ArchiCAD Enhances Ohio Firm's Ability to Add Valuable Capital Project Management Services

Virtual Building Modeler Supports New Business Strategy by Enhancing Design Firm's Ability to Integrate Building Design with Capital Project Management Services

NEWTON, Mass., April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphisoft US, originator of the Virtual Building(TM) concept and the world's most experienced developer of Building Information Modeling (BIM) solutions, today announced that OneSphere has implemented Graphisoft's ArchiCAD(R) to support the firm's new mission and increase the value of the services it provides. Previously focused on architectural design, the Ohio-based building design, construction and management firm has expanded its practice to provide seamless integration of capital projects.

ArchiCAD's virtual building modeling technology is part of OneSphere's new business strategy, which integrates design, construction and management services for capital projects. The 3D model-based design software helps architects and other users at OneSphere to create building data that provides value throughout the lifecycle of a building. Because it creates an intelligent virtual building model, ArchiCAD supports OneSphere professionals throughout the entire planning, design, construction and management process; from building design, to cost modeling, to construction, to facility management.

"As we are creating buildings within ArchiCAD, we can simultaneously estimate the cost of each aspect of the project and provide that information to our clients as well as our designers," said Kevin Carroll, principal at OneSphere. "A process of assembling building and related cost information that used to take us several weeks with other design software packages now happens as we design." Our staff truly benefit from having all necessary information early on in the building design process, Carroll said. "By providing a price for a project early in the process, we initiate a dialogue with our clients that continues throughout the project. ArchiCAD's virtual building model is key to OneSphere's Capital Project Management System and long-term relationship with our clients."

OneSphere leverages ArchiCAD's powerful capabilities to interface and exchange information easily with other software packages. During the design process for a perinatal maternity clinic outside of Moscow in Balashikha, Russia, OneSphere also used ArchiCAD's ease of interoperability to facilitate communications between team members in the U.S. and Russia. "With ArchiCAD, we can present 3D models of our building designs in a format that transfers easily to other users outside our offices," said Matt Pastula, designer and technologist at OneSphere. "This helps us to clearly communicate our design intent to our clients, regardless of their location."

ArchiCAD enables architects to store all building details in a central database, so that when changes are made in one view, the plans, elevations and sections are updated automatically. "Using ArchiCAD, we are actually simulating the building," Pastula said. "We are creating a true, virtual model of the building that includes 3D views, site plans, schedules and construction documents simply by the act of designing. The software is very intuitive, and we have the ability to access and model building data rapidly."

OneSphere's staff found that, as simulation of buildings became more prevalent, other 3D modeling products operated at a slower rate. Based on parametric technology, ArchiCAD manages all building objects and components without the lethargic pace common with other building design packages. Furthermore, because the building elements within ArchiCAD are intelligent, they understand and react to the designer's changes. "ArchiCAD flows with how architects think, and allows us to manage a three-dimensional simulation of building information much more efficiently," Pastula said. The software's database of building information is based on GDL, a powerful language that enables ArchiCAD to track and coordinate all building components, whether represented in 2D drawings, schedules or 3D models, with ease. As a result, the software is not hindered or slowed down by the mass amounts of data managed within the virtual building model.

Ultimately, OneSphere is standardizing on ArchiCAD to increase the value it provides to its customers by integrating the software into its business model. "ArchiCAD is the one tool that enables us to move seamlessly from initial design, construction documents, cost estimating, construction and ultimately facilities management," Carroll said. "We have taken an innovative approach to our business, and ArchiCAD is a key part of this strategy."

About Graphisoft

Graphisoft(R) is a leading provider of design and management software solutions for the architectural profession and the building industry. Founded in 1982, Graphisoft is ranked today among the largest AEC CAD software developers in the world, with ten offices worldwide in addition to its Budapest headquarters. ArchiCAD(R) and other Graphisoft products are used by more than 100,000 architects, facility managers and building professionals all over the world. Shares of Graphisoft are traded on the Frankfurt (GPH) and on the Budapest (GRAPHI) Stock Exchange. 

www.graphisoft.com

 

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