Toward open science in the AEC community: An ecosystem for sustainable digital assets sharing and reuse
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2026
Abstract
The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation, generating diverse digital assets such as datasets, computational models, workflows, and educational resources. However, these resources are often fragmented across repositories and inconsistently documented, limiting their discoverability, interpretation, and reuse in research, education, and practice. This study introduces OpenConstruction , a community-driven open science ecosystem that aggregates and organizes openly accessible AEC digital assets. The platform integrates four catalogs, including datasets, models, workflows, and educational resources, supported by standardized metadata, curator-led validation and community-based governance processes that ensure transparency and resource quality. As of December 2025, the ecosystem indexes more than 200 digital assets spanning research, education, and industry applications. Two case studies illustrate how the platform supports resource discovery, benchmarking, and instructional use. The platform is publicly accessible at https://www.openconstruction.org/ .
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Developments in the Built Environment
Recommended Citation
Xiong, R., Wang, Y., Cai, J., Liu, K., & Zhu, Y. (2026). Toward open science in the AEC community: An ecosystem for sustainable digital assets sharing and reuse. Developments in the Built Environment, 26 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dibe.2026.100909