IFC to dotBIM. A Vertical Interoperability Workflow for Cultural Heritage

Currently, digitisation processes for architectural heritage are moving towards horizontal interoperability. However, the operational effectiveness of these processes is still limited by the insufficient integration of technological applications, as well as the difficulty of managing the complexity of standard formats in heterogeneous application contexts. Data standardisation is therefore essential. In the construction sector, the prevailing open standard is Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). However, its complex structure, which is designed to ensure maximum data fidelity, means that integrating it into lightweight or prototypical applications is costly. This paper therefore proposes defining algorithmic workflows for strategically selecting information contained in IFC files. This approach aims to achieve vertical interoperability by translating data into the lightweight dotBIM format. This JSON-based format is optimised for the web and improves communication efficiency by overcoming current technological rigidities in heterogeneous contexts through the targeted transfer of only essential data.