BIM Use Cases: 10 Next-Generation Construction Projects the World Is Watching

In recent years, the construction industry has increasingly looked to BIM (Building Information Modeling) as a key enabler of next-generation projects. BIM is a method for centrally managing information about buildings and infrastructure on a three-dimensional model, integrating information across the entire lifecycle from design and construction to operation and maintenance. Compared with traditional workflows centered on two-dimensional drawings, using BIM dramatically improves collaboration among stakeholders and enables reductions in rework, shorter construction schedules, and cost optimization. On large projects around the world, BIM has made possible complex designs and efficient construction management that were previously infeasible, becoming a driving force in next-generation construction.

This article presents 10 BIM use cases from around the world that are attracting attention. From supertall towers to large-scale infrastructure and cultural heritage restoration, let’s look at how BIM is being applied across diverse fields and what results it has produced.

1. London Crossrail (United Kingdom)

On London’s Crossrail (the Elizabeth Line), one of Europe’s largest rail infrastructure programs, BIM played a major role as an integrated information management platform. With a total project cost of approximately $24 billion, this urban rail construction involved more than 60 major contractors and 25 design consultants, sharing enormous volumes of drawings and models on a common data environment (CDE).

Between 2008 and 2012 a BIM Level 2 environment was established, and by managing all information centrally from the start of the project they realized a single source of truth. Rather than each company or team using its own systems, everyone used the same formats and rules for data, smoothing design changes and approval processes and creating a foundation that allows asset information to be effectively used in future operation and maintenance phases. During construction, they also adopted a method of simulating the entire rail system in virtual space, running physical construction and digital verification in parallel to prevent construction-stage problems in advance. Crossrail is a prime example of how large-scale BIM use enabled a complex urban rail project to proceed as planned.

2. Doha Metro (Qatar)

The Doha Metro in Qatar is a representative case of next-generation construction management that leverages BIM’s 4D and 5D capabilities. For the massive project that built four underground lines across the city, 4D BIM (integrating a time axis with 3D models) and 5D BIM (further integrating cost information) were introduced. This allowed visualization of construction progress along the 3D model with a time axis, optimizing construction sequences.

For example, during construction the team created animated sequences in BIM to simulate work procedures for each section, crane movements, and material delivery timing, enabling efficient schedule planning. With 5D BIM, quantities and budget control were automatically generated from the model, dramatically improving the accuracy of estimates and procurement. Project stakeholders could share the latest model, schedule, and cost information via the cloud, speeding decision-making and eliminating information mismatches. Doha Metro achieved reduced construction time and cost savings through BIM use, and has gained global attention as a model case for future transportation infrastructure development in the Middle East.

3. Shanghai Tower (China)

Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China (632 m (2073.5 ft), 121 stories) is cited as a successful example of BIM use in one of the world’s leading supertall green buildings. Planned by an international design team, this large-scale project involved more than 30 consulting firms and contractors collaborating on BIM from design through construction.

Shanghai Tower features a unique structure divided into nine internal sections (a “vertical stacking of nine neighborhoods”) and incorporates advanced energy-saving technologies such as a double-skin facade for sustainability. To realize this complex design, architectural, structural, and MEP teams used the BIM model to perform real-time clash detection and design coordination, identifying potential conflicts before construction. The precise 3D BIM model managed information for millions of components, serving as a common language among multinational project members during construction. BIM data was also used for environmental performance simulations—wind environment and solar analyses informed optimal shape and facade design—achieving an energy-efficient design despite the tower’s height. Shanghai Tower is notable for integrating design and construction processes at scale with sustainability through BIM.

4. Nanjing International Youth Cultural Center (China)

The Nanjing International Youth Cultural Center in Nanjing, China, is a futuristic mixed complex of twin towers and cultural facilities designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Built in time for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, BIM contributed to realizing its complex construction methods.

A distinctive feature was China’s first implementation of a construction method that progressed top-down and bottom-up simultaneously. Building from both directions at once requires meticulous planning and coordination, and the BIM model was used to simulate the progress of structural frames and cores in detail so that the upper and lower works would meet accurately. In the design phase, the twin towers’ streamlined forms and irregularly arranged windows and panels were modeled precisely in BIM to ensure manufacturing accuracy for curved facades. The center houses conference facilities, a hotel, theaters, and other multifunctional spaces; BIM was used to verify equipment placement and circulation planning, achieving both efficient space use and occupant comfort. The Nanjing International Youth Cultural Center is known as an advanced BIM project in China, where innovative design and sophisticated construction techniques were enabled by BIM.

5. Beijing Daxing International Airport (China)

Nicknamed the “giant flying starfish,” Beijing Daxing International Airport is a flagship example of large-scale infrastructure built using BIM. Opened in 2019 as Beijing’s second international airport, Daxing is one of the world’s largest single-terminal buildings with a total floor area of over 700,000 square meters. To realize this futuristic airport architecture, BIM and advanced digital technologies were used from the design stage. The building’s distinctive shape spreads out like five fingers, and detailed construction plans based on 3D models were developed to efficiently construct the complex curved roof and numerous supporting columns.

On this future-oriented airport, BIM models were used to optimize the layout of structural members and HVAC/electrical systems, managing the accuracy of 140,000 tons of steel structure and verifying passenger flows for tens of thousands of users. During construction, a huge number of stakeholders needed to work simultaneously, but sharing the latest drawings and change information on a cloud BIM platform minimized communication losses between design and construction. Furthermore, after completion, BIM data has been used for facility management (FM), supporting maintenance planning for equipment and energy monitoring. Beijing Daxing International Airport drew global attention as a symbolic example of how BIM contributed to efficiency and quality improvement on a mega-project.

6. Randselva Bridge (Norway)

The Randselva Bridge in Norway is a unique project known as a pioneer of “drawless construction.” Spanning 634 m (2080.1 ft) in total length, the bridge was constructed entirely based on a 3D digital model without creating any traditional 2D construction drawings.

Sweco, the design firm, used BIM software to develop detailed 3D models of bridge components and a shared platform. Instead of drawings, IFC-format model data was provided to contractors, and more than 95% of the necessary information—such as rebar placement and cable tensioning sequences—was communicated digitally. On-site workers used tablet devices to access the latest 3D models at all times, greatly reducing field surveying tasks and rework. As a result, errors due to misreading drawings or delays in information updates were prevented, achieving shorter schedules and cost savings. The Randselva Bridge received top infrastructure project awards at global BIM ceremonies and is lauded as an innovative success in BIM-driven construction. Building a bridge solely from digital models points toward a new standard for future infrastructure construction.

7. Sydney Opera House Renovation (Australia)

The Sydney Opera House in Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, used BIM for major renovation work on this historic building. As a representative modern building of the 20th century, after about half a century its interior systems needed upgrading and functional improvements; a renovation project with a budget of approximately AUD 222,000,000 (about JPY 16 billion) was undertaken in the late 2010s.

For a wide range of renovation works—including acoustic improvements to the largest concert hall, installation of accessible elevators, and modernization of lighting and audio systems—detailed existing-condition BIM models were first created. The engineering team, which had long been involved with the Opera House’s design, conducted 3D laser scanning throughout the building to build an as-built model. This enabled meticulous planning to incorporate new systems without compromising the original design. In particular, when adding large ceiling-mounted speakers and lighting battens, BIM was used to examine reinforcement measures to avoid interference with existing roof structures, achieving renovations that balanced safety and aesthetics. Jan Utzon, son of the Opera House’s original architect Jørn Utzon, was involved in supervising the renovation design, and discussions using the BIM model ensured consideration of the building’s cultural value. The Sydney Opera House renovation project is highly regarded in the architectural community as an example of BIM contributing to both preservation and functional improvement of a historic building.

8. Sagrada Família (Spain)

The Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, is the world-famous unfinished cathedral that began construction in the late 19th century and continues to this day. Antoni Gaudí’s inventive designs are extremely complex and organic in form, which long hindered construction progress, but in recent years BIM and digital technologies have accelerated work toward completion.

To realize Gaudí’s extraordinarily complex curved surfaces and twisted tower designs in reality, the design team 3D-scanned Gaudí’s remaining plaster models and sketches to digitize them and created detailed BIM models. This made it possible to accurately fabricate stone components whose shapes would otherwise be extremely difficult to produce by hand, and dramatically improved communication between craftsmen and designers. By iterating structural analysis and shape optimization in BIM, they achieved safe structures that meet modern building standards while preserving the design concepts from a century ago. BIM has also been used to plan tower crane placement and simulate construction procedures, supporting efficient construction in limited workspaces. The completion of the Sagrada Família is drawing nearer, and the introduction of digital technologies to finally bring a century-old unfinished project to its goal is symbolic for the construction industry. BIM has breathed modern life into the Sagrada Família, playing a crucial role in passing its magnificent artistry and structure on to future generations.

9. Mercedes-Benz Stadium (United States)

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is a next-generation sports stadium that applied advanced BIM technologies. Opened in 2017 as the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, the stadium’s most notable feature is its enormous retractable roof. Eight circularly arranged roof panels slide like a camera shutter—a world-first approach.

To realize this complex movable roof, the design and construction teams fully leveraged BIM, repeatedly verifying on 3D models that structural frames, mechanical equipment, and electrical wiring fit without interference. Simulating the opening and closing motion in BIM allowed adjustments to actual motor output and panel clearances, informing the design of a precise control system. Integrated design via BIM was applied across the stadium: visibility analysis from 70,000 seats, layout planning for extensive lighting and audio systems, and evacuation route simulations all contributed to a design that balances safety and spectator experience. On the environmental front, energy models using BIM data optimized rainwater collection systems and natural ventilation designs, and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium achieved LEED Platinum certification. Supported by BIM, the stadium is celebrated worldwide as a new-era landmark that fuses architectural technology and entertainment.

10. New Projects at Shanghai Disneyland (China)

BIM usage has also advanced in the theme park sector. At Shanghai Disneyland in China, BIM was used in the design and construction of park facilities, including the landmark Enchanted Storybook Castle.

The Storybook Castle is the largest castle in Disney park history and is a complex structure that includes restaurants, shops, and even a ride attraction inside. For this complicated building, detailed 3D models were prepared from the design stage, and architects, structural engineers, stage equipment teams, and contractors all shared the model to advance the project. By adjusting architectural design, structure, ride tracks, and equipment spaces in the BIM model down to the details, the team found a path to realize a dreamlike design as a built structure.

Cloud-based collaboration enabled teams inside and outside China to review the latest design information across time zones, allowing rapid decision-making to meet schedule targets. During construction, cloud-linked systems were also used to digitize quality inspections and progress management. The Shanghai Disneyland projects are noted examples of how BIM significantly contributed to creating entertainment spaces and have become a successful DX (digital transformation) model in the theme park industry.

Conclusion: The Future BIM Opens and Expectations for New Technologies

We have introduced 10 BIM use cases from around the world. A common thread in these projects is that BIM makes complex construction processes visible, dramatically enhancing stakeholder collaboration. BIM goes beyond mere 3D modeling; by integrating time and cost information and maintenance data, it is transforming construction workflows themselves. BIM will continue to evolve and create new levels of value through integration with AI and IoT for smart construction and through digital twins for real-time monitoring.

Moreover, maximizing BIM’s benefits requires combining it with related technologies. For example, the recently spotlighted simple surveying using LRTK combines high-precision GNSS (global navigation satellite systems) with smartphones and other devices, enabling field surveys that previously required specialized equipment to be performed more easily. With the advent of LRTK (local RTK), it is becoming possible to quickly acquire point cloud data of terrain and structures with centimeter-level positioning accuracy (half-inch accuracy) and immediately incorporate it into BIM models for design. As seamless integration of BIM and on-site surveying advances, the design–construction PDCA cycle will speed up further, accelerating quality improvements and cost reductions.

BIM use is steadily pushing construction projects worldwide to the next stage. Japan can also learn much from these advanced cases and new technologies, applying them to create smarter and more sustainable manufacturing. On future construction sites, centering workflows on BIM while flexibly adopting cutting-edge technologies like LRTK simple surveying will surely give rise to successive innovative projects that astonish everyone. The future of construction is literally being shaped right before our eyes.