“The Future AEC Software Specification” is an initiative to help AEC professionals who waste a lot of time, energy, and money solving problems caused by the absence of a universal data framework.
It all started with an open letter that was a reaction to Autodesk software limitations and costs, and the letter gained significant attention from investors. It then evolved into a broader and more proactive effort to state what architects need, instead of simply what they don’t want.
At the heart of the Specification is a centralized, cloud-based, granular data framework – not tied to a specific file format or desktop application. Architects need a series of tools that speak the same language.
The Specification was first presented at the NXTBLD conference in London in June 2023 by Andy Watts and Aaron Perry, from UK architecture firms Grimshaw and AHMM.
Here are 10 points that outline core needs for AEC software:
- Data framework
- Access across use cases, personas and locations
- Designing in context and scale
- User experience
- Modelling capabilities
- Responsible design
- MMC and DfMA
- Automation and intelligence
- Deliverables
- Access, data and licensing
