Architectural firms are currently faced with the question: should they continue using their existing CAD software or switch to the future? Because 3D modeling and BIM are becoming increasingly important. “We used the software we’ve always used – but at some point we couldn’t get any further.” This is the almost unanimous tenor of architectural firms that have decided to switch […]
Architectural firms are currently faced with the question: should they continue using their existing CAD software or switch to the future? Because 3D modeling and BIM are becoming increasingly important.
“We used the software we’ve always used – but at some point we couldn’t get any further.” This is the almost unanimous opinion of architectural firms that have decided to switch to ARCHICAD software. The manufacturer of the program, GRAPHISOFT, asked the architects about their motives and uncovered some interesting facts.
The 2D/3D issue is at the forefront of the reasons for switching. Many offices use software solutions that are still heavily reliant on two-dimensionality. This is not the case with ARCHICAD, where working directly on the 3D model has always been at the heart of the system. You can plan intuitively and quickly on a central model. Every change also appears automatically in all floor plans, views and sections.
This is not only extremely time-saving – it is also better suited to today’s working habits, especially those of young architects. They want to move quickly into modeling, work on the living object, so to speak, and quickly deliver presentable, veritable results. Andreas Kleboth from Linz can also observe this in his office: “We have many employees who are familiar with ARCHICAD from their studies and are therefore very experienced and very fast at creating 3D models.”
A quicker sense of space, conditions and atmosphere: this is what more and more clients are demanding. This is where many of those surveyed see ARCHICAD’s great trump card. Architect Johannes Berschneider from Pilsach describes it like this: “The final icing on the cake are the clients, who sit here with their mouths open, watching and ‘walking through the building’.” He is referring to the 3D representations with which ARCHICAD enables impressive virtual building inspections virtually at the touch of a button.
Building Information Modeling is increasingly required in tenders in order to ensure an efficient project process across all phases and between all planning participants.
Training for the changeover
Almost all offices took advantage of the extensive training and support offered by GRAPHISOFT and its local partners. For architect Irene Kristiner from Graz, the ARCHICAD basic course was particularly helpful: “The program’s functions were explained to us right from the start, we were able to work with it directly, ask our questions and receive direct feedback.”
Interesting information portal
What do the individual architects think about their software? Why did they decide to switch to ARCHICAD? And how did the changeover go? GRAPHISOFT has set up an interesting information portal with film clips about various architecture firms in Germany and Austria. More information here.
Credit for all images: Alex Brunner, www.vonbrunner.com
