BIM education in Riga Technical University

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a complex process of managing not only design documentation in 3D form but it also includes all the consecutive stages of the design analysis, followed by construction management, and including facility management after the site completion. The success in the collaboration to unite common efforts of architects, constructors and HVAC engineers would make the work of all involved stakeholders more productive because the existing information technologies provide this option already for a long time. The training for effective use of this relatively new and very complex approach from the very beginning of the building lifecycle in the construction industry is even a more complex task. Universities have to join the promotion of BIM ideas not only to the designers and engineers, but to a much wider public than at present. The history of BIM teaching and the approaches used at Riga Technical University (RTU) are outlined in this paper. RTU along with several other universities from Lithuania have joined the EU sponsored Leonardo da Vinci project BIMTRAIN initiated by regional software distributer and developer AGA-CAD which facilitates the BIM implementation through the training.