AECbytes Blog

This article takes a look at SITEOPS, an application that applies sophisticated optimization technology to the design and development of a building site. Land developers and civil engineers can provide a set of parameters, and SITEOPS will deliver 3 to 5 site designs in DWG format within 24 to 48 hours, providing the optimal layout, grading and storm water drainage options with accurate and detailed cost estimates.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2008/SITEOPS.html

This article explores some of the technologies that are being developed at Autodesk Labs, including Project Draw, a web-based vector drawing application, Content Search, a web service that allows search of generic or manufacturer-specific building products and associated design content, multi-touch navigation of 3D models on a large screen display, and others.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2008/AutodeskLabs.html

This article captures the highlights of a one-day BIM Fundamentals seminar specifically targeted towards structural engineers that was organized by ZweigWhite. It captures the experiences of several structural engineering firms that are implementing BIM, and also discusses legal issues and risks as well as collaboration between architects and engineers.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2007/BIMFundamentalsSeminar.html

This article discusses the remaining projects that won TAP BIM Award citations this year, including the Royal London Hospital project in London and the GSA’s BIM Pilot Project Successes and National BIM Program. It also captures some of the jury’s thoughts and reasoning that went behind the citations and honorable mentions that were awarded.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2007/BIM_Awards_Part2.html

Earlier this summer, the winners of the 2007 BIM Awards hosted by the AIA TAP (Technology in Architectural Practice) Knowledge Community were announced. This article takes a detailed look at two of the main award-winning projects—the Loblolly House at Taylors Island in Maryland and the Benjamin D. Hall Interdisciplinary Research Building at University of Washington.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2007/BIM_Awards_Part1.html

This article captures the highlights of ZweigWhite’s AEC Technologies Strategies conference that was held in Las Vegas on June 7 and 8. This is an annual information technology event targeted towards business and IT leaders in architecture, engineering, and construction. Since it is not focused on any one specific discipline, it serves as a good avenue to learn about technology issues and implementations across the broader spectrum of the AEC industry.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2007/AECTech2007.html

This article provides a more detailed look at some of the supporting technologies for BIM that were being showcased at the AIA 2007 National Convention. Many of them are in the area of BIM content and content management, and they raise an interesting question of how exactly the AEC industry wants its BIM content.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2007/AIA2007_Part2.html

This article captures the highlights of the sessions and an analysis of the key discussion points that emerged at Bentley’s recent “BIM for Green Buildings” Executive Summit held in New York.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2007/BentleyBIMSummit.html

This article explores the increasingly popular virtual world, Second Life, and its potential to enhance the design and construction of buildings in the real world.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2007/SecondLife.html

This article takes a detailed look at FMDesktop, Autodesk’s new dedicated FM tool, and its new BIM integration capability, which reads DWFs published from Revit Building and automatically interprets room data.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2007/FMDesktop.html