localfloor

Localfloor is an open-source platform and data model designed to standardize the representation of floor-related information at local scales for architecture, urban planning, and facility management. It provides a generic schema for floors and level hierarchies, spaces such as rooms and corridors, and associated metadata including accessibility features, materials, and environmental data, with an emphasis on interoperability within local workflows.

Originating in 2015 through a collaboration between urban designers, architects, and software developers, localfloor was created to improve collaboration between municipal planning offices and design firms. The project seeks to complement larger Building Information Modeling (BIM) standards by focusing on local context, vernacular floor typologies, and the practical needs of smaller jurisdictions and projects.

The localfloor data model centers on core entities such as Floor, Level, and Space, with defined relationships and attributes like geometry, zoning tags, occupancy, and renovation history. It supports localization, versioning, and permission controls to accommodate multi-user environments. The model is designed to be extensible via plugins that handle local material libraries, region-specific codes, and integration with geographic information systems (GIS).

Key features include APIs for reading, validating, and exchanging floor data; import and export tools in common formats; a lightweight viewer for floor hierarchies; and connectors to CAD/BIM software and GIS platforms. Localfloor aims to streamline workflows for municipal planners, architecture firms, facilities managers, and educators by providing a coherent, locally focused representation of built environments.

See also: BIM, floor plan, building information modeling, GIS.