BIM and Sustainability: Optimising Green Building Practices

In recent years, the planet has been negatively impacted by the construction industry due to the development of various infrastructures. Global efforts to battle climate change and promote sustainable development have escalated, focusing more on adopting environmentally responsible practices for construction. 

According to the research conducted by Waqar et al., 2023, in comparison to conventional structures, green buildings may cut energy consumption by as much as 50%, water consumption by 40%, and carbon emissions by 35%. 

As the world increasingly prioritizes sustainable development, the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in green building techniques offers a promising avenue for achieving environmental objectives and enhancing project efficiency.

Green Building & BIM

Green building focuses on creating structures that minimize environmental impact by utilising energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and innovative design techniques.

Building Information Modelling (BIM), a sophisticated digital platform that allows for real-time collaboration and visualisation of construction processes, appears to be a potential technique for increasing project efficiency. 

BIM offers a great way to integrate green building practices at every step of a project by enabling multidisciplinary data to be layered and combined into a unified model.

BIM Applications For Green Building

Key aspects where BIM can be applied with the purpose of improving the sustainability level of a project: 

Early-stage Design Optimization

• Resource tracking and informed design decisions reduce waste and promote greener buildings.
• Collaboration and compliance ensure efficient site planning and sustainable designs.

Energy Efficiency & Performance Analysis

• Energy analysis tools and renewable integration lower emissions, enhancing green image.
• BIM-integrated efficiency measures enable comparison with industry standards, driving sustainability

Material Selection & Life Cycle Assessment

• Prioritises low-carbon, recycled materials, and low VOC options for improved indoor air quality.
•  Emphasises durability to reduce maintenance, using LCA in BIM for environmental analysis and clear material reporting.

Waste Reduction & Prefabrication

• Minimises waste through optimised material utilisation and precise estimation, facilitated by BIM-enabled prefabrication.
• Streamlines operations and promotes adaptability in building design with BIM-integrated prefabrication, enhancing project efficiency and flexibility.

Here are a few notable projects where BIM in green buildings played a crucial role:

1. Miami Science Museum (MiaSci) – BIM was used for sustainable design optimization.

2. The World’s Greenest Winery – BIM helped integrate solar panels and set a standard for future wineries.

3. The Great Good Place in Bangkok – BIM reduced waste material by 15% and improved construction accuracy.

4. Dubai’s Museum of the Future – BIM enabled the design of a complex and futuristic building.

Conclusion

Harnessing BIM technology from design through construction empowers construction professionals to enhance the building’s energy efficiency, reduce waste, make informed decisions on eco-friendly materials, and expedite operations with prefabrication. 

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FAQs

Q: What are the main aspects where Building Information Modeling (BIM) can be applied to improve the sustainability level of a project?

A: Main aspects include building orientation, daylight analysis, water harvesting, energy modelling and so on.

Q: What are the benefits of integrating BIM in green building practices?

A: It leads to improved energy efficiency, reduced waste, and better collaboration among stakeholders.

Q: What are some examples of renewable energy sources seamlessly integrated with BIM?

A: Examples include solar panels and geothermal systems, seamlessly integrated into BIM models to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency.

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