What is Common Data Environment

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is recognized as the central mean in the digitalization process of the construction sector affecting both the technological and the organizational levels. The use of information models can empower communication capabilities thus addressing one of the main development directions of industry 4.0. However, several issues can be highlighted in the representation of objects through information models especially in the case of existing and/or historical buildings. This chapter proposes an extensive analysis of the use of BIM for existing assets exploring the recent development in the area of machine learning and in the use of ontologies to overcome the existing issues. It will provide a structured presentation of existing works and of perspectives in the use of ontologies, expert systems, and machine learning application in architecture and cultural heritage focusing on communication and data use in digital environments along the industry 4.0 paradigm.