Architectural models finally come to the browser

Figma's public beta in 2016 introduced browser-based web and interface design tools that quickly gained popularity, challenging the dominant design software company, Adobe. Architectural modeling startup Motif aims to replicate this success in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. By providing a user-friendly and collaborative platform, Motif Design seeks to make complex building models accessible to all project team members.

The cofounder and CEO, Amar Hanspal, criticizes the overly complex and frustrating tools currently used by these industries. He emphasizes the importance of making the software browser-based to improve accessibility. Traditional modeling methods involve saving updates and remerging changes, which can be cumbersome and inefficient. Motif's platform allows all team members to work simultaneously on the model, with every change recorded in real-time on a live database.

Motif Design complements Motif Review, a collaborative workspace launched in 2025, enabling designers to visualize, mark up, and gather feedback on models in real time. The platform can handle complex models with vast amounts of data, thanks to recent advancements in browser technology. Hanspal, a former co-CEO and chief product officer at Autodesk, brings a wealth of knowledge about the challenges and inefficiencies of advanced design software.

Other startups, such as Arcol and Snaptrude, offer similar browser-based building modeling tools, and established products like SketchUp also provide this functionality. However, Motif Design stands out due to Hanspal's extensive experience at Autodesk. The platform is currently optimized for typical building types, including offices, retail spaces, housing, and schools.

Hanspal believes that the power of the platform lies in its ability to make building models live and evolve online, allowing users to start with a blank screen and build the entire building within the product.