What if architects designed the tools they actually use?
I’m new to the world of architecture software - but not to building alongside great teams. At Arcol, I’m not just focused on marketing, I’m focused on building a community around rethinking how we design, build, and collaborate. “Retooling AEC” isn’t a slogan; it’s a shared effort. One that starts by listening to the people doing the work and building tools that actually serve them.
Key Takeaways
Designer-Centric: Arcol is built specifically around the architect's workflow rather than forcing designers to adapt to the tool.
Browser-Based: A fast, fluid modeling engine that runs directly in the browser for easy access and sharing.
Real-Time Collaboration: Features multiplayer editing, live metrics, and instant commenting to close feedback loops.
Early-Stage Focus: Optimized for feasibility and early design clarity rather than just legacy documentation.
Architecture software has always asked designers to work around the tool. At Arcol, we flipped that question: what if the tool was built around the designer?
We didn’t set out to disrupt architecture, AEC, or BIM. We set out to respect it. The deadlines, the dead ends, the sudden bursts of clarity at 2AM. The impossible task of turning a blank canvas into something that works for people, communities, and cities. The magic and the mess of design.
The Problem with Legacy AEC Software
For too long, architects have struggled with:
Patchwork, decades-old legacy tools.
Closed file formats that hinder collaboration.
Out-of-sync updates and versioning issues.
Clunky, overly complex user interfaces.
A Designer-First Approach to BIM
Fluid Modeling: Built in the browser for speed and accessibility.
Real-Time Metrics: Instant data updates to eliminate manual tracking.
Multiplayer Collaboration: Tag and comment directly in the model to accelerate decisions.
Unified Workspace: Sketch, study, and share in a single environment.
Yes, you’ll see others launch features too. Some will talk about real-time. Others will slap AI onto legacy workflows and call it a revolution. You might even notice some borrowed design ideas.
But we’ve tested these tools. We’ve seen what’s hype and what’s hard. We chose a different path.
At Arcol, we believe great design deserves great tools. Not afterthoughts. Not hacks. Not broken promises.
We’re clear: Arcol isn’t trying to replace everything at once. We’re focused on early-stage design, feasibility, and giving architects clarity when it matters most.
We’re still building. Still listening. Still staying close to the people we’re here for. And we’re just getting started. Every release, every fix, every new feature is shaped by what we hear from architects in the field.
So if you’re an architect tired of bending to your tools, come see what it feels like when the software finally bends to you. I'd love to hear from you!