Slow, leisurely, analog: A digitalized construction industry still seems like a future dream in the Czech Republic. Building permits, for example, need often a very long time: "The Czech Republic has one of the slowest approval processes in Europe," complains Czech BIM manager Tomáš Dokoupil. This is also confirmed by a study conducted by the World Bank in 2020. The country ranks 157th out of 190 in terms of the length of time it takes to obtain building permits. According to this study, the average time taken to obtain a permit here is 246 days. According to BIM manager Dokoupil, this has not yet improved: For larger projects, it can even take several years before all permits are issued.
However, he and his team are not lacking in conviction to push BIM further: "BIM undoubtedly has a great future ahead of it, its use will be unavoidable in a few years. For me, BIM is the most efficient and also the most sustainable method for construction planning, so I would like to complete many more building complexes in using these methods."

Printout instead of 3D model

So far, digitization in companies like Xella has not yet been rewarded by the Czech government: "Not only does project approval take far too long, it even has to be printed out, i.e. submitted in paper form, to the relevant offices," Dokoupil explains. For companies that, like Xella, have been working with digital planning for years, this rule doesn't exactly spur the digitization process, because there always has to be an analog variant in addition to the digital one. BIM stands for Building Information Modeling and refers to a modern, data-driven planning method in which all participants work together on a single 3D building model. Among Czech building materials suppliers, Xella is a pioneer in this advanced method: Xella is one of only a few building solution providers here to actively offer BIM services for digital building planning for contractors and other partners.
But because communication via 3D models is not yet very widespread, Xella Czech Republic hardly ever uses them in exchanges with clients: "We create the BIM models for ourselves in 99 percent of cases - they are simple models for internal use. They simplify and speed up our processes and help us when preparing offers. We'd be open to sharing them, but our clients are usually satisfied with the final quote."

Building six floors a week

In internal use, the 3D models serve their purpose in the Czech Republic: Xella was able to demonstrate great expertise for well thought-out planning most recently in the "Skvrňany" project in Pilsen, the Czech Republic's fourth largest city: Not least due to flawless preparation, six multi-story residential buildings were erected here in parallel within a few months. "Except for the foundation, the construction of each floor took only one week - so with six buildings, six floors were built at once every week." Several mini-cranes as well as matching large-format Silka Tempo bricks also played a part in this remarkable construction workload. The complex of 203 apartments is now ready for occupancy.

Waiting for changes in the law

However, even successful and efficient projects like the Skvrňany require a lead time of several years in the Czech Republic. "From my point of view, the approval of construction processes is the biggest problem for the Czech construction industry," Dokoupil finds. "We hold conferences and events to learn more about BIM and digitalization, learn and use 3D and 4D, but we can't even send a project to the relevant office as an online PDF file. So, in that respect, we're not just one, but two steps behind."
How can work be done digitally under these circumstances? With legislative changes that have been in the pipeline for some time: "Our government is working on new building laws: On the one hand, the approval process is to be completely reformed and accelerated. And another law will soon require the use of BIM for publicly financed projects." It's been common practice in Denmark, for example, for years.
Both laws were supposed to be in effect by now, but their implementation has been postponed. BIM manager Dokoupil is waiting patiently: "It is better to have a law that is thought through to the end than one that causes us problems in reality. And I think change will be slow anyway. After all, at least the BIM law renewal only affects publicly financed projects - and those tend to be fewer buildings, but mostly roads, bridges or tunnels."

HoloLens as a beacon of hope

While Czech legislation works on reforms, Dokoupil and his team continue to focus on internal digitalization steps and are getting another innovation ready for use on Xella's Czech construction sites: the HoloLens. These special glasses create an image that mixes the real construction site with virtually planned components, making it easier to plan the next steps. Xella is already using it at other sites, such as in neighboring Germany. "I am confident that we will find a suitable pilot project for the HoloLens in 2023," says Dokoupil - because he is not waiting for changes in the law but wants to ensure that Xella continues to have a digital edge among building materials suppliers on the Czech market.