openBIM Quality Platform Wins Grand Award

The construction industry in Hong Kong has reached a new milestone in digital transformation with the openBIM Quality Platform—winner of the Grand Award in the Technology Category at the Hong Kong openBIM/openGIS Awards 2025. Co-developed by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and Strategic Building Innovation – bimSCORE Limited, with support from LeapThought Asia, this groundbreaking platform is redefining how quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) are approached in the construction sector.

A Platform Built for the Real-World Needs of SMEs

At the core of the openBIM Quality Platform is a simple but powerful mission: to democratize access to advanced QAQC tools and make digital delivery standards achievable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Traditionally, BIM validation has required costly proprietary software and specialized expertise—barriers that excluded many SMEs from meaningful digital adoption.

By leveraging open standards like Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and BIM Collaboration Format (BCF), the platform provides an affordable, vendor-neutral alternative. It enables users to perform well-rounded model quality checks—covering architectural, structural, mechanical, and model hygiene components—without needing scripting skills or expensive licenses.

Authoring Guidelines and Data Integrity

The platform details authoring guideline for correct openBIM element input and IFC export. Developed in close collaboration with statutory bodies and working group members, these guidelines solve one of the most pervasive challenges in BIM workflows: data inconsistency and loss during model export.

This feature ensures that all stakeholders, regardless of their tool of choice, can work with accurate and interoperable data throughout the construction lifecycle.

Federation, Visualization, and Seamless Collaboration

The cloud-based platform includes a built-in BIM viewer for federating models and reviewing results in a unified 3D space. Errors are highlighted directly in the model, allowing for immediate visual feedback and improved coordination between architects, engineers, and contractors.

BCF integration ensures that all feedback and updates flow smoothly into commonly used BIM authoring tools, fostering real-time collaboration and reducing costly rework.

Real Impact and Long-Term Value

The openBIM Quality Platform has already been successfully tested in live projects, showcasing its value across different project phases—from design and coordination to final handover. It not only improves model quality and reduces risk but also boosts confidence and trust among stakeholders by providing transparent, objective assessments.

Beyond its immediate practical benefits, the platform is setting a precedent for standardization and innovation in digital construction. Its emphasis on inclusivity, interoperability, and long-term sustainability marks a major step toward achieving the digital transformation goals laid out in Hong Kong’s Construction 2.0 roadmap.

A Blueprint for the Future

With its Grand Award recognition, the openBIM Quality Platform has proven that cutting-edge technology can be both accessible and impactful. It is a shining example of how public-private collaboration, combined with open standards, can drive industry-wide change and uplift all players—especially those traditionally underserved by existing solutions.

As Hong Kong and the broader region continue to embrace smarter, data-driven construction practices, the openBIM Quality Platform stands as a model for future development: open, interoperable, and built for everyone.