When humans and machines work together, they create more than technology – they redefine progress, writes Yves Padrines, CEO of Nemetschek
The construction and real estate industry stands at a historic turning point. Rising costs, a shortage of skilled labour, and ambitious climate goals are increasing the pressure to build faster, more efficiently, and more sustainably. The key insight of this transformation is clear: the next era of construction will only succeed if artificial intelligence (AI), open and interoperable systems, digital twins, and consistent sustainability are seamlessly integrated. What matters is not individual tools, but a connected, data-driven ecosystem. This is not a technological luxury – it is an economic and social necessity.
From digital tools to intelligent ecosystems
For years, digitalisation in construction followed a linear path: first BIM, then the cloud, followed by mobile apps. But that view falls short. The future lies in connectivity – the ability to link data across all phases, stakeholders, and systems.
AI analytics, automated workflows, and digital twins now form the backbone of this ecosystem. While many firms still manage data in silos, pioneers already rely on open interfaces based on the openBIM principle. This foundation enables data-driven decisions: designs can be simulated, energy efficiency can be evaluated in real time, and risks can be identified early.
True value emerges when data flows freely – across architecture, engineering, manufacturing, construction sites, and operations. Here, AI acts as a catalyst, translating complexity into clarity, optimising resources, and boosting productivity.
Productivity and risk management with AI and digital twins
Unproductive processes have long been the industry’s Achilles’ heel. Productivity growth still lags far behind other sectors – a weakness rooted in fragmentation and information loss. Digital twins close these gaps by uniting design, construction, and operational data in a dynamic model. Combined with AI, they enable scenario modelling, predictive maintenance, and cost forecasting – reducing risk and increasing reliability.
Take a simple example: a digital twin identifies where a building loses heat and suggests renovation measures based on material data, CO₂ intensity, and lifecycle costs. AI turns this from an abstract report into an actionable management tool. Clients gain transparency on budgets and timelines, developers monitor ESG performance, and operators optimise energy use. This integrated view provides a decisive competitive edge – especially in markets driven by regulation and sustainability targets.
Openness is a duty, not an option
Many companies still use closed system environments that seem efficient in the short term but block innovation long term. Closed ecosystems create dependencies, slow data exchange, and hinder scalability.
The future must be interoperable. Only open standards ensure data remains usable from design to operation. OpenBIM and IFC are not technical jargon but cornerstones of a digital construction industry that connects knowledge, efficiency, and sustainability.
Political initiatives such as Germany’s BIM strategy or the EU data strategy set frameworks. But true progress happens in practice – when software vendors open interfaces, architects co-develop data models, and construction companies invest in digital competence.
Sustainability as an economic lever
Construction accounts for 40% of global CO₂ emissions – an alarming share that has awakened the industry. Sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a core business factor.
Digital technologies make environmental responsibility measurable. ESG dashboards, resource analyses, and smart metering create transparency. Developers and investors can track in real time which measures improve carbon balance or extend lifecycles.
The shift from obligation to value creation is decisive:
- Sustainability enhances assets. Buildings with verified CO₂ reductions achieve higher valuations and lower operating costs.
- Sustainability minimises regulatory risk. Automated reporting integrates ESG standards into daily processes.
- Sustainability attracts talent. Young professionals want purpose and climate responsibility – companies embodying sustainability secure expertise and loyalty.
This creates a loop of innovation, trust, and value. Digitalisation and sustainability amplify each other – those who link both build resilience.
Bureaucracy, speed, and trust
A digital restart in construction requires more than technology. It needs conditions that enable change. Too often, lengthy approval processes and inconsistent standards slow transformation.
Policymakers must become partners in innovation. Three levers are vital:
- Digital approval procedures: Machine readable applications and automated checks shorten planning times.
- Promotion of open standards: Public projects should mandate interoperable formats, fostering market-wide acceptance.
- Investment in training: An open data culture depends on digital skills. Targeted funding must enable SMEs to participate.
Together, these create an innovation-friendly climate where speed drives progress rather than risk.
A new responsibility for technology providers
Software and platform vendors are no longer just toolmakers – they shape the DNA of construction’s future. Their responsibility is to enable collaboration, not dependency. Open APIs, modular architectures, and privacy compliant cloud models are essential. Yet beyond technology, success hinges on trust. Users must know their data contributes to a shared ecosystem, not a closed product world. Technology providers that embrace this cultural shift set the standards for an entire industry. They don’t merely deliver software – they build infrastructure for collaboration and innovation.
The future of building is connected, intelligent, and sustainable
The coming decade will test endurance. The transition from analog structures to digital, ecologically balanced systems will determine whether construction accelerates or hinders societal progress.
A connected, data-driven ecosystem is more than a technical vision – it is a strategic roadmap:
- Architects and engineers use AI as a creative partner, gaining time for design.
- Construction companies automate workflows, reduce risks, and unlock new value.
- Planners and operators manage projects holistically through digital twins.
- Policymakers create stable frameworks and promote open structures.
When these forces intertwine, a new culture of construction emerges – efficient, climate conscious, and collaborative. Germany has the expertise and innovative capacity. What’s still needed is the courage to integrate.
The path to a resilient, digital, and sustainable industry does not lie in isolated tools or excessive regulation, but in shared platforms, open data models, and a culture of collaboration. That is the true digital building renaissance: a sector that connects knowledge, shares responsibility, and builds the future.
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
