Building Information Modeling Strategy Improves Coordination on More Than a Dozen Projects, Including Planning for the 2004 Super Bowl at Reliant Stadium

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, announced today that HOK Sport + Venue + Event (HOK S+V+E), an internationally renowned architectural practice specializing in public assembly facilities, has adopted Autodesk's building information modeling strategy and is implementing Autodesk(R) Architectural Desktop 2004 software. By using Architectural Desktop, design teams at HOK S+V+E in Kansas City are increasing efficiency and improving coordination with engineering consultants. The firm has used Architectural Desktop on more than a dozen projects, including stadium renovations, a new National Football League facility, college arenas, such as the new $70 million Collegiate Arena for the University of Missouri, Columbia, and planning for the 2004 Super Bowl at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

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"With Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004, we can be more efficient in how we work and think more about the building and how the different components are detailed," said Ben Barnert, senior principal at HOK S+V+E's Kansas City office. "That's essential with the increasingly tight schedules for our facilities. The ability to have intelligent architectural objects that automatically update to reflect design changes is extraordinarily useful. Architectural Desktop is a tremendous help in collaborating and coordinating with the engineering disciplines."

For the Reliant Stadium project, HOK S+V+E is using Architectural Desktop's modeling capabilities to swiftly perform 3D egress studies and walk-throughs to design the Super Bowl's overlay architecture, including stadium remodeling and temporary event facilities.

"We were the first architectural firm devoted entirely to the design of sports facilities," Barnert observed. "Autodesk's building information modeling strategy is one of the ways we're maintaining our competitive edge."

Within the next year, HOK S+V+E plans to also roll out Architectural Desktop 2004 software in its offices in Brisbane, Australia, and London, England.

Designers Quickly Transition to Architectural Desktop 2004

HOK S+V+E staff were able to become productive with Architectural Desktop 2004 software -- which offers a familiar AutoCAD(R)-based environment -- in a short time, requiring just a brief training class. Even designers with little or no prior experience with Architectural Desktop learned swiftly. "It's the graphical interface that makes Architectural Desktop 2004 especially easy to use," said Harvey Phelps, CAD manager at HOK S+V+E. "Instead of learning commands, they can work as an architect."

To supplement onsite training courses, HOK S+V+E also benefits from its contract with Autodesk Professional Services for ongoing enterprise support. "Direct telephone and online support from Autodesk is available at all times to our worldwide offices on three different continents," said Phelps. "Getting quick answers to issues that pop up during deadlines has made a big difference."

Firm Able to Increase Efficiency

HOK S+V+E employs the building information modeling capabilities of Architectural Desktop to handle scheduling, calculate square footages, and to efficiently design walls, doors, and windows, and other building components. The firm particularly appreciates the ability to produce sections and elevations quickly with Architectural Desktop 2004. "Before, it typically took a week to do elevations," said Phelps. "Now it takes 15 minutes to extract them from the model. This means our project teams are more efficient with their tasks and overall coordination."

The firm also finds Architectural Desktop software useful for renovations of older stadiums. The original design documents for most of these facilities exist only on paper. HOK S+V+E redraws the documents from scratch in Architectural Desktop, and then takes measurements to verify that the model is correct. This provides the designers with a more accurate understanding of the existing building, which is crucial for efficient execution of renovation projects.

Architectural Desktop Enhances Coordination with Consultants

Ballparks, arenas, and stadiums all involve unusually complicated geometries, which can require more time communicating the nature of the design to consultants and contractors. That's why HOK S+V+E values Architectural Desktop's 3D modeling capabilities. Using the model, the firm can more easily discover potential conflicts between the building systems and the architectural design -- before the project is under construction and requires expensive change orders. While beta-testing Architectural Desktop 2004, the designers re-drew work from another project and discovered three conflicts which they were able to correct before construction.

As a result, the firm is also finding it easier and less time-consuming to explain the design clearly to those who will be bidding and performing the construction. While VIZ Render, the visualization tool that is embedded in Architectural Desktop is useful for quick design studies, for high-end renderings, HOK S+V+E combines Architectural Desktop with 3ds max(R) software to effectively convey design concepts to clients.

About HOK Sport + Venue + Event

HOK Sport + Venue + Event is the world's leading public assembly design firm. Its focus is the creation of exceptional gathering spaces -- from stadiums and arenas to convention centers. The firm has also made a mark worldwide managing many aspects of events ranging from World Cups to the Olympic Games. HOK S+V+E's architects and event managers draw on the combined expertise of more than 800 projects with construction value exceeding $12 billion. The company's client list includes 24 of 30 Major League Baseball franchises, 30 of 32 NFL franchises, 75 professional and civic arena clients, 40 soccer and rugby teams, 75 colleges and universities, 40 convention and performing arts center clients, and 40 major events. With offices in Brisbane, Australia; London, England; and Kansas City, Missouri, the firm's reach is worldwide: www.hoksve.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire project lifecycle management processes. For more information about the company, see http://www.autodesk.com . For more information on building information modeling and Autodesk's building design solutions, see http://www.autodesk.com/buildingdesign .

NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, and 3ds max are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Contact: Carol Lettieri (415) 507-6908

Email: carol.lettieri@autodesk.com

SOURCE  Autodesk, Inc.
    -0-                             11/06/2003
    /CONTACT:  Carol Lettieri of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-507-6908, or
carol.lettieri@autodesk.com/
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    /Web site:  http://www.autodesk.com/buildingdesign /
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    (ADSK)

CO:  Autodesk, Inc.; HOK Sport + Venue + Event
ST:  California
IN:  CPR STW CST ART SPT
SU:  LIC



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