Arcol

# High-Level Overview

Arcol is a browser-based collaborative building design platform that transforms how architects, engineers, and construction (AEC) teams approach architectural design and documentation.[1][2] The company builds real-time 3D modeling and collaboration tools designed to replace fragmented, desktop-dependent workflows that have dominated the industry for decades.

The platform serves architecture and design firms by enabling teams to model buildings in 3D, generate real-time metrics, and collaborate without requiring file syncing or saving.[3] Arcol solves a fundamental pain point in the AEC industry: the friction created by legacy software tools that force designers into isolated workflows, version control chaos, and tedious manual documentation. The company has demonstrated strong early traction, with major architectural firms like Corgan (1,000+ employees across 19 offices) and Warren & Mahoney adopting the platform and publicly endorsing its collaborative approach.[2][4]

# Origin Story

Paul O'Carroll founded Arcol in January 2021, inspired by witnessing his father—an architect—struggle with the limitations of traditional design tools.[5] O'Carroll brought direct experience building digital design tools for large firms and was deeply influenced by the success of Figma, which democratized UI design through a web-based, collaborative interface.[2] He recognized that building design lacked an equivalent modern tool and set out to create one.

The founding moment crystallized around a simple observation: architects were still sketching with pencil and paper, waiting months for designs to materialize, constrained by desktop software that couldn't support real-time teamwork.[5] O'Carroll relocated the company from Ireland to New York City as it scaled, raising over $18 million in funding from prominent venture capital supporters including Procore CEO Tooey Courtemanche and former Autodesk Co-CEO Amar Hanspal.[2] The company officially launched its collaborative platform in June 2025, marking the transition from early-stage development to market availability.[4]

# Core Differentiators

• Web-native architecture: Unlike legacy BIM platforms built on desktop infrastructure, Arcol runs entirely in the browser, enabling instant data streaming and eliminating file-based workflows.[2] Users can convert 2D sketches into 3D representations without desktop software constraints.

• Real-time collaboration without friction: Multiple team members and clients can work simultaneously on the same design, with changes instantly visible across all users—no syncing, saving, or version conflicts.[3][4] This addresses one of the AEC industry's most persistent pain points.

• Integrated data and metrics: The platform synchronizes design iterations with real-time project metrics, allowing teams to make data-driven decisions while designing and compare design variations side-by-side.[3] Documentation is automatically generated from the model, eliminating manual reporting.

• Modern, intuitive interface: Inspired by consumer-grade design tools like Figma, Arcol prioritizes ease of use and creative flow over complex feature hierarchies, making it accessible to teams without specialized training.[2]

• Modular roadmap: The company launched with a focus on concept design and is expanding toward schematic design and construction documentation, positioning itself as a comprehensive replacement for disconnected tool ecosystems.[4]

# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Arcol operates at the intersection of two major industry trends: digital transformation in the AEC sector and the shift toward collaborative, cloud-native software. The architecture and construction industry has historically lagged in software modernization, remaining dependent on tools designed for individual workflows rather than team-based collaboration.[2]

The timing is critical. As remote and hybrid work becomes standard, the demand for synchronous collaboration tools has intensified. Arcol's positioning directly challenges Autodesk's dominance in BIM software—a market leader that has faced criticism for maintaining legacy workflows and high costs.[2] By adopting the Figma playbook (web-based, collaborative, intuitive), Arcol taps into a proven model for disrupting entrenched design software markets.

The company also benefits from broader venture capital interest in AEC tech. Major industry players like Procore (construction management) and design software leaders recognize that modernizing the design stack is essential to industry productivity. Arcol's early partnerships with established firms like Corgan validate that even large, traditional organizations see value in rethinking their workflows.[4]

# Quick Take & Future Outlook

Arcol is positioned to become a significant player in AEC software by solving a problem that has frustrated architects for decades: the gap between creative intent and technical execution, compounded by collaboration friction. The company's early funding success ($18 million) and endorsements from industry leaders suggest strong product-market fit in the concept design phase.

The critical next phase will be expanding beyond concept design into schematic design and construction documentation—the workflows where legacy tools like Revit currently dominate.[4] Success here requires not just feature parity but a compelling reason for firms to migrate existing projects and retrain teams. Arcol's advantage lies in its modern foundation: a web-native platform can integrate with other tools and data sources far more flexibly than desktop software.

As the AEC industry continues its digital transformation, Arcol exemplifies a broader shift toward collaborative, cloud-first tools that prioritize user experience over feature bloat. If the company executes on its roadmap and maintains its focus on removing friction from design workflows, it could reshape how buildings are designed—much as Figma reshaped UI design.