BIMvoice

New year. Same skills.

But this year doesn’t have to pay the same.

A few years ago, my biggest career mistake in AEC wasn’t technical. It was how low I priced myself.

I was working in a role I didn’t enjoy anymore.
I wanted to move into a better position, I would enjoy more and it would align better with my goals,

And I needed to earn more.

Not “nice to have more.” I mean needed.

At the time, I earned 635,000 NOK per year.

My plan felt reasonable.
Ask for 750,000.
Settle lower if needed.

Then a friend laughed and said: “Petru, you’re selling yourself too cheap. You’re worth at least 1 million.”

That sentence stayed with me.

During interviews for BIM roles in AEC, I realized I wasn’t lowering my expectations because of the market. I was lowering them because of fear.

Fear of rejection.
Fear of sounding unrealistic.
Fear of asking for what I actually wanted.

So I tried something different.

I asked for 1,000,000 NOK.

Two interviews.
Two offers.

One higher than I ever planned to ask for.
One exactly at 1 million.

That single decision led to an 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝟲𝟬% 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲.

That moment changed how I think about money, positioning, and careers in AEC.

Most BIM professionals don’t earn less because they lack skills. They earn less because they never question the numbers they start with.

If 2026 is the year you want to stop underpricing yourself in your BIM or AEC role, I want to help.

I’m starting the year by talking with AEC and BIM professionals who feel underpaid or stuck. Short research conversations about career, money, and positioning.

No selling. No pitch.

You’ll leave with a few concrete tips based on what I’ve seen work for others in similar roles.

If you want to start this year differently, send me a message.

Let’s make sure the work you do in BIM finally pays what it should.

1 week ago | [YT] | 6

BIMvoice

After working for months with BIM professionals trying to implement IDS, I keep seeing the same pattern.

And I want to warn you about it.

This is one of the main reasons people never move from testing IDS to actually using it on real projects.

They overthink it.

They try to design the perfect IDS structure before they even start.

That approach kills momentum.

Let me be clear.
You will never come up with the perfect IDS upfront.

And that’s fine.

The mistake is thinking you need to.

Start small.
Very small.

→ Don’t try to check everything
→ Don’t aim for full coverage
→ Don’t stop because one requirement feels hard
→ Don’t give up when the first spec isn’t perfect

Build specifications you can use today.
On a real model.
With a real result.

Only after that should you move to more complex checks.

IDS is not something you design once and get right.
It’s something you shape while using it.

I was in the same situation in 2023.
Reading. Testing. Talking. Planning.

Nothing really changed until I stopped talking about IDS and started using it.

That’s when things actually began to work.

Follow this approach and you’ll become an IDS user.
Ignore it and you’ll stay stuck testing forever.

Tools are not the problem.
People waiting for perfection are.

1 week ago | [YT] | 8

BIMvoice

I don’t write many guest articles, so I’m genuinely happy about this one.

Over the past years, I’ve had many conversations with engineers and BIM professionals who are curious about open-source tools, but hesitant to bring them into real workflows.

Especially Bonsai BIM.

It’s often seen as “interesting” but not “practical enough” for commercial projects.

That’s exactly why I wrote this article for EngineeringSkills.com, invited by Dr Seán Carroll.

Not to sell Bonsai BIM as a replacement for anything.
But to explain where it actually fits.

As a complement.
As a validation and inspection tool.
As a way to work directly with IFC data without breaking existing pipelines.

Dr Seán summed it up better than I could:
there’s reluctance around open-source adoption, but the value is real when it’s used with intention, not ideology.

If you’re working in AEC and curious about:
→ where Bonsai BIM makes sense today
→ how it can support openBIM workflows
→ and why Blender-based tools deserve a serious look

the article is linked below 👇

I’m also curious:
have you tried Bonsai BIM already, or is it still on your “someday” list?

Thanks again to Dr Seán and EngineeringSkills for the invitation.

1 week ago | [YT] | 13

BIMvoice

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗜𝗠. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗕𝗜𝗠.

Here's the truth:

Buildings aren't created by one discipline.

Or one company.

Or one tool.

They're created by 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 using 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 sharing 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

An architect in Oslo. A structural engineer in London. A contractor in Dubai. One building. Three continents. Dozens of software tools.

And when even one of those systems breaks, everything breaks with it.

Suddenly:

- models stop speaking to each other
- information gets lost in translation
- teams work in parallel universes
- decisions slow down
- quality suffers

Not because people are bad at their jobs…

but because the 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱.

This is why OpenBIM matters.

Not as a trend.

Not as a badge.

But as a philosophy:

"𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸."

OpenBIM is the quiet force behind:

- better coordination
- cleaner data
- clearer responsibilities
- interoperable workflows
- fewer surprises
- more trust across teams

A model authored in Revit, checked in Solibri, and handed off through IFC without a single phone call asking "can you export that again?"

That's openBIM in practice.

It's not about software.

It's about removing friction from collaboration.

If BIM is the 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 we build with,

OpenBIM is the 𝘩𝘰𝘸 we build together.

And once you see the difference, you can't unsee it.

What's one moment where closed workflows cost you time, money, or sanity?

1 week ago | [YT] | 17

BIMvoice

Let’s help the next generation of BIM professionals.

1) Your current role
2) How long you’ve worked with BIM
3)One thing you’d tell your younger self

Mine in the comments 👇

1 week ago | [YT] | 4

BIMvoice

700 members in BIMvoice Academy. 🎉

When I started this, I just wanted a place where people could learn openBIM without the noise.

No vendor lock-in. No fluff. Just IFC, IDS, Bonsai BIM, and real project workflows.

700 people now learning together, asking questions, and solving problems with open standards.

What members get for free:

- 7-Day openBIM Kickstart Challenge
- Practical lessons on IFC and IDS
- A community that actually answers questions
- Resources I wish I had when I started

This is just the beginning.

If you want to stop feeling lost in the openBIM jungle and start building real skills, join us.

Link in bio.

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

BIMvoice

Shout out to 👩‍💻Olivia Traistaru 🅱️ℹ️Ⓜ️, the person I connected with the most on LinkedIn this year. #YearinReview

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 3

BIMvoice

They say time flies when you're having fun.

I think time flies when you're doing what you're meant to do.

I work a lot. 10+ hours every day. Sometimes 15-16.

But I don't count them. I don't feel them. They just flow.

That's the gift of loving your work.

Most of what I do is around openBIM. It's been my world for a long time now.

I start my days at 4am. Sometimes earlier.

The house is quiet. Everyone's asleep. It's just me and my work.

And honestly? Those early morning hours are magic.

By the time my son wakes up, by the time my wife opens her eyes, I've already done half a day's work.

Then I stop.

I close the laptop. I step outside.

And I go to the gym. Or the pool.

The pool that's right there. Outside. In the sun.

In December.

This is Hua Hin, Thailand.

And every single day, I have to pinch myself.

Because this feels like a dream.

Almost 1 month here. No rain. Not once. Just blue skies and sunshine.

Temperature? 20-29°C most days. Hottest was 31°C. Coldest was 18°C.

18°C and I thought "wow, it's cold today."

Cold. In Thailand. In winter.

Meanwhile I scroll through social media and see my friends. My family. My old colleagues.

Wrapped in winter coats. Freezing. Grey skies everywhere.

And I feel something.

Gratitude. Deep gratitude.

But also a little guilt.

I could live like this forever.

Wake up early. Do meaningful work. Take breaks in the sunshine. Be present with my family.

This is the life I dreamed about for years.

And now I'm living it.

We still have 1 more month here.

Which means something special is about to happen.

Christmas. In the sun. For the first time in my entire life.

No snow. No dark skies. No freezing while walking to dinner.

Just warmth. Sunshine. Palm trees. My wife. My son.

I've spent 40 Christmases in the cold.

This one is going to be different.

And I'm so ready for it.

But here's the hard part.

My wife doesn't feel the same about Thailand or Southeast Asia. Neither does my son.

It's not their place. Not their vibe.

They miss Europe.

And that's okay. It has to be okay.

Because family comes first. Always.

We're a team. We move together. We find a place that works for all of us.

So Thailand, this is goodbye. For now at least.

Vietnam, here we come (in January).

I don't know what's waiting for us there.

But I'm hopeful.

I hope you take good care of us, Vietnam.

At least as good as Thailand did.

Because Thailand? You gave me something special.

A glimpse of what life can be.

My first Christmas in the sun.

And I'll never forget it.

Thank you!

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 9

BIMvoice

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗜𝗠. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗕𝗜𝗠.

Here's the truth:

Buildings aren't created by one discipline.

Or one company.

Or one tool.

They're created by 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 using 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 sharing 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

An architect in Oslo. A structural engineer in London. A contractor in Dubai. One building. Three continents. Dozens of software tools.

And when even one of those systems breaks, everything breaks with it.

Suddenly:

- models stop speaking to each other
- information gets lost in translation
- teams work in parallel universes
- decisions slow down
- quality suffers

Not because people are bad at their jobs…

but because the 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱.

This is why OpenBIM matters.

Not as a trend.

Not as a badge.

But as a philosophy:

"𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸."

OpenBIM is the quiet force behind:

- better coordination
- cleaner data
- clearer responsibilities
- interoperable workflows
- fewer surprises
- more trust across teams

A model authored in Revit, checked in Solibri, and handed off through IFC without a single phone call asking "can you export that again?"

That's openBIM in practice.

It's not about software.

It's about removing friction from collaboration.

If BIM is the 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 we build with,

OpenBIM is the 𝘩𝘰𝘸 we build together.

And once you see the difference, you can't unsee it.

What's one moment where closed workflows cost you time, money, or sanity?

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 13

BIMvoice

didn't get into OpenBIM to chase trends.

I stayed because I saw what happens when delivery fails late.

Stress.
Blame.
Rework.
Lost trust.

And I saw what happens when things are clear early.

Better decisions.
Fewer surprises.
Calmer teams.

That contrast shaped everything I do now.

• Making IFC delivery understandable.
• Turning written requirements into something teams can actually validate.
• Reducing noise so people can focus on what matters.

Change in AEC isn't loud. It's slow, cumulative, often unnoticed at first.

But it lasts.

That's enough reason to keep going.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 4