Mastering Digital Transformation in AEC with Kristijan Vilibić

On this episode of the AEC Business Podcast, host Aarni Heiskanen interviews Kristijan Vilibić, founder of Mastery of Digital. Kristijan is an AEC tech expert from Croatia. He discusses his professional journey from working as a BIM specialist to incorporating the latest technology in the industry.

Mastery of Digital is a project that aims to educate engineers and construction experts about the latest tech advancements in the construction sector. The masteryofdigital.com site offers industry news, manuals, courses, and more.

Discussion highlights

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry faces significant challenges in digitalization, primarily due to its closed nature, lack of data sharing, short-term thinking, and poor coordination between departments.

Closed Nature of the Industry: The AEC industry is often considered closed, with companies viewing data as a competitive advantage. This mindset inhibits innovation and information sharing, which are crucial for driving digital transformation. Reluctance to share data limits collaboration and the adoption of new technologies.

Lack of Data Sharing: Major software vendors in the AEC industry tend to lock data within proprietary formats, making seamless information transfer between software platforms challenging. This lack of open data standards results in information loss and inefficiencies in data exchange, hindering digital progress.

Short-Term Thinking: Many AEC companies prioritize short-term gains over long-term investments in technology and innovation. This approach hinders the adoption of digital tools and processes that could enhance efficiency, productivity, and project outcomes in the long run.

Poor Coordination Between Departments: Another significant challenge in digitalizing the AEC industry is the lack of coordination between different company departments. Disconnection between proposal, design, and execution teams leads to inefficiencies, errors, and delays in project delivery. This lack of interoperability and communication hampers the integration of digital technologies across the project lifecycle.

The impact of AI

AI is already significantly impacting the AEC sector by optimizing design and project scheduling processes. While AI technology is not yet autonomous, it plays a crucial role in enhancing these processes. For example, software solutions like Hypar allow users to input text prompts to generate building designs, assisting human designers in refining them further.

Moreover, AI is utilized in project scheduling through machine learning models that analyze past project schedules to predict future project time and cost. Leveraging AI in project scheduling leads to more accurate predictions and better decision-making, enhancing project management efficiency.

While AI accelerates design optimization and project scheduling processes in the AEC sector, human input remains essential. AI technology complements human expertise rather than replacing it entirely. As AI evolves, it is expected to play a more significant role in streamlining and enhancing various aspects of the AEC industry.

Croatia’s BIM maturity

Kristijan says that Croatia is currently between BIM maturity levels 0 and 1, indicating early digitalization in the construction industry. Progressing to level 1 involves adopting 3D geometry and BIM software, particularly during the design phase. Croatia is actively working towards advancing its digitalization efforts.

One significant initiative is the Center for Digital Construction Croatia, which promotes and facilitates digital transformation in the construction sector. The center offers resources, webinars, and technology-focused events to educate and engage construction professionals. Its annual conference, DigiTech, showcases technology applications in construction processes, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

These initiatives demonstrate Croatia’s commitment to enhancing digitalization in the construction industry, bridging the gap between BIM maturity levels 0 and 1. Croatia aims to meet international standards and drive innovation in project delivery by promoting advanced technologies like BIM. Through collaborative efforts and a focus on digital transformation, Croatia is poised to achieve higher levels of BIM maturity and enhance efficiency in the construction industry.

Visit masteryofdigital.com and connect with Kristijan on LinkedIn.

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