Question 1

What is Gateway and how does it help with CORENET X?

Accepted Answer

Gateway is a Revit add-in that validates your model against CORENET X requirements before you export to IFC. Instead of the traditional export-validate-fix cycle where you discover compliance issues after export, Gateway lets you check and fix issues while you're still in Revit. Map your existing parameters to IFC-SG requirements, validate element compliance, and export with confidence.

Question 2

Do I still need to export to IFC to validate compliance?

Accepted Answer

No. That's the point. Every other validation option requires IFC export first. The BCA Pre-Submission Validator (Model Checker) is still in beta. The IFC-SG Validator linked on the CORENET X website is actually a third-party tool. External validators require export. They all follow the same pattern: export, upload, wait, review results, go back to Revit, fix, export again. Gateway validates inside Revit. You catch issues while you're still modeling, fix them on the spot, and export once. When you know it's compliant.

Question 3

How is Gateway different from external validator tools or BIM services companies?

Accepted Answer

External validators are powerful, but they require you to export your model to IFC first. If something fails validation, you go back to Revit, fix it, export again, and re-validate. Gateway skips that cycle entirely by validating inside Revit before you export. BIM services companies offer sophisticated compliance support: automated rule checking, IFC-SG preparation, training clinics. They're valuable partners, but your compliance workflow ultimately depends on external capacity. When deadlines hit and everyone's submitting, you're in a queue. Gateway keeps compliance in-house. Your own team, your own timeline, your own data. No external access, no dependency on third-party capacity, no sensitive IP leaving your network. For firms that want to own their compliance capability rather than rent it, Gateway makes that possible.

Question 4

Will Gateway work with my firm's existing Revit parameters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Gateway uses a mapping-based approach. If your firm already has established parameters like "Room_Name" or "Door_FireRating", you can map these to the corresponding IFC-SG parameters. You don't need to replace your office standards or retrain your team. Gateway adapts to your workflow, not the other way around.

Question 5

What happens after October 2026 when CORENET X becomes mandatory?

Accepted Answer

From October 2026, all new building projects in Singapore must submit via CORENET X regardless of size. Gateway helps you get compliant now so you're not scrambling when the deadline hits. Firms using Gateway during the transition period will have established workflows and trained staff while others are still figuring out the basics.

Question 6

Is Gateway only for CORENET X, or can it handle other regulatory frameworks?

Accepted Answer

Gateway is built for Singapore's CORENET X and IFC-SG requirements. That said, the underlying approach of native Revit validation before IFC export is applicable to any authority submission workflow. We've validated this approach against Dubai Municipality requirements on real projects. Future versions may support additional regulatory frameworks based on demand.

Question 7

How much time does Gateway actually save?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your current workflow. Firms report spending days or weeks in the export-validate-fix cycle for complex submissions. Gateway eliminates the cycle entirely by catching issues before export. For BIM managers wearing multiple hats, this means recovering capacity for coordination and design work instead of compliance paperwork.

Question 8

Why focus on Rhino, SketchUp, and AutoCAD users?

Accepted Answer

Designers work where they're most creative. Rhino handles freeform geometry that Revit can't. SketchUp is fast for early concepts. AutoCAD is entrenched in documentation workflows. But BIM mandates require Revit deliverables. Bridge connects these worlds so designers don't have to abandon their preferred tools or manually recreate geometry.

Question 9

What workflows does Bridge support today?

Accepted Answer

Bridge currently supports Rhino-to-Revit translation, converting complex designer geometry into Revit families with embedded BIM data. SketchUp and AutoCAD workflows are on the roadmap. The goal is consistent: preserve design intent while producing documentation-ready Revit output.

Question 10

Why family creation workflows instead of native Revit geometry?

Accepted Answer

Native Revit geometry has constraints. Complex curves, freeform surfaces, and intricate facade panels often can't be modeled natively without significant compromise. Revit families accept a wider range of geometry while remaining fully schedulable, taggable, and parameter-driven. Bridge produces families that work within Revit's ecosystem, not around it.

Question 11

What does Gateway cost?

Accepted Answer

Gateway Founding Firms pricing (current alpha program) offers two options: Subscription at SGD 39/seat/month (monthly billing, locked forever at this rate), and One-time Purchase at SGD 399/seat (perpetual license, own forever). Both pricing options are available exclusively to Founding Firms during the alpha period. Join now to lock in these rates forever and help shape Gateway's development. Prices will increase significantly at General Release. Founding Firms who join during alpha lock in current pricing permanently.

Question 12

What does Bridge cost?

Accepted Answer

Bridge offers flexible licensing options: Monthly at SGD 29/seat/month (pay as you go, cancel anytime), Annual at SGD 300/seat/year (save 14% compared to monthly), Perpetual at SGD 500/seat/one-time (own the license forever), and Student licenses are free with verification (full access for students and educators).

Question 13

Do you offer team or enterprise pricing?

Accepted Answer

No separate enterprise tiers. Our pricing is already designed to democratize access for all practice sizes. A 5-person firm pays the same per-seat rate as a 500-person firm. Gateway Founding Firms: SGD 39/seat/month. Bridge Perpetual: SGD 500/seat. Whether you're buying 3 seats or 300 seats, the math is transparent and the same for everyone. This is intentional. Competitive infrastructure shouldn't require enterprise contracts or volume negotiations. Small firms face the same BIM mandates and client expectations as large firms. They deserve the same tools at the same price.

Question 14

Is my project data sent to the cloud?

Accepted Answer

No. All processing happens locally on your machine. Your geometry, parameters, and project data never leave your network. License validation requires internet connection, but no project files are transmitted. This ensures compliance with firm confidentiality policies and client NDAs.

Question 15

How does the 14-day trial work?

Accepted Answer

Full feature access, no credit card required. Download, install, and test on real projects. Trial licenses work offline after initial activation. If you need more time to evaluate on a specific project, contact us—we're flexible for serious evaluations.

Question 16

Can I use Gateway and Bridge together?

Accepted Answer

Yes. They're designed to work together. Use Bridge to bring Rhino geometry into Revit, then use Gateway to validate the resulting model against CORENET X requirements. This workflow is common for firms working on complex Singapore projects that require both design flexibility and regulatory compliance.

Question 17

How do I get support if something breaks?

Accepted Answer

Email support is included with all licenses. Response time is typically within 24 hours on business days. For urgent issues during project deadlines, enterprise customers receive priority support with faster response times. We also maintain documentation and video tutorials for common workflows.

Question 18

Who's behind Senibina?

Accepted Answer

Senibina is built by architects and computational designers who've worked on complex projects across Singapore, Dubai, and Southeast Asia. We've experienced the pain of manual geometry translation, compliance validation cycles, and workflow inefficiencies firsthand. These tools solve problems we've personally encountered in practice.

Question 19

Why "& Senibina"?

Accepted Answer

Senibina means "architecture" in Malay. The ampersand (&) represents connection—between design and construction, between creative tools and BIM platforms, between vision and execution. It's a reminder that architecture isn't just about buildings, it's about the relationships and workflows that make them possible.

Question 20

Why should competitive infrastructure be accessible to everyone?

Accepted Answer

Large firms have resources to build custom tools and hire specialists. Small firms don't, but they face the same BIM mandates and client expectations. Senibina levels the playing field. Gateway gives a 5-person practice the same compliance validation capabilities as a 500-person firm. That's what democratizing AEC means.

Question 21

What's coming next for Senibina?

Accepted Answer

Near-term: Gateway refinements based on Founding Firm feedback, Export Tab for firm template management, and expanded CORENET X category coverage. Medium-term: Bridge workflow expansion to SketchUp and AutoCAD sources. Long-term: Vantage, our consumer-facing platform for property intelligence. We're building for the entire built environment value chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gateway & CORENET X

Bridge & Interoperability

Pricing & Licensing

General & Support

Vision & Roadmap