How to get engaged and raise the awareness across Europe on the BIM technology

BIM4Ren project aims to raise the awareness of institutions and stakeholders on the need to accelerate the digital transition in the building construction and management processes. 

The ultimate goals are the promotion of a systemic approach to the project with the involvement of all stakeholders, and the accelerations of the rate of energy efficient renovations in Europe and in the Member States typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Despite the growing sensitivity and the introduction of BIM based tools, much remains to be done, especially in the existing buildings renovation sector. SMEs, on one hand, are struggling to survive in a non-innovative environment, favoring low-cost interventions but, on the other hand, they should invest in tools and technical training that are perceived as costly.

According to this, Adriano Castagnone, President of ASSOBIM and BIM4Ren Ambassador, stated: “The ecological transition and the development of a green society are challenges where the construction sector plays a fundamental role. BIM methodology is a key element for the integration of sustainability requirements in projects and can be a model for the optimization of processes and achievement of the environmental and energy goals”.

For these reasons, an Open Letter has been written to the European Commission, national governments and to all the bodies involved in the policies of existing building renovation. The document shares a high-level message: «We are ready and willing to work with the European and national institutions that we invite to participate in the conversation #bim4renovation». 

All the actors of the construction value chain must be made aware of these opportunities and persuaded to do their part because, for complex problems, systemic solutions and integrated approaches always represent the best way forward. 

Therefore, a coalition of construction, energy efficiency, and research and innovation stakeholders across Europe participating in the BIM4REN project have come together to call on the European Commission and the national institutions to implement transformative policies that can boost the digitalization in renovation projects. This coalition consists of 23 project partners spread across 10 countries, including research organisations and universities, associations representing the construction value chain, and consulting and construction companies, and 3 ambassadors that represents the construction and real estate sectors value chain.

The message will be spread in conferences and events in various countries to raise the widest awareness on the digitalization in the buildings’ renovation process and to:

• Act according to the crucial importance of building renovations in delivering a climate neutral Europe.
• Recognize the potential of BIM tools and methods in the transformation and renovation of the building stock.
• Ensure that the review of key legislative files, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), support the use of digital tools during the entire life cycle of a building and the introduction of instruments such as the Digital Building Logbook by ensuring those tools are affordable and accessible to construction companies of all sizes. 
• Work with the committed network of BIM4REN stakeholders to develop and deliver these transformative policies.

Fernando Sigchos, EBC Secretary General stated “There is no longer any doubt today that the evolution of the European construction sector will take place through a joint transition towards greater digitalization, provided that it embraces the entire construction value chain, coupled with improved environmental performance. To achieve this, it is essential that digital innovation is driven by the real needs of the main players in the European construction industry, its micro, small and medium-sized builders, but also by the reality of the market, namely the vital need to improve the energy performance of buildings, especially residential buildings”.

Work together to deliver policies that accelerate the renovation of the building stock through the implementation of digital solutions such as BIM4REN tools is something that national and European governments cannot postpone anymore.