The story, "Build It First Digitally" was very interesting (ENR 10/10 p. 28). Our design software for fire sprinkler systems has allowed us to do this since 1997. It is called Autosprink, by M.E.P.C.A.D. (www.mepcad.com).
It is for fire sprinklers, but the intuitive design allows the entire building and systems to be drawn in real 3D, just like you were building it. We can then plot the standard "plan view" as well as color pictures of the final product for field use and owner review. With the interference checking tool, most problems are found before the steel hits the dirt.