The Year’s Best in Construction Technology | Innovation
The AEC Excellence Awards highlight bold and innovative projects which are pushing the limits of construction technology and imagination in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. This annual competition showcases the design and construction of truly groundbreaking projects from around the world that are paving the way to the future of design and construction—all with the use of Building Information Modeling and Autodesk software. Autodesk asks the visionaries who are creating bold structures, who are bringing a daring vision to the spaces of tomorrow, the places where we live, work, play, and study, to share their work with industry peers.
Increasingly, AEC firms are using digital tools and construction software as the bedrock foundation of their large-scale projects, bringing profit and scalability to their stakeholders. Each year, the finalists in the AEC Excellence Awards display their eagerness to innovate and experiment with new technologies and processes, bringing their awe-inspiring designs forward through collaboration.
We are excited about the upcoming AEC Excellence Awards for 2018, and there's still time to submit your project or nomination for “Innovator of the Year.” (Submissions end July 31, 2018).
As we look forward to the announcement of this year's finalists, let's take a look at some of the first place winners from 2017.
Building: The Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future in Dubai won first place in the ‘Building' category at AEC 2017. Image: Killa Design
The Museum of the Future in Dubai was a collaboration of Killa DesignBuroHappold Engineering. These three firms all made extensive use of high-end digital tools to create a truly monumental piece of architecture. Shaun Killa spoke of the challenges of bringing unique aspects of his 2D sketch into BIM, implementing a highly complex form generated from panoramic views. Using connected BIM collaboratively with BuroHappold in the design phase enabled the team to answer structural and engineering challenges.
Christopher Wodzicki, of BuroHappold, highlighted the digital integration that drove the design phase, making sure that the entire team was fully connected and that all the elements were integrated. Their team went so far as to push the envelope of the tools being used, developing new ones in some cases to enhance the project.
This team came together in a remarkable way, showing how innovation and collaboration is pushing the industry forward.
Fortunately for us, Jeff Sample and The ConTechCrew were able to interview the winners of last year's AEC Excellence Awards, capturing the team's reaction as they exited the stage.
Watch the interview:
Sustainability: The Porter School of Environmental Studies
The Porter School of Environmental Studies won first place in the ‘Sustainability' category at AEC 2017. Image: Geotectura
The Porter School of Environmental Studies in Tel Aviv, Israel, brought together Assa Aharoni Consulting Engineers and three architecture firms: Axelrod-Grobman Architects, NCArchitects, and Geotectura. Though the creators of this design work at different firms, they were able to collaborate using Autodesk tools to get the building perfect while remaining friends throughout the process. Their emphasis on communication and the integration of technology in the building truly highlighted their drive for sustainability. The team used leading edge digital tools to expand human possibilities, integrating the factors of environmental concerns, economics and the social impact of the new building. This was the greatest challenge of the project. Autodesk gave these visionaries the tools to hold their vision of connecting people and technology to create sustainability.
Watch the interview:
Infrastructure: The New International Airport in Mexico City
The new International Airport in Mexico City won first place in the ‘Infrastructure' category at AEC 2017. Image: Foster + Partners
The new International Airport in Mexico City was all about changing the paradigm and pushing the envelope of airport design and construction. Constructed using a single spaceframe, the project needed to answer the challenges of unpredictable soil conditions, immense size, and the human experience of the building itself. With their innovative design, Foster+Partners and FR-EE had one goal in mind: put people first. The lightweight steel structure melds roof and walls into a single aerodynamic form, creating an open interior uncluttered by columns and support structures. Autodesk BIM tools gave the designers the ability to play with space and form and create a magnificent and unique structure that is a celebration of space and light.
Watch the interview:
Is your company pushing the limits of imagination and construction technology?
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