DESIGN WORKING GROUP MEETING 13-05-2026

The meeting focused on innovation in BIM, digital twins, IFC interoperability, and facilities management workflows, with a major presentation from Pierre Saunal of SnapTwin regarding AI-driven point-cloud-to-IFC automation. The session also evolved into a detailed technical discussion on IFC standards, taxonomy, asset management data, and real-world adoption challenges in BIM workflows.

Main Presentation – SnapTwin AI Technology

Pierre presented SnapTwin, an AI-based solution designed to automatically generate IFC files and usable building data from point clouds. The platform aims to accelerate retrofit, refurbishment, and asset-management workflows by reducing the time required to create digital models from surveys.

Key Features Demonstrated

  • Automatic conversion of point clouds into:
    • IFC spaces
    • floor plans
    • walls and geometry
    • metadata-rich room structures
  • Interoperability with:
  • Processing speed:
    • IFC space generation in ~3 minutes
    • Feasibility workflows completed in under 10 minutes
  • Focus on “scan-to-data” rather than simply “scan-to-BIM.”

Pierre emphasized that the platform’s philosophy is built around:

  • interoperability,
  • speed,
  • circular economy principles,
  • and simplifying adoption of AI within construction workflows.

Discussion Around IFC and Taxonomy

A major portion of the meeting explored the complexity of IFC standards and data management.

Key Points Raised

  • Franco Pittoni stressed the importance of:
    • common language,
    • taxonomy,
    • and standardized data classification.
  • George Stevenson clarified that IFC is not a single universal format:
    • there are multiple IFC model view definitions,
    • each created for different purposes such as coordination, design, or facilities management.
  • The discussion referenced several standards and classifications including:
    • IFC 2x3
    • COBie
    • UniClass
    • OmniClass
    • NRM
    • ETIM
    • SFG20.

Facilities Management & BIM Adoption Challenges

A large debate emerged around why IFC and BIM deliverables are often not effectively used in facilities management after project handover.

Key Challenges Identified

  • FM teams frequently do not maintain or update IFC models after delivery.
  • Information required for operations is often:
    • incomplete,
    • inconsistent,
    • or not structured for FM workflows.
  • “As-built” information remains a major industry challenge:
    • who owns it,
    • who updates it,
    • and who pays for maintaining it.

George Stevenson highlighted that despite thousands of IFC handovers across UK projects, there is limited evidence that FM teams actively use those models years later. Participants suggested this may result from:

  • lack of operational workflows,
  • insufficient asset data,
  • inconsistent standards,
  • and difficulty maintaining live models post-construction.

Overall Outcome

The session became a highly technical but valuable discussion on:

  • the future of AI in BIM,
  • digital twins,
  • interoperability,
  • and the real-world gap between BIM delivery and operational asset management.

Participants agreed that:

  • automation tools like SnapTwin show major promise,
  • IFC interoperability is critical,
  • but the industry still lacks consistent standards, workflows, and long-term FM adoption strategies.