BIM Awareness and Acceptance by Architecture Students in Asia

Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), which is another key concept of BIM, are becoming globally-recognized standards. Although BIM education in schools is important in order to advance the adoption of BIM in the industry, such education has yet to be achieved. This study examines the degree of awareness and acceptance of BIM and BIM education among architecture students in Asia. A survey was conducted to measure recognition, interest, and experience with BIM and IFC among students participating in a design workshop in Busan, Korea. The students were moderately aware of BIM itself, yet had no familiarity with IFC. The more they know about BIM, the more likely they are to have an interest in it. Korean students are more aware of BIM than students from other Asian countries, and ′Upper class′ (3rd year and higher) students are more aware than ′Lower class′ (1st and 2nd year) students. This difference in awareness may be due to the strong government led initiative in Korea. Although for effective adoption of BIM and IFC, they should be introduced earlier to raise an awareness and interest in them.