[BIM EXPLAINED VIDEO] What Is Open BIM?

January 6, 2022

Matt Sewick

What Is Open BIM?

OpenBIM is a format of building information modeling (BIM) that uses open standards, providing several key benefits:

First, every project member is able to use the best tools for their particular workflow without being locked into one vendor
Second, any stakeholder can access the BIM model without interfering with the native design
Third, all the disparate systems being used on a BIM project can communicate with each other

At the heart of OpenBIM is a standardardized communication protocol based on Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). With this open framework, data travels easily between technologies. This allows AEC professionals to use the technology of their choice without the limitations of propietary data. This leads to benefits that include: Cost control, improved productivity, as well as reducing waste, as the project has more efficient hand-offs and fewer communication errors or data gaps.