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Implementing BIM Technology for Sustainable Building Design

In the vast horizon of the AEC sector, technology has evolved with time and shaped the entire industry with innovation. From the early years of the architecture and construction industry, technology has been a major player in making the sector easy, accurate, and efficient. One of the groundbreaking technologies that paved its way into the AEC realm is building information modeling. After many years of inception, BIM today needs no introduction. As a matter of fact, it only got more advanced with time.

As the industry took a sharp turn with BIM technology, the global economy began with a major crisis that affected many industries. In the era of advanced technology and innovation taking rapid increase, on the other side of the coin, there are major environmental crises that affect the sectors, including AEC. The environmental crisis is caused by rising temperatures, unseasonal rainfalls, major changes in climate, pollution, and more.

World environmentalists and professionals suggest that global sectors develop a work approach integrated with sustainable practice. In the AEC industry, it is challenging for architects, engineers, and other contractors to fulfill projects with a sustainable approach. The need for a sustainable solution has become a prior requirement for every sector, especially AEC.

As major climate changes and other environmental crises continue to impact the planet, the architecture and construction industry has paved a novel way to transform building practices as sustainability takes center stage. During the environmental and climate change summit, the AEC sector is expected to contribute more, and as a solution, the entire industry is undergoing a revolution, primarily called the green revolution.

In order to incorporate sustainability solutions in constructing infrastructure, BIM is one of the prime contributors. With the help of 3D BIM modeling services as a powerful tool, sustainable design and construction in the AEC realm has become an innovative solution contributing to saving the environment and promoting sustainability. Sustoday'slity is no new buzzword in today's world, as it has promptly taken the higher seat. Therefore, the architecture and construction industry promotes sustainability as a green revolution. Let's explore what is sustainable BIM design and how it can impact the entire AEC sector.

What is Sustainability in the AEC Sector and How BIM can be Useful?

In the modern era, the environmental crisis is one of the significant issues concerning world leaders and environmentalists. Many strategies and steps for concerns are taken in order to prevent the impact. Each industry somehow affects the environment in the procedure. Hence, we all see the use of plastic bags is now eliminated, more plantations are promoted, and the use of renewable energy has become a common practice in businesses. However, in the architecture and construction industry, the contribution of sustainable practice can happen in multiple ways. The term sustainability is often used in different sectors; however, it needs to be better understood.

The concept of sustainable practice is familiar; however, the idea promotes the use of resources systematically so that it does not compromise future requirements. In the context of the AEC sector, sustainability is defined as a practice of constructing and operating infrastructure that reduces environmental impacts and offers more benefits to nature. As a matter of fact, sustainable building has been around in the industry for centuries, although it gained mainstream attention in recent years. It can be said that the practice of sustainable building design has come a long way, and it will continue to evolve as we all learn about the actions that impact the environment.

Since the AEC realm is considered a key contributor to environmental challenges, advanced technology has become a prominent solution for architects and engineers; the use of BIM services in sustainable design facilitates a new curve of creativity to professionals and embraces a holistic approach to reducing carbon footprint. From designing energy efficient infrastructures to using eco-friendly materials, all things can be catered to by BIM technology in order to mark a paradigm shift towards the green revolution.

Since the commencement of building information modeling in the architecture and construction industry, it has offered a variety of benefits in the process of construction as well as enabled professionals to maintain accuracy. Now the times have changed, the concept of sustainability in the industry has taken a spotlight in architecture projects. Green revolution promotes to save the environment as well as offers many benefits, including:

  • Carbon Footprint Reduction
  • Cost Effectiveness
  • Waste Reduction
  • Promote Healthy Living
  • Saves Environment
  • Less Maintenance Cost

In fact, sustainability in construction can meet the demands of the growing environmental crisis. BIM technology can promptly achieve all this. The entire AEC horizon is familiar with the benefits of BIM services in the projects; the digital 3D data-rich model promotes simplified, accurate, and efficient design and enhances the construction process with collaboration and effective communication. According to a research survey, a building's life cycle is responsible for 37% of global energy and CO2 emissions.

Hence, as BIM technology has become more advanced with time, it is one of the major role players in building sustainable designs and promoting the green revolution in the realm of construction and architecture. As a matter of fact, architecture projects are accomplished with a sustainable solution in mind that can promote healthier living, less maintenance cost, and reduced ecological footprint in the environment. With the help of architecture BIM services, AEC professionals can identify how designs can be energy efficient.

"One of the salient examples of BIM used for sustainable construction is Istanbul Airport, Turkey, where the use of 3D BIM modeling services allowed professionals to construct green airports with the efficient and accurate implementation of environment management plans. With BIM technology, architects and engineers were able to reduce the ecological footprint, resulting in a 21% drop in emissions."

BIM is considered one of the powerful tools as it has altered the AEC sector with its advantages. Today, no architect or engineer can imagine architecture projects with BIM implementation. With the rise in technology, it only grew with more benefits and also became a holistic approach towards the green revolution. Soon, the use of sustainable practices and green building design will become a common approach while constructing an infrastructure. Hence, sustainable BIM design is not a trend but a sector revolution that will prevent a profound impact on our planet. With already known benefits of architecture BIM services, it also promotes a variety of benefits in sustainable building design, facilitating a green revolution; following are;

  • Optimizing Energy Efficiency
  • Enhanced Facility Management
  • Optimum Use of Daylight
  • Minimizing Waste
  • Use of Eco-Friendly Material
  • Energy Performance Analysis
  • Data-Driven Decisions

Integration of BIM technology in sustainable building design aims to create better and more efficient infrastructures that are environmentally responsible for contributing to the green revolution. As a matter of sustainable BIM design is a holistic approach and a solution for the environmental and climate change crisis.

Final Thoughts

One of the most outstanding examples of sustainable BIM design is Istanbul Airport, Turkey. Its exceptional construction has resulted in a major drop in emissions. Keeping this in mind, BIM architects and engineers can efficiently use technology and offer sustainable buildings that can reduce environmental impact. With the prominent use of architecture BIM services, the green revolution in the AEC sector will transform the entire market and common practices to promote healthier green living.

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