Faster
and smarter

Automation streamlines repetitive tasks, reduces potential errors, and allows our teams more time for creativity.

Forma is one such example: a software integration that stretches that capabilities of our data visualisation to explore better floor area outcomes. 

“We conduct detailed studies in Forma to optimize design for solar and wind performance,” says Fox. “For instance, on an education project, we proposed a campfire space by a riverbank known for its strong cross-winds. With Forma (image below), we were able to show our client a viable design solution that created a comfortable environment by incorporating a screen along the site.”

Using a range of programming technologies – from visual programming in Dynamo for Revit, to developing bespoke add-ins in C# and web-based solutions – we can continuously improve our project delivery.

“We’re also keen on leveraging AI and machine learning to aid design decisions and automate repetitive tasks, allowing our talented designers to focus on creativity,” adds Steve Fox.

For example, our pyRevit toolbar’s ‘xPort‘ toolkit automates batch deliverable exporting, and linking specification files directly to our Revit model coding systems ensures consistency. Automating routine tasks allows us to focus on future-oriented solutions.

Comparing the wind impact of two design options for a waterside residential development. 

With tools like Grasshopper for Rhino 3D and Rhino Inside Revit, we can address complex design challenges with precision and flexibility, accelerating our creative process. Computational design integrates algorithmic and mathematical principles, allowing us to achieve outcomes that would be difficult to create manually. 

Gavin Crump, Digital and Computation Lead at Architectus, explains, “Automation and computational design are not just about efficiency; they fundamentally change the creative process. By integrating modern technology and theory, we can explore design solutions that would be otherwise unattainable due to time or skill constraints. Through this, we continuously push the boundaries of what our architecture can achieve.”

Sustainability also remains a core focus, with rigorous analysis and testing using platforms like Ladybug Tools and One Click LCA. These tools allow us to evaluate solar impact, façade performance, building energy considerations, pedestrian flow, and embodied carbon. By leveraging GIS platforms and context models, we ensure our simulations accurately reflect the environments our buildings will inhabit. 

Understanding how people move through spaces is crucial for creating functional designs. Massmotion Flow allows us to simulate pedestrian movement, ensuring our designs accommodate peak traffic times and enhance user experience. Bustling airports and shopping centres can be designed to ease congestion and improve wayfinding, making the journey as pleasant as the destination.