A BIM-Driven Luxury Hotel – A Case Study by SDC

sdcstudio
Jan 21
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

This blog is part of the SDC Knowledge Series – Episode 9, featuring a detailed case study of a nine-floor luxury hotel with three basement levels. Inspired by the Paris Olympic 2028 prototype, this project showcases how BIM, sustainability, and advanced coordination techniques come together to deliver a high-performance hospitality building.

A New Benchmark in Luxury Hotel Design

High-rise hospitality projects demand more than visual appeal—they require precision, coordination, and long-term performance. This luxury hotel project stands apart due to three defining factors:

Entirely designed and managed using Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Powered by renewable solar energy, embedded from the early design stage
Inspired by the Paris Olympic 2028 architectural prototype, blending timeless aesthetics with modern efficiency

From concept to execution, BIM served as the backbone of the project, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and informed decision-making.

Built 100% on BIM from Day One

Unlike conventional workflows where BIM is introduced later, this project was BIM-driven from the start. Every architectural, structural, and MEP component was modeled within a coordinated digital environment.

With three basement levels accommodating parking, utilities, and services—and nine floors of guest rooms and public spaces—the building presented an extremely dense coordination challenge. BIM allowed the team to visualize and manage this complexity efficiently before construction began.

Clash Detection: Solving Problems Before They Reach Site

One of the most critical advantages of BIM in this project was advanced clash detection. With tightly packed MEP services, structural systems, and architectural finishes, the risk of on-site conflicts was high.

Through coordinated BIM models:

Conflicts between vertical ducts and post-tension cables were identified early
Service routes were optimized before construction
Costly rework and site delays were avoided

This proactive approach ensured that construction progressed smoothly, saving both time and resources.

Custom Wall Systems and Façade Coordination

The hotel design included specially engineered wall types optimized for:

Sound insulation
Fire safety
Energy efficiency

These walls also integrated concealed wiring, insulation layers, and precise fixing systems for the white stone façade. Coordinating these layers manually would have been extremely challenging.

BIM enabled layer-by-layer modeling, ensuring that architectural intent, structural requirements, and embedded services worked seamlessly together—without compromises on performance or aesthetics.

Sustainability Integrated into the Design DNA

Sustainability was not treated as an add-on feature. Instead, it was embedded directly into the BIM workflow. The hotel operates on renewable solar energy, with energy strategies evaluated early in the design phase.

By using BIM as a central source of truth, the team could:

Analyze energy performance
Coordinate sustainable systems accurately
Ensure long-term operational efficiency

This approach resulted in a building that is both environmentally responsible and architecturally refined.

SDC’s BIM-First Approach

At SDC, BIM is more than a modeling tool—it is a decision-making framework. This project demonstrates SDC’s commitment to:

Early coordination
Data-driven design decisions
Reduced risk during execution
Higher construction accuracy

By aligning architects, engineers, and contractors within a shared BIM environment, SDC ensures clarity, consistency, and confidence throughout the project lifecycle.

Conclusion

This luxury hotel project highlights how BIM, sustainability, and architectural ambition can work together to deliver complex high-rise developments successfully. From clash-free basements to custom façade systems and renewable energy integration, every decision was guided by precise digital coordination.