Graphisoft

Graphisoft SE is a European software company headquartered in Budapest, Hungary, and operating as part of the Nemetschek Group. Its principal business is the development of building information modeling (BIM) software for architects, interior designers, engineers, planners, and other construction professionals. The company is best known for Archicad, an architectural design and documentation platform that has been developed for Apple and Windows computers since the 1980s. Graphisoft was founded in 1982 by Hungarian software developer Gábor Bojár. Its origins lay in terrain-modeling work carried out by Bojár and colleagues with limited access to advanced computing hardware. Rather than treating this limitation solely as a constraint, the team developed three-dimensional modeling techniques that could run on comparatively inexpensive personal computers. The company subsequently adapted this expertise for architectural practice, creating software that allowed designers to represent buildings as coordinated three-dimensional digital models rather than as disconnected two-dimensional drawings. The company’s defining product emerged from this effort. Archicad was introduced in 1987 under the Virtual Building concept. It enabled architects to model building elements such as walls, windows, doors, slabs, and roofs while producing associated drawings and documentation. The product later became associated with BIM, a broader method of creating and managing coordinated building information through a digital model. Over successive releases, Graphisoft added collaborative editing, three-dimensional model manipulation, visualization, interoperability, and support for Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), an important open exchange format used across BIM applications. Graphisoft’s product portfolio expanded around Archicad. BIM Server and later BIMcloud enabled multiple users and disciplines to work on shared project information, including through cloud-based deployments. BIMx provided an interactive way to present and explore building models without requiring every viewer to use the authoring application. MEP Modeler added mechanical, electrical, and plumbing coordination capabilities, while EcoDesigner supported early-stage energy and sustainability analysis. The company also incorporated the DDScad MEP business into its portfolio, strengthening its coverage of building-services design. The company developed an international structure with subsidiaries in several European countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Japan, as well as a representative presence in Singapore. Its Budapest base is associated with Graphisoft Park, a technology campus whose construction began in 1998 and which also hosts other technology and research organizations. Graphisoft became publicly traded in Frankfurt in 1998 and Budapest in 2000, before being acquired by Nemetschek in 2007 and becoming part of the German software group’s building-design portfolio. In the 2010s and 2020s, Graphisoft pursued cloud collaboration, regional BIM research, real-time visualization, and subscription-based packaging. Partnerships with Atlas Cloud, Nikken Sekkei, and Epic Games reflected efforts to extend Archicad’s delivery, research, and visualization capabilities. In 2023, Archicad Collaborate combined Archicad with BIMcloud SaaS in a subscription-oriented offering. Following leadership changes within the Nemetschek Group, Daniel Csillag became Graphisoft’s chief executive in February 2024. Graphisoft remains an active specialist software brand focused on architectural BIM and connected workflows for the building industry.

Graphisoft was established in Hungary in 1982 by Gábor Bojár. Before founding the company, Bojár led a mathematical department at Budapest’s Geophysical Institute and worked on terrain modeling with microcomputers. The founding team had expertise in three-dimensional mathematical modeling but lacked access to the most powerful contemporary computers. This encouraged the creation of practical 3D software capable of operating on lower-cost personal computers. The team redirected its modeling expertise toward architecture. Graphisoft’s central insight was that architects could work more effectively if a digital building model served as the basis for drawings, visualization, and technical information. Apple supported the company from 1984 after Steve Jobs saw a demonstration of its technology and supplied an Apple computer. This support helped Graphisoft develop Archicad, which became the company’s defining product. Archicad was introduced in 1987 as the Virtual Building system. It allowed architects to create digital representations of buildings using components including walls, doors, windows, slabs, and roofs. In later years, the Virtual Building idea became associated with building information modeling. Archicad’s development added increasingly sophisticated 2D and 3D editing, visualization, documentation, teamwork, and interoperability capabilities. Support for IFC helped the product exchange information with other BIM applications and participate in more open project workflows. Graphisoft expanded its collaboration technology through BIM Server, which enabled several architects to work simultaneously on a shared model. This technology developed into BIMcloud, supporting real-time collaboration across offices and project teams through private or public cloud configurations. Other products broadened the workflow: MEP Modeler addressed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing elements; EcoDesigner provided early energy-performance analysis; and BIMx offered interactive model exploration for people who did not need the full authoring environment. The company also built a significant physical and organizational base in Budapest. Construction of Graphisoft Park began in 1998. The technology park became associated with Graphisoft’s headquarters and accommodated other technology companies and educational or research facilities. Graphisoft entered the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in 1998 and the Budapest Stock Exchange in 2000. In 2007, Nemetschek AG acquired the company, making Graphisoft part of a larger European software group serving architecture, engineering, construction, and related industries. During the 2010s, Graphisoft continued international expansion and pursued partnerships intended to advance BIM adoption. Its subsidiaries and representative operations covered major European markets, North America, Japan, and Singapore. In 2013, an agreement with Nikken Sekkei supported a BIM Competence & Research Center for Japan and Southeast Asia. In 2016, a partnership with Atlas Cloud supported cloud-based Archicad access. Graphisoft also worked with Epic Games in 2019 on real-time rendering. The company’s product and corporate strategy increasingly emphasized connected services and subscription delivery. Graphisoft incorporated sister company DDScad in 2021, adding dedicated MEP design and calculation capabilities. In March 2023, it announced Archicad Collaborate, which bundled Archicad with BIMcloud SaaS. Leadership also changed during this period: Viktor Várkonyi moved into a Nemetschek divisional role in 2019, Huw Roberts became Graphisoft CEO, and Daniel Csillag succeeded Roberts in February 2024. Graphisoft remains an active Nemetschek subsidiary and a major specialist brand in architectural BIM software.

• 2023

  Archicad Collaborate announced

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Graphisoft announced a subscription offering combining Archicad with BIMcloud SaaS.

• 2021

  DDScad added to the portfolio

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Graphisoft merged with sister company DDScad to strengthen its MEP capabilities.

• 2007

  Nemetschek acquisition

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Nemetschek acquired Graphisoft, which subsequently operated within the Nemetschek Group.

• 2000

  Budapest listing

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Graphisoft was introduced to the Budapest Stock Exchange.

• 1998

  Graphisoft Park construction began

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Construction started on the Budapest technology park associated with Graphisoft’s headquarters.

• 1998

  Frankfurt listing

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Graphisoft was introduced to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

• 1987

  Archicad introduced as Virtual Building

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Graphisoft introduced its flagship architectural design system, later recognized as an early desktop BIM platform.

• 1984

  Apple support begins

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Apple supported Graphisoft’s development after seeing its 2D and 3D architectural technology.

• 1982

  Graphisoft founded in Hungary

  [1]Graphisoften.wikipedia.org

  Gábor Bojár established Graphisoft with a team experienced in three-dimensional mathematical modeling and personal-computer software.

A specialist architectural BIM software provider emphasizing integrated building modeling, design documentation, multidisciplinary collaboration, open interoperability, and cloud-enabled project delivery.

• Architectural BIM software · 1987

  Archicad

  Graphisoft’s flagship architectural BIM application supports conceptual design, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, visualization, documentation, and technical detailing. Architects and planners can create coordinated digital building models using elements such as walls, windows, doors, slabs, and roofs. The platform has added teamwork, model editing, visualization, and IFC interoperability, allowing project information to move between disciplines and applications. It is available for Windows and Mac platforms.

• Cloud collaboration software

  BIMcloud

  BIMcloud provides shared, real-time access to building information models for distributed project teams. It supports collaboration among architects and other disciplines regardless of office location, project size, or network conditions. Graphisoft offers private and public cloud configurations, including BIMcloud SaaS, which provides hosted access and managed collaboration services.

• BIM model presentation and visualization

  BIMx

  BIMx is an interactive model presentation and exploration tool formerly known as Virtual Building Explorer. It enables clients, consultants, and other stakeholders to navigate building models without installing the full authoring application. Its functions include game-like navigation, measurement of model dimensions, cut-through views, and project markups.

• MEP BIM extension

  MEP Modeler

  MEP Modeler is an Archicad extension for incorporating mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems into architectural BIM workflows. Users can create, edit, or import three-dimensional MEP networks and coordinate them with the architectural model, helping architects and engineers identify spatial conflicts and exchange more complete project information.

• Building energy analysis

  EcoDesigner

  EcoDesigner uses information from the virtual building model to provide early feedback on estimated energy performance and sustainability. It is intended to help architects evaluate energy implications during concept design, before detailed engineering decisions have been finalized.

• MEP design software

  DDScad

  DDScad is a building-services design solution incorporated into Graphisoft’s portfolio through its relationship with sister company DDScad. It supports intelligent mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, integrated calculations, and documentation for building systems, extending Graphisoft’s coverage beyond architectural authoring.

• Subscription BIM and cloud collaboration offering · 2023

  Archicad Collaborate

  Archicad Collaborate packages Archicad with BIMcloud Software as a Service. The offering is designed to give subscribers both the BIM authoring environment and cloud-based project collaboration in one subscription-oriented product, rather than requiring those capabilities to be purchased separately.

• 2023

  Launch Archicad CollaborateProduct launch

  Background

  BIM customers increasingly required authoring software and online collaboration services to operate as a connected workflow.

  Action taken

  Graphisoft announced Archicad Collaborate, combining Archicad with BIMcloud SaaS under a subscription offering.

  Aftermath

  The package positioned cloud collaboration as an integrated part of the Archicad proposition.

  Source

• 2021

  Add DDScad MEP capabilitiesM&A

  Background

  Graphisoft sought broader multidisciplinary coverage around its architectural BIM platform.

  Action taken

  Graphisoft merged with sister company DDScad and added its MEP design capabilities to the broader portfolio.

  Aftermath

  The combined offering strengthened Graphisoft’s ability to address mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design workflows.

  Source

• 2019

  Expand real-time visualization capabilitiesStrategy

  Background

  Architectural BIM users increasingly expected interactive visualization and real-time presentation alongside model authoring and documentation.

  Action taken

  Graphisoft partnered with Epic Games to develop a next-generation real-time rendering solution for customers.

  Aftermath

  The partnership connected Graphisoft’s BIM workflow with Epic Games’ real-time rendering technology.

  Source

• 2007

  Join the Nemetschek GroupM&A

  Background

  Graphisoft had developed an international architectural software business centered on Archicad and maintained public-market listings in Frankfurt and Budapest.

  Action taken

  Nemetschek acquired Graphisoft, making it a subsidiary within the German software group.

  Aftermath

  Graphisoft continued as a specialist brand within Nemetschek’s architecture, engineering, and construction software portfolio.

  Source

1. 1Graphisoften.wikipedia.org