Architects Invest in Autodesk Revit

Swanke Hayden Connell Architects have invested in Autodesk Revit to further build business in the healthcare sector.

International architectural practice Swanke Hayden Connell (SHCA) has invested in Autodesk Revit at its London office.

The building information modelling software will be first used to produce concept design models for projects within the community care sector.

As user skill develops, Revit is expected to dramatically reduce the time taken to produce these models.

Swanke's CAD manager David Sewell explains that drawing using traditional CAD systems often limits the ability to change design schemes quickly and easily.

Having the capacity to not only produce a concept model at speed, but then create a series of almost instant views from anywhere in the model, will not only streamline the design process but also help demonstrate clearer designs and ideas to prospective clients.

"Clients often find it difficult to understand 2D drawings fully, but by being able to show a replica model of what a building is going to look like, will hopefully give us an advantage over our competitors," he says.

SHCA considered a number of different products including ArchiCAD and Allplan before settling with Autodesk Revit.

"Around 18 months ago SHCA acquired a team of architects who had been working for the Salvation Army, designing buildings in the community care sector.

These are now using this experience to build our business in this sector.

"Prior to joining SHCA they had been using ArchiCAD and were eager to continue, but when they saw the power of Revit - especially in terms of instant relationship reactions and the ease of which bespoke components could be created, they were impressed and agreed to try it.

"Due to our investment in AutoCAD we were keen to remain with Autodesk technology, but we gave all the products thorough consideration.

Autodesk Revit appeared to be the most complete product - and although some of the others claimed to be parametric, Revit certainly seemed to be the most advanced." SHCA bought nine seats of Autodesk Revit through Autodesk Authorised Systems Centre CADline and Sewell says he was impressed by their extremely thorough knowledge of Revit.

"We've worked very closely with CADline and the team there has provided solid training and excellent consultation.

Their CAD knowledge and support has always been excellent so we really respected their recommendation of Revit" Although there are no immediate plans to roll out Revit further within the company, Sewell says that if it proves to be the success he anticipates, other design teams within the practice will want to follow suit.

"Our design director was very impressed by Revit's ability to create complex shapes quickly; something which has been a problem in the past.

"Also, the fact that Revit can fully co-ordinate drawings automatically and accurately will be a guaranteed time saver.

I feel very enthusiastic about the future of Revit here.".

Back to top