The institute presented in Paris a pioneering research project on the application of digital methodologies to the rehabilitation of traditional built heritage.
ISMAT asserted its global scientific presence by joining the main research program of the infraBIM Open 2026 international conference, held at the ESTP campus in Paris. The event, which focused on the digital transition and standardization of the construction sector, was sponsored by leading institutions such as buildingSMART International, buildingSMART France, and buildingSMART Finland, placing the institute alongside projects from top-tier world universities, such as the University of Cambridge (UK) and the University of Tsukuba (Japan).
ISMAT's research, entitled “Resilient Infrastructure Data: A Structured openBIM Framework for Traditional Roofing Systems”, was developed by architect and assistant professor of the institute's Integrated Master's in Architecture, Nuno Rio (PhD researcher at Universidade Lusófona), co-authored with Professor Filipe Coutinho Quaresma. At a time when Portugal is accelerating the modernization of the construction sector, this work practically demonstrates how the openBIM methodology and the IFC4 standard can be applied to the safeguarding, circular rehabilitation, and management of traditional built heritage (focused on southern country roofs). The developed model establishes a crucial semantic bridge between building data (BIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), preparing vernacular architecture to integrate into future urban Digital Twins and support territorial planning.
