In today’s fast-paced construction environment, collaboration is everything. As design teams grow increasingly multidisciplinary and projects demand greater transparency, architects are expected to lead with clarity, coordination, and control.
Enter the Common Data Environment (CDE), a structured, cloud-based space where all project information is stored, managed, and shared. And when it comes to robust CDE solutions, Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) stands out as a powerful tool that supports seamless collaboration from concept through to handover.
At Matrix Consulting Engineers, we work alongside architects, electrical designers, and contractors across the UK to deliver fully integrated design workflows. Here’s how a CDE like Autodesk Construction Cloud benefits the design and build process, particularly during the critical design and construction phases.
| CDE Platform | Ranking | Typical Cost P/M | Strength | Weaknesses | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Autodesk Construction Cloud |
★★★★★ |
£500–£3,000+ (based on users & modules) |
Industry-standard BIM tools |
High cost for small teams |
Large multi-disciplinary BIM-led projects |
|
ISO 19650 aligned |
Complex onboarding |
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|
Advanced model viewer & clash detection |
Locked into Autodesk ecosystem |
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|
Integrated design & construction workflows |
|
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|
Aconex (Oracle) |
★★★★☆
|
£1,000–£4,000+ (enterprise-level pricing) |
|||
|
Email-style audit trails |
Outdated UI |
Infrastructure and PPP projects requiring legal and data compliance |
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|
Global collaboration focus |
Limited customisation |
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|
Security & neutrality for legal compliance |
Less agile for SME-sized teams |
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|
Procore |
★★★★☆
|
£300–£2,000+ (based on project value) |
Easy-to-use interface |
Limited BIM model handling |
General contractors & site-heavy builds |
|
Strong site tools (RFIs, Submittals) |
Integrations may require additional licences |
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|
Good mobile experience |
US-focused support |
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|
4Projects (Viewpoint) |
★★★☆☆ |
£500–£1,500+ (project-based or enterprise) |
Trusted by UK infrastructure clients
|
Dated user interface |
UK-based infrastructure and government projects |
|
ISO 19650 aligned |
Limited visualisation tools |
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|
Workflow customisation |
Slower innovation pipeline |
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|
Basecamp |
★★☆☆☆
|
£1,000–£4,000+ (enterprise-level pricing) |
Very affordable |
Not CDE-compliant |
Start-ups, design teams or informal coordination |
While each has its strengths, ACC is particularly well-suited for design teams due to its seamless integration with Revit, Navisworks, and IFC workflows, providing real-time design visibility, issue tracking, and structured collaboration across disciplines.
Gone are the days of scattered Dropbox folders and email threads. A CDE ensures that all stakeholders, from architects and engineers to contractors and clients, access the same, current set of drawings, models, and documentation.
ACC offers version-controlled document management, meaning everyone is working from up-to-date files. This reduces the risk of errors, prevents duplication, and eliminates confusion during coordination meetings or on site.
ACC supports real-time collaboration between architectural teams and consultants. Civil and structural engineers can link models directly into your Revit or IFC workflow, review markups, and comment in-platform, eliminating lag between design intent and technical input.
With model federation and clash detection built into the platform, issues are resolved early, avoiding costly changes during construction.
During the construction phase, unexpected site conditions or RFI responses can cause a ripple of changes through the design. With a CDE in place, all parties can, assess, and respond to changes quickly, using live notifications and automated workflows to keep control.
Autodesk Construction Cloud ensures every drawing revision and decision trail is recorded, giving clients a clear audit trail and reduced liability exposure.
From planning officers to clients and main contractors, ACC makes it easy to share information selectively. Web-based model viewers and structured permission settings allow stakeholders to view, comment, and approve designs without specialist software.
This speeds up reviews, keeps feedback structured, and improves engagement across the board.
Framework bids and government-funded projects increasingly require BIM Level 2 compliance and adherence to ISO 19650. Autodesk Construction Cloud provides the structured workflows needed to meet these standards—ensuring your team is not only compliant but efficient.
At Matrix Consulting Engineers, our workflows are fully aligned to ISO 19650 and we regularly manage design data within ACC environments, ensuring a smooth transition from design to construction and into asset handover.
For architects, a Common Data Environment isn’t just a digital filing cabinet, it’s a central nervous system for project collaboration.
Platforms like Autodesk Construction Cloud empower architectural practices to stay coordinated, mitigate risk, and deliver designs that work, not just on screen, but on site.
Whether you’re bidding on frameworks, designing complex infrastructure, or simply want to streamline your coordination with engineers and contractors, adopting a CDE is a smart move, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
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