In architecture and construction, we often talk about innovation as if it’s synonymous with complexity. New tools, new standards, new technologies. We get lost in complexity as if it were a virtue. However, more often than not, such reified complexity becomes a barrier: it hinders collaboration, delays decisions, and clouds purpose. As an architect and BIM strategist, I have witnessed this over and over again. On the contrary, I have seen how simplicity, when applied thoughtfully, can become a radical force for clarity, sustainability, and progress.

The Roots of Simplicity

I was born and raised in Buenos Aires. Growing up in Argentina shaped my idea of what architecture can be: functional, expressive, and grounded in what is essential. Later, when I was a student in Spain, I learned to appreciate the beauty of details: how small design decisions can have emotional power. And in Germany, where I have worked for over a decade, I learned to respect precision and process. These three perspectives (Argentine intuition, Spanish craftsmanship, and German rigor) gave me a very personal lens through which I approach architecture and BIM: one that values simplicity not as minimalism, but as a fundamental approach.

For me, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a tool and a method, but not only. In the right hands, BIM provides structure, transparency, and a common language. It creates a space where all disciplines can speak, share, and solve together. This kind of collaboration makes a real impact on the success of a project.
However, too often, BIM is introduced as something too technical or abstract. It is seen as an obstacle, rather than a facilitator. That is why I focus on making BIM simple. Not basic, simple. “Simple” means that people understand it. It means they can use it to make confident decisions. It means technology serves people, not the other way around.

Digital Transformation and Sustainability Must Be Human-Centered

Sustainability and digitalisation are often talked about separately, but they are deeply connected. BIM allows us to simulate, analyze, and optimize projects before the first brick is laid. It gives us data that can inform design, reduce waste, and anticipate impact. But the value of BIM only unfolds when people know how to apply it meaningfully, and when we all speak the same language.

This is where a human-centered perspective matters most. A tool by itself does not change a project. People do. I work closely with teams (architects, engineers, clients) so that they feel they own the process. When people understand the “why” behind BIM, they commit. And when they commit, the project benefits. 

In my work, I often find teams feeling overwhelmed by the growing expectations around digitalization and sustainability. It’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing tools, platforms, or certifications. But more tools do not mean more impact. What we need is simple thinking.

Simplicity allows us to pause and ask the right questions, to see the whole picture more clearly. What do we really want to achieve with BIM? What sustainability goals are relevant in this context? What’s the most efficient solution, not the most impressive? A clear mindset leads to smart decisions. And smart decisions are sustainable by nature.

People Shape How We Work

Design does not happen in isolation. It is shaped by people and their ability to connect, collaborate, and make decisions. That is where BIM comes in. While technology provides the tools, it is the human side that really drives change, especially when it comes to building more sustainably.

In my work, I see the biggest changes happen not through new software, but through conversations and exchanges. When teams feel heard, when responsibilities are clear and when we align around a purpose, everything else flows more naturally. Mistakes are also considered part of the process, allowing teams to move forward with confidence.
When we apply this human-centered approach to BIM processes, digital transformation becomes less intimidating and more stimulating. And when we apply it to sustainability, it becomes more than a checkbox, it becomes a mindset. It is not about perfection, it is about progress, and leaving room for people to contribute, collaborate and create with intention.

Connecting for a Better Built Environment

I believe we build better when we connect better. Not just through data, but through shared values and goals. That is why I invest time in dialogue. Through my practice, through teaching, and in communities like buildingSMART and Women in BIM. These spaces allow us to share what works, where we are stuck, and what kind of industry we want to shape.
My motto is: “If we improve by 1% every day, then we are achieving a lot. We just need to do it.” It is about continuous improvement, not perfection. That, too, is the essence of simplicity: doing the right things, every day.

Final Word

Simplicity is not a restriction, it is a commitment. A commitment to clarity and purpose. At a time when architecture is faced by the demands of climate urgency, digital disruption, and resource scarcity, we should not respond with more complexity. We must respond with better questions, better tools, and better thinking.
When approached with simplicity, BIM can be the foundation of that change. It can align people around a shared vision. It can reduce friction, improve sustainability, and promote creativity. And most importantly, it can return architecture to what it was always meant to be: a discipline that serves people and makes life better.