From Smart Models to Smarter Buildings
We've all heard the buzz around digital twins. But in 2025, the conversation is shifting from theory to action. A digital twin isn't just a flashy 3D model—it's a dynamic, real-time replica of a physical building that evolves alongside its real-world counterpart. It's BIM with a nervous system.
For AEC firms and building owners, this means moving from static handover packages to living, breathing systems that can inform decisions long after construction wraps up. With AI, IoT, and cloud infrastructure maturing rapidly, digital twins are no longer "next-gen"—they're the logical next step.
What Makes a Digital Twin Different from BIM?
BIM models are fantastic for design and coordination, but are not always built to live beyond handover. A digital twin, on the other hand, is continuously updated with real-world data from sensors, energy meters, equipment logs, and more. It's not just geometry, it's behavior.
Think of it this way: BIM helps you build the building, while a digital twin helps you understand, optimize, and maintain it throughout its lifecycle.
According to Autodesk's 2025 State of Design & Make report, digitally mature companies are 41% more likely to use internal data for a competitive edge, including operational insights that digital twins can unlock.
What Can Digital Twins Do in 2025?
Today's digital twin platforms can monitor and simulate just about anything happening inside a building:
- Energy usage and HVAC performance
- Occupant movement and space utilization
- Predictive maintenance alerts for critical equipment
- Lifecycle cost analysis and retrofit planning
- Simulation of emergency scenarios like fires or evacuations
One standout case? The City of Helsinki's twin of their urban district, "Kalasatama," includes live data from traffic, air quality, and building systems to simulate future planning outcomes and optimize services in real time (source).
Why Now? The Digital Twin Ecosystem Is Finally Coming Together
In the past, creating a digital twin was tough, data was fragmented, software didn't talk to each other, and costs were high. But that's changing in 2025.
The pieces are falling into place thanks to platforms like Autodesk Tandem, Bentley iTwin, and Microsoft Azure Digital Twins. These systems can now ingest Revit models, sensor data, and FM databases to create a centralized, continuously updated view of a building's health.
With the rise of generative AI, twins can now analyze that data and offer suggestions, from energy optimization tweaks to proactive maintenance schedules. It's no longer about visualization—it's about foresight.
Challenges Ahead: From Hype to Hard Work
Building a digital twin isn't as simple as uploading your BIM files to the cloud.
- Data discipline is critical. If your model doesn't have consistent naming, structured parameters, and relevant metadata, your twin will be more art than science.
- Integration is complex. Linking real-time IoT feeds, BMS systems, and analytics tools requires thoughtful planning and IT coordination.
- Ownership must be clear. Who maintains the twin? Who updates it? Who governs its security?
As Ammar Al Assam, CEO of Dewan Architects, shared in the 2025 SDM report:
"We're optimistic. But to make digital twins work, you need clarity, collaboration, and commitment."
Looking Ahead: The Age of Building Intelligence
Digital twins are here, not just for airports and smart cities but also for schools, offices, factories, and hospitals. As new buildings become more complex, clients are asking for more than just as-builts—they want insight, foresight, and ROI. And as retrofits increase in importance, having a reliable digital representation becomes essential.
By embedding digital twin readiness into their BIM delivery, the firms that get this right today will drive innovation tomorrow.
Conclusion: It Starts with the Model
At its core, a digital twin is only as good as the BIM behind it. At Treknocom, we believe in setting clients up for project delivery and long-term operational success. That means delivering coordinated, structured, and digital-twin-ready models every time.
The next frontier of AEC isn't just building better; it's understanding better, and digital twins are the key.
Treknocom's Role in Digital Twin-Ready BIM
Creating a useful digital twin starts with a reliable, data-rich BIM model. That's where Treknocom comes in.
Our teams are experienced in delivering high-LOD BIM models designed not just for construction but also for handover, operations, and integration with digital twin platforms. Whether it's structured asset tagging, COBie deliverables, or linking Revit models with FM systems, we make sure your model isn't just accurate—it's future-proof.
By combining detailed geometry with intelligent metadata, we help clients set the foundation for successful twin implementation, without remodeling or backtracking after project completion.
Citations
- Autodesk 2025 State of Design & Make Report: https://www.autodesk.com/design-make/research/state-of-design-and-make-2025
- Digital Twin of Helsinki: https://www.helsinkismart.fi/en/projects/digital-twin-of-helsin
- Bentley iTwin Platform: https://www.bentley.com/software/itwin-platform/
- Microsoft Azure Digital Twins: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/digital-twins/
