Building the Future: Autodesk’s Vision for a Connected, Sustainable AECO Industry

At last week’s Autodesk University in San Diego, the AECO industry keynote felt like more than a mere presentation; it was a deep dive into Autodesk’s transformative vision for the future of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). Led by Nicolas Mangon, Autodesk’s VP of AEC Industry Strategy, the keynote drew an eager audience of industry professionals to explore how connected, data-driven tools are not just reshaping project workflows but are poised to redefine the AECO industry itself.

Nicolas Mangon VP, AEC Industry Strategy, Autodesk

Nicolas Mangon kicked off the event with a compelling vision centered on data as the “gold mine” of the industry—an asset with immense potential to solve many of AECO’s biggest challenges, including skilled labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and urgent sustainability concerns. But the true star of his opening remarks was Dasher, a robot built by Deconstruct Robotics, equipped to perform real-time data collection and monitoring on construction sites. Mangon introduced Dasher with a blend of humor and awe, calling her a “data Rockstar,” whose job goes beyond simple scanning; Dasher connects physical and digital environments by capturing data and funneling it into Autodesk Docs, Autodesk’s powerful data management environment. This real-time data capture not only provides granular insights into physical assets but also enables seamless updates and decision-making across teams—a vision Mangon framed as the future of connected, accessible, and secure project data.

Dasher, as Mangon explained, is more than a tool; she symbolizes the future of autonomous systems in the AECO industry, where robots on construction sites and drones in the sky could map, scan, and update digital twins. This future, as Mangon highlighted, is closer than ever, thanks to Autodesk Docs, which acts as the “garage” for storing and organizing data collected from Autodesk’s suite of tools, including AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, Tandem, and third-party integrations like PowerBI. “Imagine a future where a robot on the ground or in the sky can scan the built environment or job sites and capture data,” he explained, painting an image of a world where digital and physical environments converge. He described Docs as a secure, universally accessible platform that allows every stakeholder, regardless of location, to participate in decision-making, bridging the gaps between project phases and breaking down traditional silos.

Marta Bouchard
AEC Sustainability Strategy, Autodesk

As Mangon passed the baton to Marta Bouchard, Autodesk’s AEC Sustainability Strategy Lead, the session took on an even more expansive scope. Bouchard introduced the audience to a particularly resonant project: Charleston, South Carolina’s century-old seawall rehabilitation, which Autodesk tackled in partnership with the engineering firm JMT. The goal of the project was to raise Charleston’s low seawall to protect against increasing storm surges and sea level rise—a local issue now intensified by climate change. With the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projecting a rise in sea levels requiring a 13-foot elevation, the team used Autodesk’s Civil 3D and InfoDrainage software to meet these demanding specifications, adapting the design to incorporate critical stormwater management and filtration systems to prevent runoff into Charleston Harbor.

Through Autodesk’s cloud-based tools, JMT was able to coordinate seamlessly between their teams in Charleston and Pennsylvania. According to Bouchard, “Circularity at play” was one of the most inspiring aspects of the Charleston project; the team retained much of the original seawall material, reducing both environmental impact and disruption to the local marine ecosystem. “What I love the most about this project,” she shared, “is what you don’t see under the water.” By leaving the original oyster-shell concrete in place, the project minimized new material demand and protected local marine life, exemplifying Autodesk’s commitment to sustainability and resilience in design.

The keynote continued with Sasha Crotty, Senior Director of AEC Data, who framed Autodesk’s emerging data ecosystem as a “coral reef” of interconnected tools and insights. Taking the audience on a virtual journey to the Coral Triangle, Crotty illustrated how biodiverse ecosystems thrive on shared nutrients and resources—a parallel to how Autodesk’s open data flows, partnerships, and APIs are enriching the AECO landscape. “Data feeds the AECO industry, just as nutrients feed the coral reef,” Crotty explained, highlighting that Autodesk has invested decades in developing a data ecosystem that nurtures and enhances its customers’ workflows. Autodesk’s “open data flows” create opportunities for deeper integrations across the AECO spectrum, from data-centric tools like PowerBI and SolidWorks to an expanding suite of Autodesk solutions.

Sasha Crotty
Sr. Director, AEC Data, Autodesk

Crotty revealed that Autodesk’s AECO Data Model API and Autodesk Docs now support advanced data extraction, allowing firms like Avixie, which manages BIM quality control across real estate portfolios, to pull critical Revit data without opening files, reducing access time from hours to mere minutes. Such innovations demonstrate the scale of Autodesk’s efforts to empower its users, enabling customized workflows, seamless data sharing, and powerful real-time insights.

Autodesk’s recent addition of the Content Catalog—now available to all Docs subscribers—marked another highlight, centralizing BIM content, such as Revit families and AutoCAD blocks, into a single, cloud-based library. This development allows users to maintain consistent standards and reuse content, reducing redundancy and supporting faster project turnarounds. In addition, Autodesk’s investment in secure data access is evident through its FedRAMP certification, which will allow users working on government projects to confidently modernize their workflows within Autodesk Docs’ highly secure environment. Autodesk’s dedicated server expansion to Australia this year also reinforced its commitment to meeting clients’ data needs worldwide.

In her closing remarks, Crotty laid out Autodesk’s three pillars for the AECO ecosystem: intelligence, integration, and interoperability. The intelligence aspect is underscored in Autodesk’s recent product updates, such as AutoCAD’s Smart Blocks and Revit’s MEP Content Editor. With these advancements, the tools can automate repetitive tasks, help organize content, and streamline design-to-fabrication workflows. As she discussed integration, Crotty highlighted new connectors, such as Twinmotion for Revit and Fugo’s Geoground for Civil 3D, which provide richer environmental data and visualization capabilities at critical stages in project planning and execution.

Crotty’s final point—interoperability—underscored Autodesk’s investment in creating a more open, inclusive platform where Autodesk tools can connect seamlessly with third-party applications. With integrations across Rhino, Grasshopper, PowerBI, and soon, Tekla Structures, Autodesk is expanding its ecosystem to become a truly collaborative environment, breaking down barriers and empowering teams to work fluidly across various tools and platforms. “This is what the future of AECO software looks like,” Crotty stated, “where data moves fluidly between applications, unlocking better insights and supporting a thriving technology ecosystem.”

The keynote closed with Crotty’s resounding call for industry-wide innovation, leaving attendees with a clear sense of Autodesk’s mission: to support the AECO industry in creating a more sustainable, resilient future. She framed Autodesk as a partner in this journey, one that brings more than just tools but a philosophy of connectedness, adaptability, and community-minded design. “The work you do affects how we will all live in the future,” Crotty concluded, “and our part is to help you get more from the data that designs, builds, and protects our world.”

In an industry often challenged by siloed workflows, environmental impact, and an aging workforce, Autodesk’s AECO keynote offered a vision of hope and progress—a glimpse of a future where data, AI, and sustainable practices intersect to elevate the human experience in our built environment.

Tags: AECO industry, Autodesk, BIM integration, connected data, digital transformation, sustainable design

Category: Autodesk

This entry was posted on Monday, October 28th, 2024 at 12:01 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.