Research on the concept and framework of building information modeling ecosystem

Theories and methods of ecology provide a new research perspective for construction industry. The concept of BIM ecosystem was put forward based on ecology. The hierarchy and composition of it were specifically analyzed by contrastive method. Then horizontal and longitudinal perspective of the BIM ecosystem´s dynamic, habitat and growth is analyzed. BIM ecosystem has two evident characteristics from the niche ecostate-ecorole theory: trust and cooperation relationship between BIM related companies blurs the traditional boundaries and transforms the competition into integration; BIM enables information pass from conception to maintenance, ending in knowledge and getting back to support the new construction. The framework of BIM ecosystem was established as the focus of BIM shifted to a more strategic and broader orientation. The article further considered several suggestions in constructing and improving the BIM ecosystem as well as in implementing BIM-driven development strategies. The key contribution is to comprehend the connotation of BIM and to determine the sustainable development of BIM.