---
title: "BIM for Deconstruction Management: A Pedagogical Experiment with the Belgian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka"
description: Discover how BIM and circular design principles applied by the University of Mons manage the sustainable deconstruction of Belgium’s Pavilion at Expo 2025.
---

[News ](https://belexpo.be/en/news)

# [BIM for Deconstruction Management: A Pedagogical Experiment with the Belgian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka](https://belexpo.be/en/news/bim-for-deconstruction)

 Written by [Justine Theunissen](https://belexpo.be/en/news/author/justine-theunissen) | Oct 11, 2025 2:55:45 AM

At Expo 2025 Osaka, the Belgian Pavilion is not only a showcase of architectural creativity and sustainability but also a **living case study for innovative education**. As part of a Master's course at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning of the **University of Mons**, students explored how **Building Information Modeling (BIM)** can contribute to sustainable deconstruction and the circular economy.

### **From Construction Waste to Circularity**

The construction sector produces almost **40% of Europe’s total waste**, a figure expected to double by 2050. Much of this waste is still managed through low-value methods such as backfilling. To move toward a more sustainable future, new strategies are needed to **reuse, recycle, and maximize the value of materials**.

BIM offers solutions by enabling collaboration, integrating complex datasets, and supporting lifecycle decision-making. The Belgian Pavilion, designed by **Carré 7** with structural partners **Pirnay** and **Poly-Tech**, was conceived with deconstruction in mind, making it an ideal case study for students to test circular methods in practice.

### **Pedagogical Approach: Learning by Doing**

Over one semester, 62 Master's students worked in six teams to apply BIM methodologies to the pavilion’s dismantling. Guided by a **BIM Execution Plan (BEP)**, they collaborated using tools such as Revit, ArchiCAD, BIMcollab, and SmartViews. The process was structured into four steps:

##### **Making BIM Reliable**

Students learned fundamental workflows through exercises like *BIM Town*, which simulated urban planning with simplified rules, highlighting the importance of **data reliability and collaboration**.

##### **Applying BIM to Circularity**

Teams organized themselves into defined roles and focused on issues such as material classification, reuse potential, and economic value.

##### **Scenario Development**

The students leveraged the potential of Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodologies and their practical implementations— including the characterization of construction elements, management of object properties, and data filtering and visualization— to design and develop comprehensive scenarios for the management and reuse of the deconstructed building. These scenarios are structured around four key thematic areas.

- - **Topic 1 : ****Transport**

**How to manage different pre-exploitation scenarios for deconstructed materials across various sites by using a BIM-based approach ?**

**Manage the deconstruction phases through the qualification of building materials and equipment**

**Manage deconstruction for design purposes**

**Manage deconstruction for economic purposes**

### **Economic Exploitation**

A key focus was the **economic** **exploitation**: maximizing the market value of materials for resale on reuse platforms. This approach supports the circular economy by reducing waste costs, generating revenue, and contributing to material sustainability.

The team identified how different stakeholders could benefit:

**Advantages** included reduced waste management costs, new revenue streams, material savings, and even tax incentives.  
**Challenges** included high initial costs, uncertain profitability, and fluctuating market demand for reused materials.

### **Outcomes and Reflections**

The experiment showed how BIM can:

- Structure **deconstruction workflows** through phases and SmartViews.
- Link material data with **transport, time, design, and economic scenarios**.
- Create a **decision-support methodology** that anticipates end-of-life from the design stage.

At the same time, it revealed limitations: the need for iterative validation, stronger integration with non-specialists, and more user-friendly tools.

### **A Pavilion as a Living Laboratory**

The Belgian Pavilion thus became more than a temporary structure. It became a **teaching ground for circular design**. By combining BIM with deconstruction management, students translated abstract concepts into concrete workflows that could one day inform real construction practices.

As Dr. Mohamed-Anis Gallas, who led the project, noted:

“The work of the students transformed abstract concepts into tangible strategies, proving that design for deconstruction is not only possible but essential to the sustainable transition of our sector.”

Belgium’s participation at Expo 2025 Osaka therefore extends beyond showcasing its culture and innovation: it demonstrates how **education, technology, and sustainability can converge** to shape the buildings and societies of tomorrow.

### Team

The project was led by **Associate Professor Mohamed-Anis Gallas** together with his research assistant **Ar. Nawri Khamallah**, supported by the **Lab of Digital Theories and Practices in Architecture** at the **Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Mons**. Most importantly, the initiative was brought to life through the dedication and creativity of the **Master’s students**, whose collaborative work transformed theoretical ideas into practical scenarios for sustainable deconstruction management:

**BIMBurton**  
Blairon Yann  
Pourbaix Hugo  
Willem Victor  
Dabouz Ka'ina  
Dudkowiak Tristan  
Segers Coralie  
Donatiello Di Stefano Tao  
Trannois Rémy  
Beyls Kloé  
Miloud Daouadji Mohammed

**BIMPossible**  
Morimont Cerise  
Siringo Luna  
Nidriche Pierre  
Urbain Daphnée  
de Landsheer Alyster  
Vigani Alessio  
Rugeri Lucas  
Vinet Théo  
Parisse Sophie  
Dormont Audric

**BIM Gees**  
Navez Vanina  
Chaté Lisa  
Toupin Théo  
Mancuso Titiana  
Sénépart Inès  
Mac Callum Robin  
Leclercq Florine  
Di Noi Sacha   
Foszcz         Brice  
Huet Morgane

**SaBIM and Partners**  
Mainfroid Alexandra  
Osteaux Florian  
Dumeunier Julien  
Vullo Dimitri  
Fotinis Orania  
Bauwens Arnaud  
Leroy Noé  
Bruccoleri Valentino  
Sacco Fiona

**3 BIMension**  
Cordisco Luca  
Renoirt Lyncée  
Vanhoutvinck Maëlle  
Dagli Miyase  
Coche Louise  
Alno Luna  
Divinti Aleandro  
Dufrane Enora  
Odon Ludivine

and

**404 Not Found**  
Derijcke Thomas  
Méaux Benjamin  
Piscart Sascha  
Gouvart Mathias   
Becue Margaux  
Demoulin Eléonore  
De Baerdemaeker Sofie  
Tran Thanh Vi  
Dorpel Quentin  
Troucas Sharon

[View full post](https://belexpo.be/en/news/bim-for-deconstruction)

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