The Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (Etek) held a European seminar entitled “Scaling BIM Down: Making BIM work for small firms and small projects,” aimed at promoting the Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodology among small companies and limited-scale projects. BIM is a technological process for creating and managing digital 3D models of construction objects at all stages of their life cycle, ensuring collaboration among all project participants and high data accuracy.
The seminar brought together representatives of seven countries in the presence of the co-chairs of the EU BIM Task Group steering committee and became part of Cyprus’s efforts toward the digital transformation of the construction sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises make up a significant share of the construction and infrastructure market both in Cyprus and in the EU, so special attention is being paid to adapting BIM specifically for them.
Practical solutions and exchange of experience
The main goal of the event was to stimulate dialogue and the exchange of experience on BIM implementation. Participants discussed practical approaches, shared proposals, and formulated recommendations that will help small companies effectively integrate the digital methodology into their projects.
Opening remarks were delivered by the First Executive Engineer of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Public Works, Thrasos Afamis, the President of the European Council of Civil Engineers and First Vice President of Etek, Platon Stylianou, as well as the Secretary General of Etek, Andreas Theodotou, on behalf of the chamber’s president.
Etek President Constantinos Constanti emphasized that the benefits of BIM go beyond large projects and can be used in most construction works that constitute small projects. The chamber’s strategy includes support for digital transformation and the promotion of BIM as a priority for the entire sector. Etek has already created a scientific committee on BIM and prepared a detailed plan for implementing the methodology, which has been submitted to the relevant ministries for consideration.
Digitalization of permits and support for small enterprises
Etek played a key role in introducing the digital submission and management of applications for planning and building permits. In the future, it is planned that permits will be able to be issued directly on the basis of BIM models, which will significantly speed up the process and increase transparency.
Afamis noted that the Government of Cyprus considers BIM implementation a strategic priority. The ministry has prepared a package of proposals, including the pilot use of BIM in major public projects, as well as support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises to facilitate the transition to digital construction.
BIM, AI, and the future of sustainable construction
According to Stylianou, the implementation of BIM in combination with artificial intelligence and other digital technologies opens the way to a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable construction sector. He stressed that the industry is now at a critical stage, when digitalization is becoming the key to its development and competitiveness.
The use of BIM for small and medium-sized enterprises creates opportunities to accelerate projects, reduce errors, and improve construction quality, which is especially important against the backdrop of growing requirements for sustainability and safety in Europe’s construction industry.