Architecture's New Architects: How Mancini Is Coding Its Next Century

NEW YORK, NY – June 09, 2026 – In an industry defined by physical materials and centuries-old principles, the most crucial building blocks are increasingly becoming lines of code and streams of data. Mancini Duffy, an architecture and design firm with a legacy spanning more than 100 years, just made its most definitive move yet to own this new reality. The firm announced the creation of two new leadership roles within its Design Lab, its dedicated R&D arm, appointing Eric Hull as AI Integration Lead and Jeff Anderson as Immersive Technologies Lead.

While a press release about new titles might seem like standard corporate shuffling, this move is anything but. It represents the formalization of a deep, strategic pivot, cementing a tech-forward identity that President and Co-Owner Christian Giordano has championed for years. In a sector where technology adoption can be notoriously slow, Mancini is doubling down, creating a structured approach to innovation that could serve as a blueprint for the entire Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, which has seen a staggering $50 billion invested in technology over the last five years alone.

The New Digital Foundation

The appointments are a direct response to a fundamental shift in the AEC landscape. AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it's a practical tool for efficiency and creativity. Industry analysts project a 20% compound annual growth rate for AI in construction through 2032, driven by the need to automate repetitive tasks, optimize sustainable designs, and make data-driven decisions. Mancini's strategy is to move beyond simply using off-the-shelf software and instead build a foundational infrastructure capable of leveraging AI's full potential.

"Artificial intelligence presents a transformative and positive opportunity for our industry," says Christian Giordano. "As AI actively reshapes the AEC industry, we remain focused on integrating advancements thoughtfully into practice. By investing in dedicated expertise, we're ensuring we not only keep pace with change, but help shape how these tools are applied in meaningful ways."

Leading this charge is Eric Hull, the new AI Integration Lead. His perspective is notably grounded, focusing on the unglamorous but essential work required for true innovation. "AI isn't a magic wand," Hull states. "The flashy tools are welcome when they arrive, but the more meaningful and, sometimes, less glamorous work is rebuilding the foundation of our information systems so that, as AI capabilities evolve, we have something solid for them to work with."

This approach directly confronts one of the biggest hurdles in AEC tech adoption: interoperability and data management. Hull's focus is on creating AI-driven solutions that streamline workflows and enhance efficiency, ultimately giving design teams more time to focus on high-value creative work and client outcomes. This isn't about replacing architects; it's about augmenting their abilities. As one industry expert noted, the consensus is that AI will empower human architects to focus on strategic and creative challenges, freeing them from tedious, time-consuming tasks.

Experiencing the Unbuilt World

While AI works to reshape the backend of the design process, immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality are revolutionizing the front-end—the client experience. This is the domain of Jeff Anderson, Mancini’s new Immersive Technologies Lead. Anderson is tasked with overseeing the continued development of the firm's proprietary VR/AR tools, most notably its patented platform, The Toolbelt.

The Toolbelt is a software suite that allows clients and project teams to collaboratively explore and interact with 3D models in real time. It effectively dissolves the barrier between a 2D blueprint and the feeling of a 3D space. "The ability to experience a space before it's built fundamentally changes the design process," says Michael Kipfer, a Principal and Design Director at Mancini. This shift from presentation to experience empowers clients to make more informed decisions, identify potential issues, and provide feedback with a clarity that was previously impossible.

For Anderson, whose graduate work at Princeton focused on gesture-based VR design, the goal is to make this powerful technology accessible and practical. "Our goal is to make immersive technology practical, intuitive, and impactful," he explains. "Helping clients experience their spaces before they're built improves collaboration and ultimately leads to better outcomes." His focus will be on refining The Toolbelt's workflows and enhancing the user experience to drive a tangible return on investment for clients, from saving on marketing content to avoiding costly change orders during construction.

A Culture of Innovation in a Legacy Industry

Creating new leadership roles is one thing; fostering a culture that allows them to succeed is another. Mancini's strategy appears to be as much about people as it is about technology. Hull explicitly credits the firm's culture for its agility: "Mancini genuinely encourages experimentation, and that freedom allows us to move quickly."

This cultivation of an innovation-first mindset within a century-old firm is perhaps its most significant competitive advantage. By creating dedicated career paths for tech specialists like Hull and Anderson, Mancini is signaling to the market that it is a destination for top talent looking to solve complex problems at the intersection of design and technology. As one analyst specializing in AEC technology commented, "Firms that successfully integrate advanced tech are not just buying software; they are building teams and attracting a new generation of talent that will define the industry's future."

This commitment isn't new. It builds on years of R&D within the Design Lab, which has experimented with everything from drone-based photogrammetry—cutting a week-long site analysis down to eight hours—to 3D printing and the development of the Mancini:Link mobile VR app. These appointments are not a starting pistol but a gear shift, accelerating a journey that began long ago.

The Blueprint for Tomorrow's AEC

Mancini's formalized investment in AI and immersive technology leadership is a powerful statement in an industry grappling with its own evolution. While challenges like high implementation costs, data security, and a persistent skills gap remain significant barriers for many firms, Mancini's approach of appointing dedicated leads suggests a long-term strategy to tackle these issues head-on.

By embedding expertise directly within its R&D framework, the firm is building internal capacity rather than relying solely on external vendors. This allows for the development of bespoke tools that integrate seamlessly with its unique workflows and client needs. The move positions the firm not merely as a consumer of technology, but as an active participant in shaping its application in architecture. It’s a strategy that acknowledges that the future of designing the built environment lies in mastering the unbuilt, digital one first. For a legacy firm to make such a structured and public commitment is a clear signal that the digital transformation of architecture is no longer an abstract trend, but a concrete reality.