buildingSMART International Chapter Leader Profile
First name: Maria
Last name: Benitez Balseiro
Chapter: Spain
Role in the Chapter: Chairperson
Where are you based? Madrid, Spain
When was your first interaction or involvement with buildingSMART? I entered the association 4 years ago, however, since 2012, when Spanish chapter was created, I have been overseeing, and following the Spain chapters works.
Tell us a little about your work history/professional journey, and how it led you to buildingSMART.
My journey with BIM began almost by chance in 2009, during a phase of exploration as an architect. At first, it was mostly theoretical - I was intrigued by the potential of this new approach to improve coordination and reduce inefficiencies I had already experienced in traditional workflows.
As I started applying BIM in real projects, theory turned into practice. I worked across infrastructure and building sectors, gradually shifting from modeling tools to a deeper understanding of processes and collaboration. Along the way, I realized that true transformation isn’t just about software - it’s about people, standards, and a shared way of working.
That realization led me to buildingSMART. I joined the community years before becoming Director of Digitalization, driven by a desire to understand and contribute to the frameworks that make BIM scalable and meaningful. Since then, buildingSMART has been a key reference point - not only for technical guidance, but for connecting with others who believe in a more open and collaborative built environment.
Now, as I lead digital transformation in my organization, I continue to build on that foundation - bringing together strategic vision, practical experience, and a commitment to openness that I first discovered through buildingSMART.
What do you like the most about the work you do within your Chapter?
What I value the most is the community - the generosity, openness, and genuine commitment of its members. When I first got involved, I was still finding my footing in the world of BIM, and the Spanish Chapter was a key source of support and inspiration. I’ve learned a lot just by listening and collaborating with others.
Over time, I’ve taken on more responsibility, including two years as treasurer and contributing to some of the Chapter’s outreach publications. Even though I’ve only recently stepped into a more active role again, I still feel the same spirit of shared purpose that drew me in from the beginning.
Now it’s my turn to give back - to support others just as I was supported. That sense of collective growth is what makes being part of the Chapter so meaningful to me.
What would you say are the biggest successes or milestones to date within your Chapter?
The Spanish Chapter has made remarkable progress in three main areas that reflect both its technical leadership and its collaborative spirit.
First, its consistent efforts in knowledge dissemination. Through initiatives like the openBIM Tour and other outreach activities buildingSMART Spain have helped raise awareness and understanding of open standards among professionals across disciplines and regions, since we are also lighthouse for other Spanish speaking countries.
Second, the Chapter has developed a growing collection of tools and supporting documents, including templates, guidelines, and recently, a tool to help generate a MIDP (Master Information Delivery Plan), or one for naming files as per buildingSMART Spain naming guide. These resources are designed to make implementation of openBIM principles more accessible and aligned with the ISO 19650 series, adapted to the Spanish context.
Third, the Chapter plays an active role in institutional and technical committees, such as the national BIM Commission for Public Procurement or in standardization bodies like AENOR. Its participation helps ensure that practical, real-world experience informs the development of policies and standards at both national and international levels.
Together, these initiatives reflect not only technical progress but also the strength of a community committed to collaboration, openness, and practical support for the digital transformation of the built environment, as well as public engagement.
What does openBIM mean to you personally?
To me, openBIM represents freedom of choice and a more balanced way of working. It doesn’t force professionals or organizations to commit to a specific software, which is especially important when needs and resources vary so widely across the industry.
Instead, it focuses on enabling collaboration through shared standards - making it possible for different tools and teams to work together seamlessly. That flexibility is not only practical, but essential for building efficient, scalable, and future-proof digital processes.
What overriding challenge(s) do you see the community facing today?
One of the biggest challenges we face today is bridging the gap between theory and practice. While standards and guidelines are evolving fast, their real-world adoption often lags behind - not because of technical limitations, but due to lack of time, resources, or shared understanding.
Another key challenge is ensuring consistency across projects and organizations. Even when teams are motivated, differences in interpretation and implementation can limit the benefits of openBIM. We need more practical guidance, aligned training, and shared examples that help turn principles into repeatable, scalable workflows.
Finally, there’s a cultural challenge: moving from individual efforts to a truly collaborative mindset. Technology is important, but the real transformation happens when we align expectations, responsibilities, and ways of working across all stakeholders.
What challenge(s) do you encounter within your Chapter?
Within our Chapter, one of the main challenges is turning all the goodwill and expertise into broader and more consistent engagement. We have a strong and generous core community, but we still need to grow - not only in the number of members, but also in diversity of profiles and active participation.
As in the wider openBIM community, we also face the challenge of translating theory into practical application. We’re producing valuable documents and tools, but ensuring that they are widely adopted and used in real projects requires continued outreach, education, and alignment across stakeholders.
In short, the Chapter has a solid foundation - committed people, valuable content, and a clear mission - but we need to keep building momentum to expand the network and help more professionals turn shared standards into shared practice.
What do you see as the main opportunities for your market?
One of the main opportunities in our market is the increasing connection between public sector digitalization and openBIM. As BIM is gradually becoming mandatory in public tenders - especially in infrastructure - we have a great chance to introduce open standards from the beginning and promote more consistent and efficient ways of working.
This is further supported by European digitalization funds, which are driving investment in innovation, process improvement, and capacity building. These programs open up real possibilities for both the public and private sectors to accelerate their transformation and adopt interoperable solutions.
Another key opportunity lies in training and professional development, especially for small and mid-sized firms and public entities. As awareness grows, so does the demand for clear, structured guidance - an area where buildingSMART and its ecosystem can play a crucial role.
Finally, there's a broader opportunity in terms of language and cultural reach. With shared language and professional practices, we are well positioned to connect with and support the wider Spanish-speaking market - not just in Spain, but across Latin America. That gives
us the potential to scale impact, share knowledge, and strengthen the openBIM community across borders.
With digitalization becoming more prevalent, how is your Chapter addressing the challenges and opportunities it brings?
At buildingSMART Spain, we approach digitalization as an ongoing process that requires both strategic vision and practical tools. That’s why we define medium-term initiatives based on feedback and consultations with our members - ensuring we stay close to the real needs of professionals and organizations.
We prioritize those actions that are most aligned with the mission and values of the Chapter, especially those that promote open standards, improve implementation of BIM in the public and private sectors, and support professional development.
Whether it’s through the creation of practical resources, participation in technical committees, or engagement with public institutions, our goal is to help the sector respond to digitalization in a structured, collaborative, and effective way.
What are your visions and/or aspirations for the future, both for your Chapter and for buildingSMART internationally?
My aspiration for the Spanish Chapter is to keep growing as a trusted space for collaboration, where professionals from different backgrounds feel supported, find practical resources, and contribute to shaping a more efficient and open way of working. I hope we can reach more people - especially in the public sector and among younger professionals - and continue turning ideas into usable tools and meaningful change.
At an international level, I believe buildingSMART has the potential to become a true global reference for applied digital transformation in the built environment - not just through standards, but through real, collaborative impact. I’d like to see stronger connections between chapters, more shared resources in different languages, and a greater presence in emerging markets, including the wider Spanish-speaking community.
In both spaces, my vision is the same: less friction, more clarity, and a stronger, more open community ready to lead the change together.
Updated in July 2025