Interview with Sergio Muñoz, responsible for r & d and ICT of Aidico

Aidico is a technology centre whose main objective is the support to companies in the sector of construction, mostly SMEs, through the capabilities of the Institute in different areas: certification of materials and products, testing, training, occupational safety, quality, nanomaterials, sustainable construction, resistance to fire, heritage and ICT. In addition, Aidico serves as support for public administrations at all levels, national, regional and local, as advisers in the relationship of regulations, orders, etc.

The construction sector is highly fragmented. There are a lot of agents, procedures and computer applications involved in the construction processes. For this reason, and taking into account the large amount of information that is handled in a project, is more than necessary to promote interoperability to facilitate the exchange of information. The main benefit of interoperability is to reduce time and therefore costs, since that will power the re-use of information that is common between agents or procedures. To this, we must add that it is a bet for the work in a collaborative way, somewhat more than necessary in construction projects covering many subjects: design, structure, energy, facilities, etc.

Building Smart is an international association whose main objective is to promote interoperability in the construction sector through the use of open on BIM (Building Information Model) standards. It's a partnership that serves meeting point for developers of construction software, construction companies, engineering firms, manufacturers of materials and products, public administrations, research institutes and universities Association is divided into regional chapters to so extend the philosophy of the same to each country. The most active chapters are the American and the Norse. Currently, the Constitution of an Iberian chapter with all entities interested in forming part of the same is being promoted.

Form part of Building Smart means have access to global leaders in the adoption of BIM, development of standards, opportunities for networking, conferences and workshops and certification of software compatible with the standard.

With this in mind, we think that, and more currently, can be of great interest for Spanish companies form part of this International Association, as a point of access to the outside. On the other hand, I believe that Spain has much to contribute to the Association. It is known that several of the world's largest builders are Spanish, and therefore we can transfer our knowledge for the benefit of all.

You can be part basically all entities related to the construction sector and who are involved in the construction processes generating or exchanging information. I am referring to construction, engineering, and offices of architectures, manufacturers of materials and products, software developers, and of course, public administrations, research organizations and groups such as professional associations.

Without a doubt. Current globalization implies that any company should offer their services on any site. Building Smart promotes the use of an international standard that can help builders and engineering to participate in tenders, or to software developers to sell their products in other countries.

The construction in Spain sector grew disproportionately in recent years, mainly in the field of building, so it is currently bound to a deep restructuring and to seek opportunities of business beyond our borders. Precisely Aidico is working on that line, since it already has offices in China, Romania, or Panama, because it believes that an important way of supporting companies in the sector is helping them to their implementation in emerging countries.