Integrated system for BIM-based collaborative design

• We develop an integrated design system for BIM-based collaborative design.
• Major problems in the conventional BIM-based building design are examined.
• Three integration concepts are implemented through the combination of three major modules.
• The proposed system can enhance design quality and productivity in an integrated manner.

For effective collaboration among construction project participants, the use of Building Information Model (BIM) has become more common throughout the building life cycle. However, due to the use of different BIM-based software among collaborators during the design, a variety of problems have occurred, including loss of data, difficulty in communication, and poor work efficiency. Hence, this study proposes an integrated design system for the improvement of BIM-based collaborative design. For this purpose, problems are derived based on an analysis of conventional BIM-based collaborative design. In addition, a concept for the development of the BIM-based integrated design system is established from integration methodologies. Based on ‘functional integration,’ ‘integrated information management’ and ‘integrated process support,’ the integrated design system is implemented through the combination of three modules: BIM Modeler, BIM Checker and BIM Server. To test the integrated design system, a case study on a hospital building design is reviewed, and improvements compared to the conventional system are examined. It appears that the proposed system can enhance design quality and productivity by providing necessary support for collaborative design in an integrated manner.