Over the past decades, digital technology and informatization have profoundly impacted people’s lives. Computers, mobile communications, and the Internet have not only changed our habits, but also influenced our way of thinking. Especially in architecture, digital technology has significantly enhanced the precision of design control. By utilizing a three-dimensional collaborative working model for building systems and creating high-precision BIM (Building Information Modeling) models, it is now possible to achieve precise control and management of building projects.
In the digital era, architectural concepts have undergone substantial transformation. Digital technology has not only enabled new levels of expressive power in design, but more importantly, it has changed traditional approaches to architectural thinking. It has opened up unprecedented opportunities for aesthetics, technological control, product processing, and construction methods in the field of architecture.
How exactly has digital technology transformed design practices? Shao Weiping, Chief Architect at the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and Research, uses the Beijing CBD Z15 China Zun project as an example of a super high-rise building that was precisely constructed with the help of digital technology. According to Shao Weiping, digital technology enables the creation of a clear architectural order, helps establish a more complete building system, and provides robust software support, such as CATIA and Revit, forming a solid foundation for setting and achieving design goals.
This approach requires comprehensive collaboration among all parties involved, including various disciplines and every link in the project chain, both upstream and downstream. Systematic design concepts and a complete architectural framework built on collaboration form the foundation for successful project execution.
From Phoenix Media Center to China Zun
The Beijing Institute of Architectural Design and Research has implemented BIM in various projects over the years. A prime example is the Phoenix Media Center, which was fully completed thanks to the application of BIM. This experience enabled the team to confidently apply BIM in the Beijing CBD Z15 China Zun project as well. As Shao Weiping explains, the accuracy enabled by the BIM model allowed architects to address all technical aspects effectively.
The China Zun project is located in the core area of Beijing’s CBD, east of the city, along the central axis. The building rises to 528 meters, with an above-ground area of 350,000 square meters and over 80,000 square meters underground, totaling 430,000 square meters. Its unique shape—wider at both ends and narrower in the middle—posed significant technical challenges. As a super high-rise, it is not just a simple tower, but a complex composed of multiple building units. For technical and management purposes, the building is divided into ten zones based on shelter and structural requirements, with further subdivisions for easier management. This systematic approach, influenced by BIM, departs from traditional slab-column systems, introducing a giant “flower basket” framework with secondary structures, slabs, and load-bearing elements arranged inside. Structurally, this represents an unprecedented design.
The vertical transportation system is also distinctive. Many double-decker shuttle elevators are used, which do not stop at every floor but are grouped by zones. Most pedestrian traffic is directed to a central transfer level via shuttle elevators, and then distributed by inter-zone elevators. Without the precise coordination enabled by BIM, managing such a complex system would be extremely difficult.
Given the intricacy of the China Zun project, precise construction and technological solutions were essential. In addition to the Beijing Institute’s extensive experience, BIM was the key factor that gave the architects confidence to firmly control the project and ensure it could withstand future practical challenges, as Shao Weiping openly admits.
Practical Strategies for BIM Implementation
Shao Weiping provided detailed insight into the practical application of BIM for the China Zun project. A comprehensive model encompassing all disciplines and processes was established, with a central model serving as the core reference. This central model guides the entire workflow, covering different links, systems, stakeholders, and project phases, each with its own modeling requirements. Structural, architectural, and electromechanical models are all derived and coordinated under this central system.
To ensure precise model management, a tailored technical architecture was created, with a complete set of technical catalogs. Each model corresponds to a specific plan and is managed through a flexible, evolving system framework, rather than being developed randomly.
Systematic construction and precise modeling are necessary for effective application. To achieve this, the team developed a comprehensive set of project-specific standards, including a collaboration manual, system framework diagrams, design coding guidelines, model standards, and implementation guides. These documents are updated dynamically at critical design milestones (25%, 50%, and 100%) to continuously refine the BIM system. Upon completion, project management systems are used to ensure effective utilization. The principal software is Revit, which is currently the most advanced architectural software in the construction industry.
With the support of BIM Technology, architects were able to resolve structural challenges at the design level—an unprecedented accomplishment. The geometric systems of all structures were precisely described, allowing structural engineers to focus more on safety design rather than geometric positioning. This modeling method also facilitates future construction and cost estimation.
Beyond modeling, Shao Weiping emphasizes that BIM is about information as well as modeling. While certain data can be directly generated by the model, some information still requires indirect extraction or further processing. It is therefore essential to establish effective information extraction methods, ensuring all data is well controlled and easily retrievable.
The Concept of Lightweight BIM
Today, the Beijing Institute has developed a robust information model for the China Zun project. As the model expands, a new challenge emerges: how to ensure effective use by all parties. Shao Weiping introduces the concept of “lightweight BIM”—using software that makes even large models lightweight and easy to operate on any device. Thanks to this approach, models can be quickly accessed and manipulated, greatly enhancing communication with clients and representing a new stage in BIM application.
With strong support from multiple stakeholders, the China Zun project has achieved advanced BIM application. Owner involvement is critical, but true BIM implementation requires collaboration from all parties. BIM should not be fragmented into isolated models; instead, a central model should be used for coordination. Although the project is not yet fully completed, this collaborative approach is a clear policy.
With BIM, comprehensive and forward-looking collaboration among multiple teams is possible, covering almost all aspects of the project. This enables BIM to play a central role throughout the process. In addition, BIM has expanded the boundaries of construction documentation delivery. Shao Weiping believes BIM models should be involved from the very beginning of the design process. If BIM is only used during construction and not in design thinking, its value is not fully realized. Early intervention of BIM in the design stage is essential to maximize its benefits.
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