Standards Australia, the International Code Council (ICC) and NBS have formed a Global Alliance to develop a Common Data Model to unlock the digital transformation of buildings and infrastructure.
The alliance will leverage existing standards and frameworks to create a “harmonised and extensible data model” that can be adopted by various stakeholders and platforms.
The body will also engage with other stakeholders and protocols to ensure alignment and compatibility with the global standards landscape. The work will also take account of other initiatives across the lifecycle of a build to support a transition to a low-carbon, circular economy.
The alliance said the buildings and infrastructure sector must move quickly and be positioned to share data across platforms, standards and systems to meet global climate and other reporting standards.
An open, truly global Common Data Model
The alliance’s ambition is to create a “open, truly global” Common Data Model that will serve as an end-to-end thread of trusted and reliable data over an asset’s complete lifecycle.
It has set a target of having a first release ready before the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will take place in November 2024 in Azerbaijan. The alliance believes this will demonstrate its commitment and contribution of the buildings and infrastructure sector to the global climate action agenda.
Adam Stingemore, chief development officer of Standards Australia, said: “We are delighted to partner with the International Code Council and NBS on this important project. We believe that a Common Data Model will unlock the full potential of data and digital technologies in the buildings and infrastructure sector, and help us achieve our vision of a safe, sustainable and resilient future for Australia and the world.”
Dominic Sims, CEO of ICC, said: “ICC has long focused on the importance of providing consistency to support achievement of sustainability and resilience goals. It is natural for us to work with like-minded organisations to develop a global common data model that helps deliver a decarbonised built environment.”
Phil Simpson, head of technical content and classification at NBS, said: “As custodians of Uniclass, NBS is honoured to join hands with Standards Australia and the International Code Council in forging this global alliance for digital transformation in the built environment. Our commitment to standardisation and interoperability through Uniclass underscores our dedication to facilitating global progress.
“The Common Data Model will serve as a catalyst, enabling seamless collaboration, innovation and efficiency throughout the lifecycle of construction projects. By embracing this initiative, we affirm our dedication to building a future that is not only sustainable and resilient but also inclusive and interconnected on a global scale.”
