Celebrating innovation, achievement, and sustainability: Autodesk Design & Make Awards 2024

• With the Design & Make Awards, Autodesk honors innovation, achievement, and sustainability.
• The awards feature groundbreaking projects across industries and around the world.
• The event showcases how Autodesk software pushes boundaries and inspires designers and makers.

Autodesk customers around the world are finding new ways to use technology to achieve innovation and positive impact, and we recently recognized some of the most inspiring among them at the Autodesk Design & Make Awards 2024. This annual event honors groundbreaking projects across Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC), Design & Manufacturing (D&M), Media & Entertainment (M&E), Education, and the Autodesk community.

This year, we received 270 submissions from 35 countries, from which we selected 22 winners who represent diverse sectors and regions, including special recognition for customers in ASEAN, China, and India. We deeply value the inspiring contributions all these organizations are making to the Autodesk community and to our world.

Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC)

Innovator of the Year: United Arab Emirates Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has emerged as a global leader by achieving BIM Level 2 standards across all infrastructure projects. Using Autodesk Construction Cloud, Revit, Civil 3D, and InfraWorks, the Ministry has improved project performance, risk management, and sustainability outcomes. This transformative approach has reduced project errors by 15 percent, cut turnaround times by 25 percent, and boosted efficiency by 20 percent. The Ministry’s work on buildings, dams, roads, and bridges exemplifies the innovative spirit that drives progress in infrastructure development.

Accelerating Transformation: San Diego International Airport and AECOM

San Diego International Airport and AECOM are transforming aviation with a modern and efficient design for a new Terminal 1. This 30-gate terminal, complemented by a new parking garage and other infrastructure improvements, promises enhanced travel experiences and economic growth for the region. Using Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro and Autodesk Construction Cloud Docs, the project minimized information loss and streamlined data capture, making it one of the largest and most sustainable airport terminal projects in California’s history.

With a 30-gate terminal, new parking, and infrastructure improvements, Terminal 1 is one of the largest airport projects in California’s history. Image courtesy of Gensler.

Making a Better World: Nordic Office of Architecture

In Oslo, Norway, the New Government Quarter designed by Nordic Office of Architecture is a testament to innovative design and sustainability. Using Revit’s open API, the team developed automation scripts and add-ins that enhanced productivity and reduced manual oversight. This project, which will house multiple ministries, embraces the cultural values of transparency, accessibility, and a close affinity to nature, all of which contribute to a better urban environment.

The New Government Quarter contributes to the urban environment and embraces core Norwegian values of transparency, accessibility, and affinity to nature. Image courtesy of Nordic Office of Architecture.

Infrastructure Design: Conconcreto

Conconcreto is leading Bogotá, Colombia towards sustainability with its Calle 13 and Corredor Verde projects. By leveraging Autodesk Construction Cloud, BIM Collaborate Pro, Civil 3D, Navisworks, and Revit, Conconcreto optimized designs, minimized construction materials, and ensured 26% of construction waste was reused and recycled. These projects showcase the potential of BIM processes in infrastructure development: they’ve reduced commute times by 33%, created 3,300 jobs, and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 323 metric tonnes.

Building Design: MASS Design Group

The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, engineered and constructed by MASS Design Group, is a climate-positive university campus designed to restore native biodiversity. Using Autodesk Construction Cloud, Civil 3D, and Revit, MASS created an off-grid campus expected to become climate-positive within 15 years. The project, which leverages local materials and includes one of the largest onsite solar arrays in Rwanda, will help sustainably nourish the country’s growing population.

Leveraging a unique agricultural model and one of the largest onsite solar arrays in Rwanda, the campus should become climate-positive by 2040. Image courtesy of MASS Design Group.

Construction: Kalyon Construction

Kalyon Construction is at the helm of the Istanbul International Finance Center, a mega project that positions Istanbul as a future financial epicenter. Kalyon designed and managed this complex project using Autodesk AEC Collection and Build software to create highly detailed models of the project’s Ziraat Towers, which include office spaces, retail centers, residential areas, and a cultural center. The project is on track to achieve LEED Platinum certification and exemplifies the seamless integration of advanced construction technologies.

En route to achieving LEED Platinum certification, Ziraat Towers required 1.5 million hours of planning, 11,500 drawings, and 25,000 presentations. Image courtesy of Kaylon Construction.

Community Leader of the Year: Shir Rustici

Shir Rustici, also known as AEC Tech Girl, is a prominent voice in the AEC industry. Through her YouTube channel and LinkedIn platform, Shir amplifies marginalized voices and promotes diversity and equitable representation. Her dynamic approach to speaking engagements and her role as an Expert Elite have fostered a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among AEC professionals.

Shir’s ability to forge meaningful connections has helped build a vast network and a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among industry professionals. Image courtesy of Shir Rustici.

Autodesk Platform Services: Norconsult

Norconsult’s Sotra Bridge project in Norway is the world’s first fully digital suspension bridge: everything from design to execution was accomplished without traditional drawings. By integrating Autodesk Construction Cloud and combining five Autodesk Platform Services APIs, Norconsult ensured seamless information flow among global experts. This approach, which reduced traditional drawings by 99.5% and project hours by 3%, resulted in improved coordination, fewer errors, and a reduced project timeline.

From planning to preconstruction, Norconsult completed the design process in under two years, reducing traditional drawings by 99.5%. Image courtesy of Norconsult.

Design & Manufacturing (D&M)

Innovator of the Year: Decathlon

French sporting goods retailer Decathlon has harnessed generative design to create a high performance, sustainable swimming fin. Using Autodesk Fusion, Decathlon achieved a 50% reduction in the product’s carbon footprint by using less material overall and using recycled plastic that is easy to recycle again. This innovative approach sets a new standard in sustainable product design.

Decathlon achieved a 50% reduction in product carbon footprint using less material overall and recycled plastic that is easily re-recycled. Image courtesy of Decathlon.

Accelerating Transformation: Northvolt

Northvolt is transforming battery technology by redesigning its lifecycle–from sourcing, to cell design, to recycling. Architects used Revit to design the facility, engineers used Factory Design Utilities and Inventor to plan the factory layout, and construction teams used Autodesk Construction Cloud for coordination. This digital factory approach enables Northvolt to design and deliver batteries with a lower carbon footprint, to achieve true sustainability, and to drive the auto industry toward a more sustainable future.

Making a Better World: M2X Energy

M2X Energy is tackling methane emissions by converting these harmful emissions into hydrogen-rich methanol. Using Autodesk Inventor, Vault, Navisworks, and Plant3D, M2X created a modular and transportable product that can handle methane from various sources. This innovative approach reduces greenhouse gas emissions while turning waste into valuable products, such as low-carbon plastic, engineered lumber, and synthetic fibers.

The team at M2X Energy is taking an innovative approach to decarbonization: converting methane gasses into hydrogen-rich methanol. Image courtesy of M2X Energy.

Community Leader of the Year: Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop, leader of the Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Level Apprenticeship program at the University of Nottingham, is nurturing future engineers. Her work in training and upskilling students, along with her role as an Autodesk Student Ambassador, has made her an inspiring figure in the STEM community.

Product Engineering and Manufacturing: European Southern Observatory

Standing high atop Cerro Armazones in Chile’s Atacama Desert, European Southern Observatory (ESO)’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) promises to provide unprecedented views of the universe. ESO teams are using products across the Autodesk portfolio, including Autodesk Construction Cloud and Fusion Manage, to enable data communication among project stakeholders around the world and Autodesk Inventor to design structures, optical instruments, and cryogenic equipment. Once completed, the ELT will be the largest infrared light telescope on planet Earth, a groundbreaking achievement in astronomy.

European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope will offer a deeper glimpse into the universe and sharper views than ever before. Image courtesy of ESO.

Digital Factory Innovation: Baosteel Engineering

In a push to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, Baosteel Engineering turned to digital twin technology that is transforming the manufacturing industry. A digital twin is a real-time virtual representation of a factory that enables faster and more cost-effective decision making. Baosteel explored AI application scenarios using Autodesk Fusion’s AI technology and VRED to implement a digital twin factory quickly. Baosteel also promoted the digital transformation of the entire industrial supply chain. Overall, this approach improved design efficiency more than two-fold, and the plant was put into production 10 days ahead of schedule.

Baosteel’s digital twin approach improved design efficiency more than two-fold and the plant was put into production 10 days ahead of schedule. Image courtesy of Baosteel.

Media & Entertainment (M&E)

Innovator of the Year: Dexter Studios

Dexter Studios, known for stunning visual effects for such films as Parasite, Alienoid, and The Divine Fury, brings the surreal and magical to life on screen. By using Autodesk Maya and OpenUSD across their creative workflows, Dexter Studios reduced their shot work time by 50%. They also used virtual production with in-camera visual effects technology to accelerate their workflows. These improvements allow Dexter Studios to take on more projects while also working faster with fewer snags in the artistic process.

Using Autodesk tools across creative workflows as well as in-camera visual effects, Dexter Studios accelerated workflows and reduced shot work time by 50%. Image courtesy of Dexter Studios.

Accelerating Transformation: Rising Sun Pictures

Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) is embracing machine learning to solve creative challenges in visual effects. Collaborating with the Australian Institute of Machine Learning at the University of Adelaide, RSP uses Autodesk Maya and Arnold to innovate and inspire new artists entering the field and to push the boundaries of what’s possible in visual effects.

Making a Better World: Kugali Media

Kugali Media, in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios, has brought African culture to the forefront with the animated series Iwájú. Their work, along with the Kugali Akademy, empowers Kenyan artists and elevates authentic African voices in the media landscape. Kugali is powering innovation, not just in the stories they tell, but in the way those stories are told.

Community Leader of the Year: Monica Cappiello

Monica Cappiello, known online as Academic Phoenix, has built a community of over 80,000 subscribers and more than eight million views on YouTube, guiding 3D artists on their creative journey. She has been a professor for nine years and has worked in the animation industry for eight, contributing to animations like The Way to Heaven, PBS shows, shorts, and more. Her contributions to education and her passion for nurturing future creators have made her a true leader in the M&E industry.

Education

Education Excellence: Hiroto Hamane

Hiroto Hamane of Kogakuin University has created a hands-on learning program for students, culminating in their participation in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. They used Autodesk Fusion to collaboratively design and test their virtual vehicles before bringing the final design to life. The team then put the solar-powered vehicle to the ultimate test by driving more than 3,000 kilometers through the Australian outback. Hamane’s unique approach and passion for teaching has inspired countless students and led many to land jobs at major Japanese automakers, proving that creativity coupled with real-world cutting-edge skills is a powerful combination.

Professor Hiroto Hamane of Kogakuin University enables students to learn cutting-edge product design through real-world applications. Image courtesy of Kogakuin University.

Outstanding Recognition

Outstanding Recognition ASEAN: Ricons Construction Investment JSC

Ricons Construction, headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is revolutionizing project execution and fostering exceptional collaboration across all stakeholders with integrated BIM and cloud technologies. Their successful completion of high-profile residential developments that deliver greater efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings, reflects their commitment to innovation and quality, and serves as an inspiration to the wider construction community.

Headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Ricons Construction reflects commitment to innovation and quality, inspiring peers and the construction community. Image courtesy of Ricons Construction Investment JSC.

Outstanding Recognition China: China Construction Eighth Engineering Division | Chongqing Guangyang Island Green Development Co., Ltd | TY Intelligent Science & Technology (Chongqing) Co., Ltd

China’s Guangyang Island project has reversed ecological damage and increased biodiversity. Using Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, InfraWorks, and Civil 3D, this group of three partners improved design efficiency by 60% and completed the project 56 days ahead of schedule with zero accidents. This ecological restoration project demonstrates the potential and feasibility of sustainable development on a large scale.

Outstanding Recognition India: Tata Consulting Engineers

Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) has revolutionized the solar manufacturing industry with their Mega Solar Manufacturing Plant. Using Autodesk’s BIM technology, TCE developed an integrated 3D model that boosted sustainability and efficiency. Autodesk software, including AutoCAD, Revit, and Navisworks, helped meet design needs for diverse user groups and boost sustainability. The company achieved effective collaboration among architects, engineers, contractors, and clients using the Autodesk Construction Cloud. The facility is set to generate 101 million units of electricity annually, offsetting around 72,000 metric tonnes of CO2.

Looking ahead, together

We at Autodesk are honored to work with many of the greatest designers, makers, and innovators in the world. Your spirit and dedication are what make the Autodesk community vibrant and dynamic. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and inspire the next generation of designers and makers.