When using the BIM Interoperability Tools Zone Manager it is important to note, this only retains the zone/space set up within the COBie Extension itself and not in the model, so in order to get the zone set up information out to ifc, please note the following workflow.

Setup Zones and add spaces
Export COBie Spreadsheet
Using DiRoots SheetLink, select Room (or Space) Category and select parameters Number, ZoneName, ZoneClassificationCode, ZoneDescription (in that order)

(update) Note: ZoneName, ZoneClassificationCode & ZoneDescription shared parameters (instance parameters (Text/IFC Parameters) assigned to Room/Space categories) can be found in the latest IFC2019 Autodesk App v19.5.0 which when installed are located C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\IFC 2019.bundle\Contents\2019 in file IFC Shared Parameters-RevitIFCBuiltIn.txt.

Now select Export to …/Export – save excel file e.g. “Room Names.xlsx” – once saved, the file will open
Now we need to update the values to match the “cobie_test.xlsx” COBie export
1. In cell D3 (ZoneName) put =IFERROR(INDEX([cobie_test.xlsx]Zone!$A:$I,MATCH(C3,[cobie_test.xlsx]Zone!$E:$E,0),1),””)
2. In cell E3 (ZoneClassificationCode) put =IFERROR(CONCATENATE(“[]COBie Standard:”,INDEX([cobie_test.xlsx]Zone!$A:$I,MATCH(C3,[cobie_test.xlsx]Zone!$E:$E,0),4)),””)
3. In cell F3 (ZoneDesciption) put =IFERROR(INDEX([cobie_test.xlsx]Zone!$A:$I,MATCH(C3,[cobie_test.xlsx]Zone!$E:$E,0),9),””)

Note for “cobie_test.xlsx” you may need to put the follow path or open up and select the cells as noted in the actual file.

Once complete, select the above 3 cells and copy/drag down all the relevant spaces.
Now select columns D, E & F, right click Copy, then right click Paste Values.
Now close and save the file, and in DiRoots SheetLink (which should still be open, if not just open the App up again making sure Whole Model is selected), select Import from …/ Import – select the Export file which will now import and override all the Zone data to the relevant Rooms/Spaces.
If you update the Zone information at a later date or add new spaces remember to run through the process to update or manual add to the COBie.Space (Rooms) or COBie.Space (Spaces) schedules.

The following video has been prepared to walk you through the above process.

If you have any suggestions, comments or a better workflow please get in touch.

The above is an extract from our Delivering COBie, Ifc & Classification for Revit course which is now available online – please get in touch for details.

Graham H Stewart

Founder | Consultant

MSc EngTech MICE TIStructE

Industry Involvement

IStructE BIM & Computational Design Panels
Scottish Futures Trust BIM
suppliers Group
UK BIM Alliance

Employment History

Consultant

Digital Guerrilla

Ramboll UK

Buro Happold

URS (Aecom)

2025-Current

2017-2025

2012-2017

2008-2011

2000-2008

1987-2000

Education

Middlesex University

Introduction

Graham is a consultant specialising in BIM Strategy & Implementation with 38 years’ experience in AEC including over 25 years’ experience using various BIM platforms. A Technician member of both the Institution of Civil Engineers & the Institution of Structural Engineers with an MSc in BIM Management, based the Glasgow.

In 2017, Graham founded Digital Guerrilla Consultancy Ltd, Scotland’s 1st Digital Information Management Consultancy, with the aim to ensure their client’s use of digital technologies is improved through training, education, and support to gain efficiencies and better business outcomes throughout the design process. Over the past few years, Digital Guerrilla has built up an impressive client base delivering over 150+ courses to over 1500 staff members.
Graham is also an Associate Tutor at BSi delivering their BIM training courses across the UK and a part-time lecture at Glasgow Caledonian & Strathclyde Universities.

Project Experience

Department of Education’s £3bn Offsite Schools framework (£100m+), Information Manager

Appointed as Information Management with Elliot Group Ltd who are currently delivering 6 schools as part of this framework. My role is to ensure the design team understand the Employers Information Requirements and assist with the development of the BIM Execution Plan and other relevant BIM documentation along with Elliots BIM Manager, aswell as validating all design team models, deliverables and COBie Information Exchanges.

Various locations in England, UK

177 Bothwell Street (£80m), Information Manager

Appointed to provide Information Management services which included development of clients Asset Management Strategy including COBie, from RIBA Stage 4 as part of this large commercial project. Services included writing the Asset Information Requirements and BIM Execution Plan, validating all design team models, deliverables and COBie Information Exchanges.

Glasgow, UK

Scottish Governments £1bn Schools for the Future Programme (£100m+), Information Manager

Current appointed as client Information Management with Edinburgh City Council (sub-consultant agreement with Architype) & East Ayrshire Council and currently delivering 6 schools as part of this programme. As Client Information Manager our role is to work with the client to develop their Standard Information Management Plans (SIMP) (as per Scottish Future Trust (SFT) guidance) to fit their requirements. As Project Information Manager with Architype who are also Lead Appointed Party, we have an additional role to ensure the design team understand the SFT SIMP requirements and assist with the development of the BIM Execution Plan and other relevant BIM documentation along with Architype BIM team, aswell as validating all design team models, deliverables and COBie Information Exchanges.

Various locations in Scotland, UK

Kirkstall Forge K3/K4 (£70m), BIM/Information Manager

Appointed to provide Information Management services which included updating of clients Asset Management requirements for COBie and developing the design teams BEP, between RIBA Stages 2-4. Services included writing the BIM Execution Plan, validating all design team models, deliverables and COBie Information Exchanges.

Leeds, UK

Paisley Town Hall Redevelopment (£20m), BIM/Information Manager

Appointed to lead and develop the BIM and Information Management strategy as part of this historic building refurbishment. Services included writing the Employers Information Requirements and BIM Execution Plan, validating all design team models, deliverables and COBie Information Exchanges.

Paisley, UK

Auchmill Housing Development (£9m), BIM/Information Manager

Appointed by the main contractor Ogilvie’s to develop the BIM and Information Management response to the clients Employers Information Requirements. Services included the development of the BIM Execution Plan and other relevant BIM documentation, aswell as validating all design team models, deliverables and COBie Information Exchanges.

Aberdeen, UK