An LLM Agent–Based Approach for Calculating Floor Areas via Bim IFC Files

The accurate and efficient calculation of floor areas is a critical aspect of building design processes, yet it remains a challenging task due to the intricate rules and regulations that must be adhered to. Traditional methods, which rely on manual calculations, are not only time-consuming but also prone to human error, highlighting the need for an automated solution. Building Information Modeling (BIM) can support the automated solution by providing digital representations of building designs. The openBIM workflow enables collaborative work among various stakeholders, allowing them to share and integrate project information seamlessly without being locked into proprietary systems. While Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) files serve as a robust digital representation of BIM, facilitating data exchange across different software platforms, the complexity associated with processing these files poses a significant barrier to ordinary users. To address these gaps, we propose an innovative semi-automated floor area calculation system that leverages state-of-the-art Large Language Model (LLM) agent. This system is designed to efficiently and accurately extract relevant information from IFC files applying specific filtering conditions and then perform the necessary calculations to determine floor areas according to the required standards. Due to LLMs’ characteristic of interacting using natural language, our approach significantly reduces the technical barriers faced by non-expert users, making the process of floor area calculation more accessible and user-friendly. We validate the proposed method through the practice of simplified floor area calculation of an academic building, offering a promising solution to streamline BIM workflows and enhance productivity in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries.