Building the Future: BIM Adoption and Readiness in the Caribbean Construction Sector

Executive Summary

Building Information Modeling (BIM) adoption in the Caribbean is currently limited and uneven. Major benefits of BIM (improved coordination, reduced rework and costs) are recognized by industry leaders, but demand remains low and expertise scarce. For example, Barbados-based ARGO reports up to 20% project cost savings using BIM, yet most firms in the region still use traditional CAD. Surveys and studies identify the main barriers: firms’ unwillingness to change processes, high software/training costs, and low client or government demand for BIM. On the positive side, large projects (hospitals, resorts, airports) have begun using BIM in design or construction, demonstrating its value – e.g. a new Dominican hospital used BIM to meet strict medical standards. Some governments and development agencies are starting to act: Jamaica’s construction policy explicitly encourages BIM for efficiency, and international lenders (IDB, CAF) have funded BIM training and pilot studies. Actionable strategies include building BIM training capacity, promoting pilot public projects, aligning regulations and procurement with BIM, and leveraging development-bank support. These steps can help the Caribbean construction industry move into the digital age of design and building.

Introduction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital process that generates and manages comprehensive information about a built asset throughout its lifecycle. In practice, BIM uses a centralized 3D model rich with data (geometry, materials, schedules, costs, etc.) that all stakeholders access and update collaboratively. This “holistic” approach improves design coordination, clash detection, and project planning. Globally, BIM is seen as a cornerstone of construction’s digital transformation, with mandates in Europe and Asia driving rapid uptake. In the Caribbean context, BIM offers the promise of higher efficiency and quality in building projects – reducing errors, enabling faster iterations, and ultimately cutting costs and delays. For developing Caribbean nations, many of which rely on tourism infrastructure, healthcare and resilient public buildings, BIM could be especially valuable for delivering complex projects (e.g. modern hospitals, resorts, airports) on time and budget. However, adoption has lagged. This report analyzes the current state of BIM in Caribbean building design/construction, identifies drivers and obstacles, surveys national initiatives, and recommends steps for governments and banks to accelerate digital construction.

Regional Context

The Caribbean’s digital infrastructure and readiness are improving, but gaps remain. Access to high-speed internet and modern IT platforms is essential for BIM and other advanced construction technologies. World Bank reports note that broadband connectivity strongly correlates with economic growth in small island states, since reliable internet links businesses, schools and government services. Many island governments are therefore investing in fiber, mobile networks and e-services. For example, St. Kitts and Nevis launched a comprehensive “Digital Transformation” project in 2024 to upgrade government IT systems and efficiency. Regional development initiatives (like CARCIP) have also pushed fiber and 4G/5G connectivity in Eastern Caribbean nations. This improving ICT backbone provides a foundation for AEC firms to collaborate in the cloud and adopt BIM.

At the same time, several Latin American and Caribbean countries are formally supporting BIM. A recent Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) blog notes that “eight countries in LAC” already have national BIM strategies or plans (for example, Chile, Brazil, Mexico and others). Those governments are beginning to require BIM on public infrastructure projects or provide funding for BIM training. In the Caribbean, however, formal mandates are still rare. Most local governments lack specific BIM regulations, though national construction policies (e.g. Jamaica’s) are beginning to encourage BIM use.

Overall, the region has uneven digital readiness: urban and more developed countries (like Jamaica, DR) have robust internet and larger firms, while smaller islands (e.g. Saint Kitts & Nevis) are still enhancing broadband and IT capacity. This context affects BIM uptake: where connectivity and technical skills are higher, BIM projects can proceed; where infrastructure or IT literacy is weak, digital adoption is slower.

Methodology

This report is based on desk research and expert sources. We reviewed published surveys, technical reports and industry articles on BIM in Latin America and the Caribbean. Key inputs include the IDB’s 2020 Encuesta BIM regional survey, case studies from AEC firms (e.g. ARGO Development Studio in Barbados), and academic research (such as the University of the West Indies study on BIM in Trinidad & Tobago). Where possible, insights were supplemented by statements from government press releases (e.g. St. Kitts digital initiative) and development-bank announcements (IDB contracts for BIM consultancy). This combined evidence underpins our analysis of current adoption, barriers and policies.

Current State of BIM Adoption

The table below summarizes BIM adoption in select Caribbean countries. It shows that most remain in the early stages of BIM use, with a few pockets of advanced practice by leading firms. Notably, Saint Kitts & Nevis and Jamaica report minimal adoption, whereas Barbados and the Dominican Republic have small but growing BIM activity in private projects.

Country	BIM Adoption Level	Government/Policy	Industry Use & Examples
St. Kitts & Nevis	Very Low	No BIM mandate. Digital push in gov’t.	Few firms use BIM. A foreign firm (ARGO) is designing the new Park Hyatt hotel in St. Kitts with BIM. Government has a new Digital Transformation Project but no specific BIM policy.
Jamaica	Low – Moderate	Construction policy recommends BIM (no formal mandate)	A few design firms use BIM (e.g. Formarchitects claims BIM-led workflow). Widespread BIM usage is limited; no major public projects reported using BIM yet.
Trinidad & Tobago	Low	No national BIM strategy	UWI survey found 66% of architects never used BIM. Firms cite cost and inertia as barriers. Some private firms may experiment with BIM, but industry use is very limited.
Barbados	Moderate (regional leader)	No formal mandate	ARGO Development Studio uses BIM for virtually all projects. Projects include commercial buildings and resorts. BIM is mostly in the private sector (hotels, offices) – e.g. the Aer Rianta airport terminal used 3D design.
Dominican Republic	Moderate	No official mandate	Contractors like Lexco have applied BIM on large hospital projects. For example, Lexco managed the CEDIMAT cardiac center (30,000 sq.ft) using BIM data to meet strict healthcare standards. Other private developers (hotels, commercial) are beginning to explore BIM.

Table 1. Comparison of BIM adoption by country (sources cited in text).

Drivers & Barriers

Drivers: Several factors encourage BIM use in the region’s construction sector. Complex or high-tech projects – such as modern hospitals, airports and luxury resorts – benefit greatly from BIM’s coordination. For instance, in the Dominican Republic, BIM was instrumental in integrating data across disciplines to build a state-of-the-art hospital to serve local and medical-tourist populations. Similarly, Barbados-based ARGO reports that BIM’s 3D modelling and clash-checking capabilities allow projects to proceed more predictably, yielding up to 20% cost savings compared to traditional methods. Increasing international investment and code requirements (e.g. sustainability, disaster resilience) also push developers toward BIM to manage data and simulations. In addition, regional development banks (IDB, CAF) and professional networks have begun to raise BIM awareness through training and pilot programs, which helps build momentum.

Barriers: Despite these drivers, adoption remains constrained by several obstacles. The primary barrier is organizational and cultural: many firms are accustomed to 2D CAD workflows and are unwilling to change methods. The UWI survey in Trinidad found “unwillingness to change” to be the top barrier (35.3% of architects). Linked to this is the lack of expertise: BIM software and training are relatively expensive, and small firms often cannot afford the investment. In that same study, “cost of software/training” (29.4%) and “lack of awareness” (17.6%) were the next biggest barriers. Many clients (private or government) also do not yet demand BIM in bids; only 11.8% cited client requirements as a barrier, suggesting demand is low. Other challenges include limited data standards and guidelines in Caribbean contexts, and fragmented projects that make collaboration harder. In sum, without strong market pull or regulatory pressure, most AEC firms remain hesitant.

National Initiatives & Regulatory Frameworks

No Caribbean country has yet mandated BIM use by law, unlike the UK or some EU nations. However, policy support is emerging. Jamaica’s 2021 Construction Industry Policy explicitly notes that to improve design coordination and efficiency, “the industry should seek to utilise Building Information Modeling (BIM)”. This high-level guidance signals government support, though it falls short of a requirement. Other governments have mentioned BIM in passing (e.g. within digital strategy documents), but concrete regulations or incentives are rare.

Development banks and regional agencies are playing an important enabling role. In 2021 the IDB contracted a consultancy (Ineco) to implement BIM methods in Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to quantify BIM’s economic impacts and run pilot projects. The CAF (Development Bank of Latin America) also sponsored an online BIM course for public-sector engineers and architects, focusing on how governments manage BIM projects. These initiatives (among others by global BIM networks) help build capacity and share best practices. Going forward, integrating BIM requirements into public procurement (for roads, schools or other projects funded by IDB/CDB), and developing national BIM standards or guidance (possibly aligned with ISO 19650) would give a clearer framework. Some experts even argue that public-sector projects should mandate BIM to improve transparency and value – for example, by requiring any bidder to deliver a digital model for government review.

Case Studies

Figure: The new CEDIMAT cardiovascular hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, built by Lexco using BIM methodology. This 30,000 sq.ft facility exemplifies BIM’s use on a complex Caribbean project.

The Dominican Republic’s Lexco Group provides a striking example. Lexco managed the Luis Eduardo Aybar/CEDIMAT hospital campus using BIM and data-driven construction management. By training all 32 design and construction subcontractors in Revit and sharing a central model, Lexco integrated architectural, structural and MEP work seamlessly. This was key to meeting strict medical standards and coordinating thousands of model elements. According to Autodesk, this hospital “raised the standard for hospitals in the Caribbean” and was one of the first projects in the country designed using BIM. Lexco’s CEO reports that BIM made it easier to anticipate material needs, reduce change orders, and keep the large project on schedule.

Another example is Barbados-based ARGO Development Studio, a firm that has made BIM its core workflow. ARGO has applied BIM across dozens of Caribbean projects. For instance, ARGO designed the Secret Bay eco-resort in Dominica and its own Ozone Wireless office in Barbados using intelligent 3D models. By using BIM, ARGO could perform virtual walkthroughs, detect clashes early, and automate quantity takeoffs. The firm notes that BIM “guarantee[s] a more efficient delivery, minimizing time delays and saving up to 20% of the project budget”. Their project list also includes airports (e.g. Aer Rianta Int’l terminal in Barbados) and hotels (the Park Hyatt in St. Kitts), showing BIM’s reach across the region. ARGO’s success illustrates that, even in a small economy, investing in BIM can give competitive advantage.

In Jamaica, BIM use is less documented, but one leading firm, Formarchitects, explicitly touts BIM as their technological foundation. Formarchitects uses BIM-based 4D/5D tools for construction sequencing and cost-estimating during design. This signals that pockets of BIM competency exist in Jamaica’s AEC sector, even if formal adoption is not widespread. Similarly, some engineering consultancies have begun offering BIM services to clients, driven by tourism and infrastructure demand.

Recommendations

To accelerate BIM adoption in the Caribbean, stakeholders should pursue a coordinated strategy:

Leadership & Regulation: Governments and funding agencies should incentivize or require BIM on public projects. At minimum, include BIM criteria in procurement documents (e.g. proposals require an electronic model submission). Over time, adopt a formal BIM mandate or guideline for major projects. This top-down signal can stimulate demand. (Consultants argue BIM should be a minimum requirement for public contracts to boost transparency and reduce waste.)
Capacity Building: Invest in BIM training across the supply chain. Encourage universities and polytechnics to include BIM software courses in architecture/engineering curricula. Public-private partnerships can fund scholarships or certification programs. Development banks can finance technical assistance (as IDB/CAF have begun) and share curricula.
Pilot Projects & Demonstration: Support a few high-profile pilot projects to showcase BIM’s benefits (e.g. new school, hospital or public housing development). Document and publicize these successes. Encourage AEC consortia (architects, engineers, contractors) to form BIM working groups to share lessons.
Standards & Tools: Adopt or develop BIM standards aligned with international norms (e.g. ISO 19650) and local needs. Promote use of cloud collaboration platforms (even simple ones like BIM 360 or Trimble Connect) for data sharing. Establish guidelines for BIM execution plans and file naming conventions to ease interoperability.
Public Awareness: Conduct industry workshops and conferences in the Caribbean on BIM. Feature case studies (from this report and beyond) to demonstrate ROI. Engage client organizations (developers, utilities, government ministries) to build market demand; educate them on how to specify BIM in contracts.
Leverage Development Banks: Incorporate BIM into lending conditions where feasible. For example, require BIM usage in design phases of infrastructure projects funded by IDB, CDB or World Bank. Use Regional Public Goods grants to fund regional BIM training networks or standards harmonization.

By combining regulatory carrots and sticks with support for skills and technology, the Caribbean can catch up with global BIM trends. Institutions like the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) or CARICOM could also facilitate a regional BIM initiative, sharing knowledge across islands.

Conclusion & Next Steps

BIM adoption in the developing Caribbean is nascent but poised for growth. Our analysis shows pockets of excellence (e.g. Lexco, ARGO) alongside widespread underuse. To realize the productivity and sustainability gains of BIM, government, industry and financiers must work together. Key next steps include formalizing BIM policies, building local expertise, and showcasing successful projects. As global AEC moves deeper into digital construction (with 4D simulations and eventually digital twins), the Caribbean stands to benefit if it can bridge its current gaps. This report provides a roadmap: by leveraging development-bank programs, fostering BIM champions, and aligning regulations, Caribbean governments and firms can make digital construction a standard practice – improving quality, reducing costs, and enhancing resilience in the region’s built environment.

Sources:

This report draws on regional surveys and reports (e.g. IDB’s BIM survey), academic studies, industry publications, and government communications, as cited above. The included figure and table captions identify relevant references. All statements are supported by these credible sources.