Development of an innovative training box and conceptual design of a knowledge platform for the practical application of the BIM method in municipal construction administration and municipal building management in North Rhine-Westphalia

Funding provider: Ministry of Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Building and Digitization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MHKBD) as part of the Innovative Building project group

Project duration: 10/2022 to 09/2024

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia has set itself the goal of taking on a pioneering role nationwide in the introduction of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) method. As public clients and their contractors often pursue different BIM project objectives, the public client must be able to define and specify its own objectives and associated added value and be able to monitor and control their implementation.

The aim of the research project is to develop an innovative training box and a knowledge platform to significantly promote and advance the application of the BIM method in municipal building administrations and municipal building management in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The training box is an innovative learning station in which the BIM method is applied and experienced in a playful gamification approach. In various stations based on the building life cycle, scenarios for the planning, construction, operation and dismantling of buildings are taught in a concrete and practical way. A wide range of innovative software and hardware products, such as simulation tools, virtual reality and augmented reality, are used for this purpose. The training box is designed to be portable and can therefore be used at various locations for events, trade fairs, research days or a road show. With this new approach, digital innovations for the management of buildings can be experienced directly.

As a further building block to promote the use of the BIM method, a knowledge platform is being developed as a central exchange platform for all municipalities in NRW. As a digital and always accessible medium, the platform will provide information on BIM implementation and project realization. Example documents and template files, such as client information requirements and BIM implementation plans, can be published by local authorities and thus made available to all users.