The 10 Most Noteworthy BIM News and Developments of 2024

2024 has been an exciting year for BIM. Technological advancements have led to flagship projects, and the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) sector continues to undergo transformation thanks to the adoption of this methodology.

Here’s a summary of the ten most relevant news stories and developments that set trends this year.

Digital Twins and the New Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

The new Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Spain has been one of the star projects of the year, combining digital twins with BIM technology. This innovation allowed real-time monitoring of all project phases, from the initial renovation to the operational management of the stadium. It’s estimated that the use of digital twins helped reduce operational costs by 20% and improved the stadium’s energy efficiency by 15%.

You can see it at https://gemelo.madrid.es/es/evd-santiago-bernabeu.

BIM in the Floating City of Dogen City

Japan surprised the world with progress on Dogen City, a floating city designed with sustainability and smart construction principles. Thanks to BIM, developers were able to plan every detail of this innovative project, optimizing resources and minimizing environmental impact. The project aims to house 40,000 people and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 30% compared to conventional cities.

The full project is here: https://www.n-ark.jp/en/dogen-city.

Cloud-Based BIM Expansion

Collaboration on construction projects continues to reach new heights with cloud-based BIM platforms. Companies like Autodesk Construction Cloud led the implementation of solutions allowing teams to work in real-time from anywhere in the world. In 2024, more than 60% of large projects adopted this technology, reducing errors by 25% and accelerating delivery times by an average of 18%.

Advances in Extended Reality (XR)

2024 saw a boom in the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) integrated with BIM. These technologies change the way projects are visualized, enabling the identification of issues before physical construction begins and enhancing the client experience. It’s estimated that 45% of architecture and construction firms that have adopted BIM already used XR for project presentations this year.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in BIM Designs

This year, AI tools integrated with BIM allowed for optimized architectural designs, sustainability data analysis, and unprecedented accuracy in cost and schedule predictions. For example, the use of AI helped reduce design costs by 15% and accelerated decision-making by 30%. Building Smart has been discussing this: https://www.buildingsmart.org/artificial-intelligence-in-bim-and-renovation/.

BIM and Modular Prefabrication

BIM-assisted prefabrication continues to gain traction, especially in housing and industrial construction projects. This approach has significantly reduced construction times and increased precision in component assembly, driving us toward more sustainable practices. In 2024, the use of prefabrication in BIM projects increased by 40% compared to the previous year.

Government Mandates on BIM

In 2024, the mandatory use of BIM continues to gain momentum in countries like the UK and Australia, with government mandates requiring its adoption in public projects. In the UK, 90% of public sector projects now comply with the Level 2 BIM requirements, which aim to standardize data management throughout the project lifecycle. This mandate (which officially began in 2016) has led to improved collaboration between stakeholders and significant cost reductions, with estimates pointing to savings of 20% in some cases.

BIM for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Using BIM to assess environmental impact and optimize energy performance has become a priority. Specific tools such as thermal analysis simulations and life cycle assessments are helping achieve global climate goals. This year, 35% of large BIM-driven projects used these tools to achieve sustainability certifications like LEED or BREEAM. They align with initiatives like the UK Road Map: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-infrastructure-performance-roadmap-to-2030/transforming-infrastructure-performance-roadmap-to-2030.

4D and 5D Technology for Project Planning

The adoption of BIM 4D (time) and 5D (cost) has transformed project management. These capabilities allow teams to plan detailed schedules and control budgets with greater accuracy. Companies that implemented BIM 5D in 2024 reported a 12% reduction in budget deviations and a 95% compliance rate with schedules.

3D Printing for BIM Models

Finally, it’s worth noting the integration of 3D printing with BIM in the creation of prototypes and construction components. This advancement not only speeds up processes but also allows for more customized and sustainable solutions for complex projects. In 2024, 3D printing was used in 25% of industrial projects with BIM, improving precision by 20%.

This year has proven to be a period of continuous innovation and progress in the BIM world. From the use of emerging technologies like extended reality and artificial intelligence to sustainable projects and government regulations, it’s clear that BIM is continuing to lead the digital transformation in the AEC sector.

With these trends and developments, the future promises to remain exciting for those who embrace this methodology.

We’ll continue with more innovations and highlights in 2025!