As one of the most trusted and prominent architectural firms in Malaysia, Architects 61 Sdn Bhd has accrued an impressive history of awards and recognitions for regional and international projects since its founding in 1974. The firm’s high-grade, high-rise and high-density developments have contributed more to the Malaysian central business district skyline than any other architectural practice. Architects 61 Sdn Bhd has offices in Kuala Lumpur, and Penang.

Objectives:

  • Maintain strong relationships with clients and contractors.
  • Improve accuracy and efficiency of information delivery.
  • Increase professionalism and client appeal.

Results

  • Replies to clients and contractors are faster.
  • Processes have a high level of traceability.
  • Onsite reporting is accurate and instant.
  • Contractor submissions and review processes go faster

Architects 61 use Newforma software to strengthen its competitive edge in a complex industry.

Architects 61 Sdn Bhd has a long record of designing and delivering award-winning architecture. But as projects became larger and more complex, with more collaborators, the firm sought ways to reduce time spent on administration.

For example, technology contributed to an increase in paper use. Digitised files had become larger, making them harder to share, and documentation such as emails, which for one project quickly reached more than 15,000, required too much time to log and file.

Architects 61 Sdn Bhd searched for a solution to overcome those hurdles and to ensure that, with the growth of their practice, they were best equipped to improve client services through collaboration and efficiency.

Architects 61 Sdn Bhd chose Newforma software for collaboration and project information management. The firm credits Newforma software with numerous improvements that ensure their position as a design and client service leader.

Newforma software gives Architects 61 confidence.

Paving the way to improved collaboration

Architects 61 Sdn Bhd Principle and Director Jeffrey Ling understands that the industry is becoming more competitive and complex. In order to meet client expectations, he’s taking steps to ensure his teams work effectively and their processes are streamlined.

“Trust and collaboration are very important elements in all our relationships,” Jeffrey said. “As an architect, accurate information and timely delivery of information in all its various forms have become a vital part of this fundamental relationship.

“We implemented Newforma over a year ago and we are seeing improved efficiency in the search for documents and producing and sharing information, giving us a coordinated procedure from project start to archiving,” Jeffrey said.

“Our clients now have greater confidence in our project delivery and we are providing the contractor with more on-time documentation. The old ways of collaborating are changing and we are leading that process. Our aim is to continue this way forward with our firm.”

“Our future plan is to make sure everyone uses Newforma Project Center as the standard project delivery tool where we can work together with our partners seamlessly as though we are all sitting in the same office,” Jeffrey said.

Accessible project information

Muhammed Ibrahim Warda, architect and coordinator at Architects 61 Sdn Bhd, has found that with the implementation of Newforma software, workflows have greatly improved, increasing the speed and ease with which the firm delivers information to clients and contractors.

“Newforma software has given us a high level of traceability of emails, CAD drawings and PDFs,” Muhammed said. “We can search thousands of project files and get back to the client or contractor in a very short time. All the key documents are available for the client to see online at their convenience. It’s a powerful tool.”

Muhammed continued: “One of the best features is the ability to photographically record design defects on site, which can then be issued instantly to the contractor or client through the web-based Info Exchange.”

“Our consultants can easily upload large CAD drawings and other project information, and can see contractor submissions, including RFIs, approvals and rejections, changes in project milestones, drawings, and emails, making the documentation transparent and accessible to everyone involved.”