CORENET X: Requirements, Implementation Timeline and BIM Submission Guide (2026)

Published by Beyond+ | BIM Services Singapore For a side-by-side breakdown of what changed, see our CORENET X vs CORENET 2.0 comparison. For a plain-language primer on the format, read What is IFC-SG.

What Is CORENET X?

CORENET X is Singapore’s integrated digital platform for regulatory approval of building works. It replaces the drawing-based CORENET 2.0 process with coordinated BIM submissions that multiple agencies — the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), SCDF, PUB, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), NEA and NParks — review together against one federated model, submitted in the IFC+SG format. In practice it changes three things for a project team: what you submit (a coordinated model, not drawing sets), when you submit (at defined gateways rather than agency by agency), and how approval comes back (one coordinated response).

CORENET X Implementation Timeline: When It Becomes Mandatory

The mandate is being phased in by project size and stage. These dates come from URA circular DC26-08 / BCA APPBCA-2026-12 dated 23 July 2026, which updated the CORENET X implementation plan set out in the earlier DC25-07:

• 1 October 2025 — submission through CORENET X gateway processes became mandatory for all new projects with GFA (gross floor area) of 30,000 sqm and above.
• 1 October 2026 — the mandate extends to all new projects with GFA of 5,000 sqm and above.
• Below 5,000 sqm GFA — not required to onboard the Gateway Processes. Submissions may continue through CORENET 2.0 for now.
• Ongoing projects of 5,000 sqm GFA and above — where submissions commenced by 30 September 2026, they may continue in CORENET 2.0.

If your project sits outside the current window it may still submit under CORENET 2.0 — our CORENET X vs CORENET 2.0 comparison sets out exactly what differs. The practical point for most Singapore teams reading this in 2026: the October 2026 extension is set at 5,000 sqm GFA, not at every project. Above that line, readiness work belongs in your current programme. Below it, you have room to plan — but the threshold has already moved once, from 30,000 sqm to 5,000 sqm, so plan on the assumption it can move again.

Is your project “new” or “ongoing”?

This classification decides which date binds you, and it is the first thing worth settling. The distinction turns on how far the project has progressed through the regulatory approval process at the transition point — broadly, whether it has already commenced its application for planning permission and development control under the previous system, or is yet to. Projects already inside the CORENET 2.0 pipeline fall under the ongoing-project transition; projects still to apply are treated as new. Scope and exemptions — including how smaller-scale works such as single-unit landed residential properties are handled — are set out in the Code of Practice, and it is worth confirming your project’s classification there before planning submission dates around it.

The CORENET X Code of Practice

The CORENET X Code of Practice is the governing document for the submission process. It defines the gateway structure, what each submission must contain, and the model and data requirements agencies check against. Read it before scoping submission work rather than during it — most of the rework we see on live projects traces back to teams discovering a requirement at gateway stage that the Code of Practice states plainly up front.

BCA and industry bodies run CORENET X training courses covering the new regulatory approval process, and practitioners are worth pointing at them early. Where a team needs the workflow embedded in its own projects rather than taught generically, our BIM training in Singapore is built around live project work.

CORENET X represents Singapore’s gateway to digital building regulatory approval. For project teams preparing Building Information Modelling submissions, understanding how to structure models correctly makes the difference between smooth approval and repeated validation failures.

The official CORENET X BIM guide defines how architects, engineers, contractors, and qualified persons should prepare models for multi-agency regulatory review. This means more than just creating a BIM model in Revit or ArchiCAD—it requires understanding IFC+SG requirements, parameter mapping, data structure, and submission gateway specifications.

This guide explains what the CORENET X BIM framework actually requires, how to prepare models that meet regulatory standards, and where project teams typically encounter submission challenges.

What is the CORENET X BIM Guide?

The CORENET X BIM guide is BCA’s official resource for preparing models that comply with Singapore’s regulatory submission requirements. It defines the technical specifications, data requirements, and export format needed for Building Information Modelling submissions to regulatory agencies.

The guide covers:

•      IFC+SG specification and Industry Foundation Classes standards

•      Required parameters and property data for building components

•      Template files for Revit and ArchiCAD users

•      Export settings and file format requirements

•      Submission gateway requirements for multi-agency coordination

•      Classification systems and object mapping standards

For firms preparing mandatory submissions, the guide serves as the technical baseline. Understanding these requirements reduces validation errors and improves regulatory approval timelines.

Beyond+ helps project teams apply these requirements in practice through model preparation, validation, and CORENET X submission support.

Understanding IFC+SG: Singapore’s BIM Submission Format

IFC+SG is the mandatory format for all CORENET X submissions. Based on the international Industry Foundation Classes standard, IFC+SG adapts the schema to Singapore’s local regulatory context and building industry requirements.

What makes IFC+SG different from standard IFC:

•      Singapore-specific parameters: Additional data fields required by BCA and regulatory agencies

•      Customized classification: Building component categories aligned with Singapore building regulations

•      Compliance mapping: Direct connection between model data and regulatory requirements

•      Multi-agency support: Data structure designed for review by multiple regulatory authorities

The IFC+SG resource library includes templates, parameter definitions, and export guidelines for Autodesk Revit and Graphisoft ArchiCAD—the two primary BIM software platforms used in Singapore’s construction industry.

Key requirement:

Models must export to IFC format with all required IFC+SG parameters intact. Missing or incorrectly mapped data causes validation failures during submission. This is where most project teams struggle—the gap between native BIM software and compliant IFC export.

CORENET X Submission Requirements: What Your BIM Model Must Include

Preparing a model for regulatory submission requires more than geometric accuracy. The data embedded in your 3D BIM components determines whether the submission gateway accepts or rejects your file.

Mandatory requirements:

1. Complete Property Data

Every building component must include minimum property sets defined in the IFC+SG specification. This includes spatial information, material properties, and regulatory classification.

2. Correct Parameter Mapping

Native software parameters (Revit families, ArchiCAD objects) must map to IFC+SG parameters during export — the configuration work that decides whether a model validates. Where a team wants that export discipline built into the model from the start rather than retrofitted at gateway stage, our Revit BIM modelling service structures models for IFC+SG output. Incorrect mapping strips required data from the file.

3. Coordinated Model Structure

Architectural, structural, and MEP models must coordinate spatially and share consistent project origin points. Federated models submitted to CORENET X must align precisely.

4. Classification Compliance

Building components must use the classification system defined in the guide. Regulatory agencies apply automated compliance checking based on these classifications.

5. Template Adherence

BCA provides template files that pre-configure required parameters and settings. Using these templates from project start reduces preparation effort during submission.

Beyond+ supports firms in preparing submission-ready models through BIM coordination services that ensure data structure, parameter mapping, and model coordination meet gateway requirements before submission.

How to Use CORENET X BIM Templates (Revit and ArchiCAD)

BCA provides downloadable template files for both Autodesk Revit and Graphisoft ArchiCAD. These templates pre-configure the parameter sets, property definitions, and export settings required for compliant submissions.

For Revit Users:

•      Download the official Revit template from BCA’s IFC+SG resource portal

•      Start new projects using this template to ensure correct parameter structure from the beginning

•      For existing projects, transfer required shared parameters into your model

•      Verify IFC mapping settings before export to maintain data integrity

For ArchiCAD Users:

•      Apply BCA’s ArchiCAD template with pre-configured property sets

•      Use the industry mapping settings provided by Graphisoft for Singapore projects

•      Configure IFC translator settings according to the guide specifications

•      Test export with sample objects before preparing full project submission

Common mistake:

Teams often apply templates late in the project, requiring extensive rework to add missing parameters to existing components. Starting with the correct template saves significant preparation time.

Preparing Your Model for Export: Step-by-Step Process

Exporting to IFC+SG format requires careful attention to settings and validation steps. This process bridges native BIM software and the regulatory submission gateway.

Step 1: Verify Model Completeness

Before export, confirm that all required building components include complete property data. Run parameter audits to identify missing information.

Step 2: Check Coordinate System

Ensure your model uses the correct project origin and coordinate reference system. Misaligned coordinates cause federation failures when multiple discipline models combine.

Step 3: Configure Export Settings

Apply the export configuration defined in the CORENET X guide. This includes IFC schema version, property set export, and classification mapping.

Step 4: Export to IFC Format

Generate the IFC file using your BIM software’s export function. Name the file according to submission naming conventions.

Step 5: Validate Before Submission

Open the exported IFC file in a validation tool to verify data structure and parameter completeness. This catches errors before submission gateway rejection.

Validation errors at this stage are faster to fix than after submission to regulatory agencies. Beyond+ provides export validation and troubleshooting services that identify issues before they reach the submission gateway.

Common Preparation Challenges and How to Address Them

Even with templates and guides available, project teams encounter recurring issues during model preparation. Understanding these challenges helps prevent submission delays.

Challenge 1: Missing IFC+SG Parameters

Many teams discover late in the project that their model lacks required parameters. This happens when projects start without proper template application or when custom families don’t include mandatory property sets.

Solution: Apply BCA templates from project initiation. For in-house and external component libraries, audit against IFC+SG requirements before widespread use in projects.

Challenge 2: Incorrect Data Mapping

During IFC export, native software parameters must map correctly to IFC properties. Incorrect mapping settings strip critical data from the file, causing gateway validation failures.

Solution: Configure export settings using the guide specifications. Test exports with sample components before full project export to verify data preservation.

Challenge 3: Non-BIM Elements

Some building components exist as non-BIM elements (2D details, drawing annotations) that don’t export to IFC format. Regulatory review requires 3D BIM representation of all key building elements.

Solution: Convert non-BIM elements to proper 3D components with required properties. Plan modeling strategy to ensure all submission-critical elements exist as BIM objects.

Challenge 4: Multi-Discipline Coordination

When architectural, structural, and MEP models federate for submission, coordination failures appear. Misaligned coordinate systems, inconsistent classification, or duplicated components cause validation errors.

Solution: Establish project collaboration standards early. Use BIM coordination workflows to ensure consistent standards across disciplines before export.

Understanding CORENET X Submission Gateways

Each gateway has its own readiness bar. Our CORENET X submission checklist breaks down what to have in place before each one, and the common IFC+SG validation errors guide covers what typically fails at upload.

The submission gateway is the platform interface where qualified persons upload prepared IFC+SG files for regulatory review. Understanding gateway requirements helps prepare models that pass initial validation.

The four CORENET X submission gateways

CORENET X structures approval around key gateways rather than continuous agency-by-agency correspondence. Each is a coordinated submission point with its own readiness bar:

• Design Gateway — the coordinated design submission, covering what building plan and planning permission clearances previously handled separately. This is where most preparation effort concentrates, because the model must already be cross-discipline coordinated.
• Piling Gateway — an optional early gateway allowing piling and related works to start ahead of full design clearance, where the programme needs the head start.
• Construction Gateway — clearance to proceed with main construction works, with the model updated to reflect the approved design.
• Completion Gateway — the final phase: as-built models and the submissions supporting occupation and completion certification.

Submissions that do not require multi-agency coordination follow the Direct Submission Process (DSP) instead of a gateway. Uploads are made through the CORENET X Submission Portal, which validates the file before it reaches agency review.

Gateway functions:

•      File upload and validation: Initial checks verify file format, data structure, and minimum requirements

•      Multi-agency routing: Submission gateways distribute models to relevant regulatory authorities for review

•      Feedback mechanism: Gateway provides validation reports and compliance feedback to users

•      Version control: Platform manages submission versions during the approval process

What happens at gateway validation:

1.    File format check (must be valid IFC)

2.    Required parameter verification

3.    Classification system compliance

4.    Spatial structure validation

5.    Key data completeness review

Files that fail gateway validation return with error reports identifying specific issues. Understanding these reports and how to address validation errors improves resubmission success rates.

Where to Access CORENET X BIM Resources

BCA maintains the official IFC+SG resource library with templates, guidelines, and technical documentation for project teams preparing regulatory submissions.

Available resources include:

•      CORENET X BIM guide (comprehensive technical document)

•      Revit template files with pre-configured parameters

•      ArchiCAD template files and property mapping

•      IFC+SG specification documentation

•      Export setting guides for different BIM software

•      Parameter definition reference sheets

•      Industry mapping and classification resources

Access these resources through BCA’s official portal. Download current versions before starting submission preparation—specifications update periodically to reflect regulation changes and industry feedback.

Additional suggestion:

For firms preparing multiple projects, establish internal library resources based on BCA templates. This creates consistent application of requirements across project teams while reducing repetitive template configuration.

Integrating the Guide into Project Workflows

Reading the guide is one step. Applying its requirements consistently across project teams, disciplines, and construction phases requires structured implementation.

Practical integration strategies:

For Architects and QPs:

•      Incorporate template setup into project initiation checklists

•      Train project teams on parameter requirements before modeling begins

•      Schedule validation checkpoints throughout design development

•      Prepare export and submission at least two weeks before regulatory deadline

For Contractors:

•      Coordinate with consultants on model preparation standards

•      Ensure construction models maintain IFC+SG compliance for as-built submissions

•      Integrate gateway requirements into project collaboration platforms

•      Plan for model handover that preserves regulatory approval data

The guide provides technical specifications, but successful application requires workflow changes. Firms that integrate these requirements into standard operating procedures reduce submission preparation effort over time.

Beyond+ supports firms in implementing these workflows through BIM management consulting and training programs tailored to Singapore regulatory requirements.

 

Understanding the guide is different from applying it consistently across projects. Beyond+ helps firms bridge this gap through model validation, export preparation, and submission readiness support.

Our CORENET X support includes:

•      Template implementation and parameter configuration

•      IFC+SG export validation and troubleshooting

•      Multi-discipline coordination for federated submissions

•      Gateway validation error interpretation and resolution

•      Team training on regulatory submission workflows

Contact Beyond+ about your submission preparation needs or send us your models for validation review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did CORENET X become mandatory?

A: From 1 October 2025 for new projects of 30,000 sqm GFA and above. From 1 October 2026 it extends to all new projects with GFA of 5,000 sqm and above (URA circular DC26-08 / BCA APPBCA-2026-12, 23 July 2026). Projects below 5,000 sqm GFA are not required to onboard the Gateway Processes and may continue submitting through CORENET 2.0 for now.

Q: What is a CORENET X submission?

A: A coordinated BIM submission made at a defined gateway, exported to IFC+SG and reviewed by all relevant agencies together — rather than separate drawing submissions cleared agency by agency.

Q: What are the CORENET X gateways?

A: Design, Piling (an optional early gateway for programme head start), Construction, and Completion. Submissions that do not need multi-agency coordination follow the Direct Submission Process instead.

Q: Where can I download the official CORENET X BIM guide?

A: The guide and related resources are available through BCA’s official IFC+SG resource portal. Download the most current version before starting submission preparation.

Q: Do I need different templates for Revit and ArchiCAD?

A: Yes. BCA provides software-specific templates for both Autodesk Revit and Graphisoft ArchiCAD, as each BIM software structures parameters differently.

Q: What is the difference between IFC and IFC+SG?

A: IFC+SG is Singapore’s adapted version of the international Industry Foundation Classes standard. It includes Singapore-specific parameters, classification systems, and data requirements for local regulatory compliance.

Q: Can I use the guide for projects outside Singapore?

A: The CORENET X guide is specific to Singapore building regulations and regulatory agency requirements. Other countries have different BIM submission standards.

Q: How often does the guide get updated?

A: BCA updates the guide periodically based on industry feedback, regulation changes, and application experience. Always download the current version before project submission.

Q: What if my BIM software isn’t Revit or ArchiCAD?

A: Other BIM software can export to IFC format, but you’ll need to configure export settings to match IFC+SG requirements manually. The guide provides specifications that apply across platforms.

Q: Does Beyond+ provide training on using the guide?

A: Yes. Beyond+ offers corporate training programs focused on CORENET X submission preparation, IFC+SG requirements, and practical model preparation workflows for Singapore projects.

Conclusion

The CORENET X BIM guide defines technical requirements, but successful application requires more than reading documentation. It requires understanding how these specifications integrate into real project workflows, how to configure software correctly, and how to validate models before submission gateway review.

For project teams preparing mandatory BIM submissions, early integration of guide requirements reduces validation errors and regulatory approval delays. Starting with correct templates, understanding IFC+SG parameter mapping, and testing export settings before final submission saves significant rework time.

Beyond+ helps firms move from guide comprehension to practical application through model validation, export configuration, and submission preparation support. Whether you’re preparing your first CORENET X submission or improving consistency across multiple projects, we work alongside your team to ensure regulatory requirements become clearer and more manageable.

Contact Beyond+ to discuss your CORENET X preparation needs.

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Beyond+ Pte Ltd | BIM Services Singapore

33 Ubi Ave 3, Vertex Tower B, #04-28, Singapore 408868

Tel: +65 9026 1799 | beyondplus.sg

© 2026 Beyond+ Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two companion articles go deeper on specifics: the CORENET X Code of Practice and the 3-Gateway Process, and what changes at the 5,000m² threshold on 1 October 2026.