Morgane Lebre

This study investigates the integration of Building Information Models (BIMs) and Virtual Tour (VT) environments in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, focusing on Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM), Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMSs), and data Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). The interconnected nature of tasks throughout a building’s life cycle increasingly demands a seamless integration of real-time monitoring, 3D models, and building data technologies. While there are numerous examples of effective links between IoT and BIMs, as well as IoT and VTs, a research gap exists concerning VT-BIM integration. This article presents a technical solution that connects BIMs and IoT data using VTs to enhance workflow efficiency and information transfer. The VT is developed upon a pilot based on the Controlled Environments for Living Lab Studies (CELLS), a unique facility designed for flexible monitoring and remote-control processes that incorporate BIMs and IoT technologies. The findings offer valuable insights into the potential of VTs to complement and connect to BIMs from a life-cycle perspective, improving the usability of digital twins for beginner users and contributing to the advancement of the AEC and CAFM industries. Our technical solution helps complete the connectivity of BIMs-VT-IoT, providing an intuitive interface (VT) for rapid data visualisation and access to dashboards, models and building databases. The practical field of application is facility management, enhancing monitoring and asset management tasks. This includes (a) sensor data monitoring, (b) remote control of connected equipment, and (c) centralised access to asset-space information bridging BIM and visual (photographic/video) data.

This study explores the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Virtual Tours in the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, focusing on Facility Management (FM) and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). The research addresses the need for different levels of detail in BIMs across various building phases and the potential of Virtual Tours as a complement to BIMs in IoT-based FM. The study’s methodology includes a literature review, a pilot-demonstrator case study, installation of monitoring and IoT control devices, execution of BIMs and Virtual Tour models, and development of links between system elements. The case study is based on the Controlled Environments for Living Lab Studies (CELLS), a unique facility designed for flexible monitoring and remote-control processes. The findings of this research could provide valuable insights into the potential of Virtual Tours to complement and connect to BIMs within a life cycle perspective, enhancing the usability of digital twins for nontrained users and contributing to the evolution of the AEC industry.