Open BIM - Open Future
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
Why Open Standards Are Becoming Critical to Saudi Arabia’s Infrastructure Ambitions
The construction industry has spent the last decade talking about BIM. Now, the conversation is moving on. As projects grow in scale, complexity, and lifespan, the focus is shifting from models to something far more valuable — data that can be shared, sustained, and trusted across the entire lifecycle of infrastructure.
This was the central theme of Smart Live: Open BIM, Open Future, a session that brought together global expertise and Saudi leadership to explore how open standards are becoming foundational to digital construction.
▶️ Watch the full session here:
Beyond BIM: From Models to Data Infrastructure
The session opened with a clear message: BIM, on its own, is no longer enough.
While it has transformed design coordination and visualisation, its value is often limited when data becomes locked within proprietary systems or disconnected at handover.
The next phase of digital construction requires a shift toward Open BIM — where data is interoperable, reusable, and structured for long-term value.
As highlighted during the session: “Interoperability is not a feature — it’s the foundation of how we deliver and manage infrastructure going forward.”
This shift represents a move:
From models to data ecosystems
From file exchange to continuous information flow
From project delivery to lifecycle performance
Global Perspective: Open Standards in Practice
Veljko Janjic, President of Bexel Consulting, provided a global perspective on the evolution of buildingSMART International and the development of standards such as IFC. His contribution grounded the discussion in real-world implementation — demonstrating how open standards are already delivering value across international markets.
“Open standards allow teams to collaborate without being constrained by tools. That’s where the real efficiency comes from.”
Across projects and portfolios, Open BIM is enabling:
Greater consistency in data exchange
Reduced reliance on proprietary platforms
Improved coordination across multidisciplinary teams
The development of digital twins and lifecycle asset systems
The message was clear: Open BIM is no longer theoretical — it is being applied at scale.
Saudi Arabia: A Window to Lead, Not Follow
The discussion then turned to Saudi Arabia — a market defined by ambition, speed, and scale.
Unlike more mature markets, the Kingdom has a unique advantage: it is not heavily constrained by legacy systems. This creates a rare opportunity to embed open standards from the outset, rather than retrofitting them later.
During the panel, Abdul-Rahman Al-Ghabban, Chairman of buildingSMART Saudi Arabia and President of Bechtel Saudi Arabia, emphasised the strategic importance of this moment:
“Saudi Arabia has the opportunity to set the standard — not just adopt it. The decisions we make now will define how the industry operates for decades.”
Open BIM was positioned as a natural enabler of Vision 2030, supporting:
Scalable digital infrastructure
Consistent data across giga and mega projects
Improved collaboration across stakeholders
Long-term asset value and performance
From Strategy to Reality: Challenges and Opportunities
While the opportunity is significant, the panel was clear-eyed about the challenges ahead.
Abdourahmane Tahir, Board Member of buildingSMART Saudi Arabia and Head of Digital Services at AppPlus, highlighted the need for alignment across the industry:
“The challenge is not the technology — it’s alignment. We need a common understanding across stakeholders to unlock the full value of open standards.”
Key barriers discussed included:
Variability in digital maturity across organisations
Limited awareness of Open BIM principles
The need for education, training, and certification
However, these challenges were framed as transitional rather than structural — and therefore solvable through coordinated effort and leadership.
An Industry That Continues to Move Forward
One of the more understated but important observations from the session was the current resilience of the industry.
Despite broader geopolitical uncertainty, activity across the construction sector — particularly in Saudi Arabia — remains strong. Consultants, developers, and project teams continue to deliver at pace, largely unfazed by external pressures.
This ongoing momentum reinforces the importance of establishing robust, future-ready digital frameworks now, rather than reacting later.
As noted during the discussion, “The industry isn’t slowing down — which makes getting the digital foundation right even more critical.”
The Role of buildingSMART Saudi Arabia
A central theme throughout the session was the role of buildingSMART Saudi Arabia as a platform for industry alignment and progress.
The organisation is positioned not just as a standards body, but as a connector — bringing together stakeholders across government, development, consulting, and technology to drive adoption of open standards.
Through initiatives like Smart Live, buildingSMART Saudi Arabia is creating a space for:
Knowledge sharing
Industry engagement
Strategic dialogue
Practical implementation discussions
Looking Ahead: From Conversation to Capability
If there was one defining takeaway from the session, it is this: Open standards are no longer optional — they are essential.
As Saudi Arabia continues to deliver some of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes, the ability to connect systems, standardise data, and enable collaboration at scale will be critical to success.
This session marks the beginning of a broader conversation — one that will continue to evolve through future Smart Live events and industry engagement.
▶️ Watch the Full Session
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