Today’s AEC Magazine article, the first one one us, introduces Blue Ocean AEC, a new architecture-focused software startup led by me (Marty Rozmanith), and outlines the philosophy and strategy behind Skema.
I was drawn to the venture for two reasons: the team already had an established software competency with real client projects, and a long-standing personal connection to Arol Wolford — a well-known AEC investor and former Revit board member — who is a co-investor in the parent holding company, Green Building Holdings.
The core philosophy of Blue Ocean AEC is “software by architects, for architects” — a deliberate contrast to the approach taken by large software corporations. The article cites me as being critical of big vendors’ consultative sales model, which I argue prioritises short-term revenue extraction over genuine product development, ultimately damaging customer relationships when the product isn’t yet mature. I see the advantage of remaining a private company as the freedom to “do the right thing” and build software responsibly.
The go-to-market strategy is modelled closely on Revit’s early approach — identifying an initial cohort of a dozen or so customers spread across different regions who serve as “lighthouses.” These early adopters help attract other firms, provide honest feedback, and shape the product roadmap through open, collaborative dialogue — something I believe architects are genuinely willing to engage in. The company’s broader ambition spans design, construction, and operations, though the immediate focus is on the design side.