Esri and Autodesk Push the Boundaries of AECO Design with Groundbreaking Integration of ArcGIS Data into Autodesk Forma

In a significant stride toward unifying the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) sector, Esri and Autodesk have taken their collaboration to new heights by integrating Esri’s ArcGIS geospatial data directly into Autodesk Forma. The integration, announced at the 2024 Autodesk University in San Diego, brings transformative enhancements to the design and planning phases of AECO projects, arming professionals with precise geographic data to inform critical early decisions. This groundbreaking partnership promises to reshape the way buildings and infrastructure are conceived and constructed.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment when AECO professionals are increasingly relying on digital tools to navigate the complexities of modern urban design. Traditionally, planners, architects, and engineers have had to juggle multiple platforms, often resulting in disjointed workflows and data loss between tools. This new integration of Esri’s comprehensive spatial data into Autodesk Forma addresses those inefficiencies head-on, creating a seamless experience that allows AECO professionals to access real-time geographic data from the outset of any project.

“Forma represents a new foundation for Autodesk in the 2020s, potentially akin to the impact AutoCAD had in the 1990s,” said Marc Goldman, AEC Industry Director at Esri, during our conversation at Autodesk University. He noted that incorporating ArcGIS data in Forma bridges critical gaps in the planning process. “The partnership between Esri and Autodesk is transformative. It combines the power of GIS and BIM in a way that allows teams to start projects with comprehensive geographic context—something that has been sorely lacking in the past,” Goldman emphasized.

The integration is especially crucial at the early stages of project development, where decisions made without full geographic context can have long-term implications on costs, schedules, and sustainability. With access to Esri’s ArcGIS basemaps and a wide array of data layers from the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World, professionals using Autodesk Forma can now begin designs with a full understanding of the geographic, environmental, and social context. This includes data on everything from topography and infrastructure to water tables and traffic patterns, allowing for more informed decision-making.

“By embedding Esri’s authoritative geospatial reference data directly into Autodesk Forma, AECO professionals can plan and design with unprecedented accuracy. This is a game-changer,” added Kathleen Kewley, Esri’s Director for AEC Global Business Development, in the official press release. She pointed out that the integration enables real-time collaboration between GIS teams and architects, further reducing the likelihood of costly errors.

Transforming AECO Workflows

Goldman elaborated on how the Esri-Autodesk integration fundamentally changes workflows for AECO professionals. “Forma is interactive and data-oriented, which aligns perfectly with GIS,” he said. Traditionally, designers worked from a blank canvas, forced to create initial designs without context. The integration of GIS changes this dynamic, as users now have access to spatial context from the moment they start planning and designing, which informs everything from site selection to resource allocation.

“The most challenging thing in AEC work is starting with a blank slate,” said Goldman, who has a background in architecture and engineering. “It’s hard to make that first line when you don’t know the context. Having a map that informs you of environmental conditions, traffic flows, weather patterns, utilities, and even population density provides a level of insight that’s invaluable. It means better designs and better outcomes.”

Esri’s ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World is a particularly important tool in this integration. The Living Atlas is a curated collection of geographic data from around the world, offering thousands of layers of data, including satellite imagery, environmental monitoring, urban planning resources and pre-trained machine learning models. This data allows designers and planners to access real-time, authoritative information about the area where they’re working, from natural resource availability to current infrastructure. “Living Atlas data provides the kind of context that’s simply irreplaceable when designing for sustainability and resilience,” Goldman said.

The Role of GIS in Digital Twins

One of the most exciting areas where the integration will have an impact is in the creation of digital twins—virtual models of physical assets that are updated at the right time with sensor data and other inputs. “Digital twins are only as good as the data you feed into them, and GIS provides the necessary context and platform for digital twins to reflect real-world conditions accurately,” Goldman explained.

For example, without geographic context, a digital twin of a building or infrastructure project is simply a 3D model floating in space. But by embedding that model within a real-world map that shows surrounding features—such as roads, rivers, or floodplains—the model becomes far more useful for planning and analysis. Additionally, GIS can track changes over time, enabling planners to forecast future conditions or roll back to see how the environment has evolved. This temporal aspect of GIS brings unique value to the creation of digital twins, something that traditional BIM tools cannot fully offer.

“Whether it’s integrating IoT sensor data for monitoring building performance or tracking environmental changes around a construction site, GIS allows digital twins to provide real-time insights that improve decision-making,” Goldman said.

Sustainability and Resilience in Design

Sustainability is a central concern for today’s AECO professionals, and this integration of GIS into Autodesk Forma promises to help designers build with the environment in mind. By incorporating geospatial data on historical environmental conditions—such as flood zones, water tables, or wildlife migration paths—planners can make more sustainable choices about site selection and design. This reduces the environmental impact of projects and ensures that new buildings and infrastructure are more resilient to the challenges of climate change.

“Designers today need to think about the long-term environmental impact of their projects,” Goldman stressed. “By having access to accurate geographic data from the outset, architects and engineers can plan for sustainability. This is particularly important as we see more extreme weather events and environmental challenges.”

Future of the Esri-Autodesk Partnership

Looking ahead, Esri and Autodesk plan to deepen their collaboration further, with new integrations on the horizon. Goldman hinted at more developments, particularly in sectors such as water management and infrastructure modeling. “Autodesk has been making great strides in hydrology and hydraulic modeling, and we’re already very strong in those areas at Esri,” he noted. “There’s a natural synergy between our technologies, and we expect to see deeper integrations around water management and urban infrastructure in the coming years.”

Goldman also pointed to upcoming expansions of ArcGIS integrations with Autodesk’s Civil 3D and AutoCAD platforms, building on the success of their current collaboration. In particular, the integration of Esri’s Living Atlas into more Autodesk products will give designers even greater access to the geographic data they need to make informed decisions.

As for other industry players, Esri’s integration capabilities extend beyond Autodesk. Goldman highlighted ongoing collaborations with several of the leading industry technology providers and platforms, ensuring that GIS data remains accessible to professionals using a wide range of tools in the AECO space.

A New Era for AECO Design

The integration of Esri’s ArcGIS into Autodesk Forma is more than just a technical achievement—it marks the beginning of a new era in AECO design. By combining the strengths of GIS and BIM, Esri and Autodesk are setting the stage for a future where every project begins with the geographic context needed to make smarter, more sustainable, and more cost-effective decisions.

With this collaboration, AECO professionals can now design with confidence, knowing that their projects are rooted in real-world data. The result? Better buildings, better cities, and a better future for all.

For more details on this groundbreaking integration, visit go.esri.com/forma.

Tags: AECO industry, ArcGIS data, Autodesk Forma, ESRI, GIS integration, sustainable design

Categories: Autodesk, Esri

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