In episode 15 of openBIMvoice, I talk with Elena Efremova about one of the hardest practical problems in openBIM: converting IFC models back into editable Revit models. Elena has a background in architecture, construction robotics, and software development. Her work focuses on making IFC models useful again when the original authoring model is missing, when the model was created in another tool, or when a team only receives IFC but still needs to continue work in Revit. We talk about why IFC roundtripping is so difficult, what gets lost during export, and why reconstruction is very different from simple import. We also discuss real project pressure, missing native files, market expectations, and the gap between open standards and everyday delivery. A big part of the conversation is also about building and explaining technical BIM software. Sometimes “convert your IFC into Revit” is much clearer than leading with all the technical details. The strongest point from this episode is simple: IFC is not only a file format. It is part of a much bigger workflow. And when that workflow breaks, teams need practical ways to recover usable information and keep the project moving. Find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petruconduraru/ Questions: [email protected]