HBIM
A parametric BIM model of a historic building, built from survey data and enriched with heritage-specific attributes: period, condition, significance and material.
Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) is the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology to historic buildings. An HBIM model is a three-dimensional parametric digital model built from survey data — typically a laser scan or photogrammetric point cloud — that carries heritage-specific attribute data about each building element: its construction period, material, condition, significance level and maintenance history.
HBIM extends standard BIM to address the specific challenges of historic structures: geometric irregularity (walls that are not plumb, columns that are not perfectly cylindrical), non-standard materials (rubble masonry, lime mortar, traditional timber joints), and the need for attribute schemas that track conservation value rather than construction specifications.
The primary use of HBIM in practice is as a heritage management platform: a central information model that can be queried by element, updated after each inspection, linked to conservation decision records, and used to generate accurate drawings and quantities for repair specifications.
Relevant Standards
- — ISO 19650
- — IFC (ISO 16739)
Questions about HBIM
What software is used for HBIM?
Autodesk Revit is the dominant HBIM platform globally, used with Autodesk ReCap for point cloud import. ArchiCAD is an alternative with better handling of complex curved geometry. BricsCAD BIM and FreeCAD (open source) are lower-cost options. CloudCompare is widely used for point cloud processing and accuracy verification before BIM modelling.