Arche Architecture: the software that structures the early design phases

Arche Architecture, software developed by Graitec, fits perfectly into this dynamic. Designed to support the early stages of projects, it stands out as a discreet but crucial link in the BIM process, particularly in projects involving reinforced concrete structures.

Arche: software dedicated to initial structural choices

Arche is a structural design tool that comes into play very early in a building's lifecycle. Its purpose is not to replace advanced calculation software, but to allow teams to quickly verify the consistency of a structure (particularly reinforced concrete) before undertaking detailed analyses.

It is used to model the load-bearing elements, analyze the supports, establish the initial load calculations, and evaluate the feasibility of different architectural variants.

This intermediary positioning gives it a unique role: that of a tool for dialogue between professions. It allows architects to formulate realistic hypotheses, and engineers to quickly validate their technical feasibility. This connection is all the more valuable as design timelines shorten and projects now incorporate regulatory, environmental, or seismic constraints from the outset.

Accelerate and improve the reliability of preliminary studies

One of Arche Architecture's strengths is its ability to structure comprehensive preliminary studies in a short amount of time. The software provides a working environment in which it becomes possible to sketch a building's structure, quickly verify its consistency, and anticipate the impacts on technical floors, shafts, or spans.

For many engineering firms, this saves several days on the preliminary design (APS) or detailed design (APD) phase. The engineer can test different load-bearing configurations, identify critical areas, and ensure sound decisions before the regulatory calculation tools are used. This preparatory work limits subsequent revisions and facilitates trade-offs between architecture, project cost, and technical performance.

A tool designed for BIM interoperability

In current practices, interoperability has become an essential condition for project success. Arche integrates into BIM workflows by facilitating IFC format exchanges between the architectural model (often from Revit) and the structural models.

This process preserves the building's essential properties (levels, supports, geometry) while avoiding manual data entry, which increases the risk of errors. Once initial checks are performed in Arche, the data can be sent back to modeling tools or transferred to calculation software such as Advance Design, particularly for more in-depth analyses related to reinforced concrete.

This continuity appeals to teams involved in multi-stakeholder projects, where the fluidity of communication directly conditions adherence to the schedule.

Various uses in projects: commercial, residential, facilities, logistics

The uses of Arche extend to very different types of projects.

• In the service sector, several design offices have used it on office buildings located in La Défense, Lyon-Part-Dieu or Bordeaux Euratlantique to validate the heights of technical floors, control the long spans of the platforms, or adjust the organization of the central cores.
• In collective housing, Arche has been mobilized on programs of 50 to 120 units to balance load-bearing walls, stairwells, stairwells and technical ducts before transitioning to Advance Design.
  On some projects in high-density areas, this preparatory phase has made it possible to limit the multiplication of concrete walls and to improve the structural efficiency of buildings.
• In logistics, the software has been used for long-span buildings requiring the rapid analysis of high-load storage areas. This type of use has been documented at several regional distribution centers where the main load-bearing structures regularly exceed 20 to 25 meters.
• In seismic zones, particularly in the southeast quarter, engineers use it to prepare the load-bearing configuration before performing dynamic calculations. Exporting to Advance Design via GTCx then provides a natural link between preliminary modeling and regulatory simulation.

These examples show a common point: Arche is used as a decision support tool, capable of stabilizing structural choices before heavy engineering studies.

A tool aligned with industry developments

The spread of Arche Architecture in professional practices reflects a profound evolution in design methods. Projects are now organized around multidisciplinary teams, and technical decisions must be made earlier, based on reliable information.

By offering a simple, consistent, and interoperable environment, Arche helps reduce uncertainty, structure communication, and improve coordination between stakeholders. It is establishing itself as a transitional tool between architectural design and advanced simulation, a strategic position in a sector committed to sustainable digital transformation.