BIM-based Iterative Tool for Sustainable Building Design: A Conceptual Framework

Building sustainability is a multi-dimensional concept that is increasingly becoming a focus of the mainstream construction industry. The choice of right materials, techniques, and systems for a building project was always important to ensure built environment sustainability but these days it has also become a difficult and confusing task owing to the availability of a wide array of processes, systems, techniques and materials (PSTM). To achieve sustainable design a responsive design process able to assess and optimize the use of a variety of available PSTM options is required. The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to develop a conceptual framework of a futuristic BIM-based Design Iteration (BIM-DIT) tool for selecting PSTM combinations during design. Such development can support decision-making process during the design stage of residential buildings by assisting the design team in the generation of design alternatives. The model development includes discussion of various components necessary for development and successful working of the hypothetical tool. The conceptual model development exercise shows that the hypothetical BIM-DIT tool can significantly benefit from the pre-existing design approaches in the built environment. The discussion shows that the PSTM combination selection approach used for BIM-DIT tool will help decision makers with precise knowledge of available options for achieving truly sustainable building projects. Although model development is largely inspired by pre-existing approaches, the use of these approaches for finding appropriate PSTM combinations through the involvement of all three sustainability dimensions is relatively new. Further development in this area can play a significant role in building design related decision-making.