How We Use Speckle at Slefty

What is Speckle?

Speckle is an open-source, cloud-based data platform built specifically for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. Instead of exchanging massive, monolithic BIM files (like .rvt or .ifc), Speckle breaks 3D models down into lightweight, structured data streams. It acts as a universal bridge between different software environments, letting design teams, engineers and clients exchange geometry and BIM parameters in real time directly inside a web browser.

1. Seamless multi-software collaboration (Send & Receive)

Interoperability remains one of the largest hurdles in AEC design. When one team works in Archicad, another designs complex parametric geometry in Rhino and the structural team operates in Revit, standard coordination models often break down.

At Slefty we deploy Speckle's lightweight connectors across Rhino, Archicad and Revit to create a smooth "Send & Receive" stream workflow:

• Cross-platform exchange: architects and specialists working in Rhino or Archicad send geometric and spatial updates directly into a shared Speckle stream without manual file conversions.
• Parameter and material retention: Speckle transfers spatial geometry along with native metadata, material specifications and custom parameters.
• Selective stream sharing: instead of sending gigabyte-heavy central models, designers can isolate and stream specific structural sections, room layouts or equipment modules instantly.

2. Real-time spatial collaboration and model navigation

Speckle is a lightweight alternative to heavy desktop tools like Navisworks or complex viewer licences. It gives all project stakeholders instant, browser-based access to the complete 3D model without expensive software installations.

• Live digital review space: similar to digital whiteboards like Miro, team members can drop 3D markups, save custom views, leave comments and even follow another user's camera perspective live during coordination meetings.
• Advanced geometry engine: a high-performance engine renders complex 3D forms smoothly in the browser, making navigation fast and easy for non-BIM stakeholders.

3. Key performance and "value model" dashboards

Speckle goes beyond standard 3D web viewing by extracting the complete BIM data layer. We use this structured data to build custom project dashboards tailored to specific client KPIs and investor requirements. For specialised developments - such as data centers or industrial plants - we aggregate element parameters across the site to display real-time metrics:

• Power and capacity metrics: extracting custom IT load parameters from individual server racks to aggregate and display total facility megawatt capacity in real time.
• Spatial efficiency ratios: project-wide constants (total site area vs floor plate square meters) to calculate capacity and floor efficiency per level.
• Sustainability and embodied carbon tracking: mapping modeled materials against environmental classification frameworks (UK, Dutch or Indian standards) to estimate embodied carbon before construction starts.
• Portfolio intelligence: comparing performance metrics across past projects to evaluate cost efficiency and design consistency across an investor's entire portfolio.

4. Automated model audits and health validation

A dashboard is only as accurate as the data behind it. If a designer forgets to populate a critical parameter, project metrics instantly become misleading. To ensure data integrity, we set up automated model health checks inside Speckle:

• Rule-based validation: automated logic that checks whether critical parameters exist across modeled elements - for example verifying that 100% of modeled racks carry an assigned capacity parameter.
• Model health scores: the platform outputs a clear compliance score (e.g. 92% of elements passed, 8% failed), so project leads know when dashboard metrics need correction before business decisions are made.
• Centralised standard repositories: rules built for one project can be saved to Slefty's global workspace and applied across all active company projects to maintain office-wide standards.

Why Slefty uses Speckle

Speckle lets us break free from closed, single-vendor ecosystems. It is a flexible, cost-effective alternative to platforms like Autodesk Forma or ACC, offering powerful multi-software coordination, open data access and customisable dashboards at a fraction of the cost.