In this episode of Welcome to KM 3.0, we sit down with Kate Grimes, Director of Knowledge at Snøhetta, for a wide-ranging conversation about how one of architecture’s most respected design studios is navigating the AI era—without losing what makes its culture special.
Since joining the firm in 2012, Kate has helped Snøhetta build its first knowledge management program from the ground up. She shares what it’s taken to build momentum with AI in a firm that prizes technological experimentation and innovation—while still prioritizing human connection.
We explore the tensions between speed and thoughtfulness, innovation and risk, structure and improvisation. From developing AI strategies that honor studio culture to reimagining learning and development through modular content, Kate shares a vision of KM that’s as much about people and values as it is about tools and data.
You’ll hear stories about how Snøhetta is using AI to augment its design process, bridge gaps in custom coding, and connect team members to the right knowledge at the right time. We also talk about how on-demand learning can create space for deeper human connection, and why being thoughtful about when and how to use AI might be the most important design decision of all.
Kate’s insights are thoughtful, pragmatic, and grounded in real-world practice. If you’re thinking about the future of knowledge, culture, or learning in your AEC firm, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.
I hope you enjoy it.
Best,
Chris