BIM 2.0 according to Qonic

News & Updates
1

Qonic defines BIM 2.0 not as an incremental software update, but as a technological reset. Traditional BIM often suffers from “legacy bloat”- outdated data structures and file-based workflows that lead to inaccuracies. The coming weeks we will address several topics that we consider crucial for BIM 2.0.

Here is the list of next episodes:

  1. Mechanical-grade precision

  2. Modeling with B-Reps (solids) in BIM 2.0

  3. 3D modeling and 2D drawings

  4. High-Fidelity Quantity Take-Off (QTO) via Geometric Normalization

  5. Qonic’s Geometric AI combined with other AI methods

  6. Visual Planning

  7. Spaces

  8. APIs for data and geometry

  9. Pricing policy

  10. ROI today

Following is a non-limiting list of fundamentals we consider mandatory for BIM 2.0.

BIM 2.0 must enable a cloud-native and file-free collaboration. It must move away from ‘monolithic files’ toward a database driven approach.

BIM 2.0 needs ‘live accuracy’ for modeling and reports such as Quantity-take-offs’, planning, quality assurance, etc.

BIM 2.0 needs geometry modeling with mechanical-grade precision – we call it one-on-one ‘As Build’ precision. It should be made possible by easy 3D direct modeling operations. Users should be able to “push and pull” geometry freely. This removes the rigid constraints of traditional parametric modeling, allowing for complex architectural forms without breaking the model. Those easy modeling operations must use the same UI on PC, Mac, iOS, Android and web browsers.

BIM 2.0 must be able to handle high-resolution details (e.g. detailed façade construction or complex wall layers) across massive datasets, even entire city models, without performance lag.

BIM 2.0 must be built on Open BIM (IFC) standards or any equivalent and should provide APIs for geometry and data enabling custom workflows to ensure it doesn’t become another closed silo.

BIM 2.0 must provide unlimited visual feedback. In a highly detailed complex building existing of several models – architectural, structural, MEP… - the hundreds of thousands individual elements must be visually trackable in a blink of an eye, so to speak.

BIM 2.0 needs a proactive monitoring system for agentic watching over the integrity of geometry and data.

Any BIM 2.0 implementation may never close in its users. It must allow the user at his discretion to stop the service and download his complete set of geometry, data and metadata.

BIM 2.0 must span the process with an uninterrupted workflow starting from early design till the demolition of the building. That includes maintenance of building elements and huge mechanical systems and elements. All stakeholders – architects, engineers, constructors, manufacturers building owners and operators – should easily do their job on one unified platform. The digital twin must continually stay ahead of the execution of the building and not run ‘after the facts’. That requires extreme ease of use.

Although AI holds big promises, today it can’t drive the whole process. We see it as a gradually growing assistant and are embracing the power of it. More about it later.

This is about what is available now and in the next quarters.

About
Erik de Keyser is Co-Founder of Qonic. He previously founded and led Bricsys for 18 years, building it into a global player in professional CAD and BIM software. That journey gave him deep insight into what the AEC industry needs—and where traditional approaches fall short. In 2021, he co-founded Qonic with former colleagues and supports it financially to fundamentally rethink BIM from the ground up.

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You guys have a good concept and vision, just unsure how the pricing plans are suitable for operations outside of architectural projects, operations that have many designers doing many smaller jobs at many different projects. Aside from that, points mentioned in the first few sentences are important, we need a refactoring of the entire process.The geometry manipulation demonstrated is giving some hope of creative capabilities approaching the solid modeller ‘Plasticity.xyz’. With future development there’s potential to kill off that toxic Revit workflow/platform.

3

Not only ‘integrity’ of geometry, but also realtime ML structural analysis of geometry, point loads, leg loads, platform loads, wind loads, anchor loads etc so decision can be suggest and committed to as the design/build progresses. Need to move away from the 30 year+ process of exporting a DXF wireframe to structural analysis, produce a report, go back to the model to modify with changes, too much inefficiency and lost time. Physics code in the geometry is the best approach for BIM 2.0.

4

The new ‘Components’, and up and coming Components ‘editing environment’ with parametric and constraints will be very interesting. When working on snapping logic, consider for the future, dedicated ‘structural snaps’ used for tubular CHS, scaffolding, piping, structural steel etc.

Qonic navigation performance looks awesome and the orbiting looks super precise (pivot point detection-front face front object under pointer) great work. Qonic is making BricsCAD, Revit look like something from the dark ages in those areas.

Qonic will need to deliver structural steel BIM Profiles and develop other System component families then the industry can look at replacing Revit as the next gen ‘design from ground up’ solution, rather than just a collaborative model enhancer.