How Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) Technology opens up new opportunities for Design, Collaboration and Business

At Urban Shelter, it is imperative to gain a deep understanding of the client’s needs and have access to rich data sets right at the outset of the project. This empowers the firm to tackle the growing complexities and make informed decisions that are pertinent throughout the entire design project. Moreover, since many of these crucial decisions are shaped by data, there is a need for data to flow smoothly across the different stakeholders, present at different stages of the project.

Urban Shelter’s sensitive approach to Nigerian Landscape and nature, further brings in additional complexities that come with creating sustainably.

Thriving to reshape the Landscape of Nigeria 

Urban shelter is a renowned property development and management company; committed to build quality and timely project delivery. That said, their primary goal has always been to reshape the Nigerian Landscape by gaining an in-depth understanding of the needs of people and nature. With a team of 100 skilled Architects based in Abuja and other states in Nigeria, this leading Estate Development firm works with clients and projects across Nigerian State and West Africa. Leveraging their experience across projects of all scales, Urban Shelter mission is to Providing Real Estate Solutions to all strata through credibility, integrity, affordability and timely delivery of projects passionately driven by well-motivated and dedicated personnel. As part of this pursuit, the firm is always on the lookout for tools that improve the design process and create better architecture workflow

Transforming Architectural Processes with Autodesk AEC Collection

The Autodesk Architectural, Engineering & Construction (AEC) collection opens up new ways of handling these complexities. Tools such as Autodesk Revit, Autodesk Naviswork, Autodesk Generative Design e.t.c create new possibilities for enhanced design and collaboration. “Autodesk AEC Collection has enabled us to pull design professionals (Architects, Engineers, Surveyors & Qs) into a digital platform in the early phase of the project, forming projects with informed data, allowing them to compare design alternatives, and not only that, reach an optimized result,” explains Arc Musa. With the Autodesk AEC Collection tools, our design professionals have been able to move data and geometry directly forward into the next phase, the level of rework required between these two phases has been reduced significantly.

Improved data transition also leads to less data loss. Moreover, this ensures that all the information that is established in the design phase will follow through to the operational phase. This creates new opportunities for architects that extend beyond the construction phase. “We can follow the building in a longer perspective, meaning a better, holistic approach and better quality in the entire life cycle. We are excited about the way we can design more sustainable, more informed architecture, using digital technology to assist us in those processes.”

"The Autodesk AEC Collection with its multidisciplinary and holistic design solutions makes us stand out in domestic and foreign markets. Thus, we have experts from different disciplines such as architecture, construction, mechanics, electricity, infrastructure and landscape, working together in each project, these experts are able to generate a holistic approach. At the heart of this approach lies the Autodesk AEC Collection."

The best solution for the needs of design groups

Following Autodesk's BIM approach since the beginning and establishing its first BIM infrastructure in 2012, Urban Shelter created its very first BIM-supported design in 2021. It has started using the Autodesk AEC Collection from 2021 onwards.

Urban Shelter HOD Architecture says: "For a long time now we have been handling our projects with a BIM understanding. Hence, BIM software represent the most important tools of our design process. I believe that in this respect, the Autodesk AEC Collection presents the best solution to our design groups' needs."

"The objective of design teams is to be able to generate object-based, parametric information models and to render these viable throughout the whole structure life. We are using the Autodesk AEC Collection because it addresses BIM needs such as generating 3-dimensional models in the design process, 3-dimensional coordination, visualization, detecting interdisciplinary clashes, quantitative / cost and site analyses, and 2-dimensional presentation boards."

He emphasizes that the Urban Shelter design groups include Architects, Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Electric Engineers, Infrastructure and Routing Engineers and Technicians. The tool most used by architects and engineers within the Collection is Autodesk Revit, but Autodesk Civil 3D and Autodesk Infraworks too are used by infrastructure groups.

Communication and promotion activities - expanding further in foreign markets

Arc Musa emphasizes the importance of technology and software investments on this list by stating "This is a road fellowship" and continues: "Whether in Abuja or in any given point in the world... Wherever we are working, we aim at building safer lives. Moreover, this target of ours is accompanied by the highest aesthetical and ergonomic expectations. Autodesk's AEC Collection promises us a trustworthy road fellowship while advancing on such an ambitious path."