Enhancing BIM for Efficient Facility Management and IoT Control

Welcome to an innovative project that merges Virtual Tours, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and advanced building technology to streamline the management of evolving buildings or research facilities. Developed by the EPFL BUILD (Building2050) team in collaboration with EPFL PL-MTI, this virtual tour showcases the Smart Living Lab facilities and its surroundings, providing an interactive and dynamic exploration experience.

This project meets the needs of research environments by integrating real-time data and 3D visuals for effective building management. Research labs, like modern office spaces and retail environments, need adaptable designs to accommodate new technologies and experiments. Our solution quickly updates digital models with the associated information, simplifying the management of these types of flexible infrastructures. The virtual tour features secure access, historical data, and updated images from drones and 360° cameras that reflect building changes. We are currently testing these features at existing Fribourg sites such as the CELLS pavilion and the BlueHall building, with plans to scale up to the future Smart Living Lab building.

This model integrates several ongoing developments:

  1. Secure Authentication Module

Developed for multi-institutional environments, this module ensures secure access and appropriate permission levels for shared resources (databases, 3D models, etc.) within the Smart Living Lab.

  1. Easily Updatable Virtual Model

Combines aerial and ground images (from drones or 360° cameras) to create a dynamic and easily updatable virtual model of our facilities.

  1. Geolocated Geometry

Acquires precise points and geolocated geometry to potentially be used to generate detailed 3D models that adapt to the building's evolution, also documenting the construction process in detail.

  1. Sensor Data Integration and IoT approach

Integrates building sensor data with digital models, enhancing real-time monitoring and control capabilities.

  1. Building-Digital Model Interaction

Enables possible interactions between the building and its digital model.

The CELLS (Controlled Environment for Living Lab Studies) are used as a case study and testbed research facility.
Through this virtual tour, you can:

  • Real-time room temperatures
  • Historical and synchronized images
  • Seasonal variations, including the sun’s path within rooms

Explore the CELLS and the Fribourg campus in a new, immersive way.
For more details, feedback, or ideas on how this project could evolve, please contact us.