Companies to Collaborate on Initiatives to Transform Practice of Sustainable Information Modeling

DENVER, GREENBUILD EXPO, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced it has entered into a strategic relationship with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) aimed at expanding the use of technology and to facilitate further adoption of sustainable design and green building. Autodesk and the USGBC plan to work on several initiatives to make sustainable design easier and more efficient through the use of technology such as the Autodesk Revit platform for building information modeling (BIM), ultimately reducing the causes of climate change by increasing the number of green buildings that emit less carbon dioxide. As the first step, Autodesk and the USGBC plan to develop an educational curriculum for architecture and engineering students.

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"We hope the relationship between Autodesk and USGBC will help democratize sustainable design by creating an industry standard technology platform for green building," said USGBC CEO Rick Fedrizzi. "We believe this collaboration will enhance our ability to further the Green Building agenda and pave the way for a cleaner and healthier future with more environmentally responsible buildings."

As part of the agreement, USGBC and Autodesk will explore opportunities to integrate Autodesk's technology with the USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, to help the building industry more easily and rapidly meet goals for reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Potential areas for collaboration may include consulting, joint development of new technology initiatives and industry education. To facilitate rapid adoption of sustainable design practices, Autodesk and the USGBC plan to share the knowledge and results of their partnership with the building industry.

A growing number of architects, engineers and designers are using the Revit platform for BIM to support their sustainable design practices. Revit facilitates 3D visualization, database integration and improved project team collaboration for the analysis of building sites, natural and electrical lighting options, heating and cooling requirements, water and energy use, "green" building material selection, construction waste reduction, and construction and operating cost control. Architects and designers are using the Revit BIM platform to create high performance sustainable buildings around the world.

"Autodesk and USGBC share a belief that technology is the catalyst to widespread adoption of green building and reducing climate change. Through this partnership we hope not only to make sustainable design easier but also to help the industry accelerate the implementation and practice of green building," said Phil Bernstein, FAIA, LEED AP and Autodesk vice president of building industry strategy and relations. "We are excited to collaborate with the USGBC to develop technology solutions and professional services that combine Autodesk's expertise in software with USGBC's expertise in green building."

About USGBC

The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation's leading coalition of corporations, builders, universities, government agencies and nonprofit organizations working together to promote buildings and communities that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Since its founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 7,200 member companies and organizations, a 75-person professional staff, a broad portfolio of LEED rating systems and services, the industry's popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, and a network of over 70 local chapters, affiliates, and organizing groups.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 company, wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, media and entertainment, and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage, become more productive, streamline project efficiency and maximize profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/ .

NOTE: Autodesk and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. LEED and Green Building Rating System are registered trademarks or trademarks of the U.S. Green Building Council in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

Contact: Noah Cole, 415-547-2405

Email: noah.cole@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
11/15/2006
/CONTACT: Noah Cole of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-547-2405, or
noah.cole@autodesk.com/
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