Short answer

Embrace BIM not just for design coordination, but as a comprehensive platform for embedding and evaluating sustainability performance across the entire lifecycle of a refurbished building.

Field
Modelling
Source
Journal of Building Engineering (2019)
Method
Literature Review and Critical Analysis
Evidence
Moderate effect

Integrating whole-life cycle energy assessment into Building Information Modelling (BIM) is crucial for enhancing sustainability in building refurbishment projects. This modelling research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Journal of Building Engineering. Using Literature review and critical analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Embrace BIM not just for design coordination, but as a comprehensive platform for embedding and evaluating sustainability performance across the entire lifecycle of a refurbished building.

Study
ModellingHigh ImpactModerate effect

BIM Integration for Whole-Life Cycle Energy Assessment in Refurbishment Projects

Integrating whole-life cycle energy assessment into Building Information Modelling (BIM) is crucial for enhancing sustainability in building refurbishment projects.

Journal of Building Engineering · 2019

01

Key Findings

  • 01There is a significant need for improved sustainability in building refurbishment projects.
  • 02BIM has the potential to be a key tool for achieving sustainability requirements in refurbishment.
  • 03The successful integration of whole-life cycle environmental assessment into BIM for refurbishment projects has not yet been fully realized.
  • 04Existing sustainability decision-support tools in BIM need further development and practical application for refurbishment.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Embrace BIM not just for design coordination, but as a comprehensive platform for embedding and evaluating sustainability performance across the entire lifecycle of a refurbished building.

How to apply

When planning a refurbishment project, ensure that the chosen BIM software and workflows can accommodate whole-life cycle energy assessments. Collaborate with BIM specialists and sustainability consultants to integrate these capabilities early in the design process.

Project actions

  • 01When researching BIM, look for case studies that specifically mention sustainability assessments.
  • 02Consider how different design choices in a refurbishment project might impact energy use over time, and how BIM could help model this.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo critically review the feasibility and practicality of integrating whole-life cycle energy assessment into BIM for refurbishment projects, focusing on non-domestic buildings.
MethodLiterature Review and Critical Analysis
ProcedureThe research critically analyzes existing literature on sustainable design, BIM, and life-cycle assessment (LCA) in the context of building refurbishment. It also reviews the practicality of current sustainability decision-support tools within BIM for achieving environmental certifications like BREEAM and LEED.
ContextBuilding refurbishment projects, non-domestic buildings, sustainable design, energy efficiency, environmental certifications.

Variables

IVIntegration of whole-life cycle energy assessment into BIM.
DVSustainability performance of refurbishment projects.
CVType of building (non-domestic), refurbishment scope, specific LCA metrics used.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses a timely and critical issue in sustainable building design.
  • +Provides a comprehensive review of existing literature and tools.

Limitations

The complexity of setting up and using BIM for LCA can be a barrier. Data availability for accurate whole-life cycle assessments can also be a challenge.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings depends on the comprehensiveness of the literature reviewed. Validity is enhanced by the critical lens applied to existing tools and practices.

Think critically

To what extent can current BIM software truly provide a comprehensive and accurate whole-life cycle energy assessment, or does it still rely on external tools and expertise?

05

Design Principles

"Leverage digital modelling tools to embed and assess sustainability performance throughout the entire lifecycle of a design."

As sustainability standards tighten and climate change concerns grow, the building sector must prioritize energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, especially in refurbishment. BIM offers a powerful framework for managing this complexity, but its full potential for sustainability assessment throughout a building's lifecycle remains largely untapped.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Using computer models (BIM) to track energy use and environmental impact throughout a building's entire life is important for making renovations more eco-friendly.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this research when discussing the benefits of using BIM for sustainability analysis in your design project, particularly for refurbishment scenarios.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical need to integrate whole-life cycle energy assessment capabilities within Building Information Modelling (BIM) for refurbishment projects. As sustainability becomes paramount, BIM offers a powerful platform to manage and evaluate environmental performance throughout a building's lifecycle, though current integration remains a challenge requiring further development and practical application.

09

Source

Journal of Building Engineering

Sustainability-led design: Feasibility of incorporating whole-life cycle energy assessment into BIM for refurbishment projects

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about bim integration for whole-life cycle energy assessment in refurbishment projects?
Embrace BIM not just for design coordination, but as a comprehensive platform for embedding and evaluating sustainability performance across the entire lifecycle of a refurbished building. Evidence: Journal of Building Engineering (2019).
Why does "BIM Integration for Whole-Life Cycle Energy Assessment in Refurbishment Projects" matter for design?
As sustainability standards tighten and climate change concerns grow, the building sector must prioritize energy efficiency and environmental friendliness, especially in refurbishment. BIM offers a powerful framework for managing this complexity, but its full potential for sustainability assessment throughout a building's lifecycle remains largely untapped.
How can designers apply this research?
Embrace BIM not just for design coordination, but as a comprehensive platform for embedding and evaluating sustainability performance across the entire lifecycle of a refurbished building.
What were the main findings?
There is a significant need for improved sustainability in building refurbishment projects.. BIM has the potential to be a key tool for achieving sustainability requirements in refurbishment.. The successful integration of whole-life cycle environmental assessment into BIM for refurbishment projects has not yet been fully realized.. Existing sustainability decision-support tools in BIM need further development and practical application for refurbishment.
What research method was used?
Literature Review and Critical Analysis.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2019 journal from Journal of Building Engineering.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When planning a refurbishment project, ensure that the chosen BIM software and workflows can accommodate whole-life cycle energy assessments. Collaborate with BIM specialists and sustainability consultants to integrate these capabilities early in the design process.
What are the limitations?
The study is primarily a literature review, and practical implementation challenges may not be fully captured. The focus is on non-domestic buildings, so findings may differ for residential projects.