News

BIM plug-in tool jointly developed by the Lands Department ("LandsD") and the Buildings Department ("BD") for verifying areas calculation in GBP Submission using BIM Technology is now released.

After obtaining comments from the industry regarding our 1st release in June 2022 and incorporating BD's designated features, an enhanced plug-in tool is now available. By installing the plug-in tool, Authorized Persons ("AP") could input area information in a single predefined format that fulfil both requirements of LandsD and BD on area calculation in GBP submissions. Upon fulfilment of the minimum requirement of the guidance notes (available at the link here), the plug-in tool would assist AP in preparing BIM files in the acceptable format. For BD's requirements, please refer to BD's web page.

The plug-in tool for Autodesk Revit is currently available for download at the above links and another plug-in tool for Graphisoft ArchiCAD will be released soon. BIM files submitted in accordance with the above guidance notes can be adopted to substitute the requirement for submitting area calculation in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawing files as stated in Lands Administration Office Practice Note Issue No. 3/2018 i.e. separate submission of CAD file will not be required.

For the avoidance of doubt, GBP submissions in hard copy format shall be submitted as usual. Any approval or disapproval under lease will only be given to the GBP submissions in hard copy instead of the BIM files.

Suggestions from the industry and the professional bodies to facilitate and / or to improve the electronic vetting procedures are always welcome. For enquiries, please contact the Building Plan Unit, Development Control Section at dcs_general@landsd.gov.hk.