As part of its yearly BE event, Bentley holds a full day of seminars demonstrating how computer aided design and manufacturing technology is being used by the more adventurous practices and students. Martyn Day reports.

Dostyk Business Centre, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

IÝve lost count as to how many of these events I have now attended but I have to say itÝs the highlight of the architectural calendar, as far as design technology presentations are concerned. While the projects on display will blow you away, itÝs not so much the end product thatÝs the focus, but how the design was achieved. Refreshingly, while this is at a Bentley event, those taking the podium were not always Bentley customers.

The seminars have been the brainchild of BentleyÝs Director of Research, Dr. Robert Aish and they have provided a platform to demonstrate his Generative Component (GC) technology which has been in development at Bentley for a number of years. Some of the willing early Ùguinea pigsÝ also get to describe their experiences with the technology and these usually include industry luminaries from Foster and Partners, KPF, NBBJ, Arups and many others. Over the years the list of these interested parties has mushroomed, with this particular event now demonstrating the industryÝs enthusiasm for exploring new ways to use computers to assist in defining complex design.