Member Spotlight: Oleksiy Sokolovskyi – architect and BIM enthusiast

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Note: This article is written and published in Ukrainian and is a translated version of the original published here. 

Question: We have known each other for a relatively long time, but for readers, tell us a little about yourself. 

Answer:  

I'm from Kyiv and, probably, since school I had this strange habit – to figure out how everything works. But there is one story that I remember the most. Sometime as a child, I was passing by a civil engineering university with my grandfather and said to him: "I'll study here". Who knew that this phrase would turn out to be prophetic? Apparently, it was then that I decided somewhere inside that I wanted to become an architect.  

When it came time to choose a profession and direction, I did not hesitate to go to the KKBAD (now KFKABU), and later to KNUCA. And even then I realized that architecture is not only about drawings and walls, but about people, technologies, processes and all this magical chaos that needs to be turned into order. 

I started working while studying. It was the right decision, because that early experience is bearing fruit today. Now I manage my own company The Heyon, where we work not only with Ukrainian projects, but also with the team we participate in working on cases in Europe and beyond. 

At the same time, I am developing the Revit community in Ukraine, teaching, consulting, and for more than 10 years I have been living at the intersection of architecture, engineering and technology, which is widely used in the field of AEC. 

Question: When did you first get acquainted with Autodesk products? 

Answer: 

I first discovered AutoCAD in college. To be honest, then he did not come to me. I perceived it as an "electronic culman", which now I understand that this is not the case, and I realized the true power of the platform much later. 

Over time, the university changed everything: classmates were already doing projects in Revit – adaptive elements of complex facades, parametric models, all this looked magical then. 

And my first practical experience began... from Dynamo. 

My friends and I were doing the Steel Freedom competition project: for some, for architecture, for others, for visualizations, and for me, I got a part with a 3D layout of cables.  

It was pure parameterism: Dynamo + Revit = first success and first "wow". It was still version 0.6.3. 

Then I realized that BIM is already the present, and I want to understand it more deeply. 

Question: And what can you tell us a little more about your professional path?  

Answer: 

After studying at the architectural college and university, I immediately went to work (in fact, I started working when I was studying, but it was only part-time) – I wanted live practice, real tasks and teamwork. He worked as an architect, later as a leading architect and gave his best in every place. I wanted to go through all types of tasks, all stages, all project formats, comprehend all processes. 

At the same time, I began to actively use BIM. 
In 2015, he became a Revit Certified Professional one of three in Ukraine at that time. 

  

At a certain point, I realized that it was not enough for me to just design and I switched more to consulting. It did not mean a complete transition from architecture, because I continued to design, it was rather the discovery of new horizons for myself. I wanted to influence the processes more broadly – to optimize, train, build systems. 

At first, I worked at ASKansulting on German projects – it was a very cool experience, I always remember this time warmly. 

At the same time, there were more and more own orders – private facilities, both housing with apartments, and commerce in the form of catering establishments, offices, etc. 

Question: I know that consulting is a very responsible area, but others may be interested in where exactly you started?  

Answer: 

One of the first was the implementation of BIM in the company "Foundation Project" in 2017-2019. 

We started almost from scratch, and the task was complex: to create a single BIM system, train the team, and set up processes that work on their own even without external support. I developed a corporate BIM standard, templates, and a library of families to unify the work of the entire team, created Dynamo scripts that automated key routine processes. At the same time, he conducted training and consultations for architects and engineers, helping to build the right work processes. As a result, we synchronized architecture, designs, and engineering in a single BIM system that the company was able to scale to real projects.  

As a result, the company implemented several typical projects entirely in BIM for the first time. 

A single element library and standardized workflows were created that allowed the team to work independently and significantly more efficiently. 

For me, this project was a turning point – I saw that the implementation of BIM is primarily about changing the work culture, and not just about setting up programs.  

Since then, I have worked with dozens of Ukrainian and foreign companies – from architects and equipment manufacturers to general contractors and developers. 

Question: Let's move on to the topic of communities. How did Revit in Ukraine appear and what are its goals? 

Answer: 

We created Revit in Ukraine as a platform for people who are "burning" with the same things as us – technologies, Revit, BIM processes. I wanted a place where I could exchange experiences, share news, and communicate normally between my friends. The goal was clear: to unite like-minded people, raise the level of BIM culture in Ukraine, and form a community that lives not only in social networks. 
Today, it is already a YouTube channel with more than 1.5k subscribers and 60+ videos, a Telegram channel for 1.3k people, and a Facebook community of more than 1.5k members. 

We constantly participate in specialized events, forums and discussions, and most importantly, we have formed an environment of open dialogue between architects, designers and engineers. 

And we continue to develop: now we are actively working on the updated Revit.in.ua website to make it a full-fledged portal for the community.  

Question: I am sure that communities are very connected with professional activities. But let's discuss the topic of challenges, especially in the current realities in Ukraine or doing business from Ukraine.  

Answer: 

Of course, because this is what I live for, and I will start the answer with a clarification about the company. The Heyon is a platform that is focused on transforming the AEC industry by introducing the latest technologies and automating design and construction processes. We are engaged in BIM design, consulting, creating digital solutions and supporting companies at all stages of their transition to modern methods of work. 

Our focus is on complex projects: design, modeling, coordination of all sections from architecture to engineering, automation, and preparation of work solutions in BIM. We help companies build the right processes, create templates, libraries, standards, set up Revit, and implement tools that save dozens of hours every week. 

We work both as a project team and as an external BIM department – depending on the needs of the client. 

A separate area is training and team development: author's courses, trainings, consultations and support of specialists for real tasks. 
We also make our own digital products and integrations for Revit, Dynamo and Odoo – where standard tools are no longer enough. 

As a result, it is about high-quality engineering, about technology, about people, and about making design and construction processes more modern and efficient. 

Doing business in the BIM field in Ukraine is very difficult.  We have a war, risks, blackouts – the situation is unstable. But at the same time, there is a feeling that we are doing an important thing. We see progress both here and on international projects, and therefore we continue to work. 

Of course, we have worked and are working with foreign customers, but unfortunately often under NDA, so I can not talk about much and openly show. I can say one thing – we, as Ukrainian specialists, know how to make a very cool product, which is valued much more abroad than in our country. These are the realities.  

Question: We have already raised the topics of communities and professional activities, but there are tangential things in between. Towards the end, I would like to ask about the initiatives in which you participated. 

Answer: 

Separately, it is worth mentioning the initiatives where my colleagues from the Ukrainian BIM Community and I took part in the working groups of the Ministry of Regional Development, when the state was just starting to move towards the digitalization of construction.  

It was then, together with a team of like-minded people, that we developed the Concept for the implementation of BIM in Ukraine (2019–2021) – and the best part is that it was subsequently approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. It was a very important period when the community was really able to influence government decisions. 

At the same time, we were translating and adapting BIM Dictionary into Ukrainian so that the terms finally sound normal, and not "how did it work". 

And, of course, there were events – master classes, webinars from MUK, I will separately note Autodesk Hub, where I have already been invited several times as a moderator, international forums The Wall, and dozens of meetings and discussions about BIM, standards, processes, and how to make the industry stronger.  

Question: Before participating in the Autodesk Expert Elite program, and especially after, you were involved in many activities in the context of Autodesk. What do you like most about speaking at Autodesk and partner events? 

Answer: 

Exchange of experience. New acquaintances. Inspiration. 

This is an opportunity to show that BIM in Ukraine is lively, active and very talented. 

It is especially pleasing when people you have known for a long time are on the stage – and they are already doing cool things, large-scale cases, automation, implementation. 

Question: Want to tell us something about the Autodesk Expert Elite program? 

Answer: 

This is access to a cool global community: engineers, architects, developers, automation specialists from all over the world. This is an opportunity to influence the future development of Autodesk products, share feedback, participate in tests and events. 
And, of course, this is a recognition of your contribution to the development of the community. 

Question: I know that you often shared your experience, but I remember that now it also applies to the educational direction. Can you tell us about it? 

Answer: 

Yes. Formally, recently, but in fact, a long time ago. At first, these were individual programs, then courses for small groups. Next is the partnership with the Kyiv School of Development. 

Then I founded my Autodesk ATC– and we created author's training programs together with a team of like-minded people. And we continue to work further. 

And since 2025, I have been teaching at Kyiv International University. 

This is a completely different level – about a hundred students every year, new energy, a different format of responsibility. I want to pass on the knowledge further. Ukraine is facing a great reconstruction, and a lot of specialists are needed. 

Question: I have already talked about a lot, but what other topic would you like to raise in this article? 

Answer: 

We talk a lot about artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, blockchain – and all this is important. But I would like to draw attention to something else: 

After 2022, the export of Ukrainian engineering and design services, obviously, why increased sharply. Companies have become more global, bolder, more technologically advanced. 

Both the state and business must prepare for the new reality: 

• it is necessary to create comfortable market conditions; 

• support education in the early stages; 

• invest in personnel; 

• to form a new culture of professional responsibility and interaction. 

Ukrainian specialists can be competitive in the world not "in the future", but today. 

Question: And in conclusion, what would you like to say to young specialists? 

Answer: 

Remember balance. 

The war has greatly changed our priorities: there is life in addition to work. There are those we love and those who need our support. 

Work, study, develop - but do not forget about yourself and your loved ones. 
And also - go to the mountains. Honestly. This is the best way to reboot and return to the profession with renewed vigor. 

 

Note: This article is written and published in Ukrainian and is a translated version of the original published here.