You research data-based modelling, simulation and improvement of construction processes. In the planning and erection of buildings, which steps benefit particularly from digitization?
Planning benefits in particular from the better coordination between the specialist trades and the possibility to solve conflicts on their interfaces in digital building models. But the detailed models not only help to resolve conflicts during the planning process and later during construction, but also make it possible to simulate the entire life-cycle. As a result the energy efficiency of buildings can be greatly improved. In my view the main advantage at the implementation stage is that digitization makes it possible to improve how resources are used, to plan a chain of processes right through, to document transparently and to achieve a better standard of implementation.
 
How will digitization affect the entire life-cycle of buildings?
Because of digitization, operation (including differing strategies of use) can be taken into account as early as the planning stage; so the life-cycle of buildings can be optimized. Employing sensors, linking them up to a comprehensive database and analysing the data collected opens the path to predictive maintenance, which I see as a key innovation in operating buildings. With continual measurement and data evaluation, forecasting how long technical facilities will stay operational becomes possible. Critical operating variables are presented as key performance indicators and help to make decisions on the most suitable maintenance schedules and operating constellations.
 
What are the biggest challenges in digitizing construction projects step by step?
Apart from the lack of standardization in the software field, and unresolved interface problems in data traffic, l see a reluctance to depart from traditional ways of thinking, and to some extent a lack of interest in implementing projects in a cooperative way, as the main obstacles to digitization. It turns out that the benefits to be gained from disruptive innovations are hard to quantify in the short term. From recent surveys, though, we know that (for instance) partial digital approaches to documentation processes pay for themselves within a short time. From this we infer that interdisciplinary research efforts need more time for implementation and acquiring funds.