Dace is a proven thought-leader at the intersection of industry and innovation, with a focus on strategy and driving business value from emerging technology and process improvements. It is his personal mission to help create a more sustainable world through thoughtful application of spatially contextual data to improve design, construction, and operation of the built environment.
Dace is a professionally licensed architect, consultant, and fractional innovation executive, helping AEC companies realize tangible business results from their investment in technology and helping tech companies land and expand their solutions in AEC. Specifically, he has deep subject matter expertise in XR technology: researching, developing, testing, and applying XR on hundreds of successful projects over his career. He has championed the use of virtual reality and augmented reality in industry, and has proven they enhance productivity, sustainability, and equity for designers, builders, and owners.
He has led landmark projects and programs at the intersection of XR and sustainability, and his projects have been recognized with multiple awards for furthering industry excellence, including four AIA Technology and Practice BIM Awards and the Microsoft HoloLens AEC Use Case of the Year Award.
Courses
Delivering on the Promise of Digital Twins
Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 12:00-1:00pm EST
Digital twins are transforming the way buildings are designed, constructed, and operated, and represent a key emerging technology opportunity to help architects innovate and transform industry. This course demystifies digital twins for AEC professionals, providing a clear framework for understanding their classifications, purposes, and business benefits. Explore the maturity path from simple digital representation to advanced simulation and optimization, and learn how enabling technologies like BIM, AI, IOT, and XR are fueling this evolution. Gain practical insights into how digital twins can deliver operational efficiency, sustainability, and smarter business outcomes.
Harnessing XR to Enable Effective Design Decisions
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | 12:00-1:00pm EST
Extended Reality (XR) – encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) – is reshaping the future of architecture, engineering, and construction. This course offers an in-depth look at XR technologies, their relevance to AEC workflows, and their intersection with complementary emerging technologies like reality capture, digital twins, and AI. Discover current and emerging use cases, learn how to evaluate hardware and software options, and build a roadmap for successful XR adoption. Whether you're just exploring or ready to deploy XR at scale, this course provides the essential knowledge to lead your firm into the future.
Future-Ready Practice: The AI Tech Series Sponsored by Egnyte
From AI to XR—and every acronym in between—the pace of innovation in architecture is accelerating. This free three-part webinar series, sponsored by Egnyte, equips AEC professionals with the strategic knowledge to turn emerging technologies into business value.
Whether you're just beginning to explore these tools or are ready to deploy them at scale, this series offers clear guidance on how to evaluate, implement, and lead with digital innovation in practice.
Getting Business Value from Innovation, AI, and Digital Transformation
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 | 12:00-1:00pm EST
In the face of mounting industry pressures – ranging from sustainability mandates to labor shortages – the AEC industry must evolve or risk obsolescence. This course equips architects and firm leaders with strategies to turn challenges into opportunities through innovation. Explore a structured approach to diagnosing current pains, envisioning future capabilities, and deploying practical, measurable innovation strategies that align with business goals. Learn how to define success, prioritize initiatives, and drive meaningful transformation in your organization.