Beyond BIM: How IFC and AAS Unlock Sustainable and Intelligent Building Operations
The digital transformation of the built environment is accelerating. Building Information Modeling (BIM) alone is not enough to achieve truly smart, sustainable, and interoperable buildings due to an increase in the volume and complexity of data. In many use-cases we see today, building projects do not always adopt the right approach regarding how technology is applied, or how standards or frameworks are enforced. While BIM provides a robust digital representation of a building’s physical and functional characteristics, its true effectiveness lies in the adoption of open standards that enable seamless data exchange, interoperability, and holistic lifecycle management.
This blog aims to explore the benefits of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) by buildingSMART International (bSI) and the framework from Asset Administration Shell (AAS) by the Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA) to see if there is natural alignment between a standard and a framework to help deliver intelligent building operations. It also looks at the role BIM can play in ensuring the technology can support various use-cases proposed.
Understanding openBIM and IFC
openBIM is an approach that promotes collaborative design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure. openBIM comprises a suite of standards and services and aims to tackle interoperability by making data accessible, enduring and open. It ensures that all stakeholders, regardless of the software tools they use, can access and utilize data effectively. openBIM fosters a transparent and seamless exchange of information throughout a project or an asset's lifecycle.
openBIM also provides a flexible set of processes that can be tailored to specific project needs. This allows teams to utilize standards and services effectively without being confined to a rigid workflow. This flexibility empowers teams to choose the right task tools, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. This flexibility also ensures it can be integrated with other standards or frameworks and provides users or enthusiasts with many possibilities.
As the flagship standard for bSI, IFC has provided numerous benefits to end-users. But its full potential is realized when integrated with other standards, services, and workflows, such as the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD), IFC Validation, and Information Delivery Specification (IDS) to name a few. This is what has been termed the “openBIM workflow” and is already providing significant benefits to end users today either when they are used in isolation, or particularly when used in combination. IFC is a standard that is well known the world over and is often considered to be the major standard in the topic of BIM.
Understanding BIM and AAS
BIM is a digital modeling process that encompasses the geometry, spatial relationships, and various attributes of a building. It serves as a collaborative tool among architects, engineers, and construction professionals, facilitating informed decision-making from design through construction. BIM's 3D models provide detailed insights into building components, enabling efficient planning and execution.
In a BIM model, the location of assets is defined using a combination of geometric, spatial, and hierarchical data. These elements ensure that every asset (e.g., technical equipment, furniture, HVAC components, sensors) is precisely positioned and contextualized within the building environment.
AAS acts as a digital representation of physical assets (e.g., technical equipment, furniture, HVAC components, sensors), standardizing data exchange and ensuring seamless communication between different systems and devices. It encapsulates all relevant information about an asset, such as its properties, status, and capabilities, in a structured format. This standardization promotes interoperability and efficient asset management across various platforms.
Using the AAS for Location Integration in BIM
In smart building environments, an asset’s BIM-defined location can be linked to live operational data using the AAS. The AAS can store a reference to the BIM model's location data, allowing dynamic tracking.
Example: A smart HVAC unit’s AAS could provide real-time data while referencing its IfcBuildingStorey + IfcSpacelocation.
How Assets Are Located in BIM
| Method | Description | IFC Representation |
|---|---|---|
| 3D Coordinates | Absolute X, Y, Z position | IfcLocalPlacement, IfcCartesianPoint |
| Spatial Hierarchy | Defines which site, building, floor, and room the asset belongs to | IfcSite, IfcBuilding, IfcBuildingStorey, IfcSpace |
| Relative Positioning | Objects placed in relation to others (e.g., mounted on walls) | IfcGridPlacement, IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure |
| Georeferencing | Aligns with real-world coordinates for GIS integration | IfcSite |
| Identification & Metadata | Links assets to facility management via unique IDs | IfcPropertySet, GUID |
| Integration with AAS | Enables dynamic tracking in digital twins | AAS references BIM location |
This structured approach ensures that every asset in a BIM model can be easily located, analyzed, and managed across design, construction, and operations phases.
Benefits:
- Enhanced Interoperability: Combining BIM's detailed building models with AAS's standardized data structures ensures that information flows seamlessly between design, construction, and operational phases. This integration allows for real-time updates and consistent data across all stages of a building's lifecycle.
- Lifecycle Management: While BIM is instrumental during the design and construction phases, AAS extends its utility into the operational phase by providing a standardized framework for continuous monitoring and management of building assets. This ensures that data remains relevant and up-to-date throughout the building's lifecycle.
- Sustainability: The integration supports sustainable building operations by enabling precise monitoring of energy consumption, predictive maintenance, and efficient resource utilization. For instance, AAS can facilitate the tracking of a building's carbon footprint, aiding in the implementation of eco-friendly practices.
Real-World Application:
Consider a commercial building equipped with advanced HVAC systems. Using BIM, the building's design includes detailed specifications of the HVAC components. Once operational, the AAS provides real-time data on the performance of these systems, such as energy consumption and maintenance needs. Facility managers can access this integrated information to optimize system performance, schedule maintenance proactively, and implement energy-saving measures, thereby enhancing the building's overall efficiency and sustainability.
The synergy between BIM and AAS offers a comprehensive approach to building management, bridging the gap between digital design and physical operation. This integration not only streamlines processes but also contributes significantly to the sustainability and efficiency of modern buildings.
Exploring the idea that IFC and the AAS could play a key role in meeting some of these challenges is interesting. BIM, particularly when combined with IFC and AAS, could be pivotal in creating the digital infrastructure required for autonomous buildings. These standards ensure interoperability, transparency, and scalability, enabling buildings to sense, think, and act autonomously while meeting the needs of property owners and facilities managers. For autonomous buildings to become widespread, investment in these technologies and a commitment to open standards are essential.
Published on the 2nd of June 2025
Author: Christian Frey, Siemens