The Water Supplies Department (WSD) was awarded the Special Mention that commends its top performance in adopting open Building Information Modelling (openBIM) in the global competition of openBIM Awards 2023 organised by buildingSMART International (bSI) in Lillestrøm of Norway on September 20 (Norway time).

     A spokesman for the WSD said, "The award recognises the WSD's outstanding achievement in the establishment of the Asset Management Information System, and will reinforce the WSD's commitment to striving for excellence in operation and asset management in water supplies with applications of innovative technologies and cutting-edge solutions in providing better services for the public. The Asset Management Information System, pioneered by the WSD, is an industry-leading initiative that serves as a benchmark for the key players in the water industry with the integrated use of openBIM, open Geographical Information System, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things in enhancing the effectiveness of asset management."

     OpenBIM is a new mentality and innovative technology that thinks outside the box by applying digitalised building technology to vender-neutral and open data formats. Through 3D modelling, the interoperability of openBIM provides clear digital representation of the physical assets with detailed information on individual units including construction, maintenance, materials data and dimensions, etc, which largely enhances the effectiveness of asset management.

     In the bSI's openBIM Awards 2023 competition, 22 finalists from prestigious universities and leading key players in openBIM, including the WSD, were shortlisted from a total of 137 submissions from different parts of the world. Among those finalists, the WSD was the only government department and organisation in the discipline of water supplies. Projects of the WSD and the awardees in the competition are extending significant influence to the field of openBIM on a global scale.

     bSI is a globally recognised organisation that develops, leads and promotes the development of openBIM international standards and workflows for the planning, design, procurement, assembly and operation of buildings and infrastructure worldwide with open digital information flows across the built asset industry. As of September 2023, about 70 organisational members from various parts of the world collaborate under bSI. 

Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:28

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