How a Korean-French Architecture Studio Uses BIM for Residential Renovation in Paris
When people think of BIM (Building Information Modeling), they picture skyscrapers, hospitals, and infrastructure megaprojects. At FORUM D&P, we apply the same technology to a 100m² apartment renovation in the Paris suburbs.
The Project: Fontenay-aux-Roses
A complete residential renovation in Fontenay-aux-Roses, Île-de-France. What made this project unique was our approach: full BIM workflow using ArchiCAD for design and Twinmotion for real-time visualization, executed by a two-person Korean-French team across 12 months and 18 site visits.
Why BIM for a Small Renovation?
1. Client Communication Without Language Barriers
Our team operates between Seoul and Paris. When your architect speaks Korean and your contractor speaks French, a 3D model becomes the universal language. Instead of explaining dimensions verbally, we walk clients through their future home in Twinmotion before a single wall is demolished.
2. Precision in Existing Structures
Renovations are harder than new builds. You're working with existing walls that aren't straight, floors that aren't level, and hidden plumbing nobody documented. BIM lets us model the existing structure first, then design within its constraints — catching conflicts before they become expensive on-site surprises.
3. Real-Time Design Decisions
With ArchiCAD's Direct Link to Twinmotion, we can modify the model during a client meeting and show the result in photorealistic quality within seconds. "What if we move this wall?" becomes a five-minute exploration, not a two-week redesign cycle.
4. Accurate Material Quantities
BIM automatically calculates material quantities from the model. For a budget-conscious residential client, this means fewer surprises at the construction supply store and tighter cost control throughout the project.
5. A Digital Twin for the Future
When the renovation is complete, the client doesn't just get a renovated apartment — they get a complete digital model of their home. Future modifications, furniture planning, or systems maintenance can all reference this model.
The Results
18 site visits over 12 months. Before/After transformations that speak for themselves. And a process that proves BIM isn't just for billion-dollar projects — it's for anyone who values precision, communication, and long-term thinking in architecture.
FORUM D&P | Architecture · Design · Research
Multinational studio based in Seoul, Paris, and San Francisco.
www.forumdnp.com · LinkedIn
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