Introduction
Large business districts generate detailed building information models (BIM) during design and construction, but those models rarely connect to the maps and data used to run the district. The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh wanted to see how a digital twin could bring building and geospatial data together for day-to-day management.
Project info
- Client: Technical Xperts Group (TXG), Riyadh
- Period: October – November 2024
- Location: King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Scope
A one-month proof of concept: convert and integrate BIM models into GIS, build a digital twin of selected buildings and their surroundings, and develop an interactive application that shows how the twin supports district operations.
Services Delivered
GeoBIM Integration
We converted building data from BIM into GIS format and integrated the models for spatial analysis and 3D visualisation, with accurate geospatial placement of every structure.
Digital Twin Development
We built a digital twin of selected KAFD buildings and the surrounding area in ArcGIS and CityEngine, ready for real-time geospatial data and 3D monitoring.
Interactive Unreal Engine Application
We developed an application combining Unreal Engine and GIS with six use cases: lease-space management, energy-use analysis, building surveillance, crowd-flow monitoring, virtual reality walkthroughs and visitor wayfinding.
Results
- A GIS database of selected KAFD buildings integrated with their BIM models.
- A working digital twin of the selected buildings and surrounding district.
- An interactive Unreal Engine application demonstrating six operational use cases, from leasing to crowd management.
