Colorado State University Construction Management Receives $1 Million Gift in 5d Software from Graphisoft

Colorado State University’s Department of Construction Management recently received a gift of professional software valued at more than $1.1 million from Graphisoft, the pioneer of Virtual Building modeling software. The software donation provides students with the opportunity to develop skills and familiarity with Graphisoft’s Virtual Construction software, a unique product that enables students to merge and manage multiple dimensions of construction projects including preconstruction plans, estimating and scheduling.  

Graphisoft is one of the largest architecture, engineering and construction software companies in the world. The company’s 5D Virtual Construction software integrates construction modeling, model-based estimating, 4D sequencing and 5D cash-flow analyses in one powerful solution.

"This gift gives our students the ability to gain a competitive edge over students from other universities as they enter the workforce," said Larry Grosse, department head. "Colorado State construction management graduates will already be familiar with concepts and computer applications developed by Graphisoft, helping them find jobs with major firms across the nation."

Graphisoft is the recipient of numerous industry awards, and its software is used by more than 100,000 professionals in construction and architectural firms, including prominent local firms such as Hensel Phelps, PCL, Adolfson & Peterson and Hyder Construction. The company’s software has been used to design more than one million completed buildings worldwide. The newer 5D construction solutions from Graphisoft are in use by more than 40 companies in North America alone.

Graphisoft will provide software for student labs and upgrades to the technology as it evolves. The gift, which was facilitated by Brad Johnson, a professor in the department, is being used this fall by current students.

"The construction industry has an enormous appetite to hire graduates who have 5D skills," said Don Henrich, vice president of Graphisoft. "Many of our customers will only hire those who can demonstrate a strong understanding of managing the relationship between design, cost and schedule. I am certain that this will be the case with Colorado State graduates."  

Graphisoft works to develop software that allows data from multiple facets of construction and architectural projects to be compatible, saving project managers from costly mistakes. The software can be used by multiple sectors of the construction industry, allowing information to be shared via open standards. Currently, without such software, information for projects must be entered into numerous databases for each business that is involved, such as suppliers, electricians and construction crew managers.

      In addition, 5D Virtual Construction allows complete and detailed computer simulation of a project before building begins, also helping to prevent mistakes in supply ordering, planning and construction.

Graphisoft is the pioneer and leader in developing Virtual Building solutions. It is widely acknowledged as the world’s number one supplier of model-based software and services for the building industry. The company’s clients are at the forefront of the industry – delivering projects that are better designed, more predictable to construct and less expensive to operate. Further media requests for information about Graphisoft can be made by emailing press@graphisoft.com.

Graphisoft, Virtual Building and Virtual Construction are registered trademarks of Graphisoft.

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