openBIM® extends the benefits of BIM (Building Information Modeling) by improving the accessibility, usability, management and sustainability of digital data in the built asset industry. At its core, openBIM is a collaborative process that is vendor-neutral. openBIM processes can be defined as sharable project information that supports seamless collaboration for all project participants. openBIM facilitates interoperability to benefit projects and assets throughout their lifecycle

openBIM ensures that:

  1. Interoperability is key to the digital transformation in the built asset industry
  2. Open and neutral standards should be developed to facilitate interoperability
  3. Reliable data exchanges depend on independent quality benchmarks
  4. Collaboration workflows are enhanced by open and agile data formats
  5. Flexibility of choice of technology creates more value to all stakeholders
  6. Sustainability is safeguarded by long-term interoperable data standards

You can read the full definition here: openBIM Definition

The International Home of openBIM

Who is responsible for determining the standards that apply to the openBIM?

buildingSMART International is known as the International Home of openBIM. buildingSMART is the worldwide organization driving the transformation of the built asset industry through creation & adoption of open, international standards. buildingSMART develops and maintains industry standards such as IFC, bSDD, and BCF. IFC is standardized by the International Standards Organization (ISO). These rules establishing a common standard allows the AECO community to benefit from a common language to export and import data. buildingSMART has been promoting the benefits of BIM for end-users as a better way of collaborating and exchanging data. With this foundation, buildingSMART is taking a leading role in the developing of extending the value of BIM by providing more open and collaborative ways of moving forward.

bSI has created some FAQs to answer any questions you may have.

Software Certification

IFC4 Reference View 1.2 Export Certification

In 2019, buildingSMART took the first steps in IFC4 software certification. The software certification program spreads the spectrum of stakeholders in the industry and provides open and neutral approval for software applications. Certification enables clients to specify the delivery of services and data without worrying about format, compatibility, or versioning of platforms used by the service providers or the client internally.

IFC4 Certification has been split into two more specific view definitions to better support the purpose of IFC data exchange. Design Transfer View aims to support the transfer of model data to be used for further design, analysis, estimating and facility management tasks. This can be understood as a CV2.0 with some extended range. Reference View aims to support the coordination of the planning disciplines; architecture, structural analysis and building services, especially to support clash detection and resolution of issues resulting from geometry.

To register for IFC4, you can visit this site.

openBIM Blogs

International Awards Program 2019

Find out who won an openBIM award.

The buildingSMART International Awards program concluded at the International Standards Summit in Beijing, China in October 2019. There were 5 category award winners and a variety of special distinctions and honourable mention. The finalists produced an infographic and all finalists produced a short promotional video. Find out how openBIM was used on these various projects

Awards 2

openBIM Content Library

Dag-Falk-Petersen-ONS

Dag Falk-Petersen

CEO, Avinor Airport

"Oslo Airport is now more spacious, more efficient and more comfortable for the passengers. The expansion project was delivered on time and under budget by the design team".