Digital Twin in Buildings: What the Autodesk Tandem–Globant Partnership Changes [2026]

April 17, 2026 · 8 min read · Wersja polska

The digital twin market will grow from $21 billion in 2025 to $149 billion by 2030. That's not a slide deck forecast — it's already visible in signed contracts. On April 13, 2026, Autodesk named Globant its official Autodesk Tandem Digital Twin Solution Provider for airports, smart buildings and logistics facilities. What does this mean for AEC firms?

What is a building digital twin — and why 2026 is a turning point

A building digital twin is more than a 3D model. It is a living digital counterpart connected in real-time to the physical building through IoT sensors, a BMS (Building Management System) and operational data streams.

The distinction between BIM and a digital twin is straightforward: a BIM model answers "what does the building look like and how is it constructed". A digital twin answers "how is the building performing right now, and what is likely to happen next".

Until 2025, digital twins were largely experimental — many pilots, few production deployments. In 2026, that is changing. According to TwinView, 92% of premium real estate developments in Western markets now start with a digital twin requirement built in. Autodesk Tandem has moved from niche platform to emerging standard for class-A asset management.

Autodesk Tandem + Globant — what the partnership means in practice

On April 13, 2026, Globant announced the expansion of its 15-year Autodesk relationship. The company is now a certified Autodesk Tandem Digital Twin Solution Provider.

What that concretely means:

• Enterprise integrations — Globant delivers Tandem connections to ERP, CAFM, BMS and IoT systems at industrial scale
• Proof-of-concept deployments in 2026 — first production rollouts planned for airports, logistics centres and smart buildings this year
• Physical AI — the term both companies use to describe the end goal: a digital twin that does not just collect data but makes operational decisions autonomously (HVAC control, failure prediction, energy optimisation)

For the AEC industry, the key point is that Autodesk Tandem imports data directly from Revit and IFC. That means: if you have a BIM model built in Revit, you already have the foundation for a digital twin.

How digital twin connects to BIM — the AEC firm's role

A successful digital twin starts with a high-quality BIM model. This is exactly where an AEC firm can — and should — be involved, not just during design but throughout the building's full lifecycle.

The typical implementation path:

1. BIM model creation (Revit, LOD 300–350) or import from existing documentation
2. Laser scanning — for existing buildings, a 3D scan provides the as-built foundation that feeds the digital twin
3. Autodesk Tandem configuration — connecting operational data, BMS, IoT sensors
4. Integrations — CAFM, FM systems, management dashboards

Firms that invest today in high-quality BIM models from point clouds will have a competitive edge when the first digital twin tenders appear in their market. In Poland and Central Europe, those tenders are approaching faster than most expect.

Where digital twins are delivering results — the numbers

Data from 2025–2026 production deployments:

• 15–20% reduction in building operating costs after implementing a digital twin with predictive FM
• 15% fewer change orders during construction when digital twins are used for coordination (Maricopa County, USA)
• Airport deployments using Tandem: automated asset tracking, prediction of critical system failures, real-time energy optimisation

The global FM market supported by digital twins is projected to exceed $50 billion by 2028. In Poland, the first commercial deployments are underway — primarily in premium office buildings in Warsaw.

What this means for your AEC firm

Whether you are a design office, BIM manager or developer, the Autodesk Tandem–Globant announcement signals a clear direction: digital twins are moving from innovation project to procurement requirement.

Three things you can do today:

1. Audit your modelling standards — do your Revit models include the data parameters required by Tandem (equipment data, HVAC system identifiers, space parameters)?
2. Plan scan to BIM for existing assets — 3D laser scanning is the fastest path to as-built data for buildings without BIM documentation
3. Get familiar with Autodesk Tandem — the platform is included in AEC Collection subscriptions

Firms that prepare now — improving their data structures, aligning with ISO 19650 information management requirements and building scan-to-BIM capabilities — will be the ones clients call when the first digital twin RFP lands on their desk.

Want to check if your BIM processes are ready for digital twin delivery? We start with a free audit — no commitment required.
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Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}

What is the difference between a BIM model and a digital twin?

A BIM model is a static representation of a building's geometry and data — documentation of how the asset is designed and built. A digital twin is a live connected counterpart, linked in real-time to IoT sensors and operational data. BIM answers "what does it look like", a digital twin answers "how is it performing right now and what will happen next".

How much does it cost to implement a digital twin for an office building?

A baseline digital twin for a 10,000–50,000 m² office building typically costs €10,000–€50,000 (configuration, enterprise integrations, IoT sensors). ROI typically appears within 2–3 years through 15–20% reduction in operating costs and significantly fewer costly unplanned failures.

Can a digital twin be built from an existing Revit model?

Yes — a Revit model is the most common starting point for Autodesk Tandem. The platform imports data directly from Revit and IFC files. If no BIM model exists for the building, one can be efficiently created from a laser scan using the scan to BIM methodology.

Which building types benefit most from digital twins?

The strongest ROI comes from high-complexity assets with significant operating costs: airports, shopping centres, hospitals, class-A offices, university campuses, industrial plants and logistics facilities. The payback threshold for smaller buildings is dropping as IoT hardware costs fall — within 3–5 years, digital twins for residential buildings will become economically viable.

How does archBIM.cloud support digital twin implementations?

We offer the complete pipeline: 3D laser scanning (if no BIM model exists), Revit modelling to the required LOD, ISO 19650-compliant data structuring, and BIM model preparation ready for Autodesk Tandem. We start with a free audit that assesses your current documentation state and delivers a concrete action plan.

Related topics

• Creating a BIM Model from a Point Cloud — Scan to BIM
• 3D Laser Scanning of Buildings — A Practical Guide
• ISO 19650 Revision 2026 — Information Management Explained
• BIM Management — archBIM.cloud service
• Digitisation and Laser Scanning

BARVEA — building management powered by your BIM model

The digital twin market is booming — but we also see that most buildings today don't need IoT sensors and six-figure dashboards. What they need is one place where the BIM model connects to daily operations: maintenance schedules, technical documentation, service history, all accessible directly from the 3D model. That's why we're building BARVEA — our platform for BIM-powered building management. No complex deployments. No IoT required to start. A practical tool for facility managers, building owners and design firms that want to deliver value long after construction is complete. More coming soon.

Your building deserves a digital twin — built on solid BIM foundations

We know what BIM looks like in real AEC offices — the good, the rushed, and everything in between. A digital twin needs a proper foundation: accurate geometry, the right parameters, a well-structured IFC. We help you assess where you stand and what to fix before the first Tandem RFP arrives.

Book a free BIM audit →