How Innobrix is building the future of construction with Google Maps Platform 3D Maps

Introducing Innobrix, grand prize winner of the 2025 Google Maps Platform Awards

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Google Maps Platform and the inaugural launch of the Google Maps Platform Awards, a global competition created to spotlight the most groundbreaking achievements in mapping and geospatial technology.

Entries poured in from innovators around the world, each pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We judged submissions based on technical innovation, user impact, real-world integration, and their power to inspire industry change.

Rising above hundreds of contenders, Dutch startup Innobrix earned the Grand Prize for its remarkable use of Google Maps Platform APIs and its visionary, user-first approach to digital construction. By making 3D building visualization truly interactive and accessible, Innobrix is showing the world how smart technology and great design can transform industries and empower people everywhere to reimagine what’s possible.

How Innobrix brings buildings to life

When it comes to digital transformation, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector is often among the last to abandon paper plans and desktop tools. The construction industry, specifically, has struggled to realize the full potential of digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM). Too often, project visualization stopped at flat blueprints or static models, leaving buyers and stakeholders to guess how new buildings would look and feel in their environments.

But Innobrix, a Netherlands-based company, set out to change that. The team envisioned a platform that would bring 3D construction to life, providing real-world context to architects, engineers, and end users.

We wanted to make it simple enough for a homebuyer, but powerful enough for an architect. Gaston Smith CTO, Innobrix

Innobrix is a cloud-based platform that brings the power of interactive 3D design and real-world context directly into the hands of everyone involved in building projects: from architects and construction professionals to homebuyers and city planners. At its core, Innobrix allows users to visualize, customize, and configure buildings in true-to-life environments, powered by Google Maps Platform 3D Maps.

Users can simply pick a plot of land on a map, drag-and-drop different house designs, adjust layouts, and instantly see how each option fits within the actual neighborhood, streetscape, and landscape. The experience is fully web-based and optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, making it easy for anyone to use, whether they’re in the office, on a job site, or at home.

Innobrix under the hood

What makes Innobrix stand out is its unwavering focus on usability. The team spent years refining a web-first, mobile-friendly solution designed for users of all digital skill levels.

We noticed that two of our target audiences were at a medium to moderate level of digitization, so the threshold should be low. It should be very easy and intuitive to use. Gaston Smith CTO, Innobrix

Innobrix seamlessly integrates with Autodesk Revit Building Information Modeling (BIM) data, allowing every aspect of a building—from walls and windows to extensions and options—to be visualized with real-world geospatial precision. 

But getting complex BIM models to work smoothly in a web environment, especially on mobile devices, presented a major challenge.

To overcome this, the Innobrix team developed a sophisticated BIM optimization pipeline. Before any model is displayed to users, it’s processed through a series of steps that streamline geometry, reduce unnecessary details (like hidden structural elements), and minimize file sizes without compromising on visual fidelity. This ensures that even intricate building designs can be loaded quickly, navigated smoothly, and explored interactively on any device.

On the front end, Innobrix leverages modern frameworks like React and Three.js for fast, interactive 3D rendering. Combined with Google Maps Platform 3D Maps for real-world context, users can pick a plot, configure a home, and instantly see it in situ, complete with accurate sunlight, neighborhood views, and local amenities.

By integrating powerful technology with thoughtful design, Innobrix transforms what was once a static, technical process into an intuitive and collaborative experience for everyone involved in construction.

Building more than buildings

With over 50 organizations already using the platform in the Netherlands, Innobrix is now eyeing international expansion to Germany, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and beyond.

But some of the most memorable moments along this journey have been the smaller ones. Gaston recalls a heartwarming project with a local school, where a class of children was invited to become city planners for a day. Armed with crayons and big imaginations, the students drew their dream houses and colorful neighborhoods on paper. The Innobrix team then transformed those sketches into 3D digital models and loaded them into the platform.

For the children, it was pure magic. They watched their hand-drawn creations spring to life on Google Maps, placing their imaginary homes right into a real city landscape. Using the Innobrix tools, the students could experiment with arranging houses, parks, and playgrounds, planning streets, and deciding where their friends would live, all within a virtual model of their own town. “We were actually very surprised how creative they have been in designing their new neighborhoods,” Gaston remembers.

This collaboration demonstrated the power of intuitive, visual tools to spark creativity and foster a sense of ownership, even among the youngest users. 

What’s next for Innobrix?

Innobrix is setting its sights on two ambitious frontiers: deeper AI integration and advanced sustainability tools. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the team plans to add even greater realism to 3D models, helping users visualize not only structures but also their surroundings, finishes, and even the impact of design decisions in real time. 

New sustainability features will empower homebuyers to see the environmental impact of every choice they make, from materials to energy efficiency.

The benefits are already clear. Customers using Innobrix report increased revenue from greater option sales, faster project decisions, and greater transparency throughout the entire planning process. By making complex information visual and interactive, Innobrix shortens approval timelines and fosters better collaboration among all stakeholders, from architects and contractors to buyers and municipal planners.

As the Innobrix story shows, combining cutting-edge technology with a genuine focus on people’s needs does more than just solve industry pain points. With Innobrix, planning a home or an entire neighborhood becomes an interactive, collaborative journey. Every participant gains a clear, shared understanding of what’s possible long before the first foundation is poured.

Learn more

To learn more about Innobrix and the platform capabilities, visit their website. Ready to see what you can build with Google Maps Platform? Start your journey today.