# BIM & Architecture

- Link: https://opensourcecad.nl/en/bim-architecture/
- Published: 2026-10-22T18:44:26+02:00
- Author: Marijn van den Heuvel \+ AI

_This page is also available in Dutch: [BIM & architectuur](https://opensourcecad.nl/bim-architecture/)._

**BIM and architecture are not my core field.** I mention them here because in practice
they often turn up next to mechanical engineering work, and because the same open-
source base and the same kernel questions come back.

## Why it is here anyway

 * You work as a structural engineer or supplier with IFC models from third parties
 * Your mechanical design has to be exchanged with a BIM environment
 * You want to know which open-source options there are next to the commercial packages

## Tools I follow

| Tool | What it is, and what it is for | 
| [BlenderBIM](https://blenderbim.org/) | An authoring platform: native IFC and a complete BIM workflow inside Blender. | 
| [IfcOpenShell](https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell) | An IFC toolkit: a Python/C++ library for geometry extraction and validation. | 
| [FreeCAD](https://www.freecad.org/) (Arch/BIM) | Parametric BIM: IFC import and export and parametric objects, on the same kernel as my mechanical work. | 
| [LibreCAD](https://www.libreCAD.org/) | 2D drawing: DWG/DXF, lightweight and cross-platform. |

## Honestly

Looking for a real BIM or architecture specialist? Then I am not the right person.
If your question sits where mechanical engineering and BIM meet, for example exchanging
mechanical models with a construction environment, I am happy to think along.

[Book an introduction →](https://opensourcecad.nl/en/bim-architecture/info@opensourcecad.nl)