A digital twin is a comprehensive 3D model that provides a virtual replica of a physical building and uses real-time data, simulations and artificial intelligence to monitor, analyze and optimize performance. By integrating IoT sensors, building information modeling and AI-driven analytics, digital twins create a dynamic, data-rich model that continuously updates to reflect changes in the physical building. Windover has been utilizing digital twin technology to capture critical building information during construction and create valuable tools for owners that transform the handover process and revolutionize the way buildings are managed post-construction.

While the industry standard has been to hand over cumbersome manuals and PDF drawings at the end of a project, leaving most clients with unhelpful documentation for facility management, Windover has employed cutting-edge technology to provide clients with easily accessible data. As a standard practice, Windover’s virtual, design and construction team coordinates all projects throughout the design and build phases. However, they realized that all the valuable data created during the BIM coordination process was lost when the project was handed over to the client.

Windover knew its clients could be using this data for facility management, but the information was lost in the documentation they were providing. Windover sought a solution that would extend its technology to its clients, ideally incorporating BIM data without requiring expertise in specific software. Windover began employing digital twin technology using Autodesk’s Tandem software to take fully coordinated models developed during construction and provide clients with an accurate replica of their building that could also hold facility management data like warranties, installation dates, service schedules, manufacturer information and much more. Taking it a step further, Windover has also incorporated IoT sensors, building BIM and AI-driven analytics to provide real- time insights into building performance.

As today’s-built environment grows increasingly complex, building owners and facility managers face mounting challenges in maintaining operational efficiency, sustainability and safety. Digital twin technology is changing how facilities are managed by providing real-time data, predictive insights and advanced operational control. By creating a virtual replica of a physical building, digital twins enable owners to optimize resources, streamline maintenance and simplify the overall user experience. Key benefits of digital twins for facility management include:

• Real-Time Monitoring: A digital twin offers a real-time, virtual representation of a building or facility, enabling managers to monitor operations and systems (HVAC, lighting, etc.) continuously. This visibility enables early detection of performance issues, thereby reducing downtime.
• Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Digital twins continuously monitor and analyze energy usage within buildings, identifying inefficiencies and recommending optimizations. By integrating IoT sensors and AI-driven analytics, facility managers can adjust HVAC, lighting and water systems in real time, reducing waste and lowering utility costs. This leads to more sustainable operations, helping owners meet their environmental goals.
• Predictive Maintenance: One of the biggest challenges in facility management is unexpected equipment failure. Digital twins use predictive analytics to forecast when critical systems, such as HVAC, elevators and electrical grids, are likely to fail. By proactively scheduling maintenance, owners can avoid costly disruptions, extend the lifespan of assets and ensure a safe and functional environment for occupants.
• Improved Space Utilization: With fluctuating occupancy, evolving hybrid learning and working models, and dynamic usage needs, optimizing space is more important and more complex than ever. Digital twins provide detailed in- sights into user preferences and room utilization, enabling facility managers to allocate space more effectively. This ensures that offices, classrooms, labs and communal areas are used efficiently, reducing underutilized real estate and enhancing the user experience.

Digital twins are revolutionizing building operations, providing facility managers with the tools they need to optimize efficiency, sustainability and safety. Digital twins are especially effective as universities are leveraging this technology to create smarter, more connected campuses. At Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, Windover has implemented cutting-edge technology like digital twins, IoT sensors, BIM, laser scanning and drone surveys across the campus to transform how the college manages and optimizes its facilities.

Endicott partnered with Windover to deploy digital twin technology across its 235-acre campus, starting with the newly completed Cummings School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and then opting to implement the technology on multiple existing buildings, creating an interconnected smart campus. With real- time data from IoT sensors and advanced modeling, Endicott has gained unparalleled visibility into building operations, energy use and predictive maintenance, saving time, reducing costs and enhancing the overall campus experience.

This digital twin integrates everything from HVAC systems to security infrastructure, allowing Endicott to simulate scenarios and proactively address challenges before they become costly issues. The result is a smarter, more efficient and future-ready campus.

The use of comprehensive digital twins, which combine BIM and operations and maintenance data with IoT sensors, is not only transforming the handover process and empowering facility managers after construction, but also enhancing the entire lifecycle of construction. By leveraging data-driven BIM and quality assurance/quality control workflows, the industry can build better, smarter and more sustainable facilities.