2013

Residential Architects and Technology

May 14, 2013

I’ve written another article for the AIA CRAN Chronicle. This time I talk about the relationship between residential architects and technology (for both design and production). Specifically I discuss what holds many small firms back from testing new methods and then I explore Morpholio Trace, which I find to be an interesting app that bridges the divide between digital and analog stalwarts. Enjoy the article. If you missed my first

ArchiCAD Modeling Tips – BONUS VIDEO!

May 14, 2013

This is my third video on modeling chimneys in ArchiCAD. The first covered Complex Profiles and the second discussed the Morph Tool. A HUGE thank you to Gorazd Rajh of Pilon AEC (the reseller of ArchiCAD in Slovenia) for sharing this bonus modeling tip with me. While building the chimney with the Morph Tool, I had one major issue-I struggled to use the tube command. Well thanks to Gorazd I

Modeling tips for Chimneys in ArchiCAD Redux

May 13, 2013

In response to my earlier video on modeling tips for chimneys in ArchiCAD, some readers pointed out that the Morph Tool also offers a great way to do these types of chimneys (or similarly complex forms). I completely agree. Therefor it seemed like I should model that same chimney using Morphs and see what happens. So here it is. That same chimney, but with Morphs! Morphs or Complex Profiles: The

Modeling tips for Chimneys in ArchiCAD

May 10, 2013

When doing remodels, I often come across some weird chimneys. Likewise when doing new construction, certain architectural styles suggest less than plain chimneys. Here’s a video sharing some tips on how to make good looking chimneys in ArchiCAD. Of course these modeling tips and techniques could be used for other forms. Think of chimney modeling as a proxy for all sorts of non-standard shapes. And this is just the beginning.

Digital over Paper Documents: This is Solvable

May 10, 2013

We need to move away from printed documents. Not to save the forests and not to save on money, though those are nice benefits. We need to evolve beyond what we’ve always done because paper documents are so dumb, so inflexible, so 20th Century. We can do better. Why do we cram as many sections or details as possible on a sheet? We do this to save paper, to go

BIMcomponents.com Channels BIM Objects from BIMobject® – More ArchiCAD 17 News

May 8, 2013

BUDAPEST, May 8, 2013 — GRAPHISOFT, the developer of ArchiCAD, the Number One choice of architects for BIM solutions, will now channel BIM objects from the BIMobject® cloud and integrate them into the organic search results on BIMcomponents.com. BIMcomponents.com, GRAPHISOFT’s portal for parametric BIM objects, will automatically channel objects developed, maintained, and published by real manufacturers in the central cloud solution at BIMobject.com. The brand recognition of BIMobject® is well

Minnesota ArchiCAD User Group Meeting: Number 20

May 7, 2013

Minnesota ArchiCAD User Group 20 That’s right. It’s time for our 20th Minnesota ArchiCAD User Group meeting since 2009. Who would have thought that almost four years after that warm September evening we’d still be at it. Here are the details: Date: Tuesday May 28th, 2013 | 6:30PM — As Long As You Want | Location: Nelson-Tremain Partnership 125 Southeast Main Street, Suite 245 Minneapolis, MNÂ Â 55414 What’s Going to Happen:

ArchiCAD 17 — “BIM Lives in the Details”

May 7, 2013

To see a graphic comparison of all the changes between ArchiCAD 10 and ArchiCAD 17, check out the ArchiCAD Upgrade Calculator created by Graphisoft Connect. BUDAPEST, May 7, 2013 — GRAPHISOFT® announced today ArchiCAD 17, the latest version of its award-winning building information modeling (BIM) software. The new release delivers capabilities that greatly simplify the modeling and documentation of buildings even when the model contains a high level of

Starting an Architecture Firm? Let’s Discuss Software and Hardware Costs

May 5, 2013

Priorities in the 21st Century Architecture Office When starting an architecture firm, you are confronted with a lot of expenses. How do you prioritize or justify where to spend your money? For the 21st Century Architecture Office, IT costs come before physical space costs. If you can’t afford the software you need to be successful, you shouldn’t be paying someone else for space. If you baulk at paying five, ten,

Process

Architecture