Submit to Buildings Review for Buildings Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

BIM Uptake and Adoption: New Perspectives

Print Special Issue Flyer
Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2026) | Viewed by 13471

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Prof. Dr. Jason Underwood

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
Interests: product and building information modelling; digital built environments and transformation; collaborative working and behaviours; digital twins/twinning; engineering better social outcomes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Ümit Işikdağ

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Informatics, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Istanbul 34427, Turkey
Interests: BIM; 3D GIS; internet of things; machine learning; deep learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Alan Hore

E-Mail
Guest Editor

Retired Head of Quantity Surveying, Technological University Dublin, D07 EWV4 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: BIM; quantity surveying

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has emerged as a buzz-word that defines both an information sharing approach and an information management strategy for the design, construction, and operations of complex built asset projects. BIM has evolved to encompass most modern and innovative information management approaches, software development, and implementation efforts, and has been viewed as an enabler and facilitator of projects on the integrated management and delivery of built assets, as it supports modern project delivery approaches and provides a foundation for driving digital transformation towards a value- and data-driven culture. The uptake of technologies and information management methodologies introduced through BIM has not been seamless or easy for the industry. For many years, both academia and industry have worked to establish methods that would result in the most beneficial and effective outcomes while implementing a successful information management strategy, as introduced by BIM. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide up-to-date research results regarding the use, uptake, and adoption of BIM in different fields and for different processes in the construction and wider built environment sectors.

Prof. Dr. Jason Underwood
Prof. Dr. Ümit Işikdağ
Dr. Alan Hore
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

BIM
life-cycle
collaboration
adoption
circular economy
point cloud
energy analysis
project management

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

38 pages, 4652 KB

Open AccessArticle

Adapting Professional Competencies to BIM-Supported Design Studio

by Dursun Furkan Çapkın and Togan Tong

Buildings 2026, 16(13), 2670; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16132670 - 6 Jul 2026

Viewed by 386

Abstract

In the current Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) sector, the demand for a skilled workforce capable of responding to rapidly changing needs is increasing. However, academic programs are struggling to keep up with this transformation. The integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools into design studios and the objective evaluation of the pedagogical outcomes of this process are not yet fully clear. This study develops a pedagogical evaluation framework to integrate professional BIM competencies into architectural design studio curricula. This framework aims to measure student competency development and guide the restructuring of academic programs for BIM-supported education. A mixed methodology was adopted in the research; utilizing a combination of purposive and convenience sampling techniques, the studio performances, submission processes, and survey data of 409 students studying in architecture and interior architecture departments over a four-year period were analyzed longitudinally using the developed measurement-evaluation model. The proposed framework serves to pedagogically grade students’ in-studio performance and to measure acquired competencies with structured criteria. The qualitative data obtained from the surveys were analyzed through thematic and content analysis. The research revealed that students possessed limited technical skills in BIM projects and experienced deficiencies in collaboration and data management. Furthermore, it determined that instructors’ lack of knowledge regarding integrating BIM into the curriculum negatively impacted students’ learning processes. This study recommended enhancing teacher training for BIM-supported education, improving collaboration and coordination skills, and aligning the curriculum with professional requirements. The findings provide a framework that not only better prepares students for professional life but also helps bridge the gap between education and industry. Through this framework, students’ competencies can be measured at the pedagogical level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BIM Uptake and Adoption: New Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

36 pages, 3130 KB

Open AccessArticle

BIM Adoption Among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Construction Industry: A Socio-Technical Reading of Market Fragmentation, Organizational Constraint, and Incremental Digital Transformation, with Insights from the Portuguese Context

by Tayeb Zatla, Susana Rosado and Francisco Oliveira

Buildings 2026, 16(13), 2649; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16132649 - 3 Jul 2026

Viewed by 402

Abstract

This paper examines how Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry approach Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption in a context marked by slow uptake and market fragmentation, with reflections on the Portuguese context. BIM is internationally recognized as a technology that can improve project coordination, productivity, and information management, but its level and patterns of use vary widely. Based on a structured exploratory literature review and an interpretive scoring framework, this paper identifies challenges and enabling factors associated with BIM adoption in SMEs. The findings suggest that BIM adoption should not be understood as a simple technological change; rather, it can be interpreted as a complex socio-technical process shaped by interdependence among technical, financial, organizational, and human dimensions. This study conceptualizes fragmentation in the construction industry as a reinforcing condition that may amplify barriers and help explain why many implementation approaches have limited effectiveness. Given this context, SME progression may require incremental, context-adapted approaches based on collaboration, information management, and capacity-building initiatives. This article contributes an exploratory conceptual framework for understanding BIM adoption in economically constrained and difficult-to-transform environments. It provides a basis for future empirical studies and SME-oriented strategies, including potential applications within the Portuguese construction sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BIM Uptake and Adoption: New Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 2160 KB

Open AccessArticle

Status of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in a Developing Economy: A Case Study of Malawi

by Jephitar Chagunda, Innocent Kafodya and Witness Kuotcha

Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1431; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071431 - 3 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1000

Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has changed the landscape of the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry in recent decades. However, BIM is not well researched in most developing countries; in particular, few studies have addressed its adoption in Malawi. A non-probability, purposive sampling approach was adopted. A total of 143 questionnaires were completed. This research reveals that, while construction experts are aware of BIM, the level of uptake remains quite low. Architects in Malawi are the most knowledgeable, followed by land surveyors and then engineers. This research shows that most experts in Malawi are at level 1 of BIM usage, which is the first stage of BIM adoption and is characterized by the use of 3D models and output representation. Furthermore, the study results have shown that the Malawian AEC sector is currently succeeding at the modelling stage of maturity but is stalled by lack of collaborative frameworks, such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Therefore, unless the industry shifts toward a unified Common Data Environment (CDE), advanced capabilities like clash detection will remain underutilized and disconnected from broader project success metrics. Statistical analysis has shown that the correlation analysis demonstrates a strong link (r = 0.75) between Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and high BIM maturity, whereas traditional Design-Bid-Build methods show a critical misalignment with digital workflows. The study identifies high software costs and a lack of national standards as the primary barriers to adoption. Therefore, there is a need for robust sensitization to the benefits of BIM and training to improve its uptake in the context of Malawi’s construction industry. In order to advance Malawi’s BIM maturity, the research recommends a strategic shift toward integrated procurement models, the establishment of national BIM mandates, and the modernization of technical education to bridge the existing knowledge gap. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BIM Uptake and Adoption: New Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 3631 KB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing Perceived Ease of Use and Usefulness of BIM Tools

by Ümit Işıkdağ, Yaren Aydın, Gebrail Bekdaş and Jason Underwood

Buildings 2026, 16(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010106 - 25 Dec 2025

Viewed by 811

Abstract

BIM Adoption in firms and projects requires considerable changes in design and construction processes. There has been ongoing research on exploring the drivers and barriers to BIM adoption. BIM Tools can be defined as all software tools and applications that can input information into/acquire information from semantically rich digital 3D building models, also known as Building Information Models (BIM). The aim of this study was to identify the impact of demographic, social, education-related, previous training-related, and profession-related factors on the perception of the ease of use and usefulness of BIM Tools for students and early career professionals. The main question of the research was defined as follows: “What factors influence the perception of the ease of use and usefulness of BIM tools for students and early career professionals?” The study involved a questionnaire survey with 227 participants to measure the impact of eleven different factors on the perception of the ease of use and usefulness of these tools. The findings suggest that both the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of BIM Tools are mostly stable and not substantially affected by most of the external factors. Among the factors that can influence the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, Participation in a BIM Certification Training Program appeared to be the factor with the strongest influence, as it had a significant influence on both dimensions. Factors with weaker influence included Age Group, Gender, Being a Student or Not, Computing Habits, and Gaming Habits. The other five factors investigated appeared to have no influence on either dimension. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BIM Uptake and Adoption: New Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 995 KB

Open AccessArticle

Building Information Modelling (BIM) Acceptance and Learning Experiences in Undergraduate Construction Education: A Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Perspective—An Australian Case Study

by Alireza Ahankoob, Behzad Abbasnejad and Guillermo Aranda-Mena

Buildings 2025, 15(11), 1804; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15111804 - 24 May 2025

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5632

Abstract

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is experiencing significant digital transformation, creating a critical need to understand how future professionals perceive and accept emerging technologies. This study applies the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate undergraduate construction students’ perceptions of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and examines how these factors influence their views on BIM applications. Using an exploratory mixed-methods approach, we analysed 773 responses from students at an Australian university across AEC disciplines, with 607 providing substantive qualitative feedback. Qualitative thematic analysis provided rich contextual understanding of student perspectives, while quantitative analysis revealed pattern frequencies across disciplines. Findings showed that perceived usefulness (PU) (37.7%) and attitude toward using (ATU) (68.4%) dominated student responses, while perceived ease of use (PEOU) (6.9%) received less attention. Productivity benefits (15.3%) and increased accuracy (7.9%) emerged as primary usefulness drivers. Disciplinary differences were significant, with Civil Engineering students emphasising design validation aspects and Construction Management students focusing on project delivery benefits of BIM. Notably, students exhibited sophisticated ambivalence, recognising BIM’s professional value while expressing concerns regarding the steep learning curve, especially when its adoption is coupled with the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. This study contributes to the existing knowledge by: (1) documenting the current state of student perceptions in BIM education; and (2) revealing the complex interplay between technological enthusiasm and socio-professional concerns across both educational and industry settings. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for developing BIM curricula that address both socio-technical competencies and student perceptions, helping bridge the gap between educational outcomes and students’ understanding of industry requirements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BIM Uptake and Adoption: New Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 28774 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quality Evaluation of Sizeable Surveying-Industry-Produced Terrestrial Laser Scanning Point Clouds That Facilitate Building Information Modeling—A Case Study of Seven Point Clouds

by Sander Varbla, Raido Puust and Artu Ellmann

Buildings 2024, 14(11), 3371; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113371 - 24 Oct 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3365

Abstract

Terrestrial laser scanning can provide high-quality, detailed point clouds, with state-of-the-art research reporting the potential for sub-centimeter accuracy. However, state-of-the-art research may not represent real-world practices reliably. This study aims to deliver a different perspective through collaboration with the surveying industry, where time constraints and productivity requirements limit the effort which can go to ensuring point cloud quality. Seven sizeable buildings’ point clouds (490 to 1392 scanning stations) are evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative evaluations based on independent total station control surveys indicate that sub-centimeter accuracy is achievable for smaller point cloud portions (e.g., a single building story) but caution against such optimism for sizable point clouds of large, multi-story buildings. The control surveys reveal common registration errors around the 5 cm range, resulting from complex surface geometries, as in stairways. Potentially hidden from visual inspection, such systematic errors can cause misalignments between point cloud portions in the compound point cloud structure, which could be detrimental to further applications of the point clouds. The study also evaluates point cloud georeferencing, affirming the resection method’s capability of providing high consistency and an accuracy of a few centimeters. Following the study’s findings, practical recommendations for terrestrial laser scanning surveys and data processing are formulated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue BIM Uptake and Adoption: New Perspectives)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

BIM Uptake and Adoption: New Perspectives

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI