Transcend, a spin-off from Organica Water, has developed a cloud-based design tool that automates water, wastewater, and power infrastructure design. The Transcend Design Generator (TDG) produces LOD 200 conceptual designs in hours, replacing traditional manual processes that take weeks. Since its 2019 launch as an independent company, Transcend has raised over $35 million, employs 100 staff, and partnered with Autodesk to integrate TDG into BIM workflows.
What Happened
Transcend’s TDG automates early-stage infrastructure design by linking spreadsheets, calculations, and process logic. Engineers input site data, flow rates, and regulations; TDG then generates multiple validated design options with models, drawings, cost estimates, and carbon footprint analyses. This accelerates design iteration and decision-making while maintaining an audit trail. Autodesk’s investment and integration enable seamless transition from conceptual to detailed design.
Why It Matters for the AECM Industry
TDG transforms slow, labor-intensive conceptual design into a rapid, data-driven process. Project managers and engineers can explore multiple design scenarios quickly, improving stakeholder engagement and bid accuracy. The alignment with BIM reduces rework and streamlines downstream workflows. This enhances productivity, cost control, and sustainability embedding from project inception.
What's Next
Transcend plans to expand TDG’s capabilities and market reach, targeting critical infrastructure sectors worldwide. Upcoming milestones include deeper Autodesk integration and new feature releases focused on resilience and sustainability metrics. Industry adoption is expected to grow as digital design automation gains traction.
Source: https://aecmag.com/civil-engineering/infrastructure-design-automation/. Read the original story →
