Stricter environmental targets for the construction industry call for accessible and reliable building data and information.
The United Nation’s 2024 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction states that ‘the buildings and construction sector contribute significantly to global climate change, accounting for about 21 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions’. Targets for net zero, social impact and equity (ESGs), and the need for alignment with international requirements such as the EU Taxonomy highlight the importance of integrating sustainable practices across all phases of building development and management.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) supports sustainability in the built environment in multiple ways. From optimising resource use and energy efficiency, to promoting the adoption of eco-friendly materials, BIM provides a comprehensive framework for aligning design, construction, operational, and maintenance practices with sustainability objectives.
What is BIM?
BIM is a way of managing data using shared, data-rich information models that represent the aspects of a building, as well as information about its functional and operational characteristics. This method helps improve the quality and exchange of information at every stage: design, construction, and operation. Fundamentally, BIM is about getting the correct data to the relevant people, at the right time, in the appropriate format.
BIM, information management and ISO 19650
BIM and information management are closely interconnected, with BIM serving as the digital infrastructure and processes for the efficient handling and utilisation of project-related information throughout its lifecycle.
Information management involves the systematic handling, organisation, and utilisation of various types of data throughout the project lifecycle. This data covers a wide range of information, such as material properties, cost estimates, maintenance information, and project documentation.
ISO 19650 is a set of international standards that guide the management of information throughout the lifecycle of buildings and other constructed assets, using BIM. It provides clear guidelines and best practice with the aim of improving collaboration, efficiency, and consistency in the management of information related to construction projects.
- Information management involves efficiently organising project data, covering everything from design details to cost estimates.
- BIM serves as a digital platform for managing this data, creating detailed models that encapsulate various project aspects.
- ISO 19650 provides standardised guidelines for effectively managing this information throughout the project lifecycle.
How does BIM support sustainability?
Lou Peel, BIM Specialist at BRE, says ‘BIM can enhance sustainability throughout a building’s lifecycle, from groundbreaking to everyday use’. She explains that ‘BIM helps improves design efficiency, optimise resource management, increase energy savings, and facilitate smart maintenance, leading to greener, more efficient buildings with reduced environmental impact’.
Efficient resource management
BIM allows for comprehensive digital modelling of buildings and infrastructure projects. This enables designers and planners to optimise resource allocation by simulating different scenarios, assessing material requirements, and identifying opportunities for waste reduction. By accurately predicting resource needs and minimising waste, BIM contributes to sustainable resource management.
Information management complements BIM by centralising crucial data such as material specifications, supplier details, and procurement processes. Stakeholders can benefit from access to real-time, comprehensive information, enabling better decision-making throughout a project’s lifecycle.
Collaboration and transparency
BIM and information management promote collaboration among stakeholders by providing centralised platforms for sharing design data, coordinating activities, and managing project documents. For instance, architects, engineers, and contractors can collaborate on a single BIM model, allowing them to visualise a project’s progress, identify potential clashes, and make informed decisions collaboratively.
This collaborative approach ensures that all stakeholders are aligned with the project’s goals and have access to the same up-to-date information, therefore fostering transparency throughout the project lifecycle. This then enables early identification of environmentally friendly design options and materials, facilitating their integration into the project’s planning and execution phases.
Energy efficiency and performance optimisation
BIM facilitates energy performance analysis by simulating building behaviour during the design stage. Architects or other stakeholders can use BIM to assess the impact of design decisions like orientation and insulation on energy consumption. They can also utilise embodied carbon calculators within BIM authoring tools for visibility of their material choices.
Mike Tofton, BIM and Digital Construction Lead at BRE, highlights that ‘BIM software provides greater design transparency and enables us to analyse, evaluate and optimise buildings in terms of simulating whole lifecycle performance, material carbon impact, and occupancy well-being’. He adds that ‘There are now many apps available that calculate embodied carbon, linking information models to the (ICE) Inventory of Carbon and Energy database, an online source which provides energy and embodied carbon information for construction materials. These apps will be crucial on the road to net zero carbon.’
In addition, information management systems can provide centralised, real-time data on energy usage, building performance metrics, and operational feedback. This smart building data can include information from sensors installed in the building, energy monitoring systems, and maintenance reports. This enables stakeholders to access a comprehensive dataset with insights into how a building is performing in real-time.
Stakeholders can then use this data and insights to optimise building performance. For instance, they can adjust building schedules to reduce energy consumption during peak hours or retrofit the building with energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems.
Through simulation tools, real-time data, and performance analysis, BIM and information management enable stakeholders to identify opportunities for optimisation and make improvements to achieve energy savings and sustainability goals.
How does BIM support ESG goals?
BIM supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals by enabling detailed tracking of environmental impacts, promoting sustainable resource management, and ensuring transparency and compliance in construction and operations. This helps organisations integrate ESG considerations throughout the building lifecycle. For example, BIM can help with monitoring energy efficiency improvements during renovations to align with sustainability targets.
How can BIM and information management support BREEAM assessments?
BREEAM is the world-leading sustainability assessment method for the built environment and infrastructure. Project owners around the world rely on BREEAM to achieve their sustainability goals and improve the performance of their assets. The BREEAM framework is used to assess whole life performance, from new build projects to refurbishment and fit-out.
BIM and information management can help streamline the collection and organisation of data required for BREEAM assessments. This makes the evaluation of a building’s environmental performance more accurate and efficient.
Learning about BIM is therefore beneficial for BREEAM assessors, as it equips them with the tools and knowledge to manage and utilise building data effectively, ultimately supporting the achievement of certification.
Mike Tofton explains that ‘When we extract what is important to our clients, such as sustainability goals, or working towards BREEAM, we can then translate this into asset information requirements, and data that we wish to access during not only design and construction but throughout the whole asset’s lifecycle.
Accessible data on material specifications, as well as monitoring and recording actual asset performance during the occupation, can be utilised to inform future decisions on how subsequent buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained, and decommissioned. It is important that we utilise data to drive sustainability improvements in construction. Using the ISO 19650 suite we can define processes for information management, starting with high-level information requirements.’
The built environment has a key role to play in supporting the delivery of sustainability objectives. BIM is helping advance sustainability within the industry through streamlined design coordination, better stakeholder collaboration, and access to important data and information.
You can learn more about BIM and information management with BRE Academy. With no pre-requisites, the BIM ISO 19650 Foundations course provides an overview of ISO 19650 and information management using BIM. For individuals looking to achieve BIM certification, the BIM training bundle offers the best and quickest route, comprising both ISO 19650 1&2 Project Delivery and ISO 19650 Delivering Information Management in Practice. BRE also offers BIM certification for businesses.
Get in touch to find out more about how we can support your BIM journey.
