Articles

Evolution of Digital Twin Applications in Construction and the Built Environment

What is it: A new research paper in Intelligent Buildings International explores how digital twin (DT) technologies are transforming the built environment, moving from visualization tools to integrated systems that support predictive performance and lifecycle optimization. The study identifies three major areas of growth:

1. Intelligent building representation: the shift from static BIM models to dynamic, data-driven twins that mirror real-world performance in real time.

2. Asset monitoring and management: increasing use of DTs for predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and user comfort.

3. Active building systems and interoperability: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud platforms to close the loop between design, construction, and operations.

Stakeholder Audience: Building Owners, Real Estate Investors, Facility Operators, AEC Firms, Technology Providers, Sustainability and ESG Leaders, Standards and Policy Bodies.

Inform or Action: Informational—advises strategic alignment. Stakeholders should evaluate how their digital twin strategies can better connect with Building Lifecycle Management (BLM) principles of data governance, interoperability, and shared value creation.

Why it matters for BLM: Digital twins are evolving into the connective tissue of the building lifecycle, turning fragmented data into coordinated intelligence. For BLMI, this reinforces a key principle: lifecycle performance depends on continuous feedback between design intent, operational data, and asset renewal. By linking DT ecosystems to BLM-aligned frameworks—common data environments, performance contracts, and governance standards—organizations can unlock measurable outcomes: reduced carbon impact, lower total cost of ownership, and improved occupant experience. The future of asset value lies not just in what buildings are, but in how their digital counterparts learn and adapt over time.

Read the full article: 
Adeniyi, O., Rathnasiri, P., Ojo, L. D., Akindehinde, A., & Thurairajah, N. (2025). The evolution of digital twin applications in construction and the built environment: analysis of trends, research clusters and future directions. Intelligent Buildings International, 1–29.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17508975.2025.2558616

#BLMI #IFMA #Autodesk #DigitalTwin #SmartBuildings #BuiltEnvironment #AssetManagement #DataGovernance #Interoperability #ESG #FacilityManagement