Sheppard Robson Wins 2005 BE Award

Ford Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence Named Top Project in 'Building: BIM for Architecture' Category

Exton, Pa. � July 12, 2005 � Sheppard Robson, a leading architectural practice in the United Kingdom providing architectural, urban design, interior design, and planning services, has won a 2005 BE Award for its Ford Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) project in Dagenham, U.K. The award category was �Building: BIM for Architecture, Private Building.�

The BE Awards of Excellence, which are selected by an independent jury of industry experts and presented at an evening ceremony during the annual BE Conference (www.be.org), honor the extraordinary work of Bentley users improving the world�s infrastructure. These projects set benchmarks for their industries, and showcase the imagination and technical mastery of the organizations that created them.

The new CEME building is located at the Heart of the Thames Gateway, the largest area of growth and regeneration in the United Kingdom. It provides nearly 10,000 square meters of high-tech learning facilities, including conference facilities for 350 people, office space, IT and business centers, two auditoriums, six lecture theaters, 14 training rooms, 22 classrooms, and four specialist CAD/CAM rooms.

Though large in scope, the project was easily managed by Sheppard Robson through its adoption of more efficient, innovative ways of working � ways that were fully supported by Bentley software. As Mike Bufalino, IT director, Sheppard Robson, explained, �Bentley�s commitment to providing the tools necessary for 21st-century design means that Sheppard Robson�s CAD data is effective and well-coordinated. Bentley�s unique approach to integrated CAD, IT, and BIM technologies means that we are confident in the adoption of new and more efficient ways of working. We can make the transition at the correct pace for each of our projects with the dependable backup of Bentley�s support and reseller teams.�

Specific software solutions used on the CEME building included MicroStation, MicroStation TriForma, and Bentley Architecture. Throughout the project, the integration of MicroStation DGN data with intranet-based databases was critical in ensuring the management of complete building data. Through the use of tag sets, the project benefited from issue sheets and drawing registers fully synchronized with the DGN drawings. Door and window schedules and specifications were all produced as a by-product of the CAD model � true building information modeling (BIM).

This approach, tied with Sheppard Robson�s commitment to efficient design solutions and the use of Bentley software, permitted the completion of an extremely energy-efficient building that will cut CEME�s annual utility bill by about 25 percent.

About Sheppard Robson

Founded in 1938, Sheppard Robson is a fourth-generation architectural practice that has won numerous awards, including more than 50 in the last three years. Today, with a fee income in excess of �15 million, it is the fifth-largest practice in the United Kingdom.

The firm, which provides architectural, urban design, interior design, and planning services, operates from London and Manchester and has 14 partners operating in six broad sectors: science, health, education, commercial workplace, interior design, and urban regeneration. 

www.sheppardrobson.com

About the BE Conference

The BE Conference, which consistently scores a 99 percent attendee satisfaction rating, is a once-a-year learning opportunity for Bentley users and their managers offering professional training, technology updates, keynotes, and best practice sharing. At these sessions, attendees better themselves, better their organizations, and better the ways they can improve the world�s infrastructure.

About Bentley

Bentley Systems, Incorporated provides software for the lifecycle of the world�s infrastructure. The company�s comprehensive portfolio for the building, plant, civil, and geospatial vertical markets spans architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and operations. With 2004 revenues exceeding $300 million, Bentley is the leading provider of AEC software to the Engineering News-Record Design 500 and major owner-operators.

www.bentley.com

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