IBDT · University of Toronto
Replicate Reality; Examine the Future(s)
Institutional building digital twin research at the University of Toronto—digitizing campus facilities, intelligence for decisions, and tools for operations.
What We Do
We replicate reality—not only a 3D model of a facility. Our models capture product information (BIM models, condition assessments, contracts and project reports, energy audits) and process information (business process management for decision making in design, contracting, construction, and operations). Analytics support formulating and examining scenarios for the future(s): options for action and decisions explored in the digital world before implementation in the real world.
We also build data governance policies to enable consistent collection, quality control, and use of data.
Campus Context
- 150+ buildingsin scope for digital twin and data work with U of T operations
- Engineering + facilitiesresearchers and operations teams solving problems together
- Active pilotsmaintenance, energy, capital planning, and handover workflows
Campus buildings use and produce diverse datasets. We provide secure access to data for staff, faculty, and students. Using knowledge graphs, we create interoperability between datasets with limited prior knowledge of the schema behind each source. Datasets and documents can be added or retired under governed access and cataloguing policies. For example:
- Structured feeds: BIM models, sensor logs, standardized documents (such as work orders or facility condition reports)
- Unstructured data: documents and non-standardized Excel files
We capture reality through building BIM models and developing workflow maps. The digital twin co-locates all data about the facility, allowing for informed access and visualization through a 3D interface. This enables users to query data more easily and collaborate more effectively.
On top of the 3D BIM model and its connected data, we develop dashboards that can be tailored to user needs; provide a chatbot for open-ended questions; and suggest means for developing and examining scenarios and options to support decision making.
Mission
Bridge the data gaps and provide intelligent analytics to support creating and examining futures.
We engage stakeholders in the creation and deployment of digital twins to assure smooth and relevant usage—and, more importantly, to empower them to co-create updates and advanced uses of the twins.
Get in Touch
Collaborate or Ask a Question
Use the contact form or send us an email if you want further information, have an idea, or have a digital-twin (DT) project.