BIM Development for the Crossrail Farringdon Station
Bam Ferrovial Kier's (BFK) goal at Farringdon was to link programme, model and design information so that it could be accessed by stakeholders from a single source at any stage of the life cycle of the asset.
The joint ventyre selected BIMXtra software from Clearbox to achieve this goal, working with software developers to further adapt the BIMXtra platform for its complex requirements. Farringdon’s BIMXtra platform is now compatible with the majority of computer aided design (CAD) systems, enabling design schedules to be automatically populated with the geometric data from different CAD models.
BFK’s design team can also add non-geometric information directly onto the schedules during the design process. All information is automatically linked back to model components. One of BIMXtra’s major advantages is the streamlining of data gathering for asset management: Instead of being transposed by hand, a time consuming activity that is highly vulnerable to human error, data is generated through the linked design schedules. The delivery format can be set at any stage and the process is entirely automated. BFK predicts that the resulting CAD time savings for services subcontractors over the life cycle of the asset can be measured in man-years.
This project was the Merit Award Winner, Digital Innovation Award, in the CIOB International Innovation and Research Award 2014.
The Judge's said, “The applicants demonstrated an advanced implementation of BIM technologies on a complex infrastructure project. They not only showed the simultaneous interrogation of multiple models developed in different software packages, but also the collaborative working relationship which included the client and software consultant. The judging panel was impressed by their enthusiasm in applying a range of BIM technologies.”
--CIOB
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.