Context
Building Information Modelling (BIM) has significantly improved the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector by reducing costs and increasing productivity through streamlined access to essential data such as quantities, dimensions, specifications, and documentation. This improved information flow enhances reliability and supports collaborative project management.
Simultaneously, advancements in technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), along with the introduction of accessible, construction-ready hardware, have driven the development of new tools that expand the potential of BIM beyond the office. However, despite its advantages, AR adoption on construction sites remains limited due to challenges such as steep learning curves and the need for specialised training — often an obstacle for field teams with varying levels of digital literacy.
One of the core challenges in construction management continues to be the alignment between on-site execution and the project’s BIM model — both in terms of design and schedule. Traditional monitoring and reporting methods tend to be manual, disconnected, and time-consuming. The complexity of BIM software further limits its use among field professionals, creating a disconnect between digital planning and physical implementation. This highlights the need for intuitive tools that enable direct, real-time interaction with the BIM model on-site.
Solution
To address this gap, BUILT CoLAB developed BIMonitor, an augmented reality application that brings the BIM model directly to the construction site through AR, using Head-Monted Displays like Microsoft HoloLens 2. This device enables the precise overlay of federated BIM models onto the physical environment, using Spatial Anchors to generate a robust spatial mesh that keeps the model fixed and stable, even in the dynamic conditions of active construction sites.
Beyond the AR application itself, BIMonitor includes a BIM data management plugin for Autodesk Revit, which acts as a central coordination hub. This plugin allows users to create and manage projects, upload and structure BIM models, and synchronize data between design teams and field applications. It also supports the integration of construction schedules from Navisworks, enabling a two-way workflow where information gathered on site can feed back into the digital model and scheduling tools – ensuring that users both in the office and site can interact with the most up-to-date project information in a practical and coordinated manner.
A key feature of the system is its usability: BIMonitor was designed to be intuitive for construction professionals without prior BIM or AR experience. Users can easily navigate the model, access discipline-specific information, and flag issues or complete tasks without the need for complex interfaces. Thanks to cloud synchronisation, updates and annotations made on site are instantly shared with the office, improving data traceability and enabling quicker, better-informed decisions.
Application in Practice
The capabilities of BIMonitor were demonstrated in a pilot implementation in collaboration with Gabriel Couto, where the tool was tested in real construction conditions. On-site workers were able to overlay models, verify construction progress, mark elements as complete, and flag deviations on the spot – all in real time and linked to the corresponding BIM model. This immediate interaction with the model helped prevent errors early and ensured that deviations from the design were documented and addressed without delay.
The AR interface offered a clear and immediate visual understanding of the project’s current status, improving communication and reducing the time typically required to generate conventional reports. Comments and issue logs recorded through BIMonitor were automatically linked to the associated model elements, preserving context and ensuring that design teams received precise, actionable feedback.
The tool’s filtering and navigation features proved especially valuable in multi-disciplinary contexts, enabling users to isolate models by discipline or task and focus on relevant elements during walkthroughs, inspections, or coordination meetings. Crucially, the simplicity of the interface helped broaden user engagement across the site, reducing dependency on technical specialists and reinforcing a collaborative approach to BIM.
Conclusion
The successful deployment of BIMonitor highlights the potential of integrating AR with BIM to improve the quality and responsiveness of construction management. By bridging the gap between digital design and physical execution, the solution not only streamlines workflows but also fosters a more collaborative, data-driven, and digitally mature culture on construction sites, with improved data consistency and decision-making.
As the AEC sector continues to advance its digital transformation, BIMonitor exemplifies the importance of creating smart, accessible, and integrated tools that empower all stakeholders – from designers and managers to field operatives – to work in a more informed and integrated way, at every stage of the construction process.
