The architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) industry stands at the brink of a sweeping transformation. For decades, AECO teams have excelled at delivering remarkable projects—skyscrapers, bridges, hospitals, and homes. But now, challenges are mounting and it’s clear the status quo of fragmented workflows, isolated data, and reactive decisions just doesn’t cut it anymore. A new approach is needed.
Autodesk is answering the industry’s call for transformation with Autodesk Forma, the first end-to-end, cloud-based, AI-native platform built for architects, engineers, contractors, and owners. Forma is more than a collection of tools; it’s the industry’s first truly unified environment for planning, designing, building, and operating.
Autodesk is moving closer to a full industry cloud vision by bringing Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) into Forma. By bringing ACC’s leading construction management tools into Forma, it’s delivering a full lifecycle platform for customers that creates a deeper connection from design to construction to operations. This will include Autodesk Estimate, a new cloud-based estimating solution connecting 2D and 3D takeoffs to costs, materials, and labor calculations to help general contractors and subcontractors produce more accurate estimates and win more proposals.
To complement these changes, the current offering for early-stage planning, previously known as Autodesk Forma, will be rebranded to Forma Site Design. This change reflects the multitude of ways in which AECO users can get started with the Forma industry cloud:
Begin in the Forma industry cloud from day one by carrying out your site planning in Forma Site Design.
Access Forma industry cloud capabilities through the next major release of Revit, the first Forma Connected Client.
Bring your data to Forma Data Management (previously Autodesk Docs) to benefit from the power of Forma.
Continue using the benefits of Autodesk Construction Cloud in your current workflows, with no migration or configuration changes needed.
Expanding the Forma industry cloud to connect more stakeholders in every phase will bring data and intelligence to the center of every project. Leading Dutch design-build firm, Dura Vermeer, is already using both Forma Site Design and ACC to streamline workflows across planning and construction, demonstrating the value of connected design and make and what’s possible when builders embrace innovation across the full project lifecycle.
“Our sector is evolving rapidly and digital tools are helping us work smarter and faster,” said Gert-Jan Ditsel, Business Partner Digital Construction at Dura Vermeer. “Using Autodesk Forma and Autodesk Construction Cloud has improved how our teams collaborate—from initial design to final construction. For example, we’ve significantly reduced coordination time and improved project delivery timelines. These technologies are helping us deliver better outcomes for our clients and unlock new opportunities for innovation within our business.”
Building on Forma’s end-to-end capabilities, users can also be excited about the introduction of Forma Building Design, the first of many new Forma solutions that will support a broader range of industries and project phases. Launching in beta in the coming months, Forma Building Design is an easy-to-use detailed building design solution with automated design tools and integrated analyses. This empowers project leaders, CAD, and BIM architects to create detailed building models with speed and precision. Designed for accessibility and intuitiveness, Forma Building Design enables users of all skill levels to design with intent and deliver with impact.
“Our sector is evolving rapidly and digital tools are helping us work smarter and faster,” said Gert-Jan Ditsel, Business Partner Digital Construction at Dura Vermeer. “Using Autodesk Forma and Autodesk Construction Cloud has improved how our teams collaborate—from initial design to final construction. For example, we’ve significantly reduced coordination time and improved project delivery timelines. These technologies are helping us deliver better outcomes for our clients and unlock new opportunities for innovation within our business.”
