Architecture Firm Uses Building Information Modeling Process to Facilitate Evidence-Based Design Decision Making

MIAMI — (BUSINESS WIRE) — June 10, 2010 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced that DesignGroup has received an Autodesk BIM Experience Award for extending the use of building information modeling (BIM) to sustainable design, and for the application of a BIM process on more than 40 building projects to date, representing over 4.2-million square feet. The award further recognizes the firm’s efforts to promote BIM through presentations, lectures and continuing education seminars for its partners, consultants, clients, local builders, industry groups and universities.

DesignGroup is also being honored for its exemplary use of software for BIM, including Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk 3ds Max Design, Autodesk Ecotect Analysis, (whose active subscribers have access to Autodesk Green Building Studio web-based service), and Autodesk Navisworks.

“At DesignGroup we use a BIM process to digitally develop, visualize, analyze and validate innovative building designs that satisfy our client’s goals for energy performance, aesthetics and budget,” said Brian Skripac, BIM technology manager for DesignGroup. “We fully leverage both the qualitative and quantitative information in the Revit model to support a BIM workflow within our design teams. We use that same information within the Revit Architecture model in an interoperable format with Ecotect Analysis and Green Building Studio to help give our design teams and clients the analysis they need for solid evidence-based decision making and capital planning.”

Exemplary Use of BIM Process on Recent Major Projects

One of DesignGroup’s recently built BIM process-based projects is the $5.1-million Grange Insurance Audubon Center located in Columbus, Ohio. Targeted for LEED Silver or potentially Gold Certification, the urban ecology learning center serves as a model for sustainable design and environmental education. DesignGroup and the project’s structural engineer used an integrated Revit Architecture–based model for design collaboration, coordination and evaluation of design alternatives and sustainability strategies. For more information on this project, see the Audubon Center customer story.

DesignGroup’s other recent BIM process-based projects include the new Hocking College Energy Institute, poised to become Ohio’s first LEED Platinum–certified higher education building, and an $85-million new patient tower addition for Butler Health System in Pennsylvania. Both projects featured integrated project teams using the Revit platform for earlier decision making and improved design coordination, with Autodesk Navisworks software applied to the Butler Health System project for cross-discipline clash detection and construction planning. One of the team’s current projects, delivered with partner company Energent Solutions, is a study for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company that will help the company reduce the energy consumption of its corporate headquarters office towers.

About BIM

BIM is an integrated process for exploring a project’s key physical and functional characteristics digitally before it’s built, helping to deliver projects faster and more economically, while minimizing environmental impact. Coordinated, consistent information is used throughout the process to design innovative projects; better visualize and simulate real-world appearance, performance and cost; and create more accurate documentation.

About DesignGroup

Founded in 1972, with offices in Ohio and Kentucky, DesignGroup is widely regarded for its initiative and leadership in sustainable building design. Its staff of more than 50, including 35 design professionals, uses Autodesk BIM software for its architecture, interior design, graphics, sustainability and BIM services. Sustainability has been an important design initiative for the firm since its founding, and today 93 percent of its design professionals are LEED accredited. The firm uses Advanced Solutions, Inc., in Columbus, Ohio, as its reseller.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software to help customers experience their ideas digitally before they are built. Fortune 100 companies -- as well as the last 15 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software tools to design, visualize and simulate their ideas to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation for competitive advantage. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Ecotect, Green Building Studio, Navisworks, Revit and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.