Business News

Autodesk Presents BIM Experience Award to Cannon Design

Wednesday 29. April 2009 - Firm Honored for Its Commitment to a Building Information Modeling Process for Projects Across the Globe

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a leader in 2D and 3D design and engineering software, has announced that Cannon Design, a leading international design firm, has been selected to receive an Autodesk BIM Experience Award. The firm is being recognized for its use of a building Information modeling (BIM) process and the entire family of Autodesk Revit-based software for all its diverse international projects, from the Ordos Music Hall in China to the Buffalo State College Science Building in Buffalo, New York.

“Since our adoption of BIM back in 2007, when we started using Revit Architecture, Revit MEP and Revit Structure, we’ve applied BIM on more than 150 projects,” said Kenneth Wiseman, AIA, president, professional services, Cannon Design. “Our extensive experience with BIM has given our firm a strong competitive advantage in the worldwide market in which we compete. To get the most out of BIM we employ the entire portfolio of Revit-based products and Revit-based design information to integrate and coordinate our architectural, structural, MEP, interiors, sustainable design, specifications, cost estimating and construction services.”

In addition to Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit MEP and Autodesk Revit Structure, Cannon Design also uses many Autodesk software applications to complement its BIM process such as AutoCAD, Autodesk Ecotect Analysis, Autodesk Navisworks, Autodesk 3ds Max Design, and Autodesk Showcase software.

“Cannon Design’s use of integrated BIM processes and 3D modeling information has allowed them to more accurately design, visualize and simulate a project’s performance, appearance and cost,” said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. “This helps them provide quality designs, mitigate construction conflicts, and meet their client’s budget limitations.”

Cannon Design, augmenting their traditional support of their longtime reseller Microdesk, engaged Autodesk consulting services for the move to full BIM adoption. Through the innovative Autodesk Production Assurance program, the Autodesk Consulting team provided a range of services to Cannon Design, including implementation planning, project setup, training, and ‘over the shoulder’ mentoring.

BIM Process Applied to Ordos Music Hall and Buffalo State College Science Building

The 160,000-square-foot Ordos Music Hall located in Inner Mongolia, China, is one of the many projects from Cannon Design’s global portfolio that helped secure the award for the firm. Designed by the Yazdani Studio of Cannon Design working across the firm’s offices in North America and China, this project combined the talents of architects, designers, 3D artists, engineers, and technical specialists who employed a BIM process and all Revit-based products to study various aspects of the design based on a virtual 3D model. The Revit model was used to design a unique resilient outer skin for the structure comprised of patterned and perforated tiles. Using the Autodesk Revit Architecture model, in combination with an algorithmic formula based on the building’s geographic location and orientation to the sun, Cannon Design performed reflected light studies to help evaluate design alternatives and determine the optimal size and orientation of the individual exterior panels. In addition, the Revit design model was used as the basis for design visualizations as well as 3D printed models–making it easier for everyone to understand and appreciate the building’s unique design concept.

The 100,000 square-foot building addition to the Buffalo State College Science Complex represents a model BIM process. Cannon Design’s use of all Revit-based software on this project enabled the integration of building design, construction, and management processes. The multi-discipline team of architects, engineers and contractors were able to more precisely represent all of a project’s elements, properties, and behaviors. Cannon Design’s integrated project team used a single model that combined information from Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP models to coordinate not only the physical aspects of the building design, but also the quantity takeoffs, cost estimates, specifications, project schedule and construction drawings to help ensure more accurate alignment of scope and budget. The BIM process and Revit model helped minimize costly and time-consuming redesigns. Designed to meet LEED certification at the Gold level, this project incorporates sustainable design strategies ranging from skylights and clerestory fenestration to increase natural daylighting to the use of a high-efficiency chiller plant controller system to optimize overall plant efficiency.

The Autodesk BIM Experience Award celebrates professionals and educators around the world who are helping to drive industry transformation through building information modeling. Autodesk honors organizations for their innovation, leadership and excellence in implementing BIM with the help of core BIM products, including one or more of the Autodesk Revit platform products and other Autodesk products that complement the BIM process.

BIM is an integrated process that allows architects, engineers and builders to explore a project digitally before it’s built. Coordinated, reliable information is used throughout the process to design innovative projects, accurately visualize appearance for better communication, and simulate real-world performance for better understanding of important characteristics such as cost, scheduling and environmental impact.