Sustainability in the Built Environment
Energy assessment and environmental management for Building Information Modelling (BIM) uses
Environmental information applied to a BIM model helps us to make decisions related to energy efficiency and carbon footprint assessment. These are uses that may be required of a BIM model.
Modelical, our ethos lies in the value of consistent information and the use of digital tools. In this sense, we are working on the interoperability of BIM with energy-simulation software and computer-aided maintenance management systems (CMMS). Our experience allows us to ensure satisfaction when using BIM applications in regards to environmental management.
This article outlines the basic concepts of sustainability and the value added by the BIM methodology.
The built environment is made up of territory, economic and social development.
Sustainability in the Built Environment
International Energy Agency (IEA) indicators conclude that the built environment consumes up to 35% of the planet’s energy and generates 40% of the harmful emissions generated. The importance of sustainability in architecture and construction is there for evident.
A building’s social impact is influenced by factors such as accessibility, connection to the transport network or green space integration. It’s all about inclusive services that improve resident’s quality of life and provide healthy living environments.
In terms of economic development, two factors stand out. On the one hand, construction is one of the main sectors of any country’s development, as it brings with it multiplier effects on the entire economy as a whole. On the other hand, the built environment is one of the eas that offers the greatest scope for efficiency due to its low degree of industrialisation.
Construction or Built environment, where should we focus?
Let us first clarify both concepts. Construction refers solely to the execution phase of a project. Whereas environment encompasses the whole life cycle of an asset, from conception to demolition and recycling.
The biggest chunk of a building’s environmental footprint, with up to 90% of the associated subindice emissions, is generated during its operation and maintenance phase. So decisions taken at design stage that determine the performance of the building during its lifetime.
The design phase involves decisions such as orientation, choice of materials or air-conditioning systems. These decisions determine 70% of the impact it will have later on. Once the building is constructed, responsible energy use measures can be applied, however the saving margin will be limited to 30%.
BIM in terms of sustainability
Sustainability-related BIM uses span the entire life of the building:
A BIM model can be used from an early stage to carry out energy simulations, for example when choosing the best orientation and envelope design for the building.
The project has reached a matury we are then able to make decisions type of carpentry, glazing or thickness of the thermal insulation, depending on the amount of solar exposure. Decisions based upon these simulations will help to ensure that a building consumes as little as possible over its lifetime.
At construction phase, BIM methodology provides reliable budget monitoring. A consistent use of this methodology allows better traceability of work that has actually been executed.
At use and maintenance phase, the connection of BIM with computer-aided maintenance management systems (CMMS) should not be overlooked. Generating a BIM model entails a structure and hierarchy of the available information along with a three-dimensional representation.
The BIM-CAFM link makes it possible to locate the elements selected for maintenance in the three-dimensional model of a building. The advantage of this is one of time saving due to the accessibility of reliable information provided by BIM.
At the demolition phase, access to information from BIM models provides a better assessment of the building and its components, thus facilitating the planning of its eventual demolition and recycling.
Using BIM we can make qualitative and quantitative assessments of the environmental performance of a building.
A qualitative environmental assessment is aimed at selecting from among several alternatives by applying environmental assessments. They can be used at an early stage of the project and allow you to make decisions from a basic design or blueprint. Tools such as Insight or Ladybug plugins on Revit can be used for this purpose.
A quantitative environmental assessment is intended to assign an environmental value to a project, for example, to assign a carbon footprint value to a building. Given that it requires very specific data of the projected elements, it can only be performed at advanced stages of a design. Tools such as EnergyPlus, DOE-2, DesignBuilder or IES-VE can be used for this purpose.
Should you be interested in specific processes or cases, please contact Sara Fernández, our BIM environmental management specialist.
sara.fernandez@modelical.com