What is Building Information Modeling?
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a collaborative approach that integrates and manages all information of a construction project into a single digital model, jointly developed by all stakeholders involved, such as architects, engineers, builders, developers, material manufacturers, and more. This promotes seamless and cross-functional communication.
BIM is not limited to the project's initial design phase but encompasses everything from design to construction, maintenance throughout its lifecycle, and eventual demolition.
It is essential to understand that BIM (Building Information Modeling) is much more than just software, although software is a key tool within the system.
BIM is not the future; it is the present of construction.
Globally, the adoption of BIM is advancing rapidly. Many governments and public entities have mandated its use for public construction projects, establishing it as a standard for achieving efficiency, sustainability, and collaboration.
In Europe, BIM has been strongly promoted across the European Union, particularly following the European Directive 2014/24/EU, which encourages the use of digital systems in public procurement. Many member states have implemented mandatory BIM requirements for public projects:
- .Kingdom: Since 2016, BIM Level 2 has been mandatory for all centrally procured public construction projects.
- .Germany: BIM has been mandatory for federally funded public infrastructure projects since 2020.
- .France: The French government has promoted BIM adoption, making it mandatory for public works projects exceeding specific thresholds, particularly projects with budgets over €20 million.
- .Italy: Since 2019, Italy has mandated the gradual implementation of BIM for public works based on project budget thresholds, starting with larger projects and extending to smaller ones in subsequent years.
- .Spain: BIM adoption is progressing under the Plan BIM para la Contratación Pública. While full implementation is gradual, certain public projects already require BIM. Since 2024, BIM has been progressively introduced for public contracts, starting with larger infrastructure projects.The plan aims for full implementation across all applicable public projects by 2030. For example, it has been used in various projects such as the iconic Riyadh Air Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid and the Health Sciences Campus of the University of Barcelona, establishing itself as a key tool in the construction sector.
Outside Europe, BIM adoption is also advancing, with notable mandates in specific countries:
- .United States: While not federally mandated, several state governments and large private organizations require BIM for public infrastructure and commercial projects, particularly for contracts exceeding $5 million.
- .Australia: BIM is mandatory for public infrastructure projects in several states, such as Queensland.
- .Singapore: The government has mandated BIM for all new construction projects exceeding 5,000 m² since 2015, making it a leader in digital construction adoption.
By adopting BIM, companies can not only optimize their current projects but also secure a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global market. In a world where digitalization is reshaping industries, BIM is leading the way toward a smarter, more sustainable future for construction.
