The widespread implementation of BIMs (Building Information Models) within the construction industry is dependent on the exchange of digital object data between parties. It will only succeed if everyone uses the same definitions, descriptions and interpretations. It’s safe to say that at the moment these parties still ‘speak’ different languages. Object data is either completely unable to be reused or done so inefficiently by hand or semi-automatic. This is forming an obstacle to chain integration and the further implementation of BIM. There is an evident need for a single standardised language for the entire sector. ‘The Dutch concept library for the built environment’, or CB-NL, intends to define this language.

What is the CB-NL?The CB-NL’s aim is the unambiguous description of built environment concepts. This does not only include concepts to describe physical objects, such as a door, a roof or a window, but also concepts to describe spatial objects, such as a meeting room, a parking space or even a town. The contents of the CB-NL apply to the entire lifecycle of a project and include all sub-sectors in construction, both residential and non-residential building (B&U). Its contents also apply to all groundwork, road and hydraulic engineering (GWW) as well as the spatial (geo-)environment. The CB-NL will be a smart

A Joint Effort One Language for the Built Environment

dictionary for the Dutch built environment, whose aim is to end current miscommunication. It will be complex in design, but easy to use In addition to that, it will be available free of charge through the Internet.

Who is working on the CB-NL?To build a workable concept library requires a lot of work. A CB-NL team has been formed for this purpose consisting of several staff members and working groups for both residential and non-residential building (B&U), groundwork, road and hydraulic engineering (GWW) and the spatial (geo-) environment. Their aim is to collect the most appropriate content for the CB-NL from within their specific fields. The ICT working group is also involved in developing the ICT architecture on which the CB-NL will be built, in modelling the content, and furthermore with its customisation with software suppliers and producers. The CB-NL is currently housed at Geonovum.

ConnectingOur philosophy is to use what we already have. There are already several classifications and other knowledge collections available from knowledge institutes, for example ETIM (European Technical Information Model), NEN (Netherlands Standard Institute), STABU (a group of large, cooperating companies positioned within the Dutch building industry) and CROW (a knowledge institute in the

clients (the Client Forum). They jointly promote better quality, continuity and the (international) competitive position of the Dutch building sector. The accelerated introduction of BIM is seen as one of the driving forces behindachieving this. On order to attain this ambitious goal, the BIR programme has three key objectives: 1 To develop one single language in the building

sector (CB-NL)2 To initiate and contribute towards the

development of standards for the transfer of information (priority IFC)

3 To develop a uniform approach towards the compilation of a statement of requirements with functional specifications (as required by Systems Engineering among others)

Participation in CB-NL The CB-NL is as necessary as it is innovative; made for and by the Netherlands Building Sector. Clients, contractors, advisers, designers and software suppliers are currently working hard on various sections of the CB-NL. The work includes:• Identifying and prioritising the information

needs per domain• Contributing to the expert groups• Assessing the modelled content• Testing the contents of CB-NL through use

of examples from practice• Linking to existing sources, such as RAW

(Rationalisation and Automation Civil

Engineering), Stabu, IMGeo (Information Model Geography), etcetera.

Advantages of participationParticipating companies have theirnames and logos included on theCB-NL website. The participants acquire knowledge of and experience with principles,development and the application of CB-NL,which may be used in tenders that requirethe use of CB-NL.

For more informationwww.cb-nl.nlwww.bouwinformatieraad.nl

GeonovumBarchman Wuytierslaan 103818 LH AmersfoortTel. 033 460 41 00Contactpersoon: Anne-Beth Broedersinfo@cb-nl.nl

field of infrastructure, public space, traffic and transport). We will link all this information through the CB-NL, thereby ensuring uniformity in the descriptions. The CB-NL will, therefore, not be a new library but a binding element between the existing sources.

Objectives of the CB-NLA number of objectives have been formulated for late 2014, the main ones being:• The CB-NL should be an active and well-

organised concept library with validated contents; not yet complete, but operating well

• The CB-NL is linked to existing initiatives• The CB-NL has been qualified by Forum

Standardisation as an open standard• The CB-NL is used in practice and prescribed

by public clients• Tooling should be available with which the

CB-NL can be approached (incl. web services)• The CB-NL must, as a minimum requirement

support the standards IFD (Industrial, Flexible and Demountable Building) version 16 and COINS 1.0 (open BIM standard).

The Building Information Council (BIR)The BIR is a sector coordinating body comprising five sections: engineers (NLingenieurs), installers (UNETO-VNI – Employers’ Organisation), contractors (Bouwend Nederland), architects (BNA Association of Dutch Architects) and