Explore the Latest Articles and Insights

Check out AEC industry news, trends, interviews and product reviews

Practical AI in AEC: How to Start, What to Measure, and What to Avoid

This article is a practical, jargon-free guide to AI in AEC that shows architecture, engineering, and construction firms how to move beyond hype with culture, data readiness, and human-in-the-loop workflows. Learn when to use automation vs. AI, how to run a 30-60-90 pilot with measurable ROI, and what governance you need to deploy safely.

AEC-Tech for Firm Management: Why BQE CORE stands out

This article evaluates BQE CORE as an AEC-focused firm-management system. Built by architects and engineers, it mirrors typical A/E lifecycles and consolidates project and resource planning, CRM and proposals, time and expenses, native accounting and invoicing, forecasting, and configurable dashboards. It focuses on firm-wide adoption, real-time financial insight, scalability, and reducing tool sprawl.

Top Generative Design Tools for AEC: How Far Have They Come?

This article discusses the growth and transformation of generative design tools in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry over the past few years. It highlights how these software products, such as TestFit, Autodesk Forma (formerly Spacemaker), Hypar, and Delve (now integrated into Google Earth), have matured, offering solutions for early-phase site design, massing, and schematics.

AI-Powered Site Documentation: An InspectMIND Case Study

This case study shows how the construction team at the Špansko Pool Complex in Zagreb used InspectMIND AI to completely change the way they handle site documentation. Instead of spending hours on paperwork, they were able to capture notes and photos in real time and instantly generate reports. The result? Faster inspections, better communication, and a smoother, safer workflow—proving just how valuable AI can be on today’s job sites.

A Practical, Purposeful, and Private Approach to AI Adoption in AEC

The article highlights key insights from a session at AIA Conference on Architecture & Design, where Egnyte’s Aaron Vorwerk and aec+tech’s Niknaz Aftahi introduced the “3Ps” framework—Practical, Purposeful, and Private—as a strategy for responsible AI adoption in AEC.

Rendering Redefined: D5’s Real-Time Revolution for Architects and Design Firms

D5 Render is transforming architectural visualization by making rendering a real-time, collaborative, and AI-enhanced part of the design process—rather than a final step. Purpose-built for architects, the platform delivers cinematic-quality visuals while integrating with tools like Revit, Rhino, and SketchUp. Co-founder Neo Huang shares how D5 is redefining rendering as a true design partner.

Multi-Family & Mixed-Use Design Through AI: Meet ArkDesign

ArkDesign.AI is transforming multi-family and mixed-use development by combining generative design, real-time feasibility analysis, and deep zoning intelligence—enabling architects and developers to go from site analysis to buildable, code-compliant options in minutes. In this interview with founder Dity Ayalon, we explore how the platform leverages AI to empower faster decision-making, optimize unit mixes, and bridge the gap between creativity and compliance.

Automating Firm Management in AEC: Meet BQE CORE

In our latest AEC+Tech Talk, Northworks Architects shares how BQE CORE transformed their project management—from disconnected spreadsheets to real-time visibility across offices. BQE CORE is an all-in-one firm management platform built for AEC professionals to streamline operations, from time tracking and billing to resource planning and analytics. The platform is designed to support firms of all sizes and empower architects to manage their business more efficiently.

Takeaways from ClimateTech '25: Technologies for Action

The article summarizes key discussions from ClimateTech '25: Technologies for Action, a San Francisco symposium where AEC leaders explored how AI, carbon accounting, policy, and material circularity can drive low-carbon design and decarbonize the built environment.

DWG in the Cloud: ARES Kudo Review and Graebert neXt Event Announcement

Niknaz Aftahi, CEO of aec+tech, reviews ARES Kudo on AEC Magazine — a cloud-based CAD platform trusted by PTC Onshape and Dassault Systèmes — which streamlines DWG drawing generation from BIM data and file conversions with advanced Drawings Automation, collaborative editing, and seamless workflow integration, and will be showcased at the free Graebert neXt event in April.