Russia Adopts a National BIM Standard
Russia Adopts a National BIM Standard
Digital Construction Gets Its Legal Framework
Approval by Rosstandart of the national standard Edinaya Sistema Informatsionnogo Modelirovaniya. Upravlenie Zhiznennym Tsiklom Tsifrovykh Modeley v Stroitelstve (Unified Information Modeling System. Lifecycle Management of Digital Models in Construction) marks a genuine turning point for Russia’s construction industry. For the first time, the country has formally established unified rules for applying information modeling technologies (TIM/BIM) across the entire lifecycle of a facility – from design and construction to operation and decommissioning. The document creates a solid legal, methodological, and terminological foundation for the digital transformation of the entire sector.
Unified Rules for All Construction Projects
Developed with the participation of Russia’s Ministry of Construction, DOM.RF, and Rosatom’s Industry Center for Capital Construction, the standard defines more than 70 standardized terms, describes the structure of information model management, specifies the roles and responsibilities of all participants, and sets principles for data verification, validation, and updating.
Without such a unified framework, it is impossible to ensure effective digital coordination, large-scale deployment of Russian BIM solutions, or the sustainable development of a single digital environment for design and construction.
From June 1, 2026, compliance with the standard will become mandatory for all new investment and construction projects in Russia. This is not a bureaucratic formality but a practical tool that enables sharp gains in efficiency, cost reduction, improved safety, and transparency at every project stage. The move directly aligns with national objectives related to technological sovereignty and digital independence.
From Nuclear Projects to Housing
Previously, BIM technologies in Russia were used mainly in complex industrial projects – primarily in the nuclear and oil and gas sectors. Civil construction lagged behind. The turning point came after adoption of a national information modeling implementation plan in 2014, which laid the groundwork for regulation, expert procedures, and workforce development.
A federal program with pilot projects was launched in 2015, followed in 2017 by a formal TIM/BIM implementation roadmap. In 2019, Article 57.5 was added to the Urban Planning Code, legally defining information modeling. From January 1, 2022, creation of digital models became mandatory for all state-funded projects. In May 2024, DOM.RF launched a unified registry of companies using TIM in residential construction.
Russia’s accumulated experience now includes landmark BIM projects such as the Crimean Bridge, Lakhta Center, Krasnodar Stadium, the reconstruction of Luzhniki Stadium, Grozny-City, the Bolshoi Theatre, and the Vostochny Cosmodrome. These facilities clearly demonstrate how digital modeling improves construction quality, precision, and safety.
Digital Modeling as an Economic Driver
Government support for TIM/BIM is driven by measurable advantages: cost reductions of up to 30%, design timelines shortened by 20–50%, higher environmental performance, greater transparency, and stimulation of innovation and workforce development. For citizens, this translates into more reliable and higher-quality housing and social infrastructure. For the economy as a whole, it means lower costs and higher productivity.
In addition, approval of the GOST standard opens export opportunities. CIS and BRICS countries that are actively exploring digital construction could become key markets for Russian solutions. In this context, the national standard functions as an instrument of technological export.
Russian BIM Platforms Gain Ground
Introduction of the state standard creates conditions for sustained growth of domestic TIM/BIM solutions. Platforms such as NanoCAD from NanoSoftDevelopment, Model Studio CS from CSoftDevelopment, Renga from Renga, and Pilot-BIM from ASCON are already confidently replacing foreign alternatives. They offer functionality aligned with GOST and IFC standards, along with open APIs and specialized modules for engineering calculations.
A Foundation for Future Success
Challenges remain ahead – including shortages of qualified specialists, the need to modernize IT infrastructure, and integration of the standard into existing digital ecosystems. However, companies and regions that begin operating under the new rules today are likely to secure a strategic advantage tomorrow.
In this sense, adoption of the TIM/BIM GOST is not merely another regulatory act but the foundation of Russia’s future digital construction industry. The country is taking a confident step toward a new model of construction – transparent, safe, efficient, and genuinely digital.
