News

Rediscovering Traditional Japanese Architecture with ArchiCAD
Thursday, December 04, 2008

Tokyo, December 4, 2008 - Digital Reconstruction Project Attempt to Reveal Secrets of Earthquake-Resistant Frame Construction 

The 30 meter high, five-story scarlet stupa graces the grounds of the Hokekyo Temple of the Buddhist Nichiren-sect in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Built in 1622, it is the only 5-story stupa in Chiba and a designated "national cultural property." The wooden structure has survived 400 years of varied weather conditions and earthquakes, and is still visited by worshipers.

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BIM Learning Studio Available Free
Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Budapest, December 2, 2008 - Graphisoft announces a complete suite of innovative interactive learning material, to continue its support of designers in understanding the benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM).

The BIM Learning Studio is a comprehensive, voice led resource containing learning materials that support both new and experienced practitioners of BIM to gain relevant hands on experience.

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Greytown Town Hall
Monday, December 01, 2008
Greytown was one of the first inland settlements in New Zealand and the original wooden town hall had a traditional frontage setback on the main road. Now modernized, the architectural excellence of this refurbishment and addition to an existing structure has been recognized by an NZIA/Resene “Community and Cultural” Architectural Award for Wellington based Architecture Workshop Ltd.
Auckland, December 1st 2008 – The Greytown Town Hall was an archetypal community project that, from the beginning, featured all the inherent trials and tribulations of working publicly and cooperatively with the local society.[More ...]
"Urban Canyon" Townhouses Create Eco-Friendly Village Community in Seattle
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A new townhouse development in Seattle has created a distinctly rural yet eco-modern village environment within an urban setting. Bradley Khouri of B9 Architects designed the seven-townhome Urban Canyon project sketching by hand and using ArchiCAD. His goal was to create an environment that maximized occupant density while incorporating sustainable technologies and open, free flowing "canyon" spaces where community members could share and interact.[More ...]
Stanley Point House
Monday, November 03, 2008
An extremely steep foreshore / cliff top site, protected pohutukawa, and rigid building restrictions imposed by the local district plan, made for a challenging architectural project. The confident solution by Geoff Richards Architects Ltd has brought the company much deserved recognition through an NZIA Resene New Zealand Architectural Award in 2008.
Auckland, November 1st 2008 – Positioned on the Ngataringa Bay side of the North Shore’s Stanley Point peninsula, the tricky site for this house demanded a well researched, imaginative, intelligent, sensitive yet workable architectural solution.[More ...]
Graphisoft announces MEP for ArchiCAD 12
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Budapest, October 22, 2008 – Graphisoft has announced today that its new Graphisoft MEP Modeler started to ship both on Windows and Macintosh platforms. This new tool introduces a set of functions that will enable architects to better coordinate projects that are more predictable to construct.
“Coordination issues between trades are one of the biggest source of problems on most medium and large building projects,” says Miklos Szovenyi-Lux, Director of Product Management, Graphisoft. “These problems regularly cause as much as 2-4% cost overrun on total project budget. Our MEP solution has already proven to find a myriad of problems on projects before they get to the construction site.”[More ...]
Graphisoft Announces the May Winner of Its "BIM Experience Kit" Competition
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Cock A. van Eck of PORT-SAID DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE has won a free commercial license of ArchiCAD 12 in the May draw of the "BIM Experience Kit" competition.[More ...]
Design-Build Firm Creates Own LEED Platinum Eco-Townhouses with ArchiCAD Start Edition
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Architects Jeff and Tracey Prose of Building Arts Workshop LLC took the unconventional route of becoming their own clients in the design and construction of an eco-friendly re-development project in Portland, Oregon.[More ...]
Sony Centre at Heathrow's Terminal 5 Flowers with ArchiCAD
Monday, September 15, 2008
AM Design UK (AM) created an innovative customer experience for Sony's flagship centre. AM is a retail fit-out and manufacturing company based in Hinckley, Leicestershire. "Retail interior design is no longer simple shelving systems," says Helen Morse, design department manager at AM. "Shop interiors are becoming far more sophisticated and architectural. We need to have more control over our designs and we have to be able to explain their intricacies to the client. 3D design enables us to model the space and design the store with amazing accuracy."[More ...]
Graphisoft Announces the April Winner of Its "BIM Experience Kit" Competition
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Corben Architects see the potential with ArchiCAD, thanks to BIM Experience Kit. "Our initial exposure to ArchiCAD via the BIM Experience Kit provided us very valuable insight into the BIM concept", said Mohit Keni, Director of Corben Architects, Sydney, Australia.[More ...]
Newlands College, Wellington
Monday, September 01, 2008

The Newlands College Art & Language Block was one of two buildings receiving awards in the Education Category of the 2007 NZIA Resene Local Awards, Wellington region.

Auckland, September 1st 2008 – The Judges of the 2007 NZIA Resene Local Awards (Wellington region), gave praise to Re-Design Ltd’s architecture in their citation, saying: “The combined challenge of a tight site and a tight budget have been well met with a strong and considered integration of a new contemporary building into the standard NZ secondary Nelson Block school context.”

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Graphisoft Customer Holder Construction Wins Constructech Vision Award
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Graphisoft customer Holder Construction recently won Constructech magazine's Vision Award for its use of ArchiCAD Building Information Modeling (BIM) software in a large construction project.[More ...]
Beijing Olympic TV Transmission Tower Designed with ArchiCAD
Friday, August 08, 2008
The Olympic TV Transmission Tower that will broadcast the signal of the Olympic Games to the world was designed by local Chinese architects in just three months to meet the final Olympic preparation rush.[More ...]
Miln House, Papamoa Beach
Sunday, August 03, 2008

This contemporary beach front house by Architecture Page Henderson Ltd, won the 2007 Placemakers Supreme Award, (Over $1m Category) in the Tauranga Master Builders ‘House of the Year’ competition for Shaw Builders of Mt Maunganui.

Auckland, August 1st 2008 – The Miln house is but one design from the award winning stable of Architecture Page Henderson Ltd. Sitting in the company’s meeting room you cannot help but be impressed by a galleried display of award certificates from the NZIA and others that have been presented to David Page and his team over the years.

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Texas Sugar Refinery to Sustainable Community Project Wins Landmark Award
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The site of the historic Imperial Sugar Company in Sugar Land, Texas, will be transformed from an abandoned mill into one of the country's best examples of sustainable redevelopment. The Imperial Sugar project will be a 650-acre mixed-use community that blends commercial, retail and single-family homes into a walkable, livable, green community. The project is being designed and managed by Nashville[More ...]
Mountain View House
Monday, July 21, 2008
ArchiCAD helps SGA Ltd breathe light, warmth & vitality into an award winning suburban home.
Auckland, July 1st, 2008 - The brief for the ‘Mountain View House’ was to accommodate an elderly and very socially active couple, who required a house intimate enough to occupy by themselves yet able to cater for a constant stream of guests, whilst maximising views. [More ...]
Energy Star rated Odyssey Charter School is a Prototype for Sustainable Florida Schools
Monday, July 14, 2008
A charter grade school in Palm Bay, Florida - which recently achieved the U.S. Government's Energy Star rating for high performance buildings - is serving as a model for new sustainable school building in the State. The Odyssey Charter School is a pre-K through 8th grade school designed in ArchiCAD by Spacecoast Architects P.A. of Indialantic, Florida. The 47,000 square foot building potentially serves as a prototype for a series of new eco-friendly schools to be built in Florida that achieve high energy efficiency.[More ...]
Graphisofts BIM Experience Kit Wins 2008 International Stevie Award for Best Training Technology
Monday, July 07, 2008
Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD BIM Experience Kit won a Stevie Award for Best Professional Education software as part of the 2008 International Business Awards competition. The company’s technology was also named a finalist in the Best Training software category.[More ...]
Entire University Campus Designed and Constructed with BIM
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Construction has begun on one of the first university campuses entirely designed and constructed using building information modeling (BIM) technology. The University of Trinidad and Tobago project involves the master planning and construction of a central university campus on a 150-acre green field site within a former World War II US Air Force base. Architectural and urban planning firm acla:works architects won the award to design the new university in late 2004.[More ...]
London BIMStorm Competition Won by BIM Vikings
Monday, June 30, 2008
"Build London Live" on June 24-26 - the 8th station of the BIMStorm series was completed. 12 teams competed from around the world, including teams from the UK, US, Korea, Finland, Chile, Japan and Norway. The BIMStorm competition is a 48 hour virtual design collaboration. The site for the design was in the Thames Gateway Area of London, the most densely populated, highly congested, economically active, development pressured region within the UK. Teams were given the task to work on a mixed use development, where people may live, work, play and prosper together in a genuine mixed urban environment.[More ...]
New Zealand Student Wins International Competition
Friday, June 27, 2008

Budapest, June 25, 2008 - Based on five months of voting by the community of ArchitectsJURY.com, the "JURY" selected the waterfront house project from Aotea, New Zealand as the winning entry. The project was designed in ArchiCAD by David Chisholm, who is currently studying architecture at Victoria University of Wellington.

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Expressive seashore house wins the 2008 Spring ArchitectsJury Competition
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Based on five months of voting by the community of ArchitectsJURY.com, the "JURY" selected the waterfront house project from Aotea, New Zealand as the winning entry. The project was designed in ArchiCAD by David Chisholm, who is currently studying architecture at Victoria University of Wellington.[More ...]
Graphisoft Announces the March Winner of Its BIM Experience Kit Competition
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Maria Pawlewicz-Budzinska of FLOW has won a free commercial license of ArchiCAD 11, as the winner of the March draw of the "BIM Experience Kit" competition.[More ...]
ArchiCAD User Wins New Zealand Institute of Architects Supreme Award
Monday, June 23, 2008
Patterson Associates scooped a Supreme Award for the Hills Clubhouse at Arrowtown as well as New Zealand Awards for the A.J. Hackett Bungy Centre near Queenstown and the Mai Mai house in Ponsonby, Auckland. The Auckland firm has been using ArchiCAD for a decade, and director Andrew Patterson says it's the sharpest tool in the box: "We just like it."[More ...]
ArchiCAD Users Top Their Game
Monday, June 23, 2008

ArchiCAD’s 3D modelling capabilities helped Patterson Associates Architects score a hat trick at this year’s New Zealand Institute of Architects awards.

Auckland and Budapest, 23rd June 2008 - Patterson Associates scooped a Supreme Award for the Hills Clubhouse at Arrowtown as well as New Zealand Awards for the A.J. Hackett Bungy Centre near Queenstown and the Mai Mai house in Ponsonby, Auckland.

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Rhode Partners Design Austins Greenest High rise with ArchiCAD
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Groundbreaking is slated for 3Q 2008 on an eco-friendly residential tower in Austin, Texas, that aims to be a centerpiece of both urban sustainability and the city's downtown revitalization efforts.[More ...]
ArchiCAD 12 Accelerating the Design Experience
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Budapest, June 16, 2008 – Graphisoft announced today that ArchiCAD® 12, the next version of its award-winning Virtual Building™ modeling solution, will ship on both Windows® and Macintosh® platforms in July. ArchiCAD’s annual release cycle continues to focus on providing enhancements to help users win more business, design more creatively and be more productive.[More ...]
Bethlehem Town Centre
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
ArchiCAD proves an invaluable productivity tool to IGNITE Architects in the realization of their design for a $25 million open-air, drive-through community orientated town centre shopping precinct on Tauranga’s northwest fringe.[More ...]
An Award Winning Retirement Clubhouse for Active Baby Boomers Designed with ArchiCAD
Monday, June 02, 2008
A retiree clubhouse under construction in San Antonio is a good example of how architects must re-think the design of retirement communities for the aging-but-active baby boom generation.[More ...]
Austrian Architecture Award Winner Designed with ArchiCAD
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Dominik Dreiner's design of the new headquarters of the Metal and Electrical Industry Association, in Heilbronn, Germany has been awarded the first prize of the AAA Austrian Architecture Award 2008[More ...]
BIM Experience Kit a 2008 Stevie Award Finalist in Training Category
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Graphisoft's ArchiCAD BIM Experience Kit is a finalist in the 6th annual "American Business Awards" competition, known as the business world's own Oscars. More than 2,600 entries from companies of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted for consideration in more than 40 categories. Stevie Award winners will be announced during the annual gala on Thursday, June 12.[More ...]
ArchiCAD user Fink+Jocher Wins the 2007 German Architecture Award
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Munich architects Fink+Jocher have been awarded one of the most acclaimed prizes for German architecture. The award is conferred biannually by E.ON Ruhrgas AG under the patronage of the Federal Chamber of German Architects.[More ...]
Graphisoft Denmark Established
Friday, May 16, 2008
Graphisoft, the global leader in Virtual BuildingTM solutions, has announced that it is strengthening its position in Denmark in order better support the upcoming move to model based design mandated by the Danish Digital Building (Det Digitale Byggeri) initiative.[More ...]
Canada: New Multi faith National Memorial Centre Designed in ArchiCAD
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
This month, a new memorial centre uniquely designed to accommodate the diverse faiths of an entire nation opens at Beechwood, the home of the national cemetery of the Canadian armed forces. The Beechwood National Memorial Centre is a circular hall designed with input from the major faith groups in Canada to ensure that appropriate symbolism in the architecture could apply to all. The space can be configured for remembrance rituals and traditions of all types, while not privileging one faith over another.[More ...]
Free BIM software and book signings highlight Graphisofts attendance at AIA 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Free Building Information Modeling (BIM) software and new book signings by BIM and architectural authors are a few of the highlights from Graphisoft at American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2008 National Conference this week in Boston.[More ...]
Superior 3D functionality provides the cornerstone of an award winning 60s addition
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Graphisoft is proud to recognize the extraordinary work of Daniel Marshall Architect Ltd - A winner of the 2007 NZIA Resene New Zealand Awards for Marshall's stunning alteration to a classic modernist dwelling in Auckland's Corinth Street, modeled and documented using ArchiCAD.[More ...]
One Project — Two Accolades
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Chris Johns used ArchiCAD to “prove” his concept for a pavilion-style house in Levin, and received two NZIA Resene Local Awards for the project in 2007: One for “Colour” and one for “Design.”
Auckland, May 8th 2008 - Chris Johns’ long and highly successful career as an architect began when he qualified in 1965. As practice principal, Chris’ pay roll once extended to a staff of 90 employed on both commercial and residential architecture. After about 30 years on the drawing board, Chris down scaled his practice, made a transition to ArchiCAD, and has never looked back.[More ...]
London & Leeds Based Architectural Firm Wins the BIM Experience Kit Grand Prize
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Chris Cook of DLG Architects, already the winner of a free commercial license of ArchiCAD 11, has won a trip to Budapest as the grand prize winner of the "BIM Experience Kit" Competition.[More ...]
Joclemns Technologies to distribute ArchiCAD in Nigeria
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Graphisoft, the global leader in Virtual BuildingTM solutions, has announced that Joclemns Technologies, Nigeria's leading software supplier, will distribute Graphisoft's award-winning suite of 3D architectural design products in West Africa. Joclemns Technologies is a pioneer in legal software distribution in Nigeria. With its head office in Lagos, Jocleamns will focus its activities throughout West Africa - including Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana.[More ...]
FormFonts 3D to Host Parametric ArchiCAD Building Objects Online
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Graphisoft and FormFonts® 3D have teamed to provide high quality ArchiCAD Geometric Description Language (GDL) models online to ArchiCAD Users. FormFonts, the leading provider of high quality Google SketchUp models, is partnering with Graphisoft to develop, host and share GDL building content libraries. These libraries include both generic and manufacturer specific content for residential, commercial and institutional projects such as hospitals and research laboratories.[More ...]
50% reduction in energy consumption for the new alkiTECHNIK headquarters building in Germany
Monday, April 21, 2008
No oil tank, gas lines, radiators or air conditioners. The new headquarters of alkiTECHNIK in Ingolstadt is not only distinguished in its high-quality architecture but also in its innovative sustainable energy concept.[More ...]
American Canyon High School: A New Model of Green Building and Education Innovation
Saturday, April 05, 2008
A new high school being built in California's Napa Valley will be one of the country's first to be a Collaborative for High Performance School (CHPS) - verified "green" school. The CHPS program helps communities design and build high performance school environments that are not only energy and resource efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit, and containing the amenities for a quality education.[More ...]
Six new eClasses Launched
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
ARCHICADselect eClasses
Following the successful launch of our online eClasses we are pleased to announce the development of six new courses.
These courses are all registered for 5 CPD Points, therefore a total of 30 points are on offer for the whole series.[More ...]
Award Winning Corinth St. Alteration, Auckland
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
A well detailed BIM model built with ArchiCAD’s superior 3D functionality provides the cornerstone of an award winning addition. Auckland, January 11, 2008 - Graphisoft New Zealand is proud to recognize the extraordinary work of Daniel Marshall Architect Ltd - A winner of the 2007 NZIA Resene New Zealand Awards for Marshall's stunning alteration to a classic modernist dwelling in Auckland's Corinth Street, modelled and documented using ArchiCAD.[More ...]
General Contractor Achieves Award-Winning Construction Project Results with ArchiCAD
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Opening this month, the Aquarium Hilton Garden Inn in Atlanta will showcase how general contractors can use Building Information Modeling (BIM) to enhance project teamwork, build faster and avoid costly change orders and field conflicts. Atlanta-based general contractor Holder Construction made it easy for its partners to utilize BIM throughout the award-winning, $46 million project. Holder created 3D architectural, structural, and mechanical models in ArchiCAD from various 2D drawings provided by the architect, engineers and trade contractors. This approach enabled project team members to work with traditional CAD software they already had and knew, while reducing the risk that comes with using 2D documents among partners.[More ...]
Wine and Architecture Award with ArchiCAD
Monday, March 17, 2008
h.e.i.z. Haus Architecture and Planning has been awarded first prize in the 2007 National "Wine and Architecture" competition for its "Schloss Wackerbarth" a state-owned vineyard project in Radebeul, Germany. The award is given by the German Ministry of Economy.[More ...]
Graphisoft Sweden Established
Thursday, March 06, 2008
In order to continue its rapid growth in providing high value added services to the architectural community in Sweden, Lasercad Sverige AB will now be operating under the Graphisoft brand as Graphisoft Sweden.[More ...]
Award-winning, child-friendly urban housing with ArchiCAD
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Architect Keith Rivera recently won a design competition for creating an ideal urban housing environment for families with children in the City of Portland, Oregon. Portland's Courtyard Housing Design Competition is part of the city's quest to retain families with children in its neighborhoods in the face of increasingly unaffordable housing. Participants submitted designs demonstrating how courtyard housing can provide a quality living environment at densities higher than conventional detached housing.[More ...]
Record Attendance at the Graphisoft International Partner Conference
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Attendees from 51 countries representing distributors, resellers and ISV's gathered in the German Alps for the 2008 Graphisoft International Partner Conference (IPC). "The attendance underscores the dual momentum of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Graphisoft as the leader in delivering the technologies that have already helped our clients realize millions of buildings in a model based workflow," said Dominic Gallello, CEO of Graphisoft.[More ...]
Denver Architect Wins January BIM Experience Kit Competition
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tom Gallagher of Semple Brown Design has won a free commercial license of ArchiCAD 11 as the winner of the January draw of the "BIM Experience Kit" competition.[More ...]
BIM Experience Kit a 2008 CODiE Award finalist for Best Workforce Training Solution
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Graphisoft's ArchiCAD BIM Experience Kit is a finalist in the 23rd Annual CODiE Award competition for "Best Workforce Training Solution." The CODiE Awards, sponsored by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), are among the most esteemed awards in the software industry, honoring achievement and vision in software, education and technology.[More ...]
Award-winning, Eco-Friendly Cambridge House Designed in ArchiCAD
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Boston, February 7, 2008 - When Boston-based developer Duncan MacArthur hired architect Robert Augustine to design one of his many spec houses, little did he know that his family would love the completed building so much that he'd end up buying it himself.[More ...]
NZ's 1st 5-Star Green Building
Friday, February 01, 2008
ArchiCAD's 3D modelling capability empowers Studio Pacific in its design of New Zealand's first purpose built, certified 5-star green building.
Auckland, February 1st 2008 - With theGovernment mandating the use of the Green Star NZ tools from the New Zealand Green Building Council, there has been a market shift towards buildings that are economically, socially and environmentally beneficial for both owners and users. Meridian Energy’s new Wellington waterfront building, designed in ArchiCAD by Studio Pacific, is expected to consume 60% less energy and 70% less water than comparable buildings.[More ...]
Mexican Architect Wins Graphisoft BIM Experience Kit Competition
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Budapest, January 31, 2008 - Janette Pérez Arriaga of Arquitecto Noé GL & PARTNERS has won a free commercial license of ArchiCAD 11 as the winner of the December drawing of the "BIM Experience Kit" competition.[More ...]
Animated glass façade leads to exclusive design distinction
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Budapest, January 30 - Lánchíd 19 Hotel of Budapest has been granted membership to the Design Hotels chain - an exclusive club for hotels with unique architectural and interior design solutions.[More ...]
2007 Fall ArchitectsJURY Competition Results
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Budapest, January 29, 2008 - Innovative style by Polish student selected Based on eight months of voting by the community of ArchitectsJURY.com, the "JURY" selected the library project from Lodz, Poland as the winning entry. The project was designed in ArchiCAD by Maciej Grelewicz, who has finished his studies in January, 2008 at Technical University of Lodz.[More ...]
Nikken Sekkei Signature Theatre Design - with ArchiCAD
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Budapest, January 22 - Construction was recently completed on the Jimbocho Theater in Tokyo. This landmark building was designed by the studio of Tomohiko Yamanashi of Nikken Sekkei, Japan's largest architectural firm. Yamanashi is considered one of Japan's leading architects. This six-story 1,428 square meter theatre and entertainment center is owned by Shogakukan, a publishing firm.[More ...]
iPod keeps $300M building design project on track
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Budapest, January 16, 2008 - ML Design, a master planning, urban design and architectural firm based in Brisbane, Australia was faced with a crashed project server which jeopardized project progress and meeting an important client deadline.[More ...]
Graphisoft West Unites West Coast BIM Technology Resellers
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
New regional resource for sales, marketing, training and support of ArchiCAD; Clients gain world-class implementation and technical support Boston, MA - January 8, 2008 - Graphisoft announced the launch of a new regional distribution/reseller business aimed at making it easier to sell, teach and support ArchiCAD to architects in the western U.S.[More ...]
New Puma Headquarters in Germany
Monday, January 07, 2008
Construction began on the new Puma Group HQ in Herzogenaurach, Germany in November 2007. Known as the Puma Plaza, the complex is being developed in an area of approximately 50,000 square meters and will house 700 employees. The design was created by Klaus Krex of da capo al fine architects, based in Nuremberg.[More ...]
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