Nicosia, Cyprus. The Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (Etek) hosted a European workshop titled “Scaling BIM Down: Making BIM work for small firms and small projects” to support BIM adoption and its role in the EU BIM Task Group. The event focused on helping small firms implement the methodology as part of the construction sector’s digital transformation.
Workshop focus and participants
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a collaborative, technology-driven process for creating and managing digital, data-rich 3D models of construction projects throughout their entire lifecycle. Etek said the workshop aimed to promote BIM adoption among small firms and encourage open dialogue on implementation, including how SMEs can integrate BIM and adapt to the ongoing digital transition in the construction industry.
According to an Etek announcement, representatives from seven countries participated, and the workshop was held in the presence of the two co-chairs of the EU BIM Task Group steering committee. Etek noted the event took place as small and medium-sized enterprises represent a significant share of the construction and infrastructure market in Cyprus and across the European Union.
Discussions and objectives
Etek said participants held discussions on practical BIM solutions, raising concerns, presenting practical approaches, and shaping common proposals aimed at the effective adoption of BIM by small companies and projects of limited scale.
Opening remarks and chamber position
Opening remarks were delivered by First Executive Engineer at the Public Works Department Thrasos Afamis, representing the transport, communications and works minister, European Council of Civil Engineers president and Etek first vice-president Platon Stylianou, and Etek secretary general Andreas Theodotou, who delivered a message on behalf of the chamber’s president.
“The benefits of the BIM process extend beyond large-scale projects and also reach smaller projects that represent the majority of construction activity,” Etek president Constantinos Constanti said in the message. He added that “Etek has placed the promotion of BIM at the centre of its strategy “.
What steps do you think would help small firms adopt BIM more effectively?
