Systematising multidisciplinary sustainable building design processes utilising BIM

Abstract

PurposeSustainability considerations are often treated as an add-on to building design, following ad-hoc processes for their implementation. The purpose of this study was to investigate, model and facilitate the early stages of building information modelling (BIM) enabled sustainable building design (SBD) by formalising the ad-hoc working relationships of the best practices in order to standardise the optimal collaboration workflows.Design/methodology/approachFour stages of data collection were conducted, including a total of 32 semi-structured interviews with industry experts from 17 organisations. Fourteen “best practice” case studies were identified, and roles and responsibilities, resources, information exchanges, interdependencies, timing and sequence of events and critical decisions were examined.FindingsThe research classified the critical components of SBD into a framework utilising content and thematic analyses. These components were coordinated explicitly into a systematic process, which followed concurrent engineering (CE) principles utilising Integrated DEFinition (IDEF) 3 structured diagramming technique. Then, Green BIM Box (GBB) workflow management prototype tool was developed to analyse communication and delivery of BIM-enabled SBD in a centralised system.Originality/valueThis study represents an improvement to previous attempts to systematically define the BIM-enabled SBD process for the early stages. The results support the idea that a transparent SBD process, which follows specified communication patterns, can assist in achieving sustainability efficiently in terms of time, cost and effort.

The Green BIM Process Model for Efficient Information Exchange in Sustainable Building Design

“…Modeling the building design creates a standard process for de ning the critical functions, emphasizing important information, relationships, and elements essential for collaboration and timely delivery of building design (Wu and Issa 2015;Li et al, 2019). Due to the heterogeneous nature of BIM-based sustainable building design, an Integrated Design Process (IDP) is required to provide ideal synergies between the interdependencies of the building design elements and to formally articulate the roles and responsibilities of the diverse design team (Kamari et al 2017;Zanni et al, 2020). Modeling the BIMbased sustainable building design process requires strict compliance with BIM standards and guides, sustainability criteria, project aims, and building regulations, among others (Liu et al, 2018).…”

“…Kamari et al (2017) developed a sustainability building retro tting process model to support decision-making during the project's lifecycle. Zanni et al, (2020), developed a green BIM process model to de ne the process of actualizing BREEAM criteria in the design of buildings in a temperature climate in the UK. However, Mukkavaara (2021) believes that the building design process models developed over the past decades lack the adequacy to de ne how the multidisciplinary design team can apply diverse and emerging technology to exchange and manage information simultaneously.…”

“…Kamari et al (2017) developed a sustainability building retro tting process model to support decision-making during the project's lifecycle, which is beyond the scope of this research. Zanni et al, (2020) developed a BIM-based process model for BREEAM projects. The study focused on BREEAM projects but provides the basis for further inclusion of other vital green BIM components.…”

“…The rst category of studies on green BIM: Cheng and Das (2014); ;Seghier, et al, (2022); Marzouk and Thabet (2023); and Shen and Pan (2023) focus on the technological aspect of software customization for decision making. Although the customized BIM software empowers design teams to enhance the performance of green building design, the practical implementation of these proposed tools in the industry has been hindered by the neglect of speci c green BIM information exchange components necessary to facilitate their application (Zanni et al, 2020). The second category of green BIM research investigated individual components of green BIM.…”

Integrating Leading-Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data Technologies for Smart and Sustainable Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry: Challenges and Future Directions

“…The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry has experienced substantial changes, marked by the emergence of new technologies and a shift towards sustainability (Khodeir and Othman, 2018;Lu and Zhang, 2016;Zanni et al, 2013;Vanegas, 2003;Mukherjee and Muga, 2010). This study explores the deep integration of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and big data technologies in the AEC sector, with a focus on the challenges and potential future directions.…”