Building Information Modeling (BIM): seminar in Belgium

On 15 February 2016, the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) participated in a seminar entitled “Building Information Modeling – Between Practice and Research”, organized by the Laboratory of Digital Culture in Architecture (LNA- Faculty of Architecture) of the University of Liège (BE).

Around 100 participants attended the seminar, not only from the university, but also from architects’ offices: it was an excellent opportunity to put Building Information Modeling (BIM) into context. BIM experts from LIST also took part in this day full of discussions between scientists and professionals, bringing together two distinctive but complementary aspects: practice and research.

About BIM

At the instigation of the most important clients, collaboration practices based on digital model exchanges are becoming more widespread in construction projects. A digital BIM model can facilitate the programming, design and construction processes of projects and more generally, can optimize information exchanges throughout the lifecycle of a building or infrastructure.

In this context, architects have a vital role to play in the process concerning all steps from the design to the realization of an architectural project. In this sense, BIM represents an opportunity for the future development of ideas in architecture.

LIST and the uses of BIM

LIST researchers carry out research and experimentation work linked to the uses of BIM and virtual design/construction.

During the seminar, LIST researcher Dr Sylvain Kubicki gave a speech on the evaluation of the maturity of BIM and of the measure of return on investment for BIM operations. The work focuses on the BIMetric method, developed for the Urbanism Construction Architecture Plan, a French inter-ministerial organization. This method, and its equipment, have been used for the expert assessment of 35 files in 2015, including 19 operations currently being carried out.

> For more information on the BIMetric project, see bimetric.org

> Take a look at the presentation flyer of the seminar

> Read the news article "Zoom on the topic: Building Information Modeling - 3D coordination at LIST" for more information on the topic and LIST's activities.