Helsinki wins Best Data Modelling award for new facilities

Helsinki’s Airport Development Programme has won the World’s Best Data Modelling award for its use of data modelling in various phases of the extension of both the terminals and the apron.

It has received the award from BuildingSMART International (bSI), an international organisation that aims to develop open data transfer and management in the design, implementation and maintenance of infrastructure and buildings.

“We are proud of the recognition we received,” enthused Henri Hansson, Finavia’s senior vice president, who has been responsible for the overall management of the Helsinki Airport Development Programme.

“Data modelling has been utilised in the Helsinki Airport Development Programme starting from the planning phase and it has enabled the programme to progress in a systematic and planned fashion.”

The award was granted to the Helsinki Airport Development Programme for the excellent utilisation of data modelling in the planning, implementation and maintenance of construction.

The prize was awarded to Finavia and the development programme alliance on 20 September 2023 in Lillestrøm, Norway.

At Helsinki Airport, data modelling has been utilised in several phases of the ten-year development programme.

Data management has allowed informing stakeholders in advance about the project’s functionalities and the new features to be built at the airport.

“Data modelling has been used very extensively in the planning and implementation phases at the airport,” adds Hansson.

“Using data modelling and virtual safaris, we have been able to plan every phase of the development programme in detail years before the implementation.”

Each year, bSI selects the most advanced projects and innovations that use building information modelling (BIM).

The extension of the Helsinki Airport departure and arrivals hall has previously been awarded the 2022 Tekla BIM Global Awards prize for the best data modelling in the world.

The new terminal also received international recognition in 2022 as it won the prestigious Prix Versailles 2022 architecture and design competition.