To this day, the application of BIM technology in China remains largely confined to the three-stage design and construction phases. When it comes to operation management, only sporadic attempts have been made in certain construction aspects, most of which lack comprehensiveness and systematization. Among the few practical projects, the Wuxi Smart Building stands out as a relatively successful example.
Located in the core area of the Wuxi 0-PARK Digital Smart Park in Huishan District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, the Smart Building is part of a multifunctional park that includes residential, office, commercial, exhibition, and research spaces. It is a genuinely modern, service-oriented comprehensive incubation park. The Smart Building itself covers over 40,000 square meters and is situated in the park’s central office zone.
(1) Operational Significance of the Entire Park
The smart park integrates numerous functions across a vast area, with a total construction size exceeding 1.4 million square meters. It is primarily divided into four large zones, each with different functions and corresponding user groups that communicate and collaborate internally. While each zone is managed systematically, achieving seamless and efficient overall coordination across the expansive park remains a significant challenge. Additionally, integrating modern technological features into park management has become a new priority for both managers and owners.
(2) Model Creation Based on Construction Drawings
Similar to most domestic construction projects, the Smart Building was initially designed and modeled using Google SketchUp. Construction drawings were completed with AutoCAD, ensuring a smooth transition from design to construction. When BIM technology was introduced, the SketchUp (SKP) models and AutoCAD (DWG) drawings served as the foundation for generating a fully digital virtual model through Revit, resulting in a comprehensive digital twin of the building.
(3) Homegrown Operational System
By segmenting and merging various functions across different floors, the project’s data was processed with Navisworks to produce an NWF file. This file was then integrated into the Winstone operation system, developed by Winstone Consulting, for operational management applications.
The Winstone system is a full lifecycle BIM-based operation and maintenance software developed independently in China. Its key features include:
- Intuitive Experience: Visual management is presented through 3D digital models with a user-friendly interface.
- Convenient Querying: The Revit BIM model contains comprehensive information from architectural design to construction, enabling users to easily access room and equipment details.
- Technological Innovation: All functional and equipment data correspond directly to units within the digital model, eliminating inefficiencies commonly found in traditional drawings.
- Exclusive Customization: Each client receives a tailored information integration framework based on their unique functional requirements.
- Safety and Compliance: The system is secure, stable, and fully compliant with international IFC standards. Leveraging the SQL Server database ensures data universality and reliability.
(4) Information Processing in Operations Management
Driven by the owner’s goal to establish a digital management system for efficient service and technological display, operational management has gradually expanded to cover areas such as space rental, facility management, asset management, energy monitoring, and room surveillance.
The two most critical areas remain space management and equipment management. Space management involves digitally tracking all relevant information about designated rooms—such as space data, rental status, and occupant details—making this information easy to access and update. Equipment management similarly handles digital records of equipment, including location coordinates, attributes, warranty details, and more, facilitating straightforward querying, updating, and maintenance.
Summary: The BIM-based operation and management approach implemented at the Wuxi Smart Building offers a digital management platform distinct from traditional methods. It addresses the challenges of managing large-scale, multifunctional industrial parks in modern urban development, adds new value, and elevates the comparatively underdeveloped management standards among domestic owners. This approach lays a solid foundation for the future advancement of intelligent buildings.
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