From 27 to 30 April, the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering is hosting the IX International Scientific and Practical Conference "Information Modeling in Construction and Architecture" (BIMAC 2026) to discuss the future of the construction industry.
The conference will bring together representatives from science, business, government, and the IT industry. It will focus on the development of building information modeling (BIM/TIM) technologies, the digitalization of design and construction, and training specialists for the new technological reality.
BIMAC has already established itself as a space for professional dialogue, where not only current industry challenges but also its strategic development are discussed. This year, participants will explore the application of BIM/TIM across all stages of the facility lifecycle – from design to operation.
Digital technology to help preserve history
One of the most relevant areas of the program will be the section "Digital Restoration of Cultural Heritage Sites."
It is to take place on 27 April from 15:00 to 17:30 in the Academic Council Meeting Hall and is to bring together specialists working at the intersection of technology and historical preservation.
The moderators will be the General Director of OOO RUSEKO-STROYPROEKT Aleksandr Lapygin, and the Acting Head of the SPbGASU Department of Geodesy, Land Management and Cadastre Yana Volkova.
Participants will discuss how modern digital tools help to “transform” architectural heritage into the digital environment and preserve it for future generations.
The section agenda includes::
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building of information models of cultural heritage sites;
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BIM approaches using examples of iconic buildings (including the Taganka Theatre in Moscow and the General Staff Building in St Petersburg);
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digital reconstruction of historical buildings;
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3D scanning and creation of digital twins of architectural monuments;
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new approaches – from open formats to crowdsourcing and gamification.
This comprehensive view allows to speak about the formation of a new culture of working with heritage – digital, accurate, and accessible.
Technologies are changing – and so are the demands on specialists
The conference places special emphasis on training. As Denis Nizhegorodtsev, Director of the SPbGASU Center for Digital Competence, emphasizes, "Every year, new software products appear that accelerate and improve the quality of specialists' work. But this requires constant mastery of new tools. Therefore, it is important to teach not only specific programs but also the methodology itself—then graduates will be able to adapt to any technology."
That's why the university is building a continuous training system—from school to continuing education—by actively engaging employers and software developers in this process.
From students to schoolchildren: who is shaping the future of the industry
The conclusion of BIMAC 2026 will be devoted to summing up the results of the educational competitions, which have become an important part of the conference.
The closing ceremony will include the announcement of the winners of the TIM Championship among secondary vocational students and the awards ceremony for the winners of the All-Russian School TIM Championship Olympiad at SPbGASU.
Thus, BIMAC 2026 unites not only the professional community but also future specialists, fostering an interest in digital technologies from the early stages of education.
The conference will be held in person at the main building of SPbGASU, with remote participation available. Participation is free, and the conference proceedings will be published.