Building Information Modeling (BIM) has firmly established itself as a method of data systematization in new construction in recent years. Essentially, it is a holistic and collaborative approach where all relevant information about a building is consolidated into a central data model.

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The current state of development regarding the application of this working method to meet the requirements of monument preservation varies significantly on an international level. The intention of the  Institute  is to conduct studies that compare different approaches and examine their applicability to the concerns of monument preservation and architectural research.

The potential for the use of BIM methodology in this field has not been fully explored yet. The various perspectives for its implementation raise many questions, which, in our opinion, should serve as a basis for constructive discussions within the professional community and be clarified through collaborative work and experiments.

The following are some of the main directions of development and previously addressed questions:

BIM opens up new possibilities for analysis and simulation processes in buildings. By creating virtual realities through digitally crafted models, researchers can test various scenarios and examine their effects on aspects such as the structure, energy efficiency, or other aspects of the building. This facilitates the development of innovative solutions and enhances the understanding of how buildings function and how to effectively mediate information about them on all stakeholders. 

Regarding the BIM application perspectives in monument preservation, the following questions arise:

•  How can BIM methodology ensure deeper benefits in the field of monument preservation?
• Can the use of digital models and data modeling for historical buildings and structures maintain or even enhance the quality of documentation and analysis work?

There is a need to clarify the accuracy of 3D modeling and describe standards that will help successfully integrate building research and historic preservation into BIM methodology.

There is also a question regarding the use of BIM methodology in restoration and the quality of its results: 

• Does the implementation of construction research as a BIM cluster guarantee more effective planning of renovation and restoration measures? 
• Can predictions of potential impacts on building performance and maintenance be improved?

Through BIM methodology as a cooperative approach, communication between various stakeholders can be improved, reducing misunderstandings and enabling better coordination during the planning and project implementation.

There are still some questions to be answered with a focus on monument preservation - especially here it is of great importance to link different sources and to prepare findings in a database-oriented way:

• To what depth does efficient data capture and management enable improved collaboration between different disciplines?
•  Can communication with clients and stakeholders in monument preservation and restoration be made more efficient as a result?
•  To what extent can highly detailed analyses and assessments be integrated into BIM working environments by incorporating data from various sources?
• Can they then help establish complex relationships between different building components and systems, and subsequently make them available with their diverse working clusters for different disciplines?
• And finally, how can information regarding condition assessments and damage detection, using IFC data formats (i.e., open file formats), be incorporated into an effective building  preservation planning?

The promise of BIM-oriented working methods in the fields of monument preservation and restoration of historical buildings holds diverse application perspectives. However, it also raises questions that must be answered through experimental methods in the near future.

In this sense, our project aims to achieve a precise definition and specification of the methodology and processes for construction research and monument preservation. The goal is to develop tools and guidelines for the various levels of BIM application methodology in historic preservation.