HP Drives AEC Innovation with Smarter Printing, AI, and Precision Site Tools
HP has unveiled a suite of new technologies designed to transform how professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) deliver projects. From compact, sustainable printing solutions to AI-powered design workflows and ultra-precise layout tools, HP’s latest innovations promise to remove bottlenecks, accelerate delivery, and strengthen collaboration across the built environment.
The highlights include the new HP DesignJet T870 printer, the expanded HP Build Workspace platform with mobile scanning and AI vectorization, and the HP SitePrint SMR prism. Together, these solutions bridge the gap between physical and digital workflows, giving teams the flexibility and accuracy needed in today’s hybrid work era.
Breaking Down Workflow Barriers
AEC professionals have long faced hurdles ranging from tight deadlines and fragmented workflows to dispersed teams. HP argues that the future lies in seamlessly connected tools that allow ideas to flow effortlessly from sketch to site. By integrating printing, AI-driven digital conversion, and layout precision into a single ecosystem, the company is positioning itself as a driver of smarter, more sustainable construction.
Daniel Martinez, SVP and Division President, HP Large Format Printing, put it simply: “At HP, we are committed to helping professionals work smarter and faster through secure, sustainable printing and AI-powered design workflows. Today’s announcements transform how teams in diverse industries collaborate across offices, studios and worksites, freeing them to focus on what matters most, designing and building the world around us.”
HP DesignJet T870: Compact Powerhouse for Hybrid Workspaces
The star of the launch is the HP DesignJet T870, a 24-inch printer tailored for modern, hybrid work environments. Weighing less and operating more quietly than its predecessors, the printer is up to 30% lighter and more energy efficient. Designed with sustainability in mind, it incorporates 45% recycled plastics and 10% recycled metal, shipping in 100% polystyrene-free packaging.
The T870’s standout feature is its ability to handle multi-size printing seamlessly. Thanks to its integrated input tray, users can switch between A4/A to A1/D formats without manual adjustments, slashing downtime and ensuring uninterrupted workflows. It produces A1/D prints in as little as 21 seconds, a major plus when deadlines loom.
HP Flex Tech Inks deliver durable, pigment-based prints for CAD drawings, retail signage, or educational visuals, while larger capacity ink cartridges reduce the need for frequent replacements. Cybersecurity is also a priority, with HP Wolf Security baked into the system, helping organisations guard against evolving threats in hybrid workspaces.
Manel Peribañez, Director at BCQ Arquitectura, emphasised its practicality: “The ability to load A3 pages separately from the roll and switch between them effortlessly—without even having to stand up—is a significant benefit. Additionally, thanks to the HP Click experience, we have significantly reduced errors, which is something we highly appreciate.”
Expanding HP Build Workspace: AI-Powered Efficiency
First introduced in 2024, HP Build Workspace is a digital collaboration hub that bridges physical and digital workflows. Its latest update brings mobile-enabled scanning and AI-powered vectorization to HP DesignJet multifunction printers. This development is a game-changer for teams that frequently need to digitise legacy drawings or field sketches.
By cutting manual drafting time by up to 80%, AI vectorization speeds up design workflows while reducing human error. The system also supports collaboration with features such as layer separation, markup tools, and centralised file sharing, allowing distributed teams to stay on the same page. With direct integration into HP Click Solutions, documents can be printed straight from Build Workspace, creating a fluid workflow from digital design to physical output.
HP has also announced that from 2026, HP Z Workstation users will be able to run AI vectorization jobs locally, completing tasks up to twice as fast compared with cloud-only processing. This will further enhance performance for time-critical projects.
HP SitePrint SMR Prism: Raising the Bar for Accuracy
In construction, a fraction of a millimetre can mean the difference between flawless execution and costly rework. To address this, HP has introduced the SitePrint SMR prism, a detachable accessory designed to improve layout precision.
The prism automatically rotates to maintain optimal alignment with total stations, achieving layout accuracy of up to +/- 2mm and floor deviation marking down to +/- 0.8mm. This allows contractors to mark layouts faster and with higher confidence, cutting rework costs and ensuring projects remain on schedule.
The SMR prism also sets the stage for new applications. HP plans to expand its floor deviation marking services to include interior finishing, further cementing its role in supporting precision-driven workflows.
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability isn’t a footnote in HP’s strategy; it is front and centre. From energy-efficient scheduling that reduces power consumption by up to 60%, to maintenance systems that cut ink use during printhead cleaning by 95%, the DesignJet T870 shows how eco-friendly engineering can go hand-in-hand with high performance.
Given that the built environment contributes nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, innovations like these have far-reaching implications. Compact, sustainable printers and efficient workflows not only improve business operations but also help move the AEC sector closer to its climate goals.
A New Era for AEC Professionals
The launch underscores HP’s ambition to redefine how the AEC industry connects design, collaboration, and construction. By weaving together secure printing, AI-enhanced workflows, and layout precision, HP provides a technology ecosystem that reduces barriers and sets a new standard for productivity and sustainability.
The implications extend well beyond AEC. Education, retail, and other hybrid sectors stand to benefit from these advancements, proving that the power of integrated technology is not limited to job sites and studios.
Building a Smarter, More Connected Future
HP’s latest innovations show that the company isn’t just keeping up with industry changes, it is actively shaping them. With compact, sustainable devices, AI-driven workflows, and site-ready precision tools, HP is equipping professionals with the means to deliver smarter, faster, and greener projects.
The message is clear, in a world where complexity grows daily, streamlined solutions that save time, reduce waste, and strengthen collaboration are not just nice to have, they’re essential.
