HDR Named Finalist in Prominent International BIM Awards

Recognition Highlights HDR’s Role in Advancing National Open Building Information Modeling Standards for Bridges and Structures 

HDR has been named a finalist in the prestigious buildingSMART International openBIM Awards 2025, recognized in the Professional Research category for its leadership in developing and implementing national open building information modeling standards for bridges and structures in the United States.

HDR’s work as lead consultant on the groundbreaking BIM for Bridges and Structures Transportation Pooled Fund project (TPF-5(372)) resulted in development and adoption of national open data standards for standard workhorse bridges in the U.S. It also set the foundation for implementing these standards on three real-world bridge projects in Pennsylvania and Iowa. HDR led the design efforts of one of the bridges and is leading the development and documentation of the openBIM process for future training. These projects marked the first time that industry foundation class (IFC) openBIM files have been used contractually in the U.S. for quantity takeoffs and construction bidding. 

The buildingSMART award recognizes the work to apply these openBIM standards, a collaborative effort that includes PennDOT, Iowa DOT and the three design teams. 

“This recognition underscores HDR’s commitment to helping our clients lead in the digital delivery of infrastructure,” said Alexa Mitchell, HDR’s Transportation BIM Program Manager. “By advancing openBIM standards, we’re enabling agencies to move beyond proprietary formats and toward a more collaborative, interoperable future. Our work is helping to verify that openBIM digital models can serve as reliable, contract-ready deliverables — transforming how bridges are designed, built and maintained.”

HDR’s research and implementation efforts also supported software vendors in enhancing their capabilities in IFC 4.3, the international open standard for sharing digital building and infrastructure information. The project’s collaborative approach — spanning public agencies, technology providers and private-sector partners — means it will have a lasting impact on the infrastructure industry. 

BuildingSMART is the international nonprofit authority that leads the development and promotion of open standards for digital information in infrastructure. HDR will present its work with other finalists at the buildingSMART International Summit in Berlin on September 23, with final award winners announced the following day.