Australian ArchiCAD Firms

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys,

I'm curious to know just how many Australian architecture firms (and who) are using ArchiCAD now days. By far my favourite platform, but revit seems to be taking over offices I once knew that were exclusively ArchiCAD.

If you know of a couple, shout them out.

[Anonymous]

Hi Allan
There are 2 large firms I am aware of still using Archicad
Fender Katsalidis Architects
Rice Daubney

Both the above have made interesting videos if you can track them down.

Woods Bagot are unfortunately seeming to phasing out Archicad and my current firm are not renewing the licence. There are some outsourcing firms such as Webber and Assoc in Adelaide who do large towers etc. for Grocon and ADD in WA. The new home market in WA is predominantly Archicad

[Anonymous]

Thanks HarryM,

You have happened to name the three that I was actually aware of. There must be more out there!

Interestingly, in my experience it seems that there is a higher proportion in Sydney then Melbourne, so interesting to hear your thoughts about Perth.

[Anonymous]

HarryM wrote:
Hi Allan

The new home market in WA is predominantly Archicad

That is true but I dont know for how long as most engineering drawings are still done in 2D autocad. I suspect with Engineering BIM and parametric Simulations it will take a few years for the home market to shift from archicad to a more supportive format, not sure if it will be revit though as many started with revit and went over to Archicad.

[JaredBanks]

Fulton Trotter

http://fultontrotter.com.au/

[Anonymous]

DesignEngineerBIM wrote:

HarryM wrote:
Hi Allan

The new home market in WA is predominantly Archicad

That is true but I dont know for how long as most engineering drawings are still done in 2D autocad. I suspect with Engineering BIM and parametric Simulations it will take a few years for the home market to shift from archicad to a more supportive format, not sure if it will be revit though as many started with revit and went over to Archicad.

With the WA specific libraries, tools, experts and passionate teams we have here I HUGELY doubt there will be any change to other software!
Other softwares are left in the wake when it comes to variation based project building too!
The engineering sector just needs to pull their fingers out and get with IFC and actual BIM for residential projects.
We have the expertise ready and willing but when engineering firms are still asking for flat cad files, it's clearly a hold up at that end!

[Anonymous]

Kristian wrote:

DesignEngineerBIM wrote:

HarryM wrote:
Hi Allan

The new home market in WA is predominantly Archicad

That is true but I dont know for how long as most engineering drawings are still done in 2D autocad. I suspect with Engineering BIM and parametric Simulations it will take a few years for the home market to shift from archicad to a more supportive format, not sure if it will be revit though as many started with revit and went over to Archicad.

We have the expertise ready and willing but when engineering firms are still asking for flat cad files, it's clearly a hold up at that end!

Seriously what expertise and what do you know about the state of Engineering BIM and Simulations.
Engineers are generally under instructions from Project Builders not to provide 3D Engineering NOR do they want to pay for it and they certainly dont want engineers to go anywhere near their clients with 3D Data.
Take it from me sadly you wont be progressing much further with Engineering BIM as Archicad is tied to autocad

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean with the 'archicad is tied to autocad' bit?
It's funny as I've been talking to an engineering firm who are super keen to get on board with the use of IFC and have talked reduce cost in that there would be no need to reproduce the models needed for their simulation!

[Anonymous]

Kristian wrote:
I'm not sure I understand what you mean with the 'archicad is tied to autocad' bit?
It's funny as I've been talking to an engineering firm who are super keen to get on board with the use of IFC and have talked reduce cost in that there would be no need to reproduce the models needed for their simulation!

There is no direct link from archicad to (Real) Engineering BIM/Simulations... IFC is a waste of Time and Money and I would prefer a more direct approach.

LOL, there is no reduced cost savings unless you are replicating Display homes so why do it in 3D when 2D will Surfice?
Simulations are a different kettle of fish.. although they can be done in 2D , 3D is much more impressive particulary when they will be tied to Apps that clients can use, I have already started targeting clients...LOL do you think clients will trust New home salesman with BIM Apps
When it comes to modelling, LOL, even the simulation Software are now Parametric so why would I bother doing the simple model in Archicad and then export the geometry?

Unfortunately, Archicad is miles behind AutoCad (Revit), DS (Solidworks) and Trimble in that order.
These simulation advancements were driven by Mech engineers using Solidworks and inventor and we are now seeing them filtering down to Architecture/clients finally
I suggest you give it a try and then we compare notes...Goodluck

[Anonymous]

What format would you suggest for a real link?
I am genuinely curious!

I was of the understanding that the simulations only really ran in 3D and that any model info supplied would cut time in reproduction for the sim!
I'm lost as to what you mean with the trusting a new homes salesman with a BIM app too! I'm a draftee by trade if that's what you mean??
Why would you need to model in Archicad if you're using engineering software?
Archicad is for architectural and things like Trimble and Solid Works are for engineering!

Having worked alongside the Solid Works guys in Perth we actually tried some IFC transfer in both directions and had some really good results! Of course Archicad couldn't animate a conveyor assembly
and run a simulation on how the belt would last but for the dongers at the camp, well, it did a hell of job!