The BUILT CoLAB team is currently involved in four working groups organised by buildingSMART Portugal, contributing to the development of standards, content and resources designed to support the consistent adoption of BIM and BIM-LCA methodologies within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) sector.
This involvement forms part of BUILT CoLAB’s strategy to promote the digital and sustainable transformation of the construction sector through collaboration with national and international organisations, the sharing of knowledge and the development of solutions in line with the principles of openBIM, such as buildingSMART Portugal.
BIM Skills Framework Working Group
The aim of this initiative is to develop a national taxonomy for defining professional profiles, areas of knowledge and standard teaching modules applicable to the AECO sector. The project seeks to ensure alignment with international and European standards, whilst integrating these with existing national frameworks.
This ‘framework’ aims to contribute to the harmonisation of practices, support the professional development of practitioners and facilitate the consistent adoption of BIM methodology in Portugal. It was developed in partnership with the Technical Committee for BIM Standardisation — CT 197 – BIM — and is coordinated by Miguel Azenha (UMinho).
EIR III Working Group — Information exchange requirements for construction
This group is dedicated to drawing up Information Exchange Requirements (EIR) specific to the construction phase, with a view to creating a framework that supports the clear definition of the information to be produced, exchanged and delivered throughout this stage of the project lifecycle.
The initiative builds on the work carried out by buildingSMART Portugal in developing guidelines for the procurement and implementation of BIM at different stages and in different contexts of design and construction, under the coordination of Miguel Azenha (UMinho).
Working Group on Data Models for Construction Products
This working group aims to develop standardised product data templates (PDTs) for construction products, promoting a common framework for the organisation and exchange of information.
The provision of structured and consistent information on products makes an important contribution to their use in BIM and openBIM processes, facilitating interoperability and data integration throughout the life cycle of construction projects. Miguel Azenha (UMinho) is responsible for coordinating this work.
Sustainability Working Group
The aim of this working group is to promote the integration of the principles of sustainability, circularity and environmental performance into OpenBIM processes, by exploring the links between digital information, sustainability indicators and the assessment of buildings’ performance throughout their life cycle.
This work is of great significance for the implementation of the new directive on the environmental performance of buildings, which calls for zero-emission buildings (ZEB) from 2028 for public buildings and from 2030 for private buildings, under the coordination of Vanessa Tavares (BUILT CoLAB) and Ricardo Resende (ISCTE).
BUILT CoLAB’s participation in these working groups reinforces the organisation’s commitment to the development of applied knowledge and relevant frameworks for the AECO sector.
The collaboration with buildingSMART Portugal and CT 197 – BIM enables BUILT CoLAB to continue contributing to initiatives focused on standardisation, professional qualifications, the improvement of information exchange processes and the dissemination of good BIM practices. Furthermore, the sustainability group contributes technical knowledge and expertise in the areas of LCA, circularity, BIM-LCA, the European Taxonomy and decarbonisation, fostering the link between BIM processes and current requirements and methodologies for assessing the environmental performance of buildings.
The work carried out in this area lays the foundations for the adoption of more consistent, interoperable and collaborative digital processes, enabling BUILT CoLAB to continue contributing to the digital and sustainable transformation of the construction sector in Portugal.
