buildingSMART International Chapter Leader Profile

First name: Claudia
Last name: Cozzitorto
Chapter: Canada
Role in the Chapter: President
Where are you based? Toronto, Ontario, Canada
When was your first interaction or involvement with buildingSMART? 2013
Tell us a little about your work history/professional journey, and how it led you to buildingSMART.
I have wanted to be an architect since I was a child, always very aware of the built environment and how it impacts our everyday lives. When I was interning as a young architect, I saw that there was so much miscommunication, rework and waste, I found it disheartening that this was the way the industry worked. Luckly at that same time I began to hear more and more about BIM. Since I was eager for change, I learned more and more about it advocating within my organization that we invest in digitalization. The early years were challenging and I eventually looked for a community to learn from, network and had the same mission. I found buildingSMART Canada and asked the founding members, ‘how can I help?’
What do you like the most about the work you do within your Chapter?
There are many things I enjoy about being part of buildingSMART Canada and the buildingSMART International community – the first is how many intelligent, passionate and dedicated people I have the privilege to talk to and learn from. It is an amazing community! Additionally, that we are all rallying behind a common mission, the collective momentum is remarkable, keeps us all going. I also enjoy helping shape and transform our industry, it is a slow and long effort but when we stop and reflect, we are making progress, being part of that effort is very fulfilling to me.
What would you say are the biggest successes or milestones to date within your Chapter?
Our recent collaborations with the National Research Council of Canada has enabled us to develop two substantial resources that have national and international relevance: The Open BIM Implementation for Canada's Road Map and the Digital Construction Platform Report. The launch of the Certification program has also been a significant milestone because it represents a shift in the industry, there is now clearer recognition in the need for training and to learn about openBIM. Another big success is that there is a significant increase in awareness of buildingSMART Canada across the country.
What does openBIM mean to you personally?
openBIM = collaboration. I once thought openBIM’s purpose was to solve exclusively technical interoperability but now see that openBIM’s mission is solving interoperability across a much broader spectrum; policy, standards, domains, disciplines, language, and more. It facilitates communication so we can improve the design, construction, and maintenance of our built environment.
What overriding challenge(s) do you see the community facing today?
In Canada there is an absence of a national mandate resulting in an inconsistency in adoption across regions, sectors, and typologies. As with many other parts of the world there are many pressures on all sectors of the industry to increase productivity while experiencing workforce shortages and skill gaps. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including government entities, industry leaders, and educational institutions, to promote standardization, invest in training, and foster a culture open to technological innovation.
What challenge(s) do you encounter within your Chapter?
We struggle to find consistent funding for many of the resources we look to create for the industry. We found from our research that many chapters have reliable funding from government entities – this is something we hope to secure so we can focus on moving forward and advancing Canada’s asset registry.
What do you see as the main opportunities for your market?
Better information management can significantly support our sustainability objectives not just in design and construction but also in the improved management of our built environment. The implementation of digital twins and other technologies can extend the lifespan of our vertical and horizontal infrastructure. The investment to manage our built assets through renovation and adaptive reuse will significantly reduce carbon emissions and support a circular economy.
With digitalization becoming more prevalent, how is your Chapter addressing the challenges and opportunities it brings?
Collaboration is important, bSC hosts its own conference events and participates in other conferences to increase awareness and contribute to broader discussions regarding the built environment. Members of bSC also participate in many committees that include different levels of government, industry, and academia. Canada also has a network of affiliate organizations that focus on regional discussions. The more we can talk to one another the more likely we can overcome our common hurdles and recognize the ever-growing set of opportunities becoming available.
What are your visions and/or aspirations for the future, both for your Chapter and for buildingSMART internationally?
bSC envisions a productive and competitive Canadian built environment economy supported by interoperable data that supports collaborative, consistent, and efficient asset delivery and management practices.
Our mission is to lead and proactively facilitate the adoption and implementation of open data standards and to empower stakeholders to participate in the digitalization of Canada’s built environment.
Canada and Canadian professionals have a long history and reputation of collaboration and communication between countries and regions. By aligning with buildingSMART International, bSC aspires to contribute to the global development of interoperable standards, ensuring that Canada's advancements are in harmony with international best practices.
Updated in November 2024