Every Archicad release ships with marketing slides full of new features. Most of them don't change much for residential architects. Archicad 28 is a genuinely good release — but only because three or four features actually move the needle on day-to-day project work.
After running our Archicad 28 launch event and rolling the version out across our client firms, here's the honest breakdown of what to use, what to skip, and what to wait on.
The four features that matter
1. Improved AI-assisted layout generation
Archicad 28 includes an AI-driven assistant that proposes layouts based on basic constraints — plot size, orientation, room count, climate zone. For residential architects in India this matters because:
- Schematic design is the slowest billable phase for most practices
- Clients increasingly want 2–3 layout variants in the first review
- The AI assistant produces non-final but legitimate-starting-point layouts in minutes, not hours
It is not "automatic architecture." It is a fast schematic generator that you then refine. Used well, it cuts schematic-design time by 30–50%.
Caveat: it doesn't yet understand vastu requirements that some Indian clients ask for. You still need to verify alignment, kitchen and pooja-room placement manually.
2. Faster, more reliable IFC export
Archicad has always had good IFC support. In 28 it's better still — the export is faster on large models, and edge-case bugs around layered walls and slabs are gone. If you exchange IFC with structural or MEP consultants regularly, this alone is worth the upgrade.
For why IFC matters and how to set it up cleanly, see our Archicad vs Revit and Solibri quality control posts.
3. EcoDesigner improvements for energy and daylight analysis
Built-in energy and daylight simulation (EcoDesigner) had been "fine for early design" for years. In 28 the simulation engine is materially faster and the results align more closely with detailed simulation tools.
For Indian residential, this matters because:
- BMC/BBMP and other authorities increasingly ask for daylight factor and natural ventilation analysis on permission drawings
- Clients in tier-1 cities are sensitive to running air-conditioning loads
- A 30-minute analysis at concept stage can re-orient the project massing in ways that save lifetime energy bills
If you've been outsourcing energy analysis to consultants, you can probably bring it in-house with Archicad 28 EcoDesigner for typical residential projects.
4. Better library localisation
Archicad 28 ships with materially better localised libraries — including (finally) more Indian-context furniture, sanitary fittings, and door types that match what's actually available in Indian markets. The library still isn't perfect, but it's the best a default Archicad install has shipped with for the Indian market.
For office templates, this means less custom-library maintenance.
Features that look exciting but rarely matter for residential
Cloud-based BIM team collaboration
Archicad's BIMcloud is great for multi-architect, multi-discipline projects. For a 1–5 person residential studio doing one or two projects at a time, it's overkill. Use simple BIMcloud Basic (LAN) or even regular file storage. Save the licence cost.
Advanced complex profile parametrics
Archicad 28 added more parametric controls on complex profiles. If you do a lot of unusual mouldings, façade systems, or non-standard cornices, this is great. For typical residential, the default profile library is enough.
Direct integration with rendering engines
Archicad 28 has tighter integration with Twinmotion, Lumion, etc. Useful, but if your renderings happen at the last 10% of the project (as in most residential), this won't change much. Most architects render in dedicated tools anyway.
What to do before upgrading
Three things, in order:
- Back up your office template. You should be doing this anyway. Before upgrading, save a copy of your
.tpltemplate file and your library.lcffiles. - Test on a non-active project. Upgrade one machine, open a finished project, verify everything renders, exports IFC, and produces the same drawings. Don't upgrade live projects mid-stream.
- Update your IFC export presets. Archicad 28's new IFC engine respects existing presets, but rebuilding them from scratch takes 30 minutes and is worth doing.
Should small Indian practices upgrade now?
Recommendation depends on your situation:
- On Archicad 27 with active subscription: Yes, upgrade. The IFC and EcoDesigner improvements alone justify it.
- On Archicad 26 or older: Definitely. Three versions worth of improvements compound into a substantially better tool.
- On perpetual Archicad without subscription: Now is a good moment to grab our IIA Archicad Perpetual Offer 2025 and refresh the licence. The pricing is the best we've offered.
- Considering Archicad for the first time: Start with version 28. Don't bother with older versions even if they're cheaper.
What to ignore in the marketing
Archicad's release notes mention "200+ new features." Most are bug fixes, minor UX tweaks, and library additions. Treat the four above as the headline. The rest will accumulate without your attention.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AI layout assistant available in all regions? Yes, including India. Some specific dataset packs (UK building regs, US codes) are localised — the Indian context relies more on the generic generator at present.
Will my old project files open in Archicad 28? Yes, Archicad reads back to several major versions. Saving back to older versions is also supported with some loss of new-feature data.
Does the upgrade need new hardware? The minimum spec rose slightly. A 2022 or newer i7/Ryzen 7 with 16 GB RAM and an SSD runs Archicad 28 comfortably. Older hardware will work but feel sluggish on large models.
How does Archicad 28 fit alongside Solibri and Bluebeam? Cleanly. Archicad 28 produces IFC for Solibri model checking, and PDF for Bluebeam markup workflows. The three tools form a complete production stack for an Indian architecture practice.
