Saddiq Ur Rehman

BIM, XR, AI, and Modular Construction Research

Saddiq Ur Rehman

PhD Candidate | Department of Architecture | Kyung Hee University

I am a PhD Candidate in the ITA Lab under the supervision of Professor Inhan Kim at the Department of Architecture at Kyung Hee University, South Korea. I earned Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar. However, driven by a keen interest in the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in architecture and design, I transitioned to the field of architecture.

My research focuses on leveraging BIM, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), AI, Extended reality, and Game Engines to optimize construction automation, decision support systems, and digital workflows. By integrating machine learning, NLP, and real-time simulations, I aim to bridge the gap between research and industry applications in modular construction and smart building technologies.

Selected work includes semantic BIM-to-Unity data exchange, BIMUniXchange, ReUniXchange, IFCExplorer, Ifc2Unity, 4D simulation, digital twin workflows, and mixed reality inspection systems for modular construction and immersive AEC applications.

Research Interests

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Digital representation and data management for construction projects

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA)

Optimizing construction processes through manufacturing principles

Extended Reality (XR)

Immersive technologies for architectural visualization and interaction

Game Engine Integration

Real-time 3D environments for construction simulation and training

MultiModal AI

Artificial intelligence applications in construction and design automation

Human Computer Interaction

User experience design for AEC digital tools and interfaces

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Education

Academic Journey & Qualifications

Integrated M.S-Ph.D in Architecture

Kyung Hee University, Global Campus, Korea

March 2021 - August 2026 | GPA: 4.15/4.3

Thesis: A Semantically Enriched BIM to XR data exchange Framework with Conversational LLM for Immersive Construction Informatics

B.Sc. in Civil Engineering

University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar

September 2015 - September 2019 | GPA: 3.39/4.0

Thesis: Experimental Determination of Capacity of Pile Group and Pile Raft Foundation

Experience

Professional & Academic Journey

Skills

Technical Expertise & Competencies

Publications

Research Contributions & Academic Works

Projects

Research Projects & Innovations

Certifications & Awards

Achievements & Professional Recognition

Awards & Scholarships

Presidential Scholarship

Kyung Hee University, Korea (2021–2024)

Best Paper Award

Korea CDE Society Winter Conference (2023, 2022)

View Certificate
Editor's Choice

Journal of Computational Design and Engineering (2023)

Professional Certifications

Activities

Professional Activities & Community Engagement

Professional Memberships

Korean Society for Computational Design and Engineering - Student Member (2021 - Present)

Editorial & Review Activities

Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering - Reviewer
Journal of Civil Engineering and Management - Reviewer
Expert Systems with Applications - Reviewer
npj Heritage Science - Reviewer

Academic Collaborations

ITA Lab, Kyung Hee University - Research Team Member (2021 - Present)

Software & Tools

Innovative AEC Digital Solutions

ReUniXchange

Data exchange platform for BIM interoperability and standardized information sharing across AEC workflows.

Data Exchange BIM Interoperability OBJ CSV XML Autodesk Revit Unity

Data Exchange Platform

ReUniXchange is a cutting-edge Revit plugin that enables seamless export of BIM geometry, metadata, and materials to Unity. It supports modular construction workflows and immersive XR applications by bridging the gap between design and visualization environments. The plugin allows users to assign shared parameters (ModularID) to Revit group components, extract structured metadata into CSV format, export 3D views as OBJ files with MTL and texture data, and re-import any changes made in Unity through an XML file.

For modular projects, the plugin can automatically generate ModularID parameters based on group names, enabling logical tracking and reconstruction of elements inside Unity. Metadata from Revit views can be exported to CSV and attached to 3D objects inside Unity to enable semantic enrichment, selection, and inspection during runtime. Material definitions used in Revit are also exported into Unity-readable MTL files with associated texture images.

Core Infrastructure Components

  • Modular ID Parameter Assignment in Revit
  • Semantic and Metadata Extraction to CSV
  • Material Export and Unity MTL Conversion
  • 3D Model Export with Textures and Materials
  • Unity Hierarchy Creation for Components
  • Bidirectional XML-based Data Exchange

Platform Capabilities

Advanced BIM-to-Unity Workflow

Cross-Platform Integration Solution

BIM Data Exchange
Synchronization
Semantic Enrichment
Revit API Integration

ReUniXchange Demonstration

BIM Network Graph Maker

Professional data visualization solutions for Building Information Modeling workflows. Transform your architectural and engineering data into interactive network diagrams.

BIM IFC Network Graph ArchiCAD Revit CSV Semantic relationships

Automatic Network Graph Generation

This specialized application is designed for AEC professionals who need to visualize complex relationships within their BIM models. Each tool processes CSV/IFC data exports (by ReUniXchange for Autodesk Revit and ArchUniXchange for ArchiCAD, and IFC export as typical IFC from either BIM authoring tool) to create interactive network diagrams that reveal connections, dependencies, and hierarchies in your building information models.

Core Features

  • Create Network Diagram for IFC, and CSV
  • Create Hierachy based on different metadata
  • Automatic Calculation of elements and its types
  • IFC semantic Verification
  • ArchiCAD and Autodesk Revit IFC and CSV support

Data Visualization

BIM Network Graph Generation

Interactive Relationship Mapping

Network Graph Visualization

BIM Network Graph Visualization

BIMUniXchange

Seamless AEC-to-XR pipeline for immersive construction visualization — connecting Revit, ArchiCAD, and Unity for WebXR-ready BIM experiences.

BIM Interoperability XR Ready Autodesk Revit ArchiCAD Unity Meta Quest 3 MIT License

AEC-to-XR Pipeline

BIMUniXchange is a full AEC-to-XR workflow suite that enables seamless transfer of BIM models from Autodesk Revit and GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD into Unity for immersive extended reality applications. The suite consists of ReUniXchange (Revit plugin), ArchUniXchange (ArchiCAD Python scripts), and the BIMUniXchange Unity package for automated metadata mapping and hierarchical BIM structure reconstruction inside Unity.

The pipeline has been tested with 4,000+ building elements, maintaining interactive frame rates in XR on platforms including Meta Quest 3, Samsung S22 Ultra, and desktop VR headsets.

Key Features

  • Multi-CAD support — Revit 2024/2025/2026 & ArchiCAD
  • Full metadata preservation (CSV + XML)
  • Material and texture export to Unity
  • Automated BIM hierarchy reconstruction in Unity
  • Cross-platform XR deployment (Quest, Mobile, Desktop)
  • 4D construction sequence simulation

Platform Capabilities

BIM-to-XR Immersive Workflow

Revit · ArchiCAD · Unity · OpenXR

BIM Data Exchange
IFC Hierarchy
XR Deployment
4D Simulation

BIMUniXchange Preview

BIMUniXchange AEC-to-XR Pipeline

IFCExplorer — Free Online IFC Viewer

A browser-based, zero-install, WebXR-ready IFC building model viewer built on A-Frame and web-ifc-three. Supports IFC2X3, IFC4, and IFC4X3.

IFC2X3 IFC4 IFC4X3 WebXR A-Frame Three.js MIT License

Browser-Based IFC Viewer

IFCExplorer is a lightweight, zero-install web application that lets architects, engineers, and construction professionals open and explore IFC building models directly in the browser — no plugins required. Models can be inspected in classic 3D orbit mode, walked through in first-person, or experienced in immersive VR via WebXR on compatible headsets such as Meta Quest.

Built on A-Frame 1.4.1 with the web-ifc WASM geometry parser, IFCExplorer supports full IFC schema hierarchies, element inspection, property sets, floor navigation, and visibility control for slabs, MEP systems, and structural beams.

Core Features

  • Open local IFC files — no upload required
  • 3D orbit viewer with animated camera transitions & View Cube
  • First-person walker with WASD controls and floor elevation display
  • Automatic floor/storey detection with instant teleport
  • Click-to-inspect: element highlight, IFC property sets panel
  • Full IFC schema tree (Project → Site → Building → Storey → Elements)
  • Immersive WebXR/VR mode with 6DOF controller support
  • jsPDF report export & annotation/memo system

Technology Stack

A-Frame · web-ifc · Three.js · jsPDF

Runs entirely in the browser — zero install

Element Inspection
Floor Navigation
WebXR / VR
PDF Export

IFC Web Viewer Preview

IFCExplorer Web Viewer Screenshot

Ifc2Unity

A Unity Editor tool that converts IFC files directly into Unity scenes using IfcOpenShell (Python), preserving geometry, materials, metadata, and the full BIM spatial hierarchy.

IFC Unity IfcOpenShell Python BIM Hierarchy MIT License

IFC to Unity Importer

Ifc2Unity is a Unity Editor extension (part of the BIMUniXchange toolkit) that converts IFC building models into fully structured Unity scenes. It uses IfcOpenShell (Python) to parse IFC geometry and export OBJ/MTL/CSV files, which are then loaded by the Unity-side C# pipeline to build a complete Site → Building → Storey → Elements GameObject hierarchy with metadata, materials, and optional mesh colliders.

Import Options

  • Create IFC Hierarchy — Site → Building → Storey → Elements
  • Assign Metadata — all IFC properties as Unity components
  • Apply Colors — IFC material colors to Unity materials
  • Create Mesh Colliders per imported element
  • Group by Storey and/or IFC Class
  • Optimize Meshes — weld vertices and optimize indices

Prerequisites

Unity 2020.3 LTS · Python 3.8+ · IfcOpenShell

Part of the BIMUniXchange toolkit

OBJ / MTL Export
CSV Metadata
BIM Hierarchy
Performance Logs

Ifc2Unity Editor Window

Ifc2Unity Unity Editor Window

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact Information

I welcome collaborations, research inquiries, and academic discussions related to AEC industry digitalization, BIM technologies, and construction innovation. Feel free to reach out for potential partnerships, publication opportunities, or technical consultations.

Primary Email saddiqurrehman@khu.ac.kr
Personal Email saddiq.r.97@gmail.com
Office Address 경희대학교 공과대학 (Kyung Hee University College of Engineering)
26 Seocheon-dong, Yongin-si
Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Location

SC
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