Digital buildings – Challenges and opportunities

This paper considers the wider implications of digital buildings (as currently exemplified by building information models) becoming the norm within the building construction sector. Current deployment is reviewed and the growing opportunity to better address previously identified problems (both process and structural) within the construction industry is considered. Taking a 20 year perspective, the challenges and the opportunities that digital buildings will present to the construction industry – and to its IT suppliers – are explored against the context of needing to deliver greater value while also addressing sustainability, zero carbon and enhanced resilience objectives.