SAN RAFAEL, Calif.-- Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK) has named Green Structures as the Autodesk Inventor of the Year for 2011 for developing the Ventive energy-efficiency system that is ideal for building retrofits.

“With access to the same world-class Autodesk professional software as some of the United Kingdom’s largest manufacturers, we have strengthened the quality and professionalism of our design process. It is an honor to receive this award and be recognized for our work by the Autodesk Manufacturing Community.”

Members of the Autodesk manufacturing community from around the world chose the U.K.-based company by voting on the community website. Green Structures uses Autodesk Inventor software and a range of other Autodesk Digital Prototyping solutions to transform the way energy systems are planned, designed, constructed, maintained and operated within the built environment. The company was originally named Autodesk Inventor of the Month December 2011.

As a member of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program — an initiative that provides Autodesk Digital Prototyping software to emerging and established clean tech companies — Green Structures is an innovator in passive heat recovery ventilation and thermal energy storage systems.

Thomas Lipinski, founder, managing director and CTO of Green Structures said, “With access to the same world-class Autodesk professional software as some of the United Kingdom’s largest manufacturers, we have strengthened the quality and professionalism of our design process. It is an honor to receive this award and be recognized for our work by the Autodesk Manufacturing Community.”

The firm’s Ventive heat recovery ventilation system works with existing chimneys to channel air and heat. This system contrasts with current mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems, which require that complex ductwork be installed throughout an entire building. Ventive can be installed in less than 30 minutes, providing a far faster and less expensive alternative for retrofitting buildings with the latest green technologies.

Green Structures relies on Autodesk Inventor, as well as Autodesk Ecotect Analysis software, Autodesk Simulation Multiphysics software and Autodesk Revit Architecture software in its product design and development. Access to Autodesk design and simulation technology provided a more controlled environment to test designs, helping to make the design process less costly, faster and with less guesswork.

Autodesk Simulation Software Saves Time and Money

Green Structures accelerated the prototyping process for its Ventive heat recovery ventilation system through the use of Autodesk Simulation software to digitally simulate wind tunnel tests and perform heat transfer analysis, saving on physical testing costs of approximately $1,550 (£1,000) per day. Autodesk reseller Envisage helped provide training and support to enable Green Structures to more quickly implement Autodesk Digital Prototyping software in the design process.

Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Design, Lifecycle and Simulation at Autodesk said, “We join the Autodesk Manufacturing Community in congratulating Green Structures for its standout application of Autodesk software to transform energy systems.”

About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program

Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the users of Autodesk Inventor software, which takes manufacturers beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information about the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program, contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

About the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program

The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program supports the efforts, innovations and environmental advancements of clean technology pioneers, providing world-class software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas through Digital Prototyping. Clean tech companies in North America, Europe, Singapore and Japan are invited to apply to receive up to $150,000* worth of software for only $50. Access to a collection of Autodesk industry-leading software includes up to five licenses of Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate, AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite, Autodesk Simulation Mechanical, Autodesk Inventor Publisher and Autodesk Vault Professional software. Get more information.

About Green Structures

Green Structures is a UK-based clean technology company working within the built environment to develop commercially attractive low-carbon building solutions. For additional information, visit www.greenstructures.co.uk.

About Envisage

Envisage is a UK-based Autodesk reseller that supplies complete 2D and 3D CAD/CAM systems including hardware, networking and bespoke programming. For additional information, visit www.envisageuk.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries -- including the last 17 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.