Redback BIM - Developing a Browser-based Modeling Application Software Taxonomy

Abstract

Browser-based platforms (Google Docs or Minecraft) have instigated the value of collaborative environments. Browser-based modelling point out a future for the AEC industry. Yet at present no literature review nor a taxonomy of browser-based modelling platforms exist. A key outcome of a unique taxonomy framework of existing BMA characteristics reveals that current BMAs do not take full advantage of the web's unique capabilities such as centralising data across multiple tools within an 'ecosystem'. Consequently, this taxonomy has productively guided the development of Redback BIM, a proof-of-concept BMA that enables the coordination of BIM data in a collaborative online context. Redback BIM further demonstrates how, through establishing a universal data-type, a diverse range of scripts can be consolidated together in an online platform to enable greater accessibility for a range of AEC professionals towards improved project communication and efficiency.