Trivarsity, interdisciplinary BIModelling/Management (BIM) workshop: an action research international example

This article demonstrates the evolutionary development of a series of inter-varsity, interdisciplinary, collaborative architectural design/management workshops, using industry-standard BIM software, within a community of academics, students and practitioners in Danish, Irish and UK architectural technology (AT) universities. This article, per the authors, proposes that the current digital revolution in the architectural, engineering, construction and operations/owner-operated (AECO) sectors, necessitates a planned change process to simulate 21st century, interdisciplinary, professional practice in academia. The action research methodology of this is outlined. After each of the four dynamic and cyclical stages, the reflective practitioners discuss their development of the professional curriculum: defined as an active-learning process. The students are active collaborators: joint change agents in a process of transformational learning as future employees and ambassadors for the benefits of collaboration utilizing information communication technologies (ICTs).