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Atec Transforming Complexity into Control for Specialised Façade Delivery

As façade projects become increasingly complex and globally distributed, maintaining control across design, procurement, fabrication, and installation is a growing challenge - particularly for specialist subcontractors. Atec Facades (Atec) is redefining this model. By adopting Autodesk Forma, Atec brings together international vendors, digital workflows, and real-time data into a single, connected ecosystem - enabling smarter, more transparent project delivery. With a focus on innovation, quality, and operational excellence, Atec is setting a new benchmark for façade subcontractors. The result is hundreds of hours saved on manual tasks, over 3,000 paper sheets eliminated per project, and a 20% improvement in information retrieval efficiency. 

Atec, a subsidiary of the Duratec Group based in Western Australia, was established to focus exclusively on new build façade delivery for complex commercial construction projects. Operating as a design led façade specialist, Atec manages the full project lifecycle - from early design development and procurement through to fabrication and installation. With a compact team of specialists, Atec leverages advanced digital engineering practices, connected workflows and global supply chains to deliver high precision, efficient and transparent façade solutions, providing clients with confidence from concept through to completion.

Atec is supported by the depth and capability of Duratec Limited, a leading Australian contractor specialising in the assessment, protection, remediation and refurbishment of assets and infrastructure. Headquartered in Western Australia, Duratec operates nationally across sectors including Defence, Commercial Buildings and Façades, Infrastructure (Water, Transport and Marine), Mining and Industrial, Power and Energy, supported by strong engineering expertise and advanced in house assessment technologies.


Bridging the gaps in traditional façade delivery


Façade subcontractors typically operate in fragmented project environments, with stakeholders across multiple locations relying on disconnected systems and manual processes.

For Atec, this created key challenges:

  • Disconnected communication between design, procurement, and site teams;
  • Limited visibility across international fabrication partners;
  • Inefficient document control and version tracking; 
  • Reliance on manual, paper-based QA/QC processes.

These inefficiencies introduced risks of coordination errors, rework, and delays, particularly on complex builds involving global supply chains.

“The key challenge was bridging the gap between siloed teams - design, procurement, fabrication, and site - and ensuring everyone was working from the same, accurate information,” says Pia Nithi, Digital Engineering Analyst at Atec.

Atec recognised the need for a connected, data-driven approach to unify stakeholders and eliminate information silos.


A connected ecosystem for end-to-end control


To address these challenges, Atec implemented Autodesk Forma as its central platform, integrating tools such as Docs, Model Coordination, Assets, Forms, Issues, and Insights dashboards. Forma provides a single, cloud-based environment connecting internal teams and international vendors, with Atec extending access across its supply chain to ensure consistent collaboration and visibility.

“With Forma, we can act as the owner of the project data, controlling permissions, visibility, and ensuring there is one single source of truth for everyone involved,” says Nithi.

This ecosystem centralises document control with real-time versioning, links physical components to digital records through QR-enabled asset tracking and delivers full visibility from design through to installation. Combined with customisable data views and automated insights, it creates a seamless flow of information across the project lifecycle - eliminating bottlenecks and improving coordination.



Measurable efficiency gains are driving accuracy and scalability


Since implementing Autodesk Forma, Atec has improved efficiency, data accuracy, and collaboration across its projects. Teams no longer rely on manual processes to track revisions or access information, reducing coordination effort and minimising errors. Digitised workflows have enhanced traceability and sustainability, while real-time access to project data enables faster decision-making.

These capabilities are delivering significant, measurable efficiency gains:

  • By digitising Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) processes using Forma Forms, ATEC has reduced form completion time by 50%, saving over 300 labour hours per project and eliminating more than 3,000 sheets of paper for over 1,000 forms and improving sustainability.
  • Automated document management using OCR has reduced manual processing time by 70%, turning hour-long administrative tasks into 15-minute workflows.
  • The implementation of a Common Data Environment (CDE) has improved traceability and reduced data retrieval time by 20% through Forma Data Management, creating a trusted single source of truth across teams and subcontractors. 

“Together, these outcomes are driving faster workflows, greater data confidence, and substantial productivity gains across Atec global façade delivery operations,” explains Nithi. “Once the team could see the benefits and the output, adoption accelerated. It takes time to set up, but the results make it worthwhile.”


Supporting complex delivery at a higher education lab facility

Atec's digital approach is demonstrated on a highly complex higher education lab facility designed to support advanced research and large-scale teaching located in Western Australia. 

Designed with precision and energy-consciousness in mind, the building incorporates structural elements that protect sensitive research equipment. Using Autodesk Forma, Atec manages the façade package with full visibility, tracking design, procurement, and installation in real time, ensuring full control over its scope while aligning with the broader project environment.

“Using Autodesk Forma, all project information, from design to installation, is connected and accessible in one place. This removes bottlenecks and allows teams to make decisions faster,” says Nithi.

This level of integration is particularly valuable when coordinating with international fabricators, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned regardless of location.

Designed with precision and energy-consciousness in mind, the building incorporates structural elements that protect sensitive research equipment. Using Autodesk Forma, Atec manages the façade package with full visibility, tracking design, procurement, and installation in real time, ensuring full control over its scope while aligning with the broader project environment. 

“Using Autodesk Forma, all project information, from design to installation, is connected and accessible in one place. This removes bottlenecks and allows teams to make decisions faster,” says Nithi.

This level of integration is particularly valuable when coordinating with international fabricators, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned regardless of location.

Building a future-ready façade delivery model


For Atec, adopting Autodesk Forma is a strategic investment in future growth. The company is now standardising workflows across projects, with plans to expand adoption across its vendor network. 
By aligning with emerging standards such as ISO 19650 and continuing to refine its digital processes, Atec is positioning itself as a leader in façade delivery innovation.

“We chose Forma because it future proofs our delivery. It gives us the foundation to take on larger, more complex projects and scale globally,” concludes Nithi.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, Atec is demonstrating how specialist subcontractors can lead from the front, using digital technology to drive better outcomes, stronger collaboration, and smarter project delivery.