Refined Expertise for Well-Calibrated BIM Services

BIM (Building Information Modelling) is a collaborative working method based on the use of 3D digital models enriched with data, used for the design, construction, and management of buildings or infrastructure.

This approach has become standard practice in the construction sector, and many project owners now naturally wish to adopt it. Far from being just a passing trend, it is a powerful tool for collaboration and project monitoring. However, it must be used wisely—avoiding unnecessary complexity—and fed with meaningful information that adds real value. This is precisely where the GEPROLUX teams bring their added value.

Effective data management is one of the key challenges of our time, and it requires a great deal of expertise. Adopting BIM at all costs is not part of Roberto Palumbo’s philosophy: it is essential that the data used is relevant and that its application serves a clear and concrete purpose. A civil engineer trained in Karlsruhe, Roberto moved away from the static calculations and simulations that were his academic speciality to focus professionally on the opportunities offered by digital working methods such as BIM. As Head of BIM at GEPROLUX, Roberto leads a team of six experts.

Making Information Work

While architects have long mastered 3D design, this doesn’t automatically mean they’re working within a BIM framework. BIM is more than just visual modelling—it’s a collaborative methodology centred around structured data exchange through digital models. It’s not a drawing tool; it’s a way of working.

The approach relies on clean, relevant, and usable data. The models themselves are simply the visible interface of the information shared between stakeholders and the interactions that shape the project. Specialised software enables this collaboration, either through open BIM—where data is exchanged via interoperable formats—or closed BIM, where all parties work within a unified software environment tailored to the project.

For the client, the ability to visualise the project in a clear and engaging way—far more intuitive than interpreting technical drawings—offers real added value and supports informed decision-making. For example, building interiors can be modelled in 3D to provide a realistic view of how spaces will be used once construction is complete.

The Benefits of BIM:

• Visualising the project in 3D (and even in 4D by incorporating time, or 5D with cost data)
• Coordinating the various trades and disciplines involved
• Identifying technical clashes before construction begins
• Enhancing project design and on-site execution
• Facilitating communication and information sharing around the project
• Preparing for the operational phase and post-construction building management

In other European countries, BIM has become standard practice, often driven by binding legislation. GEPROLUX chose to invest in and master the process well before any legal or regulatory requirements emerged in certain markets here. Modelling is not a passing trend—it is set to become increasingly valuable, particularly for optimising building management, creating material passports, and facilitating deconstruction.

“The BIM Manager complements the Project Manager; he doesn’t replace him,” explains Roberto. In his view, the main risk with the method lies in the ‘overengineering syndrome’: trying to incorporate every available piece of information into the model can lead to unnecessary complexity and a loss of focus on the original project goals. Not every use case is relevant to every project—it depends on the client, their operational style, and organisational structure. Determining the relevance and added value of BIM for the client is therefore a key element in setting up a BIM project.

BIM also allows for the integration of time (4D – construction simulation) and cost (5D – cost parameter integration). Again, before investing time and energy into the process and tools, it’s essential to assess whether these dimensions genuinely enhance project progress. For example, 4D can be particularly useful in projects with logistical complexity, while 5D can support design offices in preparing cost estimates.

The arrival of AI in the BIM process promises to significantly simplify the implementation of certain use cases—and to make many others possible. It’s a development that all industry stakeholders should watch closely.

GEPROLUX’s role is not to create the model itself—that stems from the work of architects and engineers—but to establish collaboration around the 3D model within a shared digital space. This enables all relevant trades, whether involved in the design phase or active on site, to contribute to the implementation of the recommended BIM use cases.

GEPROLUX Expertise

• Strategic BIM Consultancy
• Definition of Objectives and Requirements
• BIM Project Structuring
• BIM Management
• Quality Control of BIM Models
• 3D Scanning and Modelling via Our Partners

Thinking BIM from the Start Means Long-Term Savings

Adopting the BIM method mid-project is certainly possible, and GEPROLUX has all the necessary expertise to make that transition. However, there’s nothing quite like a BIM-oriented approach from the very beginning—right from the initial concept. This allows for a clear definition of the specific use case, the useful data and information to be integrated into the project, and the ultimate goals that the modelling work will serve. GEPROLUX ensures that BIM is implemented in line with the defined objectives.

Using the BIM method can be a significant investment for the future, extending well beyond the design and construction phases. Florent Collin, BIM Manager at GEPROLUX, highlights that the costs of project design (3%) and construction (22%) are far lower than the operational costs over the building’s lifetime (75%). Integrating long-term facility management considerations from the project’s inception helps optimise asset management and achieve substantial savings throughout its lifecycle.

The “as-built” model, finalised at the end of the construction phase, accurately reflects the geometry, dimensions, and characteristics of the structure. It provides an ideal foundation for Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM), enabling optimised maintenance and proactive fault prevention.

Strategic Asset Management and Material Reuse through BIM

A major client in the healthcare sector, with a large and varied portfolio of buildings, has chosen the BIM route and GEPROLUX for three distinct projects: a 4,500-square-metre renovation, a 2,000-square-metre renovation and extension, and a new 30,000-square-metre building. The use of modelling, including for existing structures, is intended to support better management and maintenance of their property assets. Whether the project is large or small, BIM is always a serious option to consider.

From the perspective of sustainable development and the circular economy, the BIM model is set to become indispensable. The 3D model, which catalogues all the elements used, serves as a unique library for the reuse of materials. This option is not limited to the building’s deconstruction at the end of its life—it can already be activated just a few years after construction, for example in the case of modifications.

Training in BIM tools remains a key challenge, notes Florent. “These tools are available and used in architectural practices and engineering consultancies, but they’re not always employed with a BIM mindset. There’s still work to be done to ensure everyone adopts and adapts to the method.”