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IFC Space Analytics & Occupancy Dashboard

Explore the dashboard above. You can filter by Level, Room Usage, or select individual elements in the 3D viewer to see their specific properties.

Overview

The IFC Space Analytics Dashboard is a powerful Power BI template designed to bridge the gap between BIM (Building Information Modeling) data and Facility Management operations. By directly ingesting .ifc files, this report transforms raw geometry and property data into actionable insights regarding space usage, occupancy distribution, and volumetric analysis.

This tool is essential for BIM Managers, Facility Managers, and Owner Operators looking to visualize their asset performance without needing complex BIM authoring software.

Report Structure: Overview vs. Detail

To provide both high-level insights and granular engineering data, the dashboard is split into two distinct views:

1. Space Overview (Executive View)

Designed for stakeholders who need quick answers. This page features:

  • Interactive 3D Viewer: A large, central visualization color-coded by Room Function.
  • Gauge Chart: An instant visual indicator showing the total Number of Rooms in the filtered selection.
  • Usage Summary List: A color-coded table displaying room types (e.g., Office, Corridor) alongside their count and total area, replacing complex engineering grids.

2. Quantity Takeoff (Detailed View)

Designed for engineers and estimators. Accessible via the "Show Extended Room Details" navigation button, this page includes:

  • Detailed Matrix: A comprehensive table listing every room with its specific properties (Perimeter, Height, Volume).
  • Advanced Filtering: Granular control to filter data by Level, Usage, or Name.
  • Raw Property Data: Access to technical IFC parameters for validation.

Key Features

  • Automated Usage Detection: A smart algorithm that identifies room functions regardless of the naming convention used in the source file (Revit, ArchiCAD, etc.).
  • Data-Driven 3D Visualization: A fully interactive 3D viewer that color-codes spaces based on their function dynamically.
  • Consistency Across Visuals: The color palette used in the 3D model is automatically synchronized with all charts and tables in the report.
  • Performance Optimized: Built on a high-performance Power Query ETL process designed to handle large IFC datasets efficiently.

Technical Logic: The "Priority Matrix"

One of the biggest challenges in IFC data is inconsistent naming. Some files use Occupancy, others use Category, and some stick to standard IFC properties.

To solve this, this dashboard utilizes a DAX Priority Matrix. It scans the model for space usage data in the following hierarchical order:

Level Data Source Property Scanned Description
1. Standard IFC Standard Pset_SpaceCommon / OccupancyType The most reliable, standard-compliant method.
2. Software Authoring Tool Category Description Checks for software-specific categories often exported by default.
3. Convention Direct Naming SpaceUsage, Usage Looks for explicit, user-defined parameters commonly used in FM.
4. Inference Fuzzy Matching Keywords search Scans all properties for text containing "Usage" or "Occupancy".
5. Fallback Default Unassigned If no data is found, it is flagged for the BIM Manager to review.

Note: This logic ensures that 99% of spaces get a meaningful label without manual mapping.

Dynamic Coloring System

Gone are the days of manually setting colors for every room type. This dashboard features an Algorithmic Coloring Engine:

  1. Auto-Generation: It calculates a unique color based on the text value of the Room Usage.
  2. Consistency: "Kitchen" will always appear in the same specific color, and "Office" in another, ensuring consistent reporting across different projects.
  3. Scalability: The system supports an infinite number of room types. Even if a new function like "Laboratory" appears, it automatically gets a distinct color.

Prerequisites for IFC Files

To get the best results when loading your own data, ensure your IFC file meets these criteria:

  • Entity Requirement: The file must contain IfcSpace entities. Files containing only geometry (meshes) without space definitions will not show room data.
  • Containment: Spaces should be correctly associated with IfcBuildingStorey levels.