Turning human wisdom into data to build the future of construction

The houses we live in, the commercial facilities we visit, the office buildings where we work, and the infrastructure that sustains society—such as dams and bridges—all exist thanks to design, construction, and ongoing maintenance.
However, Japan’s construction industry now faces unprecedented challenges, driven by population decline and the retirement of experienced engineers.
Against this backdrop, growing attention is being paid to BIM (Building Information Modeling) and CIM (Construction Information Modeling)—approaches that visualize and utilize every stage of the construction process as digital data.
Leading research in this field is Professor Nobuyoshi Yabuki of the Laboratory of Civil and Architectural Informatics, Research Center for Urban and Civil Engineering, who is dedicated to passing the foundation of our daily lives on to the next generation.
BIM stands for Building Information Modeling, and CIM for Construction Information Modeling.
Even a single construction project involves multiple phases—surveying, measurement, design, execution, and maintenance—and requires collaboration among numerous companies and individuals.
Traditionally, agreement across these phases relied on two-dimensional drawings, calculation documents, and countless other materials, while engineers manually entered data into computers for analysis.
Such a workflow often consumed time and carried the risk of human error.
BIM/CIM transforms this by converting all information necessary for each stage of a construction project into digital data that can be easily shared and effectively used.
This not only streamlines communication but also enhances productivity and reduces manpower requirements.
“In many construction sites, much has depended on the skills of individual craftsmen,” explains Professor Yabuki.
“But as retirements increase, labor shortages will become more serious. By adopting BIM/CIM to turn two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional models and manually entered data into machine-readable digital data, we can reduce reliance on specific individuals and improve the overall quality of structures.”

Professor Nobuyoshi Yabuki has long been engaged in a wide range of research and development related to BIM/CIM, including IC tags, wireless sensors, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), 3D and even 4D modeling technologies.
In his early research, he developed a system that attached IC tags to structural components, allowing inspectors to read attribute data—such as where and when the part was made, and what materials were used—directly from a device, while linking this information to a 3D model.
This method was practically applied in dam construction projects in Okinawa, improving inspection efficiency.
As digital devices and technologies evolved, so too did his research.
“We are now studying how workers can wear specialized glasses at construction sites to overlay 3D models directly onto real structures,” says Professor Yabuki.
“We also explored how 3D modeling can support landscape regulation—for example, when modern high-rise buildings threaten to disrupt the scenic harmony around temples and shrines. By creating detailed 3D maps of surrounding land, we can design height regulations tailored to the actual terrain.”
After graduating from university, Yabuki joined the Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-Power) and was assigned to the civil engineering design division.
In 1982, design work in Japan was still largely analog—volume calculations for earthworks and structural or hydraulic analyses were performed manually.
It was time-consuming, and a single mistake often meant starting over from scratch.
“We drew every line of our blueprints by hand using drafting tools,” he recalls.
“Complex calculations were done with large mainframe computers. Results came out line by line on printouts, which we had to copy onto drawings by hand. It was an endless, exhausting process.”
Everything changed when he attended an exhibition and encountered 3D CAD systems used in manufacturing industries.
He was struck by their potential and helped lead a project to introduce 3D CAD into his company’s civil engineering workflows.
However, a subsequent transfer sent him back to an analog site environment—an experience that strengthened his desire to study more deeply.
This determination led him to pursue further study at Stanford University.
At that time, Stanford was a global hub for artificial intelligence research.
There, Yabuki studied not only AI and 3D CAD, but also robotics, databases, and other emerging technologies applied to design and construction in civil and architectural engineering.
After earning his Ph.D. and returning to Japan, however, he found that both AI and 3D CAD had gained negative reputations—seen as costly and unreliable.
“Repeated mechanical and software failures led companies to gradually abandon these systems,” he explains.
“I was reassigned to a completely different department, but I still wanted to continue exploring AI and CAD. Fortunately, I met a university that shared my vision, and that opportunity allowed me to return to research—eventually leading to where I am today.”

Although Professor Nobuyoshi Yabuki has engaged in a remarkably broad range of research, his work has long been guided by a concept he first proposed in 2003—the “National Infrastructure Model,” an idea that anticipates today’s digital twin technologies.
In this model, data obtained from the real world are utilized in computer-based simulations, and in turn, the information and results generated within the computer are reflected back into the physical structures of the real world.
“I sometimes think my research field is quite broad myself,” he says with a laugh. “But that’s because I’ve been pursuing each part step by step, based on a clear vision and overall blueprint. I want to further integrate information and communication technology into civil and architectural engineering, and explore any area that sparks my interest. Looking ahead, I aim to advance my current studies while also applying quantum computing and generative AI to new research.”

Professor Nobuyoshi Yabuki serves as Chair of the BIM/CIM Promotion Committee at Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
In 2025, a joint industry–academia–government team organized by MLIT—which included Tokyo City University—received the Infrastructure Design category’s top prize at the openBIM Awards 2025, marking Japan’s first-ever win in that division.
Beyond his leadership in national initiatives, Professor Yabuki actively contributes to the establishment of the Asian Civil Engineering Informatics Group and frequently gives lectures across Japan and abroad.
When asked what he hopes for the younger generation, his answer was clear:
“If something sparks your curiosity, don’t be afraid to pursue it,” he says.
“And above all, keep writing your research papers in English. The world will judge your work fairly.”

BIM/CIM is not merely a technology for handling construction-related information on computers—it is a philosophy for visualizing the unseen efforts at worksites and overcoming the many challenges of the field.
Within the data lie the accumulated judgments, experiences, and pride of the people who have shaped the built environment.
What Professor Nobuyoshi Yabuki envisions is not a future where machines replace humans, but one where human wisdom lives within technology, and technology, in turn, refines humanity—a future of construction shaped by both.