Columbia, Maryland (March 4, 2008) - Raleigh-based VectorWorks user Clearscapes, PA, has been named the 2007 AIA North Carolina Firm of the Year, the highest honor the chapter bestows upon a firm. Each year, this award honors a North Carolina firm that has an established presence in the state and has consistently produced quality architecture, with a verifiable level of client satisfaction, for a period of at least ten years.

The theme for AIA North Carolina's design conference, "Original
Inspirations: Preservations, Innovation, and Transformation," drove the decision to choose Clearscapes. AIA North Carolina acknowledges that Clearscapes has carved a purpose out of listening to the desires of the community, imagining the future, and translating that vision into a focal point, "Their ability to listen, visualize, and produce often exceeds everyone's expectations." For more firm information, visit www.clearscapes.com

Formed in 1981 when architect Steven Schuster and sculptor Thomas Sayre combined their creative talents, Clearscapes continues that tradition today. The firm focuses its significant talents on the revitalization of important historic structures and the infill of new construction in sensitive urban historic settings.

Contributing to Clearscapes' unique design approach is their international practice in public art, which includes installations in Calgary, Alberta; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Phuket, Thailand; and Istanbul, Turkey. This collaboration between architects and artists has led to some of the firm's most memorable work and productive collaborations.

Nemetschek North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Nemetschek Group. A global leader in design technologies, Nemetschek North America has been developing CAD software for the AEC, entertainment, landscape design, and manufacturing fields since 1985. VectorWorks, its flagship product, is one of the world's best-selling cross-platform CAD applications. VectorWorks Architect is an elegant architectural design program that offers cutting-edge BIM capabilities in one cost-effective, cross-platform program. For more information, visit www.nemetschek.net