August 28, 2002—Graphisoft, developer of the virtual building concept, recently announced that the US Coast Guard is implementing ArchiCAD as one of its software tools to support its strategic facilities capital asset initiatives. By creating intelligent 3D virtual models of existing buildings with Graphisoft’s model-based design technology, the Coast Guard is gathering intelligence about its facility portfolio for the purpose of space planning, quantifying building efficiencies, prioritizing capital improvement projects, lowering total cost of ownership, identifying physical vulnerability issues, and determining divestiture opportunities across the maritime service’s shore facilities.
The models specify building envelope systems, roofs and exterior walls, mechanical systems, architectural finishes, and more. By bringing all of the relevant information about the base’s critical buildings into ArchiCAD models, engineers will be empowered to quantify deficiencies and project future scenarios like never before.
By managing capital projects within ArchiCAD, engineers will be able to quantify efficiencies and inefficiencies in the execution of budgets and plans in order to lower the total cost of ownership associated with maintaining and operating base facilities.
Unlike a simple 3D CADD model on a computer, a virtual building model created within ArchiCAD contains substantially more information about a building’s materials and characteristics, making it possible to administer and manage a building throughout its entire lifecycle. The virtual building model defines the components of a building as well as the relationship of those components within a facility.
For more information, contact Graphisoft.
