Architectural Firm Uses Autodesk BIM Solutions to Support Advanced Workflows for Sharing Building Information and Energy Analysis

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that Architectus, an award-winning Australian architectural firm with an international practice, has been selected to receive a Revit BIM Experience Award for its successful use of the Revit platform for sustainable design and its exemplary use of building information modeling (BIM) as a process for inter-discipline collaboration and coordination. The Revit BIM Experience Award is presented to commercial firms, educational institutions and individuals for innovation and excellence in implementing the Autodesk Revit platform (which includes Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP software applications) for use on one or more projects. AEC Systems, a Sydney-based reseller, introduced Architectus to BIM and the Revit platform, and provided training and implementation services.

"Architectus sees BIM and the Revit platform as vital tools for every stage of a project's lifecycle, from initial project marketing and visualization all the way through to analyzing a building's code compliance, construction sequencing, logistics and sustainable design performance," said Rodd Perey, design technology director for Architectus. "As our reputation for using BIM spreads, we have more clients seeking us out for projects in rapidly emerging markets such as India, where tight international collaboration and solid documentation are critical for timely and cost-effective project delivery."

Architectus is an international firm with more than 200 employees in offices located in Australia, New Zealand, The United Arab Emirates, and China. Their services span urban planning and commercial, residential, hospitality, transport and interior architecture. Notable projects include the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, Maanshan City Center in China, and the Waitakere Civic Center in New Zealand. With the adoption of Revit Architecture software in 2003, Architectus became one of the first in Australia to implement BIM. To date, the firm has completed 34 projects through to construction documentation using the Revit platform, with 14 additional projects in development.

Using BIM to Improve Building Performance

BIM is an integrated workflow built on coordinated, reliable information about a project from design through construction and into operations. By adopting BIM, architects, engineers, contractors and owners can easily create coordinated, digital design information and documentation; use that information to more accurately predict performance, appearance and cost; and reliably deliver the project faster, more economically and with reduced environmental impact.

Architectus is currently working on the "Space at 1 Bligh" project, a 29-story, 42,000-square meter structure in Sydney being designed in association with Dusseldorf-based Ingenhoven Architekten. Slated to open August 2011, the building's design includes an elliptical form oriented to maximize views of the Sydney Harbor, an atrium to enhance connectivity and access to natural light, and an innovative double-skin glass facade that draws cooler air in at the base and channels warmer air upwards to dramatically reduce internal air cooling energy consumption. Architectus' goal is to prove, via third-party simulation analysis applied to the Revit model before construction begins, that the structure can achieve a six-star "Green Star" rating (the top ranking in Australia's national environmental rating system for buildings). Architectus and Enstruct Group (a structural and civil engineering consultant firm base in Milsons Point, Australia) are using BIM to collaborate and simultaneously view changes. For sustainability analysis, Architectus is sharing building information with Cundall, the project's outside energy efficiency consultant, to simulate and analyze the structure's energy performance.

"Autodesk recognizes that Architectus has demonstrated innovative use of the Revit platform to foster collaborative and sustainable designs," said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. "We're excited to see how BIM is being used on the Space at 1 Bligh project, and hope it will serve as a model for the next generation of sustainable office buildings."

About the Revit BIM Experience Award

The Revit BIM Experience Award celebrates building industry professionals and educators around the world who are helping to drive transformation of the building industry through building information modeling. Autodesk honors firms with this award for innovation and excellence in implementing the Autodesk Revit platform (including Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP software applications) for building information modeling on one or more projects.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., 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.

(C) 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Contact: Noah Cole, 503-707-3872
Email: noah.cole@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

CONTACT: Noah Cole of Autodesk, Inc., +1-503-707-3872, noah.cole@autodesk.com
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