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

In recent years, the construction industry has increasingly recognized BIM (Building Information Modeling) as a key enabler of next-generation projects. BIM is a method of 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 2D drawings, leveraging BIM dramatically improves collaboration among stakeholders and enables reductions in rework, shorter schedules, and cost optimization. On large projects around the world, BIM has made possible complex designs and efficient construction management that were previously unachievable, positioning it as a driving force of next-generation construction.

This article introduces 10 BIM use cases the world is watching, showcasing advanced construction projects from various countries. From supertall towers and major infrastructure to heritage renovations, let’s examine how BIM is being used across diverse fields and what results it has delivered.

1. Crossrail, London (UK)

On London’s Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) project—one of Europe’s largest rail infrastructure programs—BIM played a major role as an integrated information management platform. With a total construction cost of approximately $24 billion, this urban rail construction involved more than 60 major contractors and 25 design consultancies sharing vast amounts 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 project’s outset, the team realized a “single source of truth.” Rather than different firms and teams using disparate systems, everyone worked with the same formats and rules for data, smoothing design changes and approval processes and creating a foundation for effective asset information use during future operations and maintenance. The project also adopted a method of simulating the entire rail system in a virtual environment during construction, allowing physical works and digital verification to proceed in parallel and preventing construction-stage troubles in advance. Crossrail is a prime example of how extensive BIM use enabled a complex urban rail project to progress in a coordinated manner.

2. Doha Metro (Qatar)

The Doha Metro in Qatar is a representative case of next-generation construction management harnessing BIM’s 4D and 5D capabilities. For the massive project to build four metro lines across the city, 4D BIM (integrating a time axis into the 3D model) and 5D BIM (adding cost information) were implemented. This enabled visualization of construction progress along the 3D model with a time axis and optimization of construction sequencing.

For example, during construction the team created animations in BIM to pre-simulate work procedures for each section, crane movements, and the timing of material deliveries, enabling efficient schedule planning. With 5D BIM, quantities and budget management were automatically derived from the model, drastically improving estimating and procurement accuracy. Project stakeholders could share the latest model information and construction schedule and cost data via the cloud, accelerating decision-making and eliminating information inconsistencies. Doha Metro achieved schedule reductions and cost savings through BIM, drawing global attention as a model for future transportation infrastructure development in the Middle East.

3. Shanghai Tower (China)

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

Shanghai Tower features a unique structure divided internally into nine sections—“nine vertically stacked neighborhoods”—and incorporates advanced energy-saving technologies like a double-skin facade. To realize such a complex design, architectural, structural, and MEP teams performed real-time clash detection and design coordination on the BIM model, identifying potential conflicts before construction. The precise 3D BIM managed millions of component items and served as a common language among the multinational project team during construction. BIM data was also used for environmental performance simulations—wind and solar analyses informed optimal form and façade design—achieving an energy-efficient supertall tower. Shanghai Tower demonstrates how BIM can tightly integrate design and construction processes to balance scale and sustainability.

4. Nanjing International Youth Cultural Center (China)

The Nanjing International Youth Cultural Center—soaring in Nanjing, China—is a mixed complex of futuristic twin towers and cultural facilities designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Built in time for the 2014 Youth Olympics, BIM helped realize complex construction methods for this center.

Notably, a construction method that simultaneously carried out “top-down (superstructure) and bottom-up (substructure) works” was adopted for the first time in China. Progressing construction from both above and below requires meticulous planning and coordination; by simulating the progress of the structural frame and core in the BIM model, the team ensured that the upper and lower works would meet precisely. During design, the twin towers’ streamlined forms and the irregularly arranged windows and panels were modeled in detail in BIM to ensure manufacturing accuracy for the curved façade. The center consolidates multifunctional spaces—conference halls, a hotel, and theaters—and BIM was used to verify equipment layouts and circulation plans, achieving efficient space utilization and user comfort. The Nanjing International Youth Cultural Center is recognized as one of China’s advanced BIM projects, where innovative design and sophisticated construction techniques were supported by BIM.

5. Beijing Daxing International Airport (China)

Nicknamed the “giant flying starfish,” China’s Beijing Daxing International Airport is a representative example of large-scale infrastructure built with BIM. Opened in 2019 as Beijing’s second international airport, Daxing features a single-terminal building with a total floor area exceeding 700,000 square meters, ranking among the world’s largest. Realizing this futuristic airport required BIM and advanced digital technologies from the design stage. The building’s distinctive shape—resembling five outstretched fingers—along with a complex curved roof structure and numerous supporting columns, necessitated detailed construction planning based on 3D models.

On this futuristic airport, BIM models were used to optimize layouts for structural elements and HVAC and electrical systems, enabling precision control of some 140,000 tons of steel structure and verification of passenger flows numbering in the tens of thousands. During construction, many stakeholders needed to work simultaneously; sharing the latest drawings and changes on a cloud-based BIM platform minimized communication losses between design and construction. After completion, BIM data has been used for facility management (FM), informing equipment maintenance planning and energy monitoring. Beijing Daxing International Airport attracted global attention as an emblematic case where BIM contributed to the efficiency and quality improvement of a megaproject.

6. Randselva Bridge (Norway)

The Randselva Bridge in Norway is a unique project known as a pioneer of “drawing-less construction.” Spanning 634 meters, this bridge was constructed without creating any traditional 2D construction drawings, relying entirely on a 3D digital model.

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, conveying over 95% of necessary information digitally—such as rebar placement and cable tensioning procedures. On site, workers accessed the latest 3D models via tablets, significantly reducing surveying tasks and rework. This prevented errors caused by misreading drawings or delays in information updates, achieving shorter schedules and cost savings. The Randselva Bridge has been recognized with top infrastructure project awards at international BIM ceremonies and stands as an innovative success story of BIM-driven construction. Building a bridge solely from digital models points toward a new standard for future infrastructure projects.

7. Sydney Opera House Renovation (Australia)

The UNESCO World Heritage–listed Sydney Opera House in Australia used BIM for large-scale renovation of a historic building. As a landmark of 20th-century modern architecture, the Opera House faced the need to update internal systems and improve functions about half a century after completion; in the late 2010s a renovation project with a budget of about AUD 222 million (approximately JPY 16 billion) was undertaken.

For a wide range of upgrades—improving acoustics in the largest concert hall, installing accessible elevators, and updating lighting and sound systems—a detailed BIM model of the existing structure was first created. Engineers who had long been involved with the Opera House conducted comprehensive 3D laser scans to build a current-condition model of the facility. This enabled meticulous planning to integrate new equipment without compromising the original design. When adding large ceiling-mounted speakers and lighting battens, BIM was used to examine reinforcement solutions to avoid interference with the existing roof structure, achieving a renovation that balanced safety and design. Jan Utzon, son of the Opera House’s original architect Jørn Utzon, participated in overseeing the renovation design, and BIM-based discussions helped ensure the building’s cultural value was preserved. The Sydney Opera House renovation is highly regarded by architects and engineers as an example of how BIM can contribute to preserving historic structures while enhancing functionality.

8. Sagrada Família (Spain)

The Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, is the world-famous unfinished basilica whose construction began in the late 19th century and continues to this day. Antoni Gaudí’s imaginative design posed long-standing challenges due to its complex, organic shapes, but in recent years BIM and digital technologies have accelerated progress toward completion.

To realize the cathedral’s extraordinarily complex curved surfaces and twisted towers, the design team 3D-scanned Gaudí’s plaster models and sketches to create digital data and build a detailed BIM model. This made it possible to accurately fabricate stone components whose shapes would be extremely difficult to produce by hand, greatly improving communication between craftsmen and designers. Repeating structural analysis and shape optimization on the BIM model has enabled a safe structure that conforms to modern building standards while preserving a design concept more than a century old. BIM has also been used to plan tower crane placement and simulate construction procedures, supporting efficient construction in constrained workspaces. The Sagrada Família’s projected completion is steadily approaching, and the introduction of digital technologies to steer a century-long unfinished project to its finish is symbolic for the construction industry. BIM is breathing modern life into the Sagrada Família and playing a crucial role in passing its great artistry and structure on to future generations.

9. Mercedes-Benz Stadium (USA)

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is a next-generation sports stadium that employed cutting-edge BIM technologies. Opened in 2017 as the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, the stadium’s most notable feature is its massive retractable roof. Eight circular roof panels arranged like a camera shutter slide to open and close—a world-first configuration.

To realize this complex movable roof, the design and construction teams fully utilized BIM, repeatedly verifying on the 3D model that structural frames, mechanical equipment, and electrical wiring would fit without interference. Simulating opening and closing movements in BIM allowed adjustments for actual motor output and panel clearances, informing the design of a precise control system. BIM also supported integrated design across the entire stadium—visibility analysis from 70,000 seats, placement planning for extensive lighting and audio equipment, and evacuation route simulations—contributing to both safety and spectator experience. Environmentally, energy models based on BIM data optimized rainwater collection and natural ventilation systems, and the stadium achieved LEED Platinum certification. Supported by BIM, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is celebrated worldwide as a new-era landmark combining architectural technology and entertainment.

10. New Projects at Shanghai Disneyland (China)

BIM use has also advanced in theme parks. In Shanghai Disneyland, BIM was used in the design and construction of park facilities, including the iconic grand castle, the “Enchanted Storybook Castle.”

The Storybook Castle is the largest Disney castle in park history and is a complex structure housing restaurants, shops, and even ride attractions. From the design stage, detailed 3D models were prepared, and architects, structural engineers, stage equipment teams, and contractors all shared those models to drive the project forward. By adjusting architectural design, structural elements, ride tracks, and equipment spaces in the BIM model down to the smallest details, the project paved the way to realizing a fantastical design as a real building.

Cloud-based collaboration allowed teams in China and abroad to review the latest design information across time zones, enabling rapid decision-making to meet schedule targets. During construction, cloud-linked systems were used to digitize and streamline quality inspections and progress management. The Shanghai Disneyland projects are noted as examples of how BIM contributed significantly to creating entertainment spaces and have become a successful model of DX (digital transformation) 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. What these projects have in common is that BIM has visualized complex construction processes and dramatically improved stakeholder collaboration. BIM is not limited to 3D modeling; by integrating time and cost information and maintenance data, it is transforming construction workflows themselves. BIM will continue to evolve, creating new-value dimensions such as smart construction through integration with AI and IoT, and real-time monitoring via digital twins.

Moreover, maximizing BIM’s benefits requires combining it with related technologies. For example, the recently noted simplified surveying using LRTK is a new surveying method that combines high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) with smartphones and other devices, allowing site surveying that formerly required specialized equipment to be done more easily. With Local RTK (LRTK), point-cloud data of terrain and structures can be acquired quickly at centimeter-level accuracy and immediately incorporated into BIM models for design. Seamless integration of BIM and site measurement technologies will accelerate the design–construction PDCA cycle beyond current speeds, further improving quality and reducing costs.

BIM use is steadily elevating construction projects worldwide to the next stage. In Japan as well, it is hoped that much will be learned from these advanced cases and new technologies to promote smarter, more sustainable manufacturing. On future construction sites, centering BIM and flexibly incorporating the latest technologies—such as simplified surveying with LRTK—will surely give rise to one innovative project after another that surprises the world. The future of the construction industry is being shaped right before our eyes.