Bentley Announces AEC Design Competition; Three Architectural Firms Engage in "Live" Competition on the Show Floor at A/E/C SYSTEMS '95.

EXTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1995--Bentley Systems, Inc., the leader in professional computer-aided design products and services to engineers, architects, drafters, and organizations whose overall success relies on computer-aided design, today announced the first AEC Design Competition which will be held at A/E/C SYSTEMS '95 in Atlanta, Georgia, June 5-8. Three major architectural firms are competing in the design of a 15,000 square foot hospitality and exhibition site in downtown Atlanta. Working in open offices in the Bentley show booth #847, the three firms will finalize their designs and incorporate a major change order issued by the owner. Show attendees, after viewing the works-in-progress, can vote for their preferred design.

The event will culminate on Thursday, June 8 at 10:00 am at the Bentley booth, where final design presentations will be made, a panel of industry experts will judge the entries, and awards will be presented.

The AEC Design Competition is co-sponsored by Bentley Systems, Inc., Computer-Aided Engineering, Compaq Computer, IdeaGraphix, Hewlett-Packard, Byers CADNET, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and 96 Expo, a nine block redevelopment project that holds the site of the proposed design. The three participating architectural firms are Gensler and Associates; Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc.; and Lord, Aeck & Sargent. Each was given design requirements and began project work in April 1995. Final presentation requirements include a 3D design model and standard drawings necessary to communicate the concept and design intent.

96 Expo brings together a number of exhibitions promoting the spirit, commerce, and technology of Atlanta, and is a part of the development to enhance downtown Atlanta for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games. The purpose of the competition is to provide 96 Expo with renovation solutions for the existing structure, originally built as a Rolls Royce and Oldsmobile dealership. The project includes approximately 15,000 square feet of renovation and addition, with theater space, flexible exhibition areas, public gathering space, and support spaces. The structures will be converted into a more permanent exhibition and hospitality space after 96 Expo.

The designs for the 96 Expo hospitality and exhibition site are being developed using Bentley's professional computer-aided design software, including MicroStation(R) V5, MicroStation PowerDraft(TM), and MicroStation Masterpiece(TM). Computer-Aided Engineering, in an upcoming issue, will report on the design competition. Compaq Computer has provided all computer equipment for use at the competition. IdeaGraphix has supplied the architects with two software products, MicroArchitect and PowerArchitect. Designs will be plotted on Hewlett-Packard plotters using plotting software from Byers CADNET. The Georgia Institute of Technology provided a 3D model of downtown Atlanta of the area surrounding the 96 Expo site to facilitate final design presentation.

About the Architectural Firms

Gensler and Associates, a San Francisco-based group established in 1965, has grown to be one of the premier international design firms, with a staff of nearly 700 professionals in fourteen offices worldwide. For almost two decades, Gensler and Associates has consistently been named in independent surveys as the nation's largest architectural firm and the largest interior design firm. Stylistically, Gensler focuses on finding strong design solutions that are responsive to clients' objectives and images, and is opposed to having a "Gensler" style or look.

Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc., established in 1955, has a staff of over 1,300 professionals in offices worldwide providing comprehensive architectural, engineering, and interior services. In 1994, two independent surveys ranked HOK as the number one architectural/engineering firm in the United States. HOK concentrates on integrating design excellence with client needs and approaches each project individually and without preconceptions.

Lord, Aeck & Sargent, located in Atlanta, Georgia, was established in 1942 and is widely recognized as an early, innovative, and successful user of advanced design and documentation technology. As early as 1983, the firm was rated the most automated architectural firm in the country in an independent survey. LAS continues to expand its use of computers in the design process, attributing much of its success to the practice of using the best technology to combine function with form, thereby facilitating an individualized approach to each project.

More on Bentley

Bentley Systems, Inc. is the leader in professional computer-aided design products and services to engineering organizations where CAD is mission-critical. The company's MicroStation product range is relied upon by over 180,000 professional users and over 700 commercial application developers worldwide in the architecture/engineering/construction (AEC), geographic information systems (GIS), and increasingly in mechanical design markets. Founded in 1984, Bentley has now become one of the world's fastest growing software companies. -0-

MicroStation is a registered trademark; and MicroStation PowerDraft and MicroStation Masterpiece are trademarks of Bentley Systems, Inc. Other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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Boston Communications

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