Virtual services firm lets architects focus on design

2Dcubed - Utah, U.S.

In the eyes of 2Dcubed founders Monte Chapin and Sean Williams, the Virtual Building model built in ArchiCAD is destined to become a viable commodity for architects, as important as the real-life structure itself. To help architects and firms create the best product, they created a web-based virtual building simulation service for architects, designers, contractors and facility managers using ArchiCAD.

2Dcubed's cutting-edge service evolved from a desire to push ArchiCAD and Graphisoft's Virtual Building concept to the limit. Via the web, 2D-cubed provides ArchiCAD training, support and service to architects who outsource the production of construction documents, renderings and virtual reality files from sketches and partially-completed ArchiCAD models.

2Dcubed was established as an ftp site on Earthlink's business service unit that hosts the virtual company. The team adopted and extended industry-wide standards such as the CSI Masterformat and Uniformat for all phases of the design, construction and building life-cycle process. By revamping the standard auto layering and pen color system, they defined a strict set of CAD standards that provide a natural segue to computer-aided facilities management using a method of tracking components and assemblies as building systems.

Project efficiency
"Within my practice, I'm pushing the Virtual Building concept to its limits. This methodology keeps all of the information tied together in one virtual location and lets us manage the project without the quantity of documents that EDM normally entails," states Chapin.

An ArchiCAD user since 1993, Williams comments, "Projects documented by hand will become a thing of the past. Architects who embrace new technologies will be able to provide their clients with a data package capable of integration with facility management, security and HVAC systems, as well as a model that will be readily available for renovation or successive project phases."

At the onset of a project, 2Dcubed provides clients with the ArchiCAD/CSI templates from which all work originates. Typically, compressed plan files usually no larger than 2 to 3 MB are posted to the 2Dcubed ftp site via DSL or 56k connections. Redlining is accomplished by creating a strategic redline markup layer in PlotMaker or by using the redline capabilities in Adobe Acrobat pdf files.

2Dcubed's team developed a strategic method of using ArchiCAD that creates superior documents from models. By applying custom identification numbers to objects and auto labeling to extract to a key-noted referencing system, they are able to contain all of the required information directly in the ArchiCAD plan file. 2Dcubed's method hasn't eliminated the use of tools like hotlinking but is able to apply them more strategically by containing certain types of information within the plan file.

"The current era of rapidly evolving technologies which includes streamlined internet communications, unlimited digital storage, and virtual building simulation will revolutionize architectural documentation," says Williams.

2Dcubed client architect William Adams explains that the service allows him to focus on creating and frees him up from 2D and 3D drafting chores. "I see this type of technical outsourcing as the driving force behind business to business collaboration among design services, and as the wave of the future for architects. With 2Dcubed's services, our firm can focus on being artists and designers, by allowing others to provide state-of-the-art CAD technology."

2Dcubed is currently collaborating on projects based in Canada and the Virgin Islands. Canadian architect Murray Arnott, whose firm specializes in designing residential and resort log home structures, finds that he's able to accept more and larger commissions by outsourcing his technical drafting work to 2Dcubed. A new ArchiCAD user, Arnott submits models that are about three-quarters complete via the ftp site and CD-ROM for use in developing the final construction documents.

Looking ahead, looking virtual
"3D images are integral to the conceptual design process," states Arnott. "My clients will see 3D images the first time they look at a design. The use of 3D progresses through out the project from 3D perspectives, virtual reality scenes and often culminates in virtual reality movies."

Chapin is quick to point out that this streamlined approach to collaborating within ArchiCAD was developed to bridge the gap between the preferred tools he has at his disposal today and what he's confident is coming in the near future. Based on that vision, he and his partner have established virtual building simulation as the cornerstone of their current and future business.