Switching Software Gives Chilean Firm the Competitive Edge

Hombo & Banados Arquitectos - Santiago, Chile

The 14-year-old firm of Hombo & Bañados Arquitectos is on the road to fully implementing ArchiCAD in their office in Chile's capital city, Santiago. As long-time AutoCAD users, the seven-person team not surprisingly had to overcome some resistance to the switch and concerns about the practical implementation of ArchiCAD.

"We were concerned about losing the heavy customization work we had completed in AutoCAD and developing new working standards," reports Pablo Bañados, architect and general manager of Hombo & Bañados Arquitectos.

One of the first projects modeled in ArchiCAD: the Iquique International Airport.

Hombo & Bañados had a game plan for the changeover which included a "getting involved with ArchiCAD" period, before beginning any major projects with it. During this three to four month period, about half-time effort was put forth in learning and using ArchiCAD. The Iquique International Airport, modeled in ArchiCAD just after purchase, was one such learning project, Bañados explained. This was followed by about a year period to standardize their work; six projects were completed as well as several competition entries. Through this time, as the staff achieved positive results with ArchiCAD the hesitation has turned to enthusiasm for the new system.

As for the initial concerns, Bañados explained, "Time proved that ArchiCAD already provided some of the custom tools we built in AutoCAD." Semi-automatic placement of objects in the appropriate layers and the extensive ArchiCAD library precluded lengthy translation work from AutoCAD. "Some old tools weren't needed anymore since ArchiCAD provides the same functionality: door insertion, areas handling, wall cleanup, and labeling of elements."

Getting the whole office enthused about the switch is key to successful implementation. Formal training is scheduled for the start of the new year for old AutoCAD staff, whom Bañados explained are more difficult to convert. Hiring junior staff already trained in ArchiCAD has helped to not only compensate for this, but to take advantage of ArchiCAD from an early stage.

Bañados described how ArchiCAD was key to winning a recent project for a 1300 sq. meter public library. Selected by the Ministry of Public Works from a nationwide competition out of 11 entries, H&B had to work quickly to meet the tight competition schedule.

ArchiCAD's ease of use made participation in the competition feasible for H&B. Junior architects could be used for development of most of the design (excluding details) making the project affordable considering the low fees.

The easy modeling and 3D development, which allowed early visualization and design decisions is what helped H&B to win the project Bañados explained. "The ease of how to present studies regarding space distribution and use, with very appealing diagrams, was clearly seductive for our clients."

In addition to its well evaluated design, H&B's proposal was much more developed and well presented than other competitors' schemes.

"The project is intended as a cultural booster in a relatively unpopulated region, well known for its natural beauty, adventure sports and fly fishing," Bañados related. It is also located in one of the harshest climates in Chile with -20C winters and little illumination given its location on the 48o parallel. "The small plot didn't allow for light from side windows so light had to be obtained from the roof."

Bañados described how the design dealt with such constraints. "A protected interior space with reading and consulting areas, with voids communicating all levels and bringing natural light below, are some of the main design characteristics. Half levels separate this zone from the rest of the building, which allows an efficient use of lifts for handicapped users."

The tight schedule for the full design was also a serious constraint. "By contract, the whole design was completed in 89 days, with the full general architectural basic design done in 45 days. This included large modifications agreed with clients that were modeled in about two weeks."

ArchiCAD already gives H&B a distinctive feature to their entries which has met with success in such similar entries in public competitions throughout Chile. This is just part of the results of an implementation that is still in progress.

The team continues to develop their working standards, and broaden the use of ArchiCAD in the office. The fourth phase integration of value-added products such as cost estimates (by means of Presto) originally planned for later is already underway. "Project requirements and our own desires have made us start this stage already," reported Bañados. The final phase is expected to last about one more year, in which time projects completed 100% with ArchiCAD will comprise up to 70% of the workload.