Sustainable construction using building information modelling

Software helps with BIM approach

As building growth intersects with environmental concerns and the rising cost of energy, architects and building engineers are turning to the Building Information Modelling (BIM) approach to building design. BIM enables architects and engineers to explore a project’s key physical and functional characteristics digitally before it is built, helping to deliver projects faster and more economically, while minimising environmental impact.

BIM is used to minimise the environmental impact of a design by reducing material wastage during construction. The approach also allows designers to gain a thorough and accurate understanding of the effects of sunlight, airflow and the surrounding environment on a building’s energy consumption and heating requirements.

Sophisticated energy analysis is critical to a building design strategy for reduced energy consumption. Energy analysis programs have been available for years but are rarely used by design firms due to time and cost. Instead, many firms outsource it and consequently, energy performance information is available only at fixed points in the project, usually later than needed for supporting decision-making.

In comparison, BIM provides robust design information with the necessary level of details and reliability to complete these analyses earlier in the design cycle, and allows designers to routinely analyse for their own baseline energy.

Effective daylighting is also rarely performed due to the complexity of formulas required to accurately analyse daylighting characteristics. BIM changes this by allowing the design team (rather than expensive lighting labs) to undertake the modelling, measurement and documentation of complex interior daylighting designs within their standard design environment.

Australian and New Zealand firm Architectus adopted Autodesk Revit Architecture software a few years ago as the key platform underpinning its BIM approach to project delivery.

“With each project we take Revit Architecture technology one step further. We are now using it as the basis for analysing a building’s environmentally sustainable design (ESD) performance, code compliance, construction sequencing and logistics,” says Rodd Perey, Design Technology Director of the Sydney Architectus office.

Using BIM helps architects and designers to create more sustainable, accurate designs with fewer errors and less waste, helping to achieve higher profits and more satisfied clients.