing the meaning and the difference between Metaverse, Digital Twin, AI, and AGI is essential in understanding how we can leverage them to light our creative designs and enhance outcomes within our businesses. Harnessing these tools enables us to gauge human behavior and design a more collaborative environment, ultimately driving positive changes and improving outcomes. In this episode, Erin McDannald shares more about Metaverse, smart buildings, and how you can learn more about human behavior in our built environment.   Erin McDannald is the CEO and owner of Lighting Environments and its sister company, Environments. She has guided clients through the lighting design and construction process for over two decades. Trained as an interior designer, McDannald joined Baldinger in the sales department in 2003 before becoming co-owner in 2009. Under her leadership, the company rebranded to Lighting Environments to reflect the company’s expansion into lighting technology offerings for all built environments.    Now a pioneer for IoT, also known as the Internet of Things, integration, and building in workplace management, Erin is leading today's workforce through powerful digital transformation with an elevated Environment app. Environment is an IoT integrator and software development company offering full-scale adaptable solutions supporting businesses from end to end, from energy to health management. Through every service, Environment elevates physical spaces to allow for cutting-edge interactions and collaborations with the digital twin, metaverse, and beyond.    Ready to jump in?   Key Highlights from the Episode: [00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of today’s guest: Erin McDannald [02:22] What inspired Erin to pursue interior architecture and a career in interior design [03:19] Erin's recent inspiration from her role with Environments  [05:02] Environments, what they do, and Erin's specialty  [07:48] A breakdown of the Metaverse, Digital Twins, AI, and AGI [12:00] How Digital twins are becoming functional [15:15] Data points for understanding how people are using workplaces [17:05] How companies can leverage data to design a collaborative work environment  [20:08] IOT and Elevated Environment app and how companies can leverage them [21:34] Erin's final words on Metaverse, technology, and data [22:18] The best ways to reach out and connect with Erin at Environments [22:51] Episode wrap-up and calls to action Notable Quotes:  It’s important for consumers to know the difference between AI and AGI because how we’re feeding AGI these days can be dangerous.  We look at data for buildings in two-dimensional and text, but we don’t look at it in a third dimension. A smart building is often attributed to the construction budget, but it goes far beyond the construction budget to the operating budget.  The insights that you gain through smart building go way beyond energy. Let’s Connect: Erin McDannald Website: https://www.environments.tech/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/environmentsbyle/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/environments-by-le/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/environmentsbyLE/ Learn more about Thrive In Design:  Website: https://www.thriveindesign.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriveindesign/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thriveindesign/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thriveindesign/   Register for the next Thrive In Design live training here: https://training.thriveindesign.co/   Get your copy of "The Ultimate Guide to A&D Sales": https://www.thriveindesign.co/brand-reps.