Methodological framework for IFC-based wall reconstruction: the Geometry Reconstruction Model (GRM) in a living room case study

Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard have become indispensable for ensuring interoperability and semantic consistency across digital construction workflows. Despite this importance, current approaches to IFC geometry extraction and reconstruction often rely heavily on automated software routines. Such reliance tends to obscure the underlying logic of geometric definition and restrict methodological clarity, leaving a gap between abstract IFC descriptions and their practical reconstruction. To address this gap, the present study introduces the Geometry Reconstruction Model (GRM), a methodological framework that formalizes IFC-based reconstruction into a clear, step by step workflow. GRM operates through four successive stages (points, edges, faces, and closed shells) transforming abstract IFC entities into structured volumetric geometry. Unlike existing parsers or validation tools, GRM is not a software application, but a methodological contribution designed to clarify the reconstruction process. Its novelty lies in combining geometric precision with semantic alignment, while also offering educational value by making each stage explicit and bridging the gap between abstract IFC definitions and practical reconstruction. The model was applied to a Living Room case study, where wall elements were reconstructed from IFC data exported via BIM software. This application demonstrated how GRM systematically processes IFC entity chains to produce consistent three-dimensional representations, integrating architectural openings and interior elements. The findings highlight that GRM ensures methodological clarity, reliable outcomes, and semantic coherence, distinguishing it from automated geometry engines. By connecting narrative descriptions of IFC geometry with explicit algorithmic workflows, GRM contributes both to academic research and to practical BIM education. At the same time, the study acknowledges its current scope: openings such as doors, windows, and balconies are linked semantically rather than fully reconstructed geometrically. Future work will extend GRM to larger and more complex projects, enabling broader operational use of the framework.