BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a process developed to help specialists from different construction-related fields to better communicate and exchange building information. It has been evolving for over two decades and is now used by professionals to integrate, produce, manage and visualize all sorts of building data. Material quantity, lighting quality, and site disturbance are some of the information that can easily be provided by the BIM tools. This data helps make building design, construction, and maintenance more efficient without increasing construction costs. On the other hand, energy performance data such as power loss, temperature, and CO2 emissions allow construction professionals to minimize the environmental impact of their buildings and start seeing the benefits of BIM through the lens of sustainability. So here are four ways professionals can leverage BIM tools to create more sustainable designs:

1. Energy performance

According to the US Green Building Council, buildings account for an average of 40% of the world’s energy use. The global environmental warning has therefore forced construction professionals to review their way of designing buildings. BIM has brought in more efficient manners to gain further control over the sustainable and economic aspect of a building. Designers are now able to perform an energy performance analysis of a structure before it is even constructed. Tools like Green Building Studio available for Revit enable them to evaluate different options for energy savings by providing data such as carbon emission, water usage prediction, ventilation settings, etc. Knowing this data helps designers and engineers adjust and implement sustainable strategies to their buildings early in the design process.

2. Material choice

The choice of materials used in a building has significant repercussions on price and environmental impact. BIM tools enable designers to have an accurate computation of a project’s required quantities of a specific material. This data helps them deliver better project value at a lower construction cost by minimizing material loss or overuse. Between extraction, transport, and fabrication, using a specific material can be extremely costly for the designer, and harmful for the environment so no mistakes can be allowed.

3. Optimization and efficiency

The National Institute of Standards and Technology estimated that $16 billion could be saved every year in the United States if all the professionals were to use unique BIM software to design their buildings. The coordinate design information (model representations, analysis plans, schedules, etc.) made available by these tools for construction professionals has had a significant impact on the efficiency aspect of the design process. Being able to access all data at any time is a game changer, it helps reduce waste and inefficient building practices on the construction site. Inconsistent design information can lead to mediocre work and thus, to future repairs or patching efforts. Using BIM can, therefore, help designers save significant amounts of energy and material resources.

4. Daylighting

In addition to being beneficial to future occupants, using proper light sources can help save at least 50% of electricity costs. Energy consumption can, therefore, be significantly reduced with specific designs. Once again, BIM can help a design team choose the appropriate interior daylighting for every building. It provides tools that help reduce electrical and energy loads coming from light usage, and therefore create a more sustainable design.

5. Design alternatives

BIM tools enable designers and engineers to develop many design and building options and analyze how each one of them can meet sustainability goals. All the data provided helps them make optimal decisions regarding various design elements throughout the conception and construction process.

With all these benefits seems to be reasonable to work just using this technology. Despite the evidence are still few the projects provided of the BIM technology. At Nousfera we have a solid expertise in BIM consulting to guarantees the best results on every stage of the process. On our page regarding the BIM services you can discover all the steps that allow this technology to drive a project to the success.