SA
Architectural Practices lead global transition to new technology
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South African architectural practices are leading the global transition to the new technology platform known as building information
modelling.
At the American Institute of Architects National Convention and Expo in Chicago at the end of June, design technology company, Autodesk, which offers the unique technology, Autodesk Revit, released details showing that South African architectural practices are among the vanguard of firms already realising the benefits of building information
modelling.
Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Phillip Bernstein, who is also vice president of Autodesk’s building solutions division said the industry is poised for a fundamental process change as design and construction professionals around the world begin to realise the benefits of building information
modelling.
“The transformation is currently being fuelled by the many individual successes firms are experiencing in implementing this new way of working within their practices,” said Bernstein.
Autodesk Revit adoption in South Africa has provided extraordinary benefits to several firms working on large projects. A3 Architects (Pty) Ltd, a Johannesburg-based architectural practice, recently designed a R35-million hospital extension project using Autodesk Revit. The project was completed in three weeks and included the delivery of 3D images, plans, sections, and multiple elevations.
“We’ve put Autodesk Revit through its paces on a very large project and it’s come through with flying colours,” said Willem Ackerman, a partner at A3 Architects.
Another Johannesburg firm, Bentel Associates International (BAI), used Autodesk Revit to design a 100 000-square-metre mall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
"Autodesk Revit allows us to explore spatial designs, with changes reflected immediately in all views, and to quickly generate client presentation material," said Edmund Batley, director for Middle East projects, BAI.
American design architect, Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM) is using Autodesk Revit software in its design of the Freedom Tower, the structure that will rise on the site of the ill-fated World Trade Centre. With 70 occupied floors and 241 500 square metres of office and public space, the skyscraper, which will be the tallest building in the world, will be clad in shimmering glass. The tower will evoke the form of the Statue of Liberty and its parallelogram-shaped base will conform to the street grid of the lower Manhattan site.
Global firm, RTKL Associates Inc, is currently in the process of converting its technology to Autodesk Revit after experiencing the benefits of building information modelling on four major projects, including a 37 161-square metre, five-story office building and an 8 175-square-metre data centre. RTKL is one of the world’s foremost architectural, engineering and planning firms, with 10 offices worldwide. The company’s portfolio of large-scale projects includes the U.S. Capitol Visitor Centre in Washington DC, the Chinese Museum of Film in Beijing and the Maryland Museum of African-American History and Culture in Baltimore.
In Norway, a large residential builder, Mestergruppen AS, has standardised on Autodesk Revit based on the software’s advanced building information modelling capabilities.
“Revit is far more powerful and flexible, and solves tasks faster and more elegantly than any other CAD software we’ve seen,” said Arve Solheim, chain manager at Mesterhus, a Mestergruppen subsidiary. “For example, when importing and exporting quantity data generated in drawings, with a few key strokes, you easily make energy calculations, light area calculations, and other important calculations for consideration in the building process.”
Autodesk first introduced building information modelling to the industry in 2002. The software, launched in South Africa in early 2004, has changed the way building professionals around the world think about information technology for building design, construction and management.
By supporting the continuous and immediate availability of the best possible information for making design decisions, purpose-built building information modelling provides significant advantages over traditional drafting software or object-oriented CAD.
Greater productivity and fewer errors reduce design costs; projects are delivered more quickly; and higher quality work is produced. Firms are also finding new revenue and business opportunities from expanded service offerings using building information modelling.
About Autodesk
Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world’s leading design software and digital content company. Autodesk offers solutions for professionals in building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media and wireless data services. By delivering progressive products and services, Autodesk helps customers create, manage, use and maximise the value of their digital data throughout the lifecycle of their projects. For more information about the company’s building solutions, see
http://www.autodesk.co.za
or phone Amanda Wesson on 011 805-1555. |
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