Autodesk is expanding its portfolio of software solutions to support sustainable design in the architecture, engineering & construction (AEC) markets with the acquisition of technology assets of two energy analysis software companies. Autodesk announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of Green Building Studio, an innovative provider of web-based building energy analysis that enables architects and engineers to easily perform whole building energy analysis early in the design process. Autodesk also announced that it has acquired substantially all the assets of Carmel Software Corporation, a developer of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) mechanical engineering software that enables engineers and architects to analyze their mechanical designs and help ensure sustainability goals are achieved. Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

"Autodesk is committed to providing technology that makes sustainable design easier and more efficient," said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. "We look forward to adding the Green Building Studio and Carmel technologies to the Autodesk portfolio and helping our customers more easily leverage the coordinated, reliable data created in the Revit platform for building information modeling (BIM) to help predict performance and design buildings with reduced environmental impact."

Green Building Studio Inc. developed the Green Building XML (gbXML) schema and launched the Green Building Studio web service in 2004. The web service offers whole building energy, carbon, and other analysis tools for architects and designers using CAD and BIM software from Autodesk and other industry providers. Green Building Studio provides the ability to quickly and efficiently analyze building design proposals, providing building performance information to support sustainable design. Autodesk currently plans to continue support for the Green Building Studio web service and gbXML as an open standard, and to strengthen the web service's integration with its BIM software.

"We have partnered with Autodesk for many years, and commend their ongoing support for sustainability," said John Kennedy, CEO, Green Building Studio. "Green Building Studio looks forward to becoming part of Autodesk. We are eager to contribute our industry expertise in green buildings to drive mainstream adoption of sustainability and accelerate the AEC industry's transition to carbon neutral buildings."

Carmel Software has been developing and selling HVAC mechanical engineering software since 1995. Carmel's flagship product delivers thermal load calculations that give engineers information to appropriately size a building's HVAC systems. In addition, Carmel's software portfolio includes programs for duct sizing, refrigeration, pipe sizing, estimating, and life-cycle cost analysis. These applications are connected with the Revit platform for BIM via gbXML. Autodesk plans to continue support for the Carmel products and to leverage the capabilities of Carmel Software's products with its BIM software

Stephen Roth, P.E., President of Carmel Software Corporation said, "We are excited to join Autodesk and help mechanical, electrical and plumbing customers use Carmel technology to analyze their HVAC designs to help create better performing buildings."

To read more about how Autodesk and its customers are addressing sustainable design, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/green.