Rachel Riopel, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

“We need to move in the direction of responsive environments through data-driven design, understanding the needs of the occupants and the needs of the communities that buildings exist within. We need to improve the environments we create due to both aesthetics and social responsibility."

Rachel is a national resource for BIM best practices at HDR, and she works directly with national and international teams to effectively leverage BIM for our projects. She believes that the use of BIM for design, procurement, construction and operations impacts all members of the project team — most notably the owners and operators of those facilities. She has also been a key leader in the implementation of BIM tools and their practical integration into our process.

In addition to working with clients and project teams, Rachel consistently collaborates with industry partners to build awareness and clarity regarding BIM standards in the practice of architecture, engineering and construction. She is a member of the Building SMART Alliance; a contributing member to the National BIM Standards project committees; and is actively involved in the American Institute of Architects.